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Ted Koehn of Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, holds a homemade inclined plane he uses in a variety of physics lessons.
Something for everyone at the conference
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-21
As I’ve talked to attendees, everyone has been so excited. Regardless of position or experience level, they all seem to be learning how they can make science teaching better in their classroom and school. Here are just a few of the comments I’ve heard.
— Lynn Petrinjak
Veteran Teacher:
I enjoyed the share-a-thon events, the exhibits, the resources, the contacts that I’ve
made. As an earth science teacher, I’m really impressed by the amount of earth science curriculum that they’ve started finally bringing to the high school level. So much has always been middle school or for the little ones. Now their focus is for the higher ed, I like that…Where I am at now, I want new ideas. That’s where I’m at. I’ve taught for 12 years and I’ve taught everything but, I think, chemistry. I really like the resources you get and the contacts.
Tami McConnell |
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Administrator:
I’m the principal at an elementary school, K-5, 950 children in Georgetown County, South Carolina. This is my first conference ever for anything and it’s been out of my range because I’m not a science educator, but I’m presenting with some cohorts from my district and the University of South Carolina. I’ve enjoyed touring the exhibitors and seeing what they have to offer for science education for my children and my building. I’ve enjoyed the session that I have attended.
Brian Clark
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Student Teachers:
I’m helping out an exhibitor’s table and [taking the] opportunity to walk around to see all
the fun stuf f. I’m in science teacher heaven. This is just wonderful, getting all the free information, buying great things. It’s absolutely wonderful.
Stephanie Keller (left)
I’m teaching next semester. I’m here because my science teacher wanted us to really get involved and kind of learn what we’re going to be doing in our science room. This is a great way to learn kind of what new teachers should be doing in their classroom. Wonderful resources here. Got awesome stuff to bring back. It’s pretty cool.
Heidi Windmann (right)
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As I’ve talked to attendees, everyone has been so excited. Regardless of position or experience level, they all seem to be learning how they can make science teaching better in their classroom and school. Here are just a few of the comments I’ve heard.
— Lynn Petrinjak
Veteran Teacher:
It's not lunch, it's science!
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-21
 The National Academies of Science has some ideas for “Igniting a Passion for Science” in your students. The session this morning featured forensic anthropologist Diane France.
Before France spoke, attendees were encouraged to think about why they would integrate scientists into their teaching. The benefits mentioned included exposing students to alternative careers, making science ‘real’ and accessable, and the scientist’s complementary knowledge base. It was quite an animated discussion!
In case you’re wondering, this was not a lunch session – the fried chicken legs in the photo were dissected during the session as teachers got hands-on expereince with a lab they could share with their students back in the classroom. The talk ranged from variations of bone density caused by stress load, to osteoporosis, to steriods used for body building, and how forensic anthropologists can use that kind of information when identifying bones. There was also discussion of how bone fractures depending on when the break occurred in relation to time of death and the cause of the break.
France highlighted various points in the exercise where teachers could focus their instruction on topic areas such as growth and development. She also incorporated the vocabulary of science into the discussion – explaining her point in ‘regular’ language before giving the scientific term.
You can learn more about France, ask a question, or simply take a “curious look at women’s adventures in science” by visiting http://iwaswondering.org.
The National Academies of Science has some ideas for “Igniting a Passion for Science” in your students. The session this morning featured forensic anthropologist Diane France.
Multimedia lab reports and science podcasting
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2009-03-21
There are many sessions devoted to technology applications. Two that I attended on Friday afternoon were presented by dynamic teachers from New Jersey and Texas.
In “Lights! Action! Science!” Barbara DeSantis showed examples of her students’ work using applications such as Voicethread, Animoto, and xtranormal (no, I hadn’t heard of these, either). She shared her website with links to these resources.
Anyone who doubts the value of podcasts in science should talk to Stef Paramoure! in her high-energy presentation “The ABCs of Podcasting” she shared some of her favorite podcasts and how she uses them in her classes. Check out her website, too.
There are many sessions devoted to technology applications. Two that I attended on Friday afternoon were presented by dynamic teachers from New Jersey and Texas.
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-20
I’ve had a chance to talk to several teachers about why they attend the conference and what some of the highlights have been for them. Debra and I will be posting some of those comments here. Don’t forget to look for more in the April issue of NSTA Reports!
— Lynn Petrinjak
I majored in science. I love coming to these. It helps me with elementary science. I learn a lot of great tricks for my students. —Erica Rudolph (left)
I’m the science lab teacher at my school and whenever you go to these, there’s always some new innovative and fun thing I find that I can use in my classroom. I am elementary level. I just love it —Evelyn Pettus
I’ve been to several of these. Two years ago I went to St. Louis. Every year I come for something different. I try to pull out things I can apply in my classroom, to kids that I have. I was very successful today; I found some really, really good tools…I did one on Google Earth, which at first I wasn’t too sure about, thought it maybe just a commercial, but it was really good…I hope to be able to pull out some things I can take back to my colleagues.
—Jeff Shaver
I’ve had a chance to talk to several teachers about why they attend the conference and what some of the highlights have been for them. Debra and I will be posting some of those comments here. Don’t forget to look for more in the April issue of NSTA Reports!
— Lynn Petrinjak
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2009-03-20
  While waiting to catch a shuttle bus, I chatted with Amanda Jeffers and Melissa Kidder from Sunset, Louisiana. “I think the conference is going so well,” said Amanda. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity
for people to meet and discuss different science topics that they’re having in different states. We’re just all having a really great time.”
Melissa agreed. “There’s a wealth of information here. The collaboration among teachers is great, and we’re getting a lot of information that we can bring back to our students.”
While waiting to catch a shuttle bus, I chatted with Amanda Jeffers and Melissa Kidder from Sunset, Louisiana. “I think the conference is going so well,” said Amanda.
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2009-03-20
The NSTA Bookstore is a popular place. For those of us who like to pick up and page through a book before making a purchase, this is the place to be. There are even tables and chairs (coffee is available in the lobby). Other NSTA merchandise is for sale here, too. And some authors are doing book signings.
The NSTA Bookstore is a popular place. For those of us who like to pick up and page through a book before making a purchase, this is the place to be. There are even tables and chairs (coffee is available in the lobby). Other NSTA merchandise is for sale here, too. And some authors are doing book signings.
NASA's expanding field of vision
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-20
 Credit: NASA, ESA, and C. Conselice (University of Nottingham)
NASA is hoping to get a better look at the history of universe as they expand the capabilities of the Hubble telescope. Michael Weiss, deputy program manager of the Hubble Space Telescope Program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, talked about how the new equipment will provide images from the ultraviolet, infrared, and near-infrared spectrums. The upcoming shuttle mission, which will be the fourth to service the telescope since it’s launch, will add a new wide field camera, replace gyros, repair equipment that has failed, and more.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and C. Conselice (University of Nottingham)
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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.
