Featured Panel

National Conference in Anaheim • April 15-18, 2026

California Perspectives on Science Education Policy

Friday, April 17 • 8:00-9:00 AM

Anaheim Convention Center - Ballroom C

Panelists:

Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Christine Hirst Bernhardt, PhD, STEM Education Coordinator and Researcher, NOVA SySTEMic & President-Elect, National Earth Science Teachers Association
James Brown, Executive Director, STEM Education Coalition (Moderator)
Melissa Marcucci, President, Board of Directors, California Association of Science Educators
Alex Molinich, President, Hands On Science Partnership, Aldon Corporation

About the Session

California remains at the forefront of science education innovation, guided by NGSS implementation, major investments in climate and clean-energy learning, and expanding career-connected pathways. At the same time, state legislators and education policymakers are confronting persistent challenges: uneven access to high-quality science instruction, shortages in the science teacher workforce, growing pressures on professional learning, and wide variation in district-level accountability and assessment practices. New debates around AI literacy, modernization of science assessments, and the role of industry partnerships are further shaping expectations for science teaching and learning. This NSTA policy briefing in Anaheim will convene California science education leaders, corporate stakeholders and science education policy experts for a focused discussion on the most urgent issues affecting science education in 2026. The session will highlight opportunities to strengthen teacher preparation and retention, sustain NGSS implementation, support hands-on and real-world learning, and ensure that science maintains its place as a core component of a well-rounded education.

About the Panelists

Tony Thurmond

Tony Thurmond has served as California’s 28th State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. An educator, social worker, and public school parent, he has more than 15 years of experience in elected office, including service on the Richmond City Council, the West Contra Costa Unified School Board, and in the California State Assembly. Raised in challenging circumstances, Superintendent Thurmond relied on public education to pursue higher education at Temple University and later earned dual master’s degrees from Bryn Mawr College. His career has focused on supporting foster youth, expanding workforce opportunities for at-risk populations, and improving services for individuals with developmental disabilities, along with direct experience in education through teaching life skills classes, after school programs, and career training.

Christine Hirst Bernhardt

Christine Hirst Bernhardt, PhD, is STEM Education Coordinator and Researcher at NOVA SySTEMic and President-Elect of the National Earth Science Teachers Association. A dedicated educator with more than 25 years of teaching experience, she has taught high school Earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and engineering, and spent a decade teaching undergraduate astronomy. She has led the development of innovative curricula, including an honors astronomy program featuring space-based design challenges and high-altitude balloon experiments, supported by a State of California grant. Her expertise focuses on professional development, curriculum design, and education research in Earth and space sciences. Bernhardt is a recipient of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Excellence in Astronomy Teaching Award and has flown aboard NASA’s SOFIA mission.

James Brown

James Brown serves as NSTA’s policy advisor and is a principal at Bose Public Affairs Group in Washington, D.C. He is also executive director of the STEM Education Coalition. Previously, he led federal advocacy efforts at the American Chemical Society and worked as a legislative aide to Rep. Doc Hastings. A nuclear engineer by training, Brown began his career at Newport News Shipbuilding, was director of policy and development at the Consumer Energy Council of America and began his career as an engineer with Newport News Shipbuilding, working on aircraft carrier construction.

Melissa Marcucci

Melissa Marcucci is a dedicated science educator with over 20 years of experience in K-12 science instruction. A passionate advocate for educational equity, she ensures that all students, particularly those from underserved communities, have access to rigorous, inquiry-based learning that prepares them for college and career success. As President of the California Association of Science Educators (CASE), she champions high-quality professional learning for science educators to enhance instructional practices and improve student outcomes. She currently works in the Ceres Unified School District as a Teacher on Special Assignment and serves as a University Supervisor at CSU Stanislaus, mentoring science credential candidates as they develop their skills and knowledge of the field. A current Teach Plus Fellow, Marcucci also works to influence state-level education policy to support systemic change.

Alex Molinich

Steering Aldon Corporation as President, Alex Molinich is grounded in a commitment to quality and innovation in chemical manufacturing. With expertise in advanced negotiation, strategic business planning, and safety practices, his role involves orchestrating environmental compliance, security sales strategies, and pricing, ensuring Aldon remains at the forefront of the chemical sector. Molinich also chairs the Hands-On Science Partnership, which is an alliance of companies devoted to supporting classroom science learning.

Advocacy in Action: Leading for Change

Friday, April 17

Interested in learning more? Explore our Advocacy in Action: Leading for Change pathway and learn about key science and STEM policy issues impacting the teaching profession in 2026. Gain practical knowledge on the basics of grassroots advocacy and learn how to effectively engage with local, state, and national elected officials. Leverage your leadership to amplify your voice and transform your commitment to inclusive, high-quality science and STEM education into bold, systemic action!