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Table of Contents

• Senate and House Pass Major Science, Math/Innovation Bills
• The State of Teaching with Technology
• Be the First at Your School to Know the Latest Details about NSTA's Fall Regional Conferences—Detroit, Denver, and Birmingham
• Let Your Students' Imaginations Soar With DISCOVER Magazine
• Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Volume 2 Now Available
• Registration Now Open For Department of Education Summer Teacher Workshops

NSTA Legislative Update: Senate and House Pass Major Science, Math/Innovation Bills

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed bills last week which authorize a number of programs for K-12 science and math education. The bills are legislative responses to recommendations contained in the National Academies’ Rising Above the Gathering Storm report (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11463#toc), which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy by strengthening science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and by providing support and incentives for increased research and development.

The House approved H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (http://science.house.gov), and by a vote of 88 to 8 the Senate passed the America Competes Act (http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Print&PressRelease_id=248798&SuppressLayouts=True).

The House Committee on Science & Technology also approved their bill to reauthorize programs at the National Science Foundation. This bill is expected to go to the full House next week (http://science.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1792).

To read more about these bills, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2007_04_30_legupdate.htm; to read about NSTA’s response to the legislation, visit http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/pressrelease.pdf.

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The State of Teaching with Technology

In the past few weeks, two significant reports—the Speak Up survey and Technology Counts 2007: A Digital Decade—have focused on technology, particularly as it relates to teaching. Project Tomorrow-NetDay, a nonprofit association, conducted the fourth annual Speak Up survey and Education Week launched Technology Counts 2007t. To learn more, read the cover story from the May issue of NSTA Reports at http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=53820.

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Be the First at Your School to Know the Latest Details about NSTA's Fall Regional Conferences—Detroit, Denver, and Birmingham

Are you interested in learning which science experts are presenting at the next Conference on Science Education? Or when registration will open? Or what great exhibitor’s events will be occurring at a particular conference?

Sign up for VIP updates to get the freshest information, the closest deadline, or activity notice sent directly to your e-mail inbox. To receive the VIP updates for Detroit (October 18-20), Denver (November 8-10), and Birmingham (December 6-8), visit http://science.nsta.org/vipresponse.

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Let Your Students' Imaginations Soar With DISCOVER Magazine

DISCOVER magazine is holding a nationwide contest among third through eighth graders to design an image for the cover of its October issue, “The State of Science in America.” The winning entry, to be selected by DISCOVER’s editorial team, will be the design that best captures the wonderment and possibilities of science. In addition to the winning entry, six finalists will be profiled in that issue and on the magazine’s home page. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, June 20, 2007. Additional details on the competition, including the contest rules, are available at http://www.discovermagazine.com.

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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Volume 2 Now Available

Teachers looking for new insight into their students’ understanding of science now have new resources available! Like the blockbuster that came before it, the newly available Volume 2 of Uncovering Student Ideas in Science will reveal the surprising misconceptions students bring to the classroom—allowing teachers to replace those ideas with a sound understanding of science.

For more information and to order visit, http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB193X2.

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Registration Now Open For Department of Education Summer Teacher Workshops

The U.S. Department of Education will again host its annual summer regional workshops series for teachers. This is the fourth summer that the Department has provided these free workshops to teachers. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; registration for the workshops is free, but participants are responsible for their own transportation and lodging. For more information, visit https://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/About.asp.

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.
• NSTA’s online Calendar keeps you informed about upcoming events and opportunities of interest to science educators. Visit http://www.nsta.org/calendar for information on summer programs, grants, awards, workshops, and other opportunities and occasions for enhancing—and enjoying—science education.
• The NSTA Science Store for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources: http://store.nsta.org. May’s featured book special is Clones, Cats, and Chemicals. For 30% off, visit http://www.nsta.org/onlinespecial2!
• NSTA is offering more Web Seminars in May. Visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp for the topics and registration information for these upcoming professional development opportunities.

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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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