NSTA Professional Development Grows at Area Conferences

Looking for an in-depth conference session for improving your content knowledge or pedagogical understanding? NSTA has just the sessions you’re looking for at our Fall Conferences! Join us for in-depth learning experiences on timely and engaging topics in advancing science learning and teaching at Omaha, Baltimore, and Salt Lake City. These engaging half- and full-day experiences are sure to offer many applications for your classroom. For more information on the individual conferences, check out the links below:

Omaha Midwestern Area Conference

October 18, 2006: 7:30 a.m. -4:45 p.m.

NSTA Professional Learning Institute: Science at the Center for Reading Success

Have you struggled to fully address inquiry-based science instruction within the tight time frames of the K–6 instructional day? This institute offers sessions for elementary educators designed to enhance teaching and student performance in science and in reading.

Featured Presenters include: Wendy Saul (Endowed Professor of Education and International Studies, University of Missouri, St. Louis) and Michael Klentschy, (Superintendent of Schools, El Centro Elementary School District, El Centro, Calif.)

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/conferencedetail&Meeting_Code=2006OMA.

NSTA Symposium: Force and Motion – Stop Faking It!

An exciting symposium for upper elementary and middle level educators based on the NSTA Press publication Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It by Bill Robertson. Two web seminars and a discussion listserv continue the conversation after the Conference.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/forces/omaha/symposium.asp.

October 20, 2006: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NASA/NSTA Symposium: Lunar Exploration

This symposium, presented in partnership with NASA scientists, is designed for teachers of grades 5-8 on the topic of lunar exploration. Participants learn about cratering processes, remote sensing, error analysis, and the use of satellite data. A follow-up discussion listserv and 4 web seminars extend the interactions between participants and presenters.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/lunar/symposium.asp.

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Baltimore Eastern Area Conference

November 1, 2006: 12:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Science for English Language Learners: Research, Practical Approaches, and Policy Directions for Classroom Teachers, School and District Level Administrators, and University Teacher Educators

The third in a series of NSTA Research Dissemination Conferences, the Science for English Language Learners (ELL) conference will address the needs of all English Language Learners, with recognition that although the achievement gap for science is closing, the gap remains static at best for ELL.

The NSTA Research Dissemination Conferences are sponsored by NSTA in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Science for ELL conference will be offered first in Baltimore and then in St. Louis at the annual conference, March 31, 2007.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/ELL.

November 2, 2006: 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NOAA/NSTA Symposium: The Ocean’s Role in Weather and Climate

Learn about the ocean’s influence on weather and climate, about hurricanes and El Niño. Developed in partnership with NOAA, this symposium is for teachers of grades 5–12. Two web seminars and a discussion listserv follow the symposium.
For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/oceans/symposium.asp.

November 2, 2006: 1:00-5:30 p.m.

NSTA Symposium: Force and Motion – Stop Faking It!

A symposium for upper elementary and middle level educators based on the NSTA Press publication Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It by Bill Robertson. A discussion listserv and two web seminars will keep participants in touch with the presenter.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/forces/Bal/symposium.asp.

November 3, 2006: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

FDA/NSTA Symposium: Food Safety and Nutrition

This symposium is developed in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for teachers of grades 5-8. Participants learn about outbreaks, food labels, nutrition, and food-borne pathogens. Two web seminars and a discussion listserv continue the conversation after the conference.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/nutrition/symposium.asp

November 4, 2006: 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NASA/NSTA Symposium: Living and Working in Space–Energy

In this symposium, for teachers of grades 4–9, participants learn about living and working in space! NASA scientists explain the ways astronauts use solar energy on the International Space Station and share the challenges of living on the Moon and Mars. Web seminars and a discussion listserv follow the symposium.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/living/symposium.asp.

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Salt Lake City Western Area Conference

December 6, 2006: 8:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.

Coaching as a Pathway to Reflective Practice in Science (PDI-2)

Coaching is professional development in a different way. The South Carolina Department of Education’s Mathematics and Science Unit (SC MSU) will share research-based strategies to facilitate lasting instructional improvement in science by removing barriers to reflective practice in K–8 classrooms. In this institute, coaches, teachers, principals, administrators, and other instructional leaders will explore a comprehensive model for preparing and supporting coaches, examine the roles of an effective coach in catalyzing change, and reflect on their own practice with experienced coaches.

Offered by the South Carolina Department of Education's Mathematics & Science Unit (http://www.myscmsu.org) in partnership with South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (http://www.sccoalition.org)

December 6, 2006: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Using Professional Development and Community Partnerships to Anchor Inquiry-based Science in School Systems (PDI-1)

Join us in a day of experiences demonstrating the transformative power of collaborative work around professional development and community partnerships to create and anchor systemic change within school districts. Learn how harnessing professional development resources from local universities, informal science institutions, and school districts can promote achievement for all students through quality science teaching and learning. Explore a model of a professional learning community that engages school districts and multiple community institutions in professional development around inquiry-based science.

Offered by Washington University Science Outreach (http://www.so.wustl.edu)

December 6, 2006: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Redesigning Professional Development for In-Depth Inquiry (PDI-3)

Reconsider how your district conducts professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. Do you want to retain those promising novice teachers and grow good teachers into teacher-leaders? This professional development institute will model several techniques for conducting extended professional development institutes and provide a forum for discussing varieties of approaches for designing extended work with teachers.

Offered by the Center for Science Education, Education Development Center, Newton, Massachusetts (http://www.cse.edc.org/work/pdta.asp)

For more information on each Salt Lake City PDI, visit
http://www.nsta.org/conferencebrowse2/&Meeting_Code=2006SAL&searchby=date&start_date=2006-12-06

December 8, 2006: 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

IPY/NSTA Symposium: The Fragile Ice

Celebrate the International Polar Year (IPY). Learn how Earth’s remote polar regions impact global climate systems and how scientists use ice cores to discover our planet’s climate history.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/ipyice/symposium.asp.

December 8, 2006: 1:00-5:30 p.m.

NSTA Symposium: Energy–Stop Faking It!

An exciting symposium for upper elementary and middle level educators based on the NSTA Press publication Energy: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It by Bill Robertson. Two web seminars and a discussion listserv continue the conversation after the symposium.

For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/institute.aspxfall06/energy/symposium.asp.

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