• NSTA and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Create Framework for Integrating 21st Century Skills into Science Curriculum
• Don't Delay, Apply Now to the 2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy!
• NSTA Legislative Update
• Membership Has Its Benefits
• There Are 10 Terrific Reasons to Attend NSTA's Minneapolis Conference on Science Education, October 29–31, 2009
• NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate
• Wildlife Conservation Society's PD for Science Educators—A Summer Opportunity

NSTA and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Create Framework for Integrating 21st Century Skills into Science Curriculum

• Read the announcement
• View the science map (PDF)
• Visit the Partnership website

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Don't Delay, Apply Now to the 2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy!

The deadline to submit applications for the 2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy is fast approaching. Science teachers located throughout the country, who will be entering their second or third year of teaching and whose schedule is a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science, are encouraged to apply.

NSTA Fellows chosen for the program receive a comprehensive membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each NSTA Fellow receives financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education, taking place in Philadelphia, March 18–21, 2010.

For more information about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy or to learn how to apply to become a fellow, please visit www.nsta.org/academy. If you have questions, e-mail Joe Sciulli at jsciulli@nsta.org. Applications must be submitted no later than June 30, 2009, to be considered. Don’t delay, apply now!

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NSTA Legislative Update

A number of new STEM related bills have been introduced in the past few weeks, and Congress is getting to work on funding for FY2010 programs. Read all about it in this issue of the NSTA Legislative Update.

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Membership Has Its Benefits

New—just for NSTA members—is an online networking platform we call "NSTA Communities" that offers the opportunity to meet and discover, share expertise, ask for advice, and converse with other educators who have a passion for science. If you need suggestions for resources that simplify a classroom activity, you've got a ready audience with experiences to share. If you need advice on a problem student, pose your questions to other educators who have solved similar problems.

Community members may look for you to share your knowledge and skills, too. To add your voice to the NSTA Communities: create your profile, note your interests and values (we'll match you with others with like interests), post a photograph, join a group, and start talking. NSTA members are reaching out, giving and gathering resources, sharing experiences, and meeting a unique and passionate group of professionals.

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There Are 10 Terrific Reasons to Attend NSTA's Minneapolis Conference on Science Education, October 29–31, 2009

Reason #1: PERFORMANCE—Because you and your students deserve to excel in the science classroom

With over 300 concurrent presentations, sessions and workshops designed to increase your content knowledge, sharpen inquiry skills, teach assessment, improve performance, and assist you in your journey towards becoming the best educator you can be, you’ll want to consider attending this professional development conference in the fall. Register by the earlybird deadline, September 18, to get the most affordable rates.Check out a sampling of our sessions:

• Keynote and author Richard Louv—Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
• Inquiry-based Hands-On Activities and Demonstrations—On energy, magnetism, diffusion, heat transfer, hydrophilic/hydrophobic materials, and forensic potentials. (Elem-High Level).
• Students Show What They Know—Learn how formative assessment can have a powerful, positive effect on student learning. Graphic organizers, Thinking Works, and Foldables® are combined to illustrate students' thinking. Handouts included. (General)
• Forensic Science Is the Across-the-Curriculum Course—Learn about forensic scientists’ skills—setting the scenario; collecting, analyzing, and modeling data to predict results; and reporting. (Middle-High Level)
• Technology Binds Mathematics and Science—Multiple representations allow students to truly understand science concepts through links between data and graphical representations. Handouts included. (Middle-High Level)
• Ecological Footprints—We'll look at sustainability in a shrinking world and life styles. (Elem-Middle Level)
• Scale the Universe—How big is big? How small is small? Let's "scale the universe" and investigate the powers of ten. Free NASA materials. (Middle-High Level)
• Exploring Bioethics: A New Model for High School Instruction—Engage students in a new approach to examining biomedical practices, such as genetic testing, and developing their own well-justified positions on the ethical issues involved. (High School Level)
• Field Trip: St. Anthony Falls Laboratory: Hydrology on a Big Scale
• Field Trip: Great River Energy: Splendor in the Glass
• Exhibit Hall: Bring an extra tote to carry home the many giveaways from top exhibiting companies across the country

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NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate

The NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project awards one-year fellowships each year to more than 40 current and prospective teachers. In partnership with state departments of education, Endeavor Fellows take five graduate courses in a live (online) format from the comfort of their home or school and learn to apply research-based pedagogical strategies and cutting-edge STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) content to their classroom contexts while becoming a part of a special network of like-minded educators across the nation.

Endeavor Fellows will be awarded a NASA Endeavor Certificate in STEM Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition, 15 graduate credits are awarded from other regionally accredited partners in higher education.  

The application period begins on July 1 and runs through September 30. Visit the Endeavor website to learn more and apply.

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Wildlife Conservation Society's PD for Science Educators—A Summer Opportunity

NSTA welcomes the Wildlife Conservation Society as our newest Professional Development Provider in the NSTA Institute!

Take advantage of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Online Teacher Training Courses to enhance your understanding of the living world and revitalize your love of nature and science. A wide range of six-week courses provide a unique opportunity to examine the life sciences of zoology, ecology and conservation, through topics such as predators, marine biology, habitat ecology and climate connections. You’ll learn from virtual and interactive simulations, videos, presentations from WCS scientists and educators, and enjoy interaction with other teachers from around the world. Consider Habitat Ecology for Educators that runs from July 11–August 22, 2009, for K–12 Science Teachers. For more information on all online courses, please visit www.wcs.org/elearning or call +1-718-220-5136. Graduate credits are available. 

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Sponsored by:

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 June featured book, Exemplary Science in Informal Education Settings: Standards-Based Success Stories.