Special Programs
ESP Symposium
NSTA’s Exemplary Science Programs (ESP) was initiated to highlight programs that have been proven to produce superior student learning. Under the guidance of Robert E. Yager, 1982–1983 NSTA President, five monographs have been produced thus far—PreK–4, 5–8, 9–12, informal education, and best practices in professional development—each detailing exemplary programs selected by a national advisory board of NSES and NSTA leaders.
Authors of ESP monographs will showcase these exemplary programs and teachers at upcoming NSTA conferences. One symposium will be held at each fall conference, the discussants drawing from chapters in several monographs in the series.
Click here for a complete descriptions and scheduling information for the Charlotte ESP symposium.
Chemistry Day at NSTA
Understanding Thermodynamics: Energy, Entropy, and Equilibrium
Friday, October 31, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Room 203B, Convention Center
Sponsored by the American Chemical Society
Education research indicates a positive correlation between teacher content knowledge and student learning. The goals of the Chemistry Day program are to enhance and enrich the thermodynamics content knowledge of secondary chemistry teachers and to engage teachers in activities, discussion, and analyses that demonstrate how lessons on thermodynamics can be presented in a way that stimulates student thinking and prompts exploration of the complexity of the concepts in advanced and honors level courses. The content and structure of the program draws on several decades of experience the American Chemical Society has in activity-based curricula development.
Chemistry Day consists of a daylong series of lessons on energy and entropy and their relationship to equilibrium—topics central to understanding the behavior of matter and chemical change. A complementary theme of the Chemistry Day program is incorporating activities as part of the assessment of student learning.
Physics Day at NSTA
Friday, October 31, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Room 203A, Convention Center
Sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers
The American Association of Physics Teachers offers a full day of physics content at each NSTA area conference. Physics Day consists of presentations on physics topics of current interest, physics demonstrations for the precollege classroom, and a make 'n' take session where participants can construct a piece of physics apparatus for use as a demonstration or as laboratory experiment. Physics Day in Charlotte is being organized by the North Carolina Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers.
Physical Science and Earth Science Day at NSTA
Matter, Energy, and Interactions: A Day of Physical and Earth Science for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
Friday, October 31, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
North Carolina Hall, Hilton Charlotte Center City
Sponsored by the Education Divisions of the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Geological Institute (AGI), and American Physical Society (APS)
Based on the National Science Education Standards for Inquiry, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science, this all-day workshop features six sessions focusing on inquiry-based activities to teach basic topics in chemistry, physics, and earth science. The Education Divisions of the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Geological Institute (AGI), and American Physical Society (APS) will facilitate sessions in which elementary and middle school teachers will participate in activities to improve their own content knowledge, discuss and share ideas about how to conduct the activities with students, and receive free resources for physical and earth science teaching. These sessions are open to all conference attendees.