I was talking to a first time attendee on the trolley from the hotel to the convention center this morning. Cecelia Dygdon told me the web site was overwhelming, she found a lot of sessions she wanted to attend, but didn’t immediately realize they were spread out between the convention center and a couple nearby hotels. She was headed to the first time attendee meeting, so I’m sure she’ll get some great advice from the folks there.

Cecelia describes herself as a career-changer, having worked in industry for several years after teaching for a short time after college. She’s now a high school chemistry and physical science teacher in the Chicago, Illinois area. She says she came to the conference because “it’s good for me to hone my skills. I really need to relearn things; not just content but pedagogy.” Cecelia is in the Department of Education’s ACTS program.
The first session I planned to attend was packed to overflowing. I couldn’t even get close to the door! Apparently a lot of educators got up this morning with Differentiated Science Inquiry on their minds.
Good thing I had another session in mind as an alternative, Connect the Dots to Help Students Develop Literacy Skills Along with Science Content. Karen Ostlund shared how she has incorporated literacy into scientific exploration for sea shells. Hands-on activities for the participants, and examples of student work illustrated her methods well. Interesting fact I learned in the session this morning—shell colors are like a “memory,” recording changes to the mollusk’s environment.

The great thing about traveling to an NSTA conference is that almost immediately you find yourself among friends. When I arrived at the train station, I wasn’t sure if I would know anyone waiting in line. That can be a little unnerving. However …
Not only did I immediately spot two of my colleagues, but we also had a nice chat with Christopher DiScenza of the American Physical Society, who was waiting in line with us. I soon felt right at home, as NSTA staff are often in contact with the APS staff. And when Christopher mentioned his office is in College Park, Maryland, I replied that the University of Maryland, College Park, is my alma mater. Small world!
I’m looking forward to connecting with more familiar faces and names here in Philly. I know these “reunions” will happen.

Things are quiet for now at the registration area in Philadelphia (noon on Wednesday—attendee registration opens at 5:00).

But things are buzzing in the Exhibit Hall. An NSTA staffer called it “sausage being made.” I’ve attended quite a few NSTA conferences, but never arrived early enough to see the Exhibit Hall being assembled. Quite a sight.

While many exhibitors have been hard at work all day, attendees are just starting to arrive. It’s not too late for you to decide to join them!

Walking through the Exhibit Hall, watching it get set up, is exciting. Pretty soon the rafts of building materials, strings of lights, and yards of material will be booths displaying all sorts of incredible science-teaching resources. The NSTA Avenue will be ready for members, where they can learn about their benefits, meet the staff, and discuss the issues important to them. Want to suggest something to NSTA? That will be the place to do it! And the exhibits are the best source of inspiration and goodies. Learn to keep a science notebook, browse through books, build a circuit, or even play with robots! And who doesn’t love stocking up on all the freebies—seed packets, pens, rocks—usually you end up with plenty to share with your whole science department.

It’s time to head for the train station and get on my way to the 2010 National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia. I’ve created a schedule for myself using the online Personal Scheduler (with a couple promising sessions/workshops selected for most time slots—just in case) and printed a hard copy (also just in case). My rolling bag is packed (comfortable shoes, notebook, pens, camera, etc.) and it’s time to head to the train station. I hope I’m not forgetting anything—I forgot to pack socks when we were in Boston two years ago. How does a person forget socks?
In addition to checking out the exhibit hall and sessions and talking to as many science eduation pros as possible, I have a personal goal for myself—get a Phillly cheesesteak South Jersey style !

Catty-corner from the Mariott Hotel in Philadelphia is a national musical treasure: the Wanamaker organ (yes, the store is a Macy’s now). This is the largest operational pipe organ in the world. At the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ website, you can read about its history and specifications as well as listen to a sound clip. The photo (from the Friends’ site) shows the organ in the 7-story court in the store. The concerts are free. Revive your soul and spirit:

• Monday-Saturday 12pm
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 5:30pm
• Wednesday, Friday 7pm

My fondest childhood memories include riding the train to Philadelphia to hear the organ. I’ll relive those memories this week!

What’s a good Irish Science Teacher to do in Philly on St. Patrick’s Day? Judging by the amount of green I’m seeing around town today, there’s plenty! Start your day off with a smile by taking a virtual field trip to Dublin’s new National Leprechaun Museum. Or if you’re looking for a bit of Ireland right here in Philly, go to Fado’s Irish Pub across from City Hall for free pancakes before 11:00 a.m. You’ll need to walk them off of course, so try heading to the Morris Arboretum. Rumor has it there are shamrocks tucked in among its 92 acres, complete with babbling brooks. If you don’t find them, you can still have a green adventure—visit the wetlands, stroll through the meadow gardens, or “soar into the trees on a spectacular 40-foot high walkway on Out on a Limb—a Tree Adventure exhibit.”
If you prefer the fauna to the flora, go green at the Philadelphia Zoo. Today is “Walmart Wednesday,” and admission and parking are discounted by 60%. See the animals, learn about conservation, or take a ride on my personal favorite—the Amazon Rainforest Carousel.
If you’re stuck inside and love a parade, you can watch an encore of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will air on the local CBS3 station from 9:00 a.m. to noon and again on CW Philly 57, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is the 240th year it’s been held!
And finally, if you’ve always heard that “Guinness is good for you,” you may want to find out for yourself. Apparently the Irish Times–Philadelphia, in the heart of Queen Village, was voted one of the Best Pints of Guinness in the city.