M i d d l e L e v e l E d i t i o n
D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6
MAKING SCIENCE ACCESSIBLE
NSTA’s mission is clearly stated: “to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching for all.” The reality, however, is that achievement gaps have been identified not only with respect to race and ethnicity, but also regarding gender, limited English-language ability, socioeconomic status, and learning differences. As Inez Liftig, field editor of Science Scope, points out in this month's issue, "To borrow an analogy from sports, we must level the playing field so special needs students can get off the sidelines and into the game." In this issue of Science Class, learn about some of the resources available to help you meet the challenges at hand. Making Science Accessible in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for national news for science educators). News stories selected for this issue provide examples of how science is being made available to all students. Visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-12/news_stories_middle.htm to learn more. Making Science Accessible on the Web In this month's middle-level journal, Science Scope, NSTA members can read "Making Learning a Never-Ending Story" at http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=52995. For the complete Science Scope December 2006 Illustrated Table of Contents, visit http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=53038. NSTA Journal Articles on Making Science Accessible Read these articles from the NSTA journal archives for ideas on how to make science accessible to everyone in your classroom. Click here to learn more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-12/middle.htm Books, Books, Books To read about Making Science Accessible in NSTA Press® and NSTA Recommends® books, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-12/books_middle.htm. To read about the newest titles available from NSTA Press, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-12/newbooksmiddle.htm. To receive the latest NSTA catalog for your specific grade level, visit http://ecommerce.nsta.org/catalog_signup. Professional Development NSTA Web Seminars The NSTA Web Seminars series continues through March 2007! Topics include: nutrition and outbreaks, Mars exploration, the ocean's role in weather and climate, space weather, gravity, circular motion, work and simple machines, and the International Polar Year. To learn more and to register, visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp. NSTA Symposia The following NSTA Symposia topics will be presented at the National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, March 29-April 1, 2007: International Polar Year science and discoveries, kinetic and potential energy, work and simple machines, global positioning system and geography, nutrition and outbreaks, and space habitats. On-line registration begins December 18,
2006 at http://institute.nsta.org/default.asp.
Global Science Teaching Math/Science Education in a Global Age Given the common challenges posed by globalization, many nations also face capacity-building issues in workforce development and education. In 2005, Asia Society and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China convened the U.S.-China Education Leaders Forum on Math and Science Education in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the Forum was to deepen knowledge of the two education systems and to develop a set of ideas as to how the two countries could learn from each others’ strengths and challenges in mathematics and science education. This report summarizes the discussion at the Forum as well as related research on Asian achievement in math and science to make these ideas available to a wider audience. To read more, visit http://www.internationaled.org/mathsciencereport.pdf. NSTA Opportunities Call for Papers Science Scope (grades 6–9) has issued a Call for Papers on selected topics. Click here to read more: Next Month's Theme: Population/Ecosystems If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. THE FINE PRINTThis
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