I want to personally invite as many middle level educators as possible to attend the 6th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA. This year’s roster of middle level sessions explores a wide array of STEM education professional development. NSTA is partnering with other top STEM organizations to bring you the best content: 

• American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT)
• American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)
• National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
• STEMx, managed by Battelle

These groups will lead hands-on workshops geared toward teachers establishing STEM programs in their schools, STEM leaders in rural districts, and teachers who are new to computer science and engineering.

I am excited about the sessions lead by fellow educators sharing the best practices and their experiences from implementing STEM education in their classrooms. These sessions in particular would be valuable to educators who are new to teaching STEM. Sessions will include topics, such as, makerspaces, 3D printing, using physics to engage students in STEM, applying the inquiry model in STEM classrooms, robotics, computer coding, integrating engineering design challenges and STEM in physical and life science classrooms. With over 50 sessions in the middle level strand, there is something for everyone.

Most of all, I want you to attend the 6th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA to network with colleagues from around the world sharing their successes and failures in engaging students in STEM. The expo will be the perfect opportunity for attendees to pick the brains of their like-minded peers. You will return to your districts with new ideas, a plethora of resources, and a larger network of colleagues to lean on for support.

Kenneth C. Williams has taught in Prince George’s County, MD, Public Schools for 10 years at Oxon Hill Middle School. His first 5 years, he taught a range of math courses from Pre-Algebra to Geometry. For the past five years, he has taught PLTW Gateway, the middle school STEM course for Project Lead The Way. His undergraduate degree is in Physics from Lincoln University of PA and he has completed graduate course work in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida. He has been married for 14 years and is the father of 3 children.

The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Future NSTA Conferences

2017 STEM Forum & Expo
Kissimmee/Orlando, July 12–14

2017 Area Conferences

Baltimore, October 5–7
Milwaukee, November 9–11
New Orleans, Nov. 30–Dec. 2