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Table of Contents

• NSTA President Testifies on Capitol Hill
• Page Keeley Elected as NSTA 2008-2009 President
• NSTA, CBC Select Outstanding Science Trade Books
• NSTA Board Adopts New Position Statement on Laboratory Science
• Read Your Favorite NSTA Journal Online
• Professional Development Opportunities Abound at the NSTA National Conference

NSTA President Testifies on Capitol Hill

NSTA President Linda Froschauer and NSTA Past President Arthur Eisenkraft testified before the House Science and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Research and Science Education last week on ways to improve the laboratory science experience for students. They also provided feedback on H.R. 524, known as the Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science (PALS), a bill which would establish a laboratory pilot program at the National Science Foundation.

To read more about the hearing and to view a webcast of the hearing (their testimony begins at 39 minutes), visit http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=1406. To read a summary of H.R. 524, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/summary.pdf; to read Linda Froschauer’s testimony, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/froschauer.pdf. During the House hearing Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation. The House bill is expected to go to the full Science and Technology Committee for approval later this month.

A quality lab experience is critical to student success. Last week in NSTA Express, we asked high school readers, “What are the problems with the lab experience in your school?" To read a summary of the more than 330 responses we received, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/surveyresults.pdf. Also take a minute to review the new NSTA position statement on Laboratory Science, which has just been approved by the NSTA Board of Directors (see related story in this issue). To read the position statement, visit http://www.nsta.org/positionstatement&psid=16.

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Page Keeley Elected as NSTA 2008-2009 President

Congratulations to Page Keeley, Senior Science Specialist with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, who was elected to serve as NSTA's 63rd President.

Join us also in congratulating the NSTA members also newly elected to the Board and Council who will begin their 3-year term on the board this June. To view the complete list, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2007_03_12_election.htm.

On this year’s ballot was also a proposed change to NSTA’s Bylaws. The change was approved. To review the Bylaw changes, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/pdfs/2007BylawsChanges.pdf.

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NSTA, CBC Select Outstanding Science Trade Books

Apples and oranges…and lychees and loquats—how can one compare them? That’s the challenge when a team of NSTA’s best science educators attempt to select the best of each year’s science trade books. It’s been 34 years since NSTA joined forces with the Children’s Book Council (CBC) to select the best trade books. Visit http://www.nsta.org/ostbs07 to view the complete list.

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NSTA Board Adopts New Position Statement on Laboratory Science

The NSTA Board of Directors has adopted a new position statement, The Integral Role of Laboratory Investigations in Science Instruction. The statement reaffirms the central role laboratory investigations play in quality science instruction at all levels, and states “for science to be taught properly and effectively, labs must be an integral part of the science curriculum.” The new statement replaces Laboratory Science, which was adopted in 1990.

An expert panel of science educators drafted the new position statement and NSTA members had an opportunity to view and comment on the draft. NSTA would like to thank the members of the position statement panel who dedicated their time and expertise. They include Chairperson Arthur Eisenkraft, University of Massachusetts Boston; Toby M. Horn, Carnegie Institution of Washington; Michael C. Lach , Chicago Public Schools; Inez Liftig, Fairfield Woods Middle School; Steve Long, Rogers High School; Juliana V. Texley, Consultant and NSTA Press Author; Jean Tushie, Eden Prairie High School; and Karen Worth, Education Development Center, Inc. NSTA encourages its members to share the new statement with school leadership. To read the complete statement, visit http://www.nsta.org/positionstatement&psid=16. To read a recent NSTA Reports article about the statement, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=53517.

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Read Your Favorite NSTA Journal Online

The March issues of NSTA’s journals are available online. Members can access articles from all four of NSTA’s grade-specific journals online using their member number; nonmembers can read one free article from each journal every month. To view the complete table of contents for the March issues of our K-12 journals, visit the links below.

• Science and Children (K-6): http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=sc&n=53530
• Science Scope (6-9): http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=53481
• The Science Teacher (9-12): http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=tst&n=53498
• Journal of College Science Teaching: http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=jcst&n=53429

Not a member and want to join? Visit http://www.nsta.org/join or http://ecommerce.nsta.org/sendmeinfo to request additional information.

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Professional Development Opportunities Abound at the NSTA National Conference

Looking for an in-depth conference session for improving your content knowledge or pedagogical understanding? The NSTA Professional Development Division has just the sessions you’re looking for at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education March 28-April 1 in St. Louis, Missouri! Visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2007_03_12_conference.htm.

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NSTA Presents Science for English Language Learners Conference

On March 31, 2007, NSTA, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, is holding a daylong conference—Science for English Language Learners—on research, practical approaches, and policy directions for classroom teachers, school and district administrators, and university faculty.

NSTA will provide critical information, guidance, and leadership to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in science.

The conference will take place within NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education to be held in St. Louis, Missouri March 29-April 1. For more details, visit http://www.nsta.org/ell.

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And Don’t Forget…

• Membership Means You Belong! Join NSTA for these essential benefits that will enhance your marketability in the teaching profession and build your professional knowledge. Being a member of NSTA means you’re part of an international community of practitioners dedicated to improving science education.
• 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 Linking Science and Literacy. For 30% off, visit http://www.nsta.org/onlinespecial2!
• NSTA is offering more Web Seminars in March. Visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp for topics and registration information.

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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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