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Table of Contents

• Plotting Pluto's Comeback
• NSTA in Baltimore: Science for English Language Learners
• New Online Chemistry Class from Montana State University
• NSTA Salt Lake City Conference Draws Nearer
• Beyond the Future: Take a Look at What Some Experts Predict
• New College Title From NSTA Press Offers New Teaching Methods

Plotting Pluto's Comeback

Although the International Astronomical Union is not scheduled to meet again until 2009, plans are being made for an ad hoc conference of astronomers next year to come up with another new definition of "planet,” one that will almost certainly restore Pluto's status. To read the Newsweek article, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15460884/site/newsweek.

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NSTA in Baltimore: Science for English Language Learners

Before the start of the NSTA Eastern Area Conference, dozens of attendees participated in a day–long event on November 1 titled Science and English Language Learners (ELL): Research, Practical Approaches and Policy Directions for Classroom Teachers, School and District Level Administrators, and University Teacher Educators.
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, this event consisted of three plenary sessions and two breakout sessions facilitated by Ann Rosebery, codirector of the Cheche Konnen Center for Science Education, TERC, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Teaching ELLs should be on the radar screens of all educators,” Rosebery told attendees as she began the conference. To read the complete NSTA WebNews Digest story, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=52878.

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New Online Chemistry Class from Montana State University

MSU Bozeman offers a new distance class for spring 2007 semester: "Exploring Chemistry for Middle and High School Teachers" (3 graduate credits). This online course provides an in-depth discussion of critical concepts in chemistry. Emphasis will be on conceptual design of experiments as well as applications of chemistry to everyday life and to other branches of science. Additional emphasis will be placed on the role of experimental sciences in teaching reading, writing, and logical thinking across multiple student backgrounds.

The course is intended as a prerequisite for future courses in chemistry for middle and high school teachers. For more information about this class contact Dr. Carol Thoresen, thoresen@montana.edu or http://www.montana.edu/msse for information about the Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree program. You do not need to be admitted into the graduate degree program to enroll into classes designed specifically for science teachers.

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NSTA Salt Lake City Conference Draws Nearer

Our third and final area conference for 2006 is drawing ever closer. Our Western Conference will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah December 7-9. We’ll be exploring the nature of science, how to use science to teach language literacy and mathematics, and how to put science education research into action. If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late! Visit http://www.nsta.org/saltlakecity for even more details and to register!

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Beyond the Future: Take a Look at What Some Experts Predict

The Washington Post held a week-long online event in which various experts and staff writers answered questions regarding the future and their likely predictions for it. To read the Q&A transcripts, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2006/06/13/LI2006061300649.html

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New College Title From NSTA Press Offers New Teaching Methods

Introduce your students to the magic of stories—delivered through educational case studies that will help you put science into vivid context. Start With a Story offers an abundance of strategies, tips, examples, ideas, and resources to free your students (and you) from dry lecture formats. Visit http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB206X to learn more.

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And Don't Forget…

• The latest Web Seminars!” Visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp.
• The NSTA Science Store for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources: http://store.nsta.org. This month’s featured book special is Favorite Demonstrations for College Science. For 30% off, visit http://www.nsta.org/onlinespecial2!

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Professional development courses in your future?
Online options give you a world of choice.
Take a look at these institutions offering courses for science educators!
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