Attendee Resources
NSTA Exhibits
The NSTA Exhibit Hall is a must see! NSTA brings you the leading science education companies and organizations to showcase products, services, curricula, and much more. You’ll discover something new and exciting in the world of science teaching.
Exhibits will be located in the Georgia World Congress Center. Registration badges are required for admission.
Exhibit hours:
Thursday, November 1, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday, November 2, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday, November 3, 9:00 AM–12:00 Noon
NSTA Virtual Show
Preview and create your own “must-see” list of Atlanta exhibitors before the conference. Visit the Atlanta Virtual Show any time, day or night.
NSTA Avenue
Stop by and visit the NSTA Avenue (Booth No. 1445) to learn about member benefits, products and services, programs, and partners.
Share with Others
NSTA Membership. Access high-quality educational materials and professional development opportunities when you're an NSTA member. Pick up a sample journal, your district ribbon, and a lapel pin … and meet some of our staff.
Leadership Opportunities. Submit your name for nomination to become a candidate on a committee, advisory board, or the NSTA Board of Directors and Council.
NSTA Student Chapters. Start a student chapter at your college or university.
Enhance Your Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Get Your Conference Transcript, and Acquire Presenters' Materials
NSTA Learning Center. NSTA's e-professional learning portal is designed to help you address your classroom needs and busy schedule. Pick up informational literature and learn how to create your free account and gain access to more than 9,800 different resources, of which over 3,400 are free to all teachers (Science Objects, SciPacks, eBook Chapters, e-Journals, SciGuides, Web Seminar Archives, Podcasts, etc.). The Learning Center offers a myriad of professional learning tools that help you organize, personalize, and document your professional growth and a community where you learn from and with other like-minded individuals, share resources, and receive public recognition for your online work.
The NSTA Learning Center is the place where, approximately 3–4 weeks after the conference, you will find your conference transcript that serves as proof of the sessions you evaluate. Visit the Learning Center's My PD Record and Certificates to access your conference transcript. Visit also the NSTA Learning Center's Advanced Search to find materials uploaded by conference presenters.
Add Your Voice
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 publish 20–25 new professional development books for science educators each year. Share your thoughts with us on new book ideas.
Distinguish Yourself
NSTA Awards. NSTA offers 17 awards programs for preK–16 teachers to complete for money prizes.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision®. The ExploraVision K–12 competition, now more aligned with the National Research Council Framework for K–12 Science Education, challenges students in the U.S. and Canada to research a technology of interest and explore what that technology could be like 20 years from now. Up to $240,000 in savings bonds (at maturity) 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—including computers and an expenses-paid awards trip to the nation's capital—in this team- and project-based learning activity.
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. This premier project—based learning environmental sustainability challenge, sponsored by Siemens Foundation and administered in collaboration with Discovery Education, NSTA, and the College Board—empowers K–12 students to develop actionable solutions that create a greener world. Students create an impact and can win more than $300,000 in exciting prizes like scholarships and adventure trips.
Shell Science Lab Challenge, program of NSTA. With prizes totaling $93,000 annually, this competition recognizes outstanding middle and high school programs for their exemplary approaches to science lab instruction using limited school and laboratory resources. The challenge will showcase the work of schools submitting innovative, replicable strategies to deliver quality lab experiences with limited equipment/resources, and award teachers/schools with additional tools and rich professional development opportunities to support high-quality science teaching. The grand-prize winner receives a $20,000 lab makeover support package.
eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based STEM competition for students in grades 6–9. eCYBERMISSION challenges students to think about real-world applications of STEM by working in teams to identify a problem in their community and use the scientific method, scientific inquiry, or engineering design process to find a solution. Students compete for state, regional, and national awards, with potential winnings of up to $8,000 (maturity value) in U.S. Savings Bonds.
NSTA Science Bookstore
Browse the NSTA Science Bookstore, where you're sure to find hundreds of books that uniquely blend accurate scientific content with sound teaching strategies for science educators of all grade bands and disciplines. Not only do we offer a wide range of books to sharpen your content knowledge and expand your teaching methods, we also offer dozens of wonderful NSTA Gear items—such as T-shirts, mugs, and pencils—as reminders of your conference experience or as gifts for your family, colleagues, and students. Meet NSTA Press® authors and have your book signed. All conference attendees enjoy discounts of 20% on NSTA Press items and 10% on books from other publishers. We also offer free shipping for both books and gear when you place your order online in the store.
Graduate Credit
Atlanta conference attendees can earn one graduate-level credit in professional development through Framingham State University. To obtain credit, attendees must complete a Framingham State University Registration Form, attend a minimum of 12 hours of programs, submit a written report, and pay a fee of $99. This registration form is available on the Framingham State University website. An NSTA transcript is also required. Note: Credit is by pass/fail option only. For complete information, visit the Framingham State University website.
Win a Kindle Fire HD 8.9"!
This year we're giving away a Kindle Fire HD 8.9", Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, 16 GB to one attendee who completes a session evaluation! Remember, the more sessions you attend and evaluate, the more chances you have to win this eagerly anticipated tablet! For information on completing a session evaluation, see "Conference Transcripts" section below.
Conference Transcripts
Conference attendees can now simultaneously evaluate sessions and track conference attendance for professional development certification online using any smartphone or computer. And this year we’re offering a valuable prize for one attendee who completes an online session evaluation! Click here for complete information.
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.