Attendee Resources
Exhibition of Science Teaching Materials
The NSTA Exhibit Hall, with more than 300 of the leading science education companies and organizations in the world, has the newest products to show and share with educators. Check out the latest textbooks, microscopes, manipulatives, kits, and more as you explore the hall. Bring a friend and an extra tote to help carry all the giveaways you can take back to your classroom.
Exhibits will be located in the Oregon Convention Center. Registration badges are required for admission.
Exhibit hours:
Thursday, November 20, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday, November 21, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday, November 22, 9:00 AM–12 Noon
NSTA Virtual Show
Preview and create your own “must see” list of exhibitors before the conference. Visit the Charlotte Virtual Show any time, day or night.
NSTA Exhibit Booth
Stop by and visit NSTA to learn about member benefits, products and services, programs, and partners … all created for you! Here you’ll be able to …
Share with Others
NSTA Membership. Access high-quality educational materials and professional development opportunities. Pick up a sample journal, your district ribbon, and a free lapel pin.
Leadership Opportunities. Submit your name for nomination to become a candidate on a committee, review board, or the NSTA Board of Directors and Council.
NSTA Student Chapters. Start a student chapter at your college or university.
Expand Your Mind
NSTA Press®. We release 20 new titles for teachers each year. Share your thoughts with us on our books or your new book ideas.
SciLinks®. Link to science resources on the internet. Expert science educators recommend sites with accurate information and effective pedagogy—the best content available online.
Add Your Voice
Building a Presence for Science. Learn how you and your school can get connected to local, state, and national professional development opportunities and resources focused on curriculum, assessment, and instruction.
Enhance Your Skills
NSTA Learning Center. Select high-quality online learning opportunities to build content knowledge. Use our suite of tools for self-assessment and to document your progress.
NSTA Symposia. These ticketed conference workshops include presentations and classroom activities by NSTA partner organizations as well as online follow-up in the form of Web seminars and a discussion listserv.
Web Seminars. Update your content knowledge with these free, 90-minute, live online presentations. Voice questions and share in rich chat conversations with the presenters and other educators.
SciGuides. Explore online resources and lessons organized by grade level and specific content themes. All are pre-evaluated and aligned with the National Science Education Standards.
Distinguish Yourself
NSTA Awards. Compete for awards from 17 programs, ranging from kindergarten to college.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision® Awards. This team-based K–12 competition awards up to $240,000 in savings bonds annually.
Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers. Share in $550,000 in grants available in 2009. Fifty large grants of up to $10,000 each and 20–25 mini-grants of $2,500 will be awarded.
THE DUPONT CHALLENGE© Science Essay Competition. This competition for grades 7–12 students promotes scientific literacy and inspires them to excel. Winners receive cash prizes and an expenses-paid trip to The Walt Disney World® Resort and the Kennedy Space Center.
NSTA’s Center for Science Education
Get involved in NSTA’s Center for Science Education (CSE) Campaign. Responding to the Glenn Commission’s call for a major investment in the future of science education, the CSE Campaign will fund a series of forward-thinking programs and a state-of-the-art facility designed to promote leadership, learning, and advocacy in science education. To find out more visit Booth No. 526.
NSTA Science Bookstore
Browse the NSTA Science Bookstore for hundreds of the best titles for teachers in science education. NSTA members save 20% on all NSTA Press® products and 10% on products by other publishers. Enjoy our free shipping option as an added attendee benefit!
Professional Development Credit
Conference Transcripts
Conference attendees can now simultaneously evaluate sessions and track conference attendance for professional development certification. Click here for complete information.
Professional Development Units for Oregon Teachers
OSTA will offer PDUs (professional development units) for Oregon teachers attending the Portland Area Conference.
Oregon State teachers can stop by the OSTA booth with a completed conference scheduler (either the Professional Development Documentation Form found in the final program or a printout of their schedule as prepared using NSTA’s Session Browser/Personal Scheduler), and OSTA will give them a certificate for the hours they have attended.
Washington State Clock Hours
WSTA is a registered professional development “clock hour” provider in the State of Washington. For recertification, teachers are required to earn these clock hours. WSTA will offer clock hours to Washington teachers attending the Portland Area Conference as follows:
- Washington State teachers can stop by the WSTA booth to receive signature forms.
- Teachers then bring their forms to sessions they attend, and the presenters are asked to sign their forms.
- Teachers drop off their forms at the WSTA booth, and WSTA validates the forms for teachers to submit when applying for recertification.
Services for People with Disabilities
NSTA makes an effort to provide convenience and accessibility for all persons attending our conferences. We strive to make conferences barrier free, but we can do so only with your help in advance. If you require special assistance at the Charlotte conference, please check the appropriate box when you register and describe the situation.
Please send in your requests early! NSTA cannot guarantee services for requests made on site. If you register by mail or fax, please send a copy of your registration form to:
Kim McDonald
Registration Supervisor
National Science Teachers Association
1840 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington VA 22201-3000
We will contact you personally and discuss how your needs can be met. We also provide other special services at the conference, including sign language interpretation at the General Session. We may have special materials for the conference sent to you by overnight/priority delivery before the meeting.
Note: If you need special arrangements in your hotel room, please check the appropriate box on the Housing Request Form and contact your hotel directly once you receive your hotel confirmation.
Need Funding?
Start your search for funding as early as possible. It takes time to find out where the funds are and get qualified substitutes lined up. Click here for some tips.