Attendee Resources
NSTA Exhibits
The NSTA Exhibit Hall, with more than 150 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 Kansas City Convention Center. Registration badges are required for admission.
Exhibit hours:
Thursday, October 28, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday, October 29, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday, October 30, 9:00 AM–12:00 Noon
NSTA Virtual Show
Preview and create your own “must see” list of Kansas City exhibitors before the conference. Visit the Kansas City Virtual Show any time, day or night.
NSTA Avenue
Stop by and visit the NSTA Avenue (Booth No. 215) 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 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.
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 professional development 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.
Add Your Voice
Science Matters. Learn about this NSTA initiative to bring content, news, and information that supports quality science education to parents and teachers nationwide.
The John Glenn Center for Science Education Campaign. NSTA's five-year, $43 million national campaign to make excellence in science teaching and learning a reality for all 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.
Expand Your Mind
NSTA Press®. We release 20 new professional development titles for science educators 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.
Distinguish Yourself
NSTA Awards. NSTA offers 17 special awards for science teachers who excel in their fields and one award, established in honor of retired NSTA Executive Director Gerry Wheeler, for a female student in grades 5–8 with a strong connection to science.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision® Awards. This K–12 competition challenges students to envision a future technology. Up to $240,000 in savings bonds is awarded annually to student winners for the most innovative ideas that combine imagination with the tools of science. Winning schools, students, and teachers capture additional prizes in this team- and project-based learning activity.
The DuPont Challenge. As one of the foremost student science and technology awards programs in North America, the challenge asks competing students to write a 700- to 1,000-word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technological application that has captured their interest.
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. This challenge—sponsored by Siemens, Discovery Education, and NSTA—offers a unique opportunity to engage K–12 students in a sustainability competition. Students must develop actionable local solutions for a "greener" world to win exciting prizes.
Disney Planet Challenge. Developed in collaboration with NSTA and WestEd/K–12 Alliance, this project-based, environmental competition for grades 3–8 classrooms asks competitors to make a difference in their homes, schools, or communities. Prizes include trips, Disney school concerts, classroom grants, Disney DVDs, student eco-friendly prize packs, and more. The Disney Planet Challenge also provides matching grants through DonorsChoose for classrooms participating in this program.
Spirit of Innovation Awards. Teams of high school students must solve real-world problems by creating products using science, technology, and entrepreneurship to participate in this competition. This year, students are required to create ideas in the areas of green schools, aerospace exploration, renewable energy, and space nutrition.
NSTA Science Bookstore
Browse the NSTA Science Bookstore for hundreds of professional development titles for science educators in every discipline and grade band. Our wide range of books for educators will hone your content knowledge, sharpen your teaching strategies, and add to your expertise. Meet the authors and get your book signed. Pick up an assortment of souvenirs. NSTA members save 20% on all NSTA Press® books and 10% on other publishers' books with free shipping from the Kansas City conference.
Conference Transcripts
Conference attendees can now simultaneously evaluate sessions and track conference attendance for professional development certification. Click here for complete information.
Graduate Credit
Kansas City conference attendees can earn one or two undergraduate or graduate credit hours (minimum: 16 contact hours required) through Northwest Missouri State University. Learn more about the assignment requirements and how to register with the Northwest representative at the Science Teachers of Missouri (STOM) Booth, located in the NSTA Registration Area of the Kansas City Convention Center. The cost is $75 per credit hour. Registration will be available on Wednesday, October 27, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and Thursday, October 28, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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.
Please send in your requests early! NSTA cannot guarantee services for requests made on-site. If you register online, be sure to check the box requesting assistance. If you register by mail or fax, please check the appropriate box on the form and 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.