• NSTA Legislative Update: NCLB Reauthorization
• NSB Rolls Out National Action Plan for 21st Century STEM Education
• Science Educators: Dig Into NSTA With a Free Book PLUS $10 Off Dues!
• The Science Teacher is Looking for a Few Good Questions
• Hot off the Press: NSTA Guide to Planning School Science Facilities, Second Edition
• The Birmingham Earlybird Deadline is Flying Closer

NSTA Legislative Update: NCLB Reauthorization

Will NCLB be authorized this year? That’s the $64,000 question education advocates ask as they watch the Congressional calendar year wind down. Read all about NCLB and more in this issue of the NSTA Legislative Update.

NSB Rolls Out National Action Plan for 21st Century STEM Education

On October 3 at the U.S. Capitol the National Science Board unveiled their long-awaited national action plan for 21st century STEM education. Key recommendations made by the NSB (the oversight body for the National Science Foundation) include the formation of an independent, non-Federal National Council for STEM Education; voluntary national STEM content guidelines; alignment of STEM learning across grade levels; and increased STEM teacher compensation.

The National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System also highlights strategies to enable and encourage stakeholders from local, state and federal governments, as well as nongovernmental STEM education stakeholder groups, to collaborate.

One of the presenters was former NSTA President Dr. Jo Anne Vasquez, currently a member of the NSB and vice-Chairman of the commission that wrote the report.

• Read the entire report
• Read the NSTA Reports article written by Dr. Vasquez

With so many schools planning to build or renovate, the fully updated NSTA Guide to Planning School Science Facilities is a timely addition to school administrators' and architects’ libraries. It’s the definitive resource for every K–12 school that seeks safe, effective science space without costly, time-consuming mistakes.

New to this edition is a chapter on “green” schools, including how to think outside the traditional walls and use the entire grounds to encourage environmental responsibility in students.

• Read a chapter and order

The Birmingham Earlybird Deadline is Flying Closer

Sample just a few of our offerings. Elementary school teachers can learn new hands-on activities integrating math, science, and literacy. Middle school teachers become expert on assessment. High school teachers can attend workshops in their disciplines, and college professors can learn about formative assessment. Think of listening to keynote speaker Kathryn Thornton talk about her space exploits. How about a workshop on force and motion fundamentals? Take part in a workshop to help you better teach science to English language learners. And then there’s an exhibit hall chockfull of new products, lesson plans, and giveaways. NSTA’s conferences have something for everyone and we want you to take it all back to the classroom.

Remember when you attend our Birmingham conference as a member, not only do you save the most on registration, you get a whole year’s worth of benefits. Register by October 12 for earlybird savings. See you in Birmingham! Visit www.nsta.org/birmingham.

(back to top)

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.

Visit the NSTA Science Store for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources. Receive 30% off of the October featured book, Practicing Science: The Investigative Approach in College Science Teaching.

Visit our member services web page to ensure that NSTA has your current contact information.