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Professional Development

NSTA Symposia

These face-to-face professional development opportunities at NSTA conventions are half-day, standards-based programs designed to enhance educators' scientific content and pedagogical practices. Presenters include scientists, engineers, and educational specialists from NASA, as well as renowned NSTA Press authors. Three exciting programs are scheduled to take place this fall at the NSTA Area Conventions in Chicago and Nashville. For more information, visit http://institute.nsta.org/symposia.asp.

NSTA Web Seminars

These 90-minute live professional development experiences use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts; NSTA Press authors; and scientists, engineers, and education specialists from NSTA government partners, such as NASA and NOAA—all from the convenience of your desktop!

Educators use online tools that allow them to mark up and annotate presenters' slides, share desktop applications, or engage in chats and surveys and respond to poll questions with others online. Seminars may be archived and are available for viewing after the live event has occurred. Be sure to check out the fall schedule for these exciting learning opportunities and register by going to http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp.

Global Science Teaching

Educating the World's Children: Patterns of Growth and Inequality

"Many developing countries have made dramatic progress over the past several decades to enroll their children in school. Still, too many children—especially girls and those in rural areas—are out of school or leave school before graduating from the primary level and have little opportunity to attend secondary school." This excerpt is from the recently released report Educating the World's Children: Patterns of Growth and Inequality, authored by the Education Policy and Data Center at the Academy for Educational Development (AED). To read the report, visit http://eportal1-ssdc.aed.org/extend/en/external/epdc_reports/EducatingTheWorldsChildren.pdf.

NSTA Opportunities

NSTA Unveils New Name for Time-Honored Conventions

NSTA has unveiled a new name—and an enriched format—for its time-honored annual conventions. Long considered the premiere professional development events for science educators, NSTA’s national and area conventions will now be called NSTA Conferences on Science Education. The change reflects the growth and evolution of conventions into deeper, more meaningful professional development experiences for teachers. NSTA will debut the new name at its 54th National Conference on Science Education, which takes place April 6–9, 2006, in Anaheim, California, and is expected to draw more than 13,000 attendees. "Science, The Universal Language" is the theme. To read the NSTA Reports article on this announcement, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=51210.

NSTA Treasurer Post Open

NSTA seeks applicants for the NSTA Treasurer position. Responsibilities include oversight of the association’s financial and budgetary matters. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a three-year term of office, which may be renewed for another three-year term. Appointees will be expected to devote 10-12 days of service a year for this nonstaff position. An honorarium will be provided, as well as reimbursement for required meeting attendance (travel and per diem).

For additional information about the position’s responsibilities, visit http://careers.nsta.org/job_detail.asp?jobid=308. Application deadline: January 15, 2006. Interested individuals are invited to submit their resume, along with a cover letter that specifies interest in being considered for appointment, to NSTA Executive Director, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3092.

Science Scope (grades 6–9) has issued a Call for Papers on selected topics. Click here to read more:

http://www.nsta.org/181

Next Month's Theme

Science, Technology, and Society

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