Do the twist! With the Dynamic DNA kit from 3D Molecular Designs, that is. Or if you’re really brave, face off against the Zombie Apocalypse with Texas Instruments. The Exhibit Hall at NSTA conferences has been called “The Science Teachers’ Playground” with good reason. There is so much to do, and win, and bring back to colleagues. Seasoned conference attendees recommend you leave room in your suitcase for all the swag you can take home.

Sign Up for the 2018 Area Conference on Science Education in Charlotte, NC
November 29–December 1

If you’re looking for hands-on experiences, don’t miss the Carolina Booth, where you can make a butterfly necklace (among many other activities). Unleash your inner superhero at the Legends of Learning booth (cape included) and try some games for the classroom. Makers won’t want to miss the LEGO Education booth, where you can ask them how to make marble runs, security devices, and so much more. Does your classroom need a Wiggle Bot? The answer will be yes once you visit the TeacherGeek booth.

Looking to plan a field trip (either live or virtually)? Talk to the folks at the Museum of Science, Boston; the NASCAR Hall of Fame; Small World Journeys; the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI); the Catawba Science Center; and the North Carolina Zoo.

Meet the people who bring you some of your favorite informal science learning. A stop by the Science Friday and National Geographic booths gives you even more insight into these world-famous groups and can get you connected with resources and opportunities you may not even know exist.

How about cool contests you can do with your students? There are quite a few to be found, with the highlights being the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), the Shell Science Lab Challenge, and Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision. Visit their booths and find out how you can bring exciting challenges to your students outside the ordinary curriculum. And don’t miss the NSTA Hub, where you can find out about dozens of teacher awards and student competitions—all are free to enter, and all have great prizes like classroom makeovers, lab equipment, cash, and trips to the NSTA National Conference. While you’re at the NSTA Hub, also ask how to enter to win Southwest Airlines tickets + FREE registration to next year’s National Conference in St. Louis or the 8^th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA, in San Francisco.

Want to work with government programs that will give your students real data, hands-on opportunities to solve real-world problems, and connections with prestigious institutions and other classrooms? Stop by the booths of the FDA Food Safety & Nutrition Education, N.C. Air Awareness Program, and NOAA Office of Education.

There are so many ways to learn new skills and resources to pick up for the classroom. But what if you’re looking to extend past the school year? There are great opportunities for your own professional development and for students over the summer. Don’t miss these booths for PD, camps, and other opportunities: AstroCamp Virginia; the Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning at Wake Forest School of Medicine; East Carolina University; HHMI BioInteractive; the National Institute for STEM Education; the National Inventors Hall of Fame/Camp Invention; the University of Notre Dame Center for STEM Education; and Virginia Tech College of Science.

Don’t let what happens at this conference stay at the conference. Take home loads of free materials, ask the booth professionals if there are contests you can enter, or visit the websites of the exhibitors. Many have free or substantially discounted resources for conference attendees. Browse all the exhibitors here, and learn more about the conference here.

Pro Tips

Check out more sessions and other events with the Charlotte Session Browser/Personal Scheduler. Follow all our conference tweets using #NSTA18, and if you tweet, please feel free to tag us @NSTA so we see it!

Need help requesting funding or time off from your principal or supervisor? Download a letter of support and bring it with you! Charlotte support letter

And don’t forget, NSTA members save up to $90 off the price of registration. Not a member? Join here.

The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

Future NSTA Conferences

2019 National Conference
St. Louis, April 11–14

2019 STEM Forum & Expo
San Francisco, July 24–26

Follow NSTA