• NSTA and Children's Book Council Release 2009 List of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12
• Live Webcast of Congressional Hearing on Science Education
• Countdown to New Orleans
• Summer Learning Opportunity

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NSTA and Children's Book Council Release 2009 List of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12

Science literacy is about more than dusting off an old textbook. One of the best ways to add some excitement to your curriculum is by incorporating trade books, and the annual list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 lets you know which are the very best. NSTA and CBC have refined the criteria for the highest quality, most engaging, and scientifically accurate publications for children. This year’s list covers everything from frogs to cars and takes students from the frigid Antarctic all the way to sunny Kenya. The full list appears in the March editions of Science and Children, Science Scope, and The Science Teacher. You can also go online to view the 2009 list and see those from previous years.

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Live Webcast of Congressional Hearing on Science Education

Former NSTA President Harold Pratt and Bill Nye are scheduled to testify on Thursday, March 5, at 10:00 ET before the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. The event will be webcast live—please see the subcommittee's calendar for the link to the webcast.

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Countdown to New Orleans

The most important event on science education is just a few weeks away. Scheduled for March 19–22 in New Orleans, NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education will be the forum for discussion of “all that is science.” Teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, district directors, and administrators will attend workshops, seminars, presentations, and institutes. Teachers in every grade and discipline can expect professional development from nationally known experts and practitioners.

See some of our session titles out of more than 1,900 events:

• Acclaimed presenters, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Mark Plotkin (ethnobotanist and President, Amazon Conservation Team) will entertain and inspire.
• Symposium-Exploring Bioethics: A New Model for Classroom Instruction (ticketed)
• Symposium—Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate (ticketed)
• Bats: Myth vs. Reality (Middle)
• Blown Away by Weather—Come build components of a weather station, track hurricanes, and become a meteorologist-in-training. Handouts provided. (Elementary)
• Learning to "Converse" with Phenomena of Nature: Developing, Classifying, and Answering Investigative Science Questions in the K–8 Classroom-(Elementary/Supervision)
• Adapting Labs for a Physics First Program (High)
• NASA: Solving the Mysteries in the Heart of a Supernova Explosion (Middle–College)
• Ways of Knowing: Connecting Science and the Human Spirit Through Native Knowledge—Experience the Ways of Knowing program, which consists of hands-on and digital resources that engage students in the science behind traditional knowledge through authentic, meaningful contexts. (General)
• Using Forensics: Wildlife Crime Scene (Informal)
• Inquiry Activities Integrating Science and Mathematics (Elementary)

1. Save up to $40 a night. Our staff has requested that the conference hotels reduce their rates for conference attendees. To date, the following hotels have graciously responded:
• Intercontinental—rate reduced to $159 from $190.
• Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel—rate reduced to $155 from $189.
• Marriott Convention Center—rate reduced to $219 from $259.
2. Finally, if you are considering bringing a group of educators larger than five that would register as a group, we would be happy to discuss additional savings. Please contact our office at 1-800-328-8998 or e-mail sales@nsta.org

Don’t forget about earning graduate credits for 12 hours of program attendance. Visit the New Orleans web pages for details or to register.

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Summer Learning Opportunity

Urban school districts across the nation are invited to an Urban Science Education Leadership Academy, scheduled for August 5–8, 2009, in Orlando, Florida. Teams of teachers accompanied by their district supervisor will collaborate to develop the leadership skills to help guide reform in urban schools that supports excellence in science learning. Attendees will share their personal experiences, build on their knowledge of the change process, and become experienced practitioners who will lead initiatives for science education improvement in their districts. Ultimately, the Academy will help form engaged and responsible leaders who will increase best practices in an urban setting and improve student performance. For more information, contact Arlene Elrod at 256.517.1786 or at daelrod@ix.netcom.com.

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And Don’t Forget…

Visit our member services web page to ensure that NSTA has your current contact information. And when the time comes to renew—select the "Autorenew" option!

Visit the NSTA Science Store for an outstanding array of bestselling books and teaching resources. Receive 30% off the price of the March featured book, All in a Day's Work, 2nd Edition.

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.