One of the conference highlights was a speech by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He gave an inspiring talk on the importance of science and science education. For more information and a video of his speech, go to the NSTA website.
Later in the Exhibit Hall, I stopped by the US Department of Education booth. The representative there mentioned that Secretary Duncan stopped by the booth to say hello and to thank them for their participation. She noted that in her experience no other Secretary had done so!