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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTAs your career moves along, you focus on different needs at different times. We do the same thing here at Science Class. Although we devote a column to Professional Development in every issue, we think it's a topic that warrants an entire issue on the subject from time to time. Use the resources, ideas, and examples provided in this issue to begin, guide, or continue your professional development plan. One of NSTA's goals is to "provide and expand professional development to support standards-based science education." In 2004, NSTA is focusing on professional development in new and exciting ways. Debuting at the national convention in Atlanta in April are new NSTA Professional Development Institutes. By partnering with well known professional development providers—EDC, McREL, WestEd, and BSCS Center for Professional Development—the Institutes will offer four program strands of focused, content-based sessions exploring key topics in significant depth. To read more about the NSTA Professional Development Institutes, visit: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/atlantaPD.pdf. To register, visit: http://www.nsta.org/profdevinstitutes. Professional Development in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (Visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for nationwide news for science educators). Professional development can be pursued in various ways. Read several articles that discuss how teachers participate in workshops, take trips, and use the Internet to expand their knowledge and learn new teaching strategies. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/news_stories_middle.htm NSTA Articles on Professional Development The following NSTA journal articles provide you with some ideas for professional development. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/middle.htm Books, Books, Books Stay current on the latest teacher trends. These NSTA Press books from the Issues in Science Education Series will help you identify your professional development needs and form a strategy for fulfilling them. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/books_middle.htm Click here to view the list of new books from NSTA Press: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/newbooksmiddle.htm Professional Development The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC) has an entire section on its website devoted to professional development strategies for science education. In the section called Ideas that Work, Susan Loucks-Horsley's thoughtful piece "Effective Professional Development for Teachers of Science" focuses on the weaknesses in today's professional development scene and outlines what can be done to improve it. Click here to read more: http://www.enc.org/professional/learn/ideas/science/document.shtm?input=ACQ-142559-2559_2,00.shtm NSTA Opportunities Coming Your Way: A Summer Issue of Science Scope You told us that you have more time for reading and planning in the summer months, so we are mailing our first-ever summer issue of Science Scope in July. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/scopesummer.pdf Planning Ahead: Making the Most of Your Convention Experience NSTA's convention web pages can make it easier for you to plan your schedule ahead of time. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/www.pdf Write for NSTA's Journals NSTA members want to read about your teaching experiences. To find out more, visit: Science Scope (Grades 6–9) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/scope.htm Next Month's Theme: Science Fairs If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. If you have a text-only browser or are having any difficulties with our links, please visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-02/member_middle.htm. THE FINE PRINTThis
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