JoinNSTA
Empowering science educators, transforming science education—to benefit all
Welcome to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), a vibrant community of 35,000 members — science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and STEM and its impact on student learning.
What We Stand For
NSTA Strategic Plan
Charting an Exciting and Important Vision for the Future
Vision
Science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society, enabling us to make informed decisions about the collective challenges we face.
Mission
Transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships and advocacy.
Our Guiding Principles
Build Community
We believe that the community of science educators extends beyond the classroom, and that together science educators influence and advance change.
Include All
We believe that all educators have a critical role in cultivating science literacy and that all learners deserve access to a high-quality science education.
Foster Passion
We believe that an appreciation for science can be fostered in every student and a passion for professional growth lies within every educator.
Champion Science
We believe that science literacy is essential to our collective wellbeing.
Pursue Learning
We believe that science learning never stops.
What We Do
Professional Learning & Teaching Resources
NSTA supports science educators in deepening their knowledge base and enhancing their instructional practice through research-based professional learning.
Conferences & Events
NSTA hosts several face-to-face conferences and virtual events each year, offering the latest in science and STEM content, teaching strategy, and research to enhance and expand educators’ professional growth.
Publications
NSTA publishes books, four grade-range-specific journals, an online journal that bridges in-school and out-of-school STEM learning, three e-newsletters, and the NSTA Blog, all in an effort to help educators elevate their science teaching and learning.
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Exclusive Member Newsletter: NSTA Weekly
Awards and Competitions
NSTA hosts and administers several competitions for teachers and students, grants, and an awards program, honoring extraordinary individuals for their accomplishments and outstanding work in the science and STEM education field.
Network
NSTA leverages its powerful national network to help connect educators with knowledgeable, like-minded peers and leading industry experts to share best practices and innovative teaching strategies and to collaborate on new ways to enrich students’ learning and increase equitable participation the science classroom.
Advocacy
NSTA serves as an advocate for science educators by helping to raise the profile of science education to promote respect and ensure investment that supports an equitable, high-quality science education.
Who We Are
We are a dedicated and passionate community of professionals, who believe that an appreciation for science can be fostered in every student and a passion for professional growth lies within every educator. Our vision is a world where science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society and each member of our team—staff and leadership alike—strives to make that vision a reality.
Our Staff
There are approximately 60 full-time staff at NSTA headquarters, managed by the following senior staff:
- Erika Shugart, CEO
- Bob Lay, Chief Finance Administrative Officer
- Azra Chughtai, Chief Human Resources Officer
- Tricia Shelton, Chief Learning Officer
- Cathy Iammartino, Chief, Publications & Digital Products
- Kate Falk, Senior Director of Communications
- Winnie Boyle, Senior Director of Competitions
- Camille Sanders, Senior Director, Membership and Strategic Partnerships
Our Partners
It takes a village to advance change. Our partners—state/province and student chapters, associated groups, affiliates, corporations, foundations, and government agencies, to name just a few—serve as valuable allies as we work to transform science education to benefit all.