I had an email from a former colleague who said that the conference must be a science teacher’s paradise. She’s right. Where else can you

• update your content knowledge
• get new teaching ideas and interact with the presenters
• meet thousands of science teachers
• have your picture taken with Bill Nye
• get the latest information on lab equipment and technology
• gather lots of classroom materials
• get free shipping on books

And where else can you wear a t-shirt with the word “mycology” on it and have people know what the word means!

I have talked to conference attendees and presenters who have come to San Francisco from all over the country. California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and everywhere in between. Some are here for their first conference, others are attending their first conference in several years. But they all seem eager to get the most out of the experience!
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It’s not quite 7 a.m. here in San Francisco, but it looks like a number of people are getting an early start. When I arrived at the conference center a few minutes ago, I saw several people headed in, apparently on their way to some early sessions—many with coffee in hand. Talk about dedication!

I went to a session this morning for conference first-timers, as a veteran conference-attender.  NSTA staff and office holders welcomed the “newbies” and guided them through a discussion of the many options for sessions and events. Each table had a conference veteran to offer advice and answer questions. At my table, there were teachers from Delaware, Tennessee, New York, and Ghana!
The first-timers were treated to refreshments and door prizes, including NSTA books, gift certificates to the NSTA store, vendor coupons, and NSTA shirts and mugs. Welcome to all!

A panel discussion on the Next Generation of Science Education Standards with NSTA executive director Francis Eberle; Helen Quinn, chair of the board on Science Education, The National Academies in Menlo Park, California; and Stephen Pruitt, vice president, Achieve, Inc., wrapped up a few minutes ago.
The trio shared an overview of how the draft framework was created and talked about the next steps.
Interest was evident—the room was full with many people standing around the periphery and several sitting on the floor. When microphone was opened for questions, several people quickly lined up.
The framework is expected to service as the basis for new K–12 science education standards.

It’s been a busy morning at the national conference. Although the exhibit hall didn’t open until 10 a.m., many sessions started much earlier. I had to chance to talk to some attendees between sessions and it sounds like everyone is looking for something a little bit different, but all with the same goal—to be a better educator.

Whether from the East Coast or the West, attendees are looking for ways to fill gaps in their own knowledge and excite their students about science education.

I just had the honor of being a guest at the NSELA breakfast—a star-studded event if I ever saw one in the science education community! At the breakfast, Jason Painter of North Carolina was named this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award, given by Pearson Publishing Company and the National Science Education Leadership Association. Painter was unable to attend, but was recognized by Dr. Thomasena Woods of NASA’s Langley Research Center. As I was peeking at the program, I noticed that Dr. Woods herself was the winner of an NSTA award. What a testimonial to the importance of collaboration among our members. Congratulations to both Jason and Thomasena!

I’m finding it hard to believe that it was 25 years ago that I attended my first NSTA conference—here in San Francisco. I remember going home with lots of new ideas to improve my teaching, a ton of materials (no charge for checked bags then), and many new friends.
Fast forward to today where a lot has changed, in terms of technology, research on learning, NCLB, and financial situations. One thing that hasn’t changed though is the dedication of teachers. I stopped by the Moscone Center on Wednesday evening before the conference, and it was packed with teachers registering for the conference, browsing the program for tomorrow’s agenda, and talking with colleagues about which sessions to attend (which run from 8 am to 6 pm).  The line at the bookstore was long, and I’ll bet a lot of the books being purchased will be shared with fellow teachers next week.
I suspect that many of the teachers here have paid all or part of their expenses and used personal days to attend. They had to prepare lessons for their substitutes, and they’ll be checking in via text, Skype, or email. I’m very proud to be part of such a dedicated group of professionals. Now more than ever, we need to support each other and learn from each other. Our students are depending on us.

You never know who you might meet in the airport. Another NSTA staffer and I were waiting for our flight at Dulles and discussing our plans to put our soon-to-be kindergartners in a Spanish immersion program. A woman in a nearby seat piped up that she’d had 4 children go through such a program, and we were immediately at attention! For our few remaining minutes before lift-off, we peppered the veteran mom with questions, and most of the information was gratifying. But then she explained one of the parts that had been a challenge, and that was about science. “For instance,” she said, “my daughter could name every part of the cricket in Spanish, but when she took state testing, she couldn’t name them in English.” She lauded the program anyway—the mind-expanding opportunities far outweighed the challenges. But I began to worry. But the worry soon evaporated as I remembered that I was heading to a place full of bright, inspiring people who would have answers for me. Thank you, Science Teachers! As an NSTA staffer, today I found yet another reason to remember that I am working with a great bunch of people.