It’s understandable that conference-goers are tired at the end of the day. The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is huge, and fortunately the schedulers built in some time to trek from one session to another. With the gorgeous weather, it’s not a burden to get to sessions at a neighboring hotel. The downtown is compact and very walkable.

Unlike some other organizations’ conferences I’ve attended, NSTA presenters like to get their audience members actively engaged, working together, and sharing ideas. I was at three such sessions today, and it’s both exhilarating and exhausting. I started the day with one that focused on helping students (especially English language learners) with science vocabulary. The presenters had us talking about the concepts and manipulate words and pictures using various organizers. As I walked around, I saw that even the hallways became venues for collaboration.

And at the end of the day, a stroll along the Riverwalk is a great way to relax. On my way back to the hotel, I was surprised to see yellow-crowned night herons in the trees, not surprised to see (and hear) great-tailed grackles, and added the white-winged dove to my birding life list!