In less than a month, science educators will convene for the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in National Harbor, Maryland.

NSTA conferences are packed with opportunities to network, learn new ideas, share your own ideas, and gather valuable resources for you and your department. The conference in National Harbor is no exception. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Here are five reasons to attend:

1. Build a Stronger Understanding of 3D Learning
   
   Do you and your colleagues need help in understanding the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards? If so, two workshops centered on three-dimensional teaching and learning will be offered: Making Sense of Three-Dimensional Teaching and Learning (Level 1) and Designing Three-Dimensional Lessons and Units Train-the-Trainer (Level 2). And, if you can only attend the NSTA Area Conference in National Harbor for one day, workshop registration includes Thursday access to the conference.

   Workshop participants will build a solid understanding of the three dimensions and how they integrate, take home a powerful toolkit of resources to further their implementation efforts, and learn how to use their resources to support broader implementation efforts in their schools and districts.

2. Gain Solid Professional Development

   With more than 300 presenter sessions and over 100 exhibitor workshops, you’ll walk away inspired to get back to your classroom with a ton of new ideas.

   Don’t miss the general sessions from nationally known presenters, including keynote speaker Mireya Mayor, primatologist, scientist, National Geographic Explorer, and author. Mayor will share her journey with anecdotes from her distant explorations of South America, Africa, and Madagascar, recounting behind the scenes explorations and exciting scientific discoveries.

   Concurrent sessions at the conference promote best practices in instructional planning and assessment, and focused sessions on instructional strategies make connections between literacy and scientific concepts and build pedagogical knowledge of science teaching.

   You can make a list of “must-attend” sessions ahead of time with the online session builder.

3. Explore the Exhibit
   
   One of the most exciting aspects of an NSTA conference is the exhibit! Discover cutting-edge solutions and the latest innovations and curriculum resources in the conference exhibit hall, and don’t forget to pick up FREE samples of high-quality teaching tools. 

   Find out how to help your students earn grants and savings bonds PLUS learn how you can win a comprehensive lab makeover for your school. In addition, engage in hands-on lab activities led by expert trainers, play a game of Giant Connect 4 or Jenga with your friends in the new NSTA Teacher’s Lounge, and enter to win Southwest Airlines tickets + FREE registration to next year’s National Conference in St. Louis or the STEM Forum & Expo in San Francisco!

4. Get Credit for the PD

   Make sure you receive credit for your work at the conference. You can earn one or two graduate-level credit/units in professional development through Dominican University of California course #EDUO 9029. To obtain credit/units, you must be registered for the NSTA National Harbor area conference, complete the required assignments, and pay a fee of $95 for one credit/unit or $190 for two credits/units. An NSTA transcript is also required.

   For more information about obtaining graduate credit, see the course syllabus.

5. Have Fun and Take Advantage of the Conference Location!

   Attending the conference is a lot of fun, but so is the conference location. The National Harbor is only minutes from Washington, DC, and across from Alexandria, Virginia—just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  The area consists of shops and restaurants, a marina, and The Capital Wheel – a 180-foot observation wheel featuring panoramic views of the nation’s capital! You will receive discounts to a number of National Harbor businesses when you show your conference badge.

Take advantage of the conference location and allow time for visits to DC’s majestic monuments, museums, the zoo, and more.

We look forward to seeing you at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in National Harbor!

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