#NSTA16 Nashville: Where Science Teachers Are the Rock Stars!

By Patricia Hillyer

Posted on 2016-04-04

My initial goal for the 2016 NSTA National Conference on Science Education (which took place in Nashville March 31-April 3) was solely to present my project (my baby). And just like having a baby… it seemed like a good idea at the time (doing a hands-on presentation in a city to which I needed to fly)… and it was much harder than it looked. I knew I wanted my presentation to be hands-on, and I needed to get materials to my destination. $70 FedEx payment later (I had to mail my scissors since I didn’t want TSA to detain me) and a little traveling was how I started.

DOES EVERYONE ELSE PACK THIS MUCH?

But once the hard part was over, the magical part began! My trip became so much more about people and connections and building up our students. It became inspiring and empowering.

#LilHil teaches teachers how to tweet

I did a total of three presentations at this conference. Two were talks. Okay, well, one talk was all about me, and (truth be told) most of what I did at the conference was talk about me! Why was I wearing a tiara (apparently that isn’t normal), why did I have a paper person of myself (again, not normal?), why was I taking so many darn pictures? All roads lead to talking about me… what? You don’t know who I am? I’m kind of a big deal around here. And by “here” I mean “in my mind.” And I hope all my fellow teachers felt that way at the conference, because that seems to be the point. You get out of the classroom for a week and get a chance to focus on yourself and your profession.

DuPont: My Opening Number

My first talk was about social media. I was charged with breaking the Internet at DuPont’s Sponsored teacher’s breakfast and teaching the rock stars in attendance the advantages of social media: To promote our craft and highlight our success. One of the best uses of social media for science teachers is to find other empowered teachers and build a professional learning network (PLN). We didn’t quite break the Internet, but we did do lots of hashtagging about #ITouchTheFuture and the #challengerlegacy. Check out the hashtags on twitter to see what teachers are saying!

Teachers that Rock!

My second talk was about my profession, finding a mentor, and how my champion has impacted me. Here’s an excerpt from my talk:

DuPont has empowered me from the first time I arrived at The DuPont Challenge booth at the National Science Teacher’s Convention in Boston. They have allowed me to come into my own and shine. They supported me at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in DC, brought me in to shadow the national Agriculture Ambassadors academy in the summer even as a non ag teacher, and sponsored me last year at the convention in Chicago. Since Boston, DuPont has mentored me, molded me and empowered me. They have allowed me to have a hand up. Reminded me that I am worthy, I am not JUST a teacher… AND I AM AN INSPIRED TEACHER, a rock star, and I am charged with changing the lives of the young people I am given every September. There is no greater responsibility that I have than mentoring, molding and empowering my own students, like DuPont did for me, each and every day. Everyone needs a champion! My inspiration and my champion is PJ Simon.

My Closing Act

My last presentation was actually what I feel I do best, project-based learning, hands-on demonstration. This Efficient House is a year-long project that I love to promote. This is what I came to do! Show off my students’ work and show other teachers how to highlight student success. My only regret is only being given an hour!

In reflecting back on the few days here, I found I made so many connections, most were (extra)ordinary people, nameless to me, just being themselves-and everyone I met were inspiring! Now I have a network of science teacher rock stars to lift me up and to reach out to when my day is less than stellar.

All of the people pictured below touched my trip in some way. From helping me with my presentation, giving me hope for humanity, maybe something as little as a kind word, helping me load my luggage onto the bus (remember all that stuff I packed for the conference?), inviting me to sit with them at lunch when I was by myself (big shout out to hot chicken and Hattie Bs)…and as big as giving me boosting, supportive life lessons (and believe me, there were many this trip but three deserve special mention: Lauren Jonas– your encouragement has been uplifting and reassuring. Dr. Scobee Rodgers– if you don’t know her story, look up her childhood, read her books, you won’t be sorry. PJ Simon– always my champion, but her dad sealed the deal with his words of wisdom for me Friday night, big hugs to you Mr. Wilson.

These few days have been magical. Many connections that I will never forget. I’m Patricia Hillyer, 7th grade science Rock Star from Matawan Aberdeen Middle School, Cliffwood, NJ and I touch the future. I teach. Please follow me on twitter @iHillyer and #LilHil to view all my connections at #NSTA16.