Secretary of Education Arne Duncan shared his views on the direction of Science Education in the Knowledge Economy in the May 2011 issue of NSTA Reports. Duncan says the administration is ”committed to ensuring our country’s science teachers have the resources, expertise, and support needed to make science an educational priority. Yet, I realize we need [...]
NSTA Emeritus Executive Director Gerry Wheeler shared his thoughts on the challenges facing science education in the coming decade in the Robert H. Karplus Lecture. He noted that although students’ lives outside the classroom are changing dramatically, but their lives inside the classroom have not kept pace. Wheeler said future visions of education are being [...]
One thing about attending a NSTA conference, you get to try local cuisine, as well as an occasional unusual treat. I just spoke to this teacher from Pittsburgh who told me he sampled a scorpion in the exhibit hall. The chef didn’t recommend any sauces so as not overwhelm the scorpion’s natural flavor. It also [...]
The name may be National Science Teachers Association, but our members—and conference presenters—are involved at all levels of education. Improving STEM Teaching and Education: A Superintendent’s Symposium featured four Bay-area superintendents discussing how they support STEM education in their districts. It was interesting to hear them talk about creating partnerships with local businesses, keeping a [...]
I have to echo Mary’s post. Where else can you see robots roaming, penguins flapping, and educators making their own butterfly chrysalis necklaces? Not to mention electric hybrid cars, a sloth, and pi earrings? The exhibit hall is truly fascinating. (I’ve put more pictures from the exhibit hall up on Flikr, just search for NSTA 2011 [...]
I have talked to conference attendees and presenters who have come to San Francisco from all over the country. California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and everywhere in between. Some are here for their first conference, others are attending their first conference in several years. But they all seem eager to get the most out of [...]
It’s not quite 7 a.m. here in San Francisco, but it looks like a number of people are getting an early start. When I arrived at the conference center a few minutes ago, I saw several people headed in, apparently on their way to some early sessions—many with coffee in hand. Talk about dedication!
A panel discussion on the Next Generation of Science Education Standards with NSTA executive director Francis Eberle; Helen Quinn, chair of the board on Science Education, The National Academies in Menlo Park, California; and Stephen Pruitt, vice president, Achieve, Inc., wrapped up a few minutes ago. The trio shared an overview of how the draft [...]
It’s been a busy morning at the national conference. Although the exhibit hall didn’t open until 10 a.m., many sessions started much earlier. I had to chance to talk to some attendees between sessions and it sounds like everyone is looking for something a little bit different, but all with the same goal—to be a [...]
Only one day to go until the national conference opens in San Francisco. On my way out I overheard some folks talking, apparently on their way to San Francisco for the conference. They were discussing what topics the conference needs more of, with quite divergent opinions. Chemistry, engineering, and more. This got me wondering, are there other topics NSTA [...]
