• Science Ed News Roundup
• NAS Announces Initiative to Connect Entertainment Industry with Top Experts
• Report Says World's Educators Should Learn From Singapore's Success in Science and Math
• Are You Retired But Want to Stay Active in Science Education?

Science Ed News Roundup

In Texas last week the State Board of Education heard testimony on the state’s proposed science education standards and whether teachers should be allowed to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolutionary theory.

In Tennessee, dismal science test scores reflect a growing trend in that state to focus on reading and math.

And at the national level, the new president of the American Federation of Teachers says the AFT is open to the idea of linking teacher pay with student performance.

• Read the Houston Chronicle article “Board of Education Challenged Over Evolution”
• Read The Tennessean article “Science Gets Short Shrift”
• Read the Associated Press article “Teachers' Union Receptive to Obama Idea to Tie Pay to Student Performance”

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NAS Announces Initiative to Connect Entertainment Industry with Top Experts

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced today the creation of "The Science and Entertainment Exchange," an initiative designed to connect entertainment industry professionals with top scientists and engineers to help the creators of television shows, films, video games, and other productions incorporate science into their work. The Exchange represents the Academy's first formal effort to reach out to the entertainment community and provide the creative minds of Hollywood with a direct connection to the creative minds of science.

"Television and film can involve the public in the latest advances in science, medicine, and technology," said NAS President Ralph J. Cicerone. "By building strong connections between the entertainment and science communities, we're hoping to provide an important service to both Hollywood and the viewing public."

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A new report from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the Pearson Foundation identifies key factors in Singapore's success in teaching science and mathematics and recommends that educators around the world extend and develop these practices in their school systems.

• Read more

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Are You Retired But Want to Stay Active in Science Education?

Age is just a number, and the science education community values the wisdom and experience of retired teachers. Our retired members remain active in their communities through mentoring at their former schools, consulting with curriculum and instruction professionals, and advocating at the local and state levels on behalf of science education improvement and innovation for all. Get in on the conversation!

All you have to do is click to www.nsta.org, select the member services tab, and then select “update your contact info.” There, you will log on with your last name and member ID (or e-mail address and password, if you’ve set that up), and then click “submit.” Your ID number can be found on the mailing label of the journal you receive. On the next screen, you will see your profile. If you scroll down toward the bottom of the screen, you will see the names of the various lists—check the box for the Retired List. That’s all there is to it!

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And Don’t Forget…

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

Visit the NSTA Science Store for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources. Receive 30% off the price of the November featured book, Everyday Assessment in the Science Classroom.

NSTA is offering more Web Seminars in the months ahead. Visit the website for more information and to register to attend these FREE professional development opportunities.