Arlington, VA—January 25, 2010—The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, is pleased to announce a new partner in the building of its national center for science education. The Sangari Group and President, Ben Sangari, have donated $1 million toward the building of the world-class John Glenn Center for Science Education in Arlington, VA.
The Glenn Center will be a LEED Platinum-Certified green building scheduled to open in late 2011. This $30 million state-of-the-art facility will house both a virtual and concrete science education learning center. A highlight of the John Glenn Center will be the Toyota Conference and Training Center located on the top floor, that will enable science educators, administrators, and other science education stakeholders to advocate on important issues affecting the field and gather for symposia, conferences, and workshops. The Sangari International Institute will be part of the Toyota Conference Center
"We are very grateful and appreciative of Sangari’s generosity and commitment to the future of science education worldwide," said Francis Eberle, executive director of NSTA. "The support of the Sangari Group gives us the international reach to work with science educators globally right here at the Sangari International Institute. We are excited to have Sangari as a partner in this very important and timely project."
For nearly 50 years, The Sangari Group has been creating innovative solutions for science education in dozens of countries across the world. It’s primary focus today is a revolutionary, investigation-based science program that enables elementary and secondary students to master the 21st Century skills necessary to prepare them for success in a knowledge-based economy. It’s proven success in achieving this objective while fostering critical analytical capacities and a genuine love of learning have contributed to the rapid expansion of the program since its launch in 2007, now serving over 500,000 students and expected to double in the coming year.
“Partnering with America’s NSTA in the development of this world class meeting facility is part of Sangari’s goal of creating international partnerships with leading organizations in the area of science education” said Ben Sangari. “We are honored to support such a worthwhile science initiative.”
“With this partnership Sangari has committed to developing Portuguese and Spanish language adaptations of NSTA resources and publications,” states Ben Sangari. “This new endeavor will provide thousands of teachers around the world the opportunity to benefit from the exceptionally high-quality resources developed by the NSTA,” notes Chris Cerf, Sangari USA President.
To learn more about the John Glenn Center for Science Education, please visit www.nsta.org/involved/cse.
About Sangari Group
Currently, The Sangari Group’s innovative science education programs are in 17 countries throughout Europe, North and South America, Africa and the Middle East. After an investment of nearly $50 million in research and development over a 10 year span, Sangari’s elementary and middle school science program is now used in schools throughout Brazil and Argentina and is poised for rapid expansion across the globe. Distinguishing features of the program include: 1) real-time delivery to every participating classroom of experimental materials that form the heart of the inquiry-based program; 2) unprecedented levels of support, including a network of full time educators assigned to train and assist classroom teachers in every facet of the program; 3) training in assessment tools and other approaches designed to serve as a catalyst for school-wide reform strategies well beyond science education. Sangari is dedicated to providing opportunities for excellence in achievement for students and science teachers and to disseminating information on the importance of scientific education worldwide. Other major partners include North Carolina State University, the American Museum of Natural History and UNESCO.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact
Kate Meyer, NSTA
(703) 312-9211
kmeyer@nsta.org