MCLEAN, Va.— August 13, 2024—One of the largest gatherings of science educators in the nation will occur in New Orleans from November 6-9 at the National Science Teaching Association’s (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education (NOLA24). Thousands of educators from Louisiana and around the country are expected to attend the four-day conference to learn about the latest in science and STEM content, teaching and learning strategies, and research; network with fellow educators; and hear inspiring stories and motivating experiences from an all-star lineup of speakers. Hundreds of peer-led, strategy-packed sessions, workshops, and demonstrations covering every discipline, grade level and teaching focus will be offered.

“The energy at our conferences is something all educators of science should experience at some point in their lives,” said NSTA CEO Erika Shugart, Ph.D. “I’ve never seen an environment more dedicated to the growth and celebration of science and STEM education as a practice.”

This fall’s conference promises to blend New Orleans’ unique energy and rich culture with unparalleled professional development to help inspire creativity in science and STEM education for attendees. Participants will delve into presentation topics relating to artificial intelligence, innovative data visualizations, gamification strategies, and more. By merging professional growth with the soulful ambiance of the Big Easy, the conference will create an inspiring and transformative experience for all who join. 

Kicking off the conference is Dr. Tommie Mabry, who will deliver the opening keynote presentation on Wednesday evening. Educator, published author, and master storyteller Mabry will share his inspiring journey—one full of hardship, self-realization, and redemption—from troubled youth to a renowned international speaker. His insightful session will provide attendees with a better understanding of why we are all dealing with so many students who are at risk, as well as specific strategies to engage all learners.

Our Thursday keynote presentation will be delivered by passionate advocate and accomplished educator, K. Renae Pullen, who has spent more than 25 years teaching and serving on various STEM committees on the local, state, and national level. Pullen is dedicated to providing all young learners with the opportunity to engage in the wonders of science and to have access to meaningful STEM learning experiences. Her engaging presentation will be about how to cultivate justice and joy in the science classroom, the transformative power of solving real-world problems that matter to students and exploring ways to create caring learning environments for students.

2024 marks an important milestone for NSTA as the association celebrates its 80^th anniversary.  NSTA is celebrating the achievements of the association and the greater science education community through a series of blog posts and social media highlights that will run through the end of the year. During the conference, attendees can celebrate at the opening reception, or they can stop by the NSTA Hub located in the Expo Hall to receive a complimentary limited edition 80^th anniversary branded koozie or purchase an exclusive conference t-shirt. 

NSTA President Alicia Conerly, Ed.D., noted, “As we celebrate 80 years, I am reminded that our commitment to advancing science education is more critical than ever. Our educators are the cornerstone of inspiring the next generation of scientists and leaders, and we must continue to provide them with the resources, training, and support they need to thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape.”

On Wednesday, attendees can participate in one of four Professional Learning Institutes; Efficient and Effective Formative Assessments, OpenSciEd for Elementary is HERE!, Customizing OpenSciEd Middle School, or Introducing OpenSciEd High School. These day-long institutes provide an intimate and interactive environment for learning and networking with other STEM education professionals. 

At the Leaders Institute, education leaders will explore practical, research-based approaches that transform teaching and learning in the classroom in a series of back-to-back sessions led by leading experts in instructional materials, professional learning and science education. The opening session focuses on how leaders can rally interest and build internal capacity for the selection and effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials.

For more information about NSTA NOLA24, including how to register for the conference, visit https://www.nsta.org/national-conference-science-education-new-orleans-2024.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

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Contact
Kate Falk, NSTA
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org