One of the most popular and accessible ways for members to get quick professional development advice and stay abreast of education trends is through the free NSTA’s E-Mail List Server.

Through the list server, thousands of NSTA members from teachers to administrators are able to reach out virtually for help from fellow members. Discussion topics range from middle school science competitions and model-based biology to kitchen chemistry and the Next Generation Science Standards. The list goes on and on.

Anytime Answers

With more than 20 categories of discussion, the list server allows members to sign up for specific topics such as early childhood education, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and pedagogy. No need to wait until regular working hours to pose a question or vet an idea.

For example, an NSTA member posted the following question a few weeks ago at 7:09 p.m.:

Hi Everyone,
My school is considering changing our current schedule and course offerings. At present, we offer ‘honors’ (advanced) courses for our high achievers/gifted. Can you tell me how your middle school addresses the needs of their high achievers/gifted? I’d like to be able to bring back the information to the scheduling committee.
Thanks!

A number of responses came in from members throughout that evening and during the next couple of days. Here’s an example of one of the responses:

Our district has an accelerated math science path for middle grades. 

7th or 8th graders can take algebra 1 for high school credit. Ones who take it in 7th go on to geometry as 8th graders so they are able to enroll in algebra 2 as freshmen. 

In science the students who are accelerated can take a class that covers 6th and half of 8th grade standards as 6th graders, then 7th and other half of 8th standards as 7th graders. They take an integrated physics and chemistry course as 8th graders.     

There is a subset of this accelerated group that is even more accelerated. Those kids are in a STEM academy where they take geometry, physics, and a computer science course in 8th grade, all for high school credit. 

Established Community

Because the list is exclusive to NSTA members, you can know that each voice on the lists is a member in the science education community. With each email, participants are instantly connected to expertise around the world.

Etiquette and Guidance

Like any professional community, NSTA asks for members to agree to rules for participation. Organic conversations are expected, yet topics should stay on topic. For example, last month a member posed a question about the different approaches to teaching metric conversions. The 12 responses that came in for that question led to valuable information on different approaches, but the topic didn’t stray from metric conversions.

“PD Gold Mine”

It’s not just participants who learn from these discussions. Did you know NSTA E-Mail threads have been considered the “PD gold mine” and have led to articles in NSTA publications such as NSTA Reports?

Connect with other educators, connect with members, and connect directly with NSTA through the E-mail List Server.

Not a member of NSTA? Learn more about how to join.

NSTA’s 2018 Charlotte conference on science education is right around the corner (November 29–December 1).

If you’ve ever attended, you know that you get up to 13 hours of credit for sessions in vital areas like STEM, literacy, and 3D learning. You probably also know that exhibitors like Astrocamp Virginia; Carolina Biological Supply Co.; the Museum of Science, Boston; NASCAR Hall of Fame; the National Inventors Hall of Fame/Camp Invention; STEMscopes; and TeacherGeek, Inc. will be there to show off their latest programs and innovations (leave room in your suitcase for all the giveaways!). And best of all, you know you’ll make new professional contacts and friends.

But did you know you can take a deep dive into your grade level by planning your schedule around your grade level? Browse below to find ideas for your grade level, and see all conference details here.

High School

First, put this meeting of your peers on your schedule. NSTA’s High School Committee is hosting this get-together just for you:

Thursday, November 29
3:30–4:40 PM
High School Teachers: Birds of a Feather
Queens, The Westin Charlotte

Next, put the keywords “high school” into the session browser, and find the ones that are right for you. Here are just a few that you may want to target:

• Using Modeling Activities in the High School Chemistry Class
• The Radio Sky
• Using the Triple Line of Sustainability to Support Student Writing in All Levels of the High School Classroom
• NARST-Sponsored Session: Novel Method for Teaching the Difference and Relationship Between Theories and Laws
• Using District Science Coaching Model to Improve Teacher Instruction and Retention
• Integrating E-Books into the Secondary Classroom

Middle School

Big news for share-a-thon lovers! The Charlotte Conference Program Chair, Manley Midgett , shares this invite: “Join me as I’m joined by as many as 50 dedicated science educators from across the state, with each sharing his or her most successful activity. Share-a-thons will take place at the same time for elementary; middle school; and Earth, life, and physical sciences. A keynote speaker will follow. Have a crazy fun time!” Want in? Plan to attend the NCSTA Share-a-Palooza on Thursday, November 29, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, in Grand Ballroom C/D, at the Westin Charlotte.

Looking for more? Put the keywords “middle school” into the session browser, and find the ones that are right for you. Here are sessions you may like:

• Learning Life Science Content Through the Integration of Computer Science and Computational Thinking Practices
• Newton’s Triple Play: An Online Interactive Lesson on the Application of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion to Baseball
• ASEE Session: Meeting in the Middle—Integrated Engineering in Middle School
• Group Work: Using Student Collaboration in the Middle School Science Classroom (AEOP)
• NESTA Session: Profiling That is Not On-the-Level

Elementary School

Is teaching science your super power? If not, it will be if you attend this panel: Empowering Teachers, Nurturing STEM Equity: The UNCG STEM Teacher Leader Collaborative, on Friday, November 30, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, in Room 215, at the Charlotte Convention Center. The organizers say “Professional learning and networking centering engineering design makes a difference for elementary teachers’ and students’ engagement. How? Curriculum and professional development resources will be shared.”

Find other sessions just for elementary teachers by browsing the scheduler. Here are some you may want to attend:

• NSTA Press® Session: Uncovering Elementary Students’ Ideas About Science, Mathematics, and Literacy (with award-winning author, Page Keeley)
• STEM Clubs for the Elementary Students
• Energy Games, Chants, and Plays: Increasing Energy Literacy in Your Elementary Classroom
• Using the NGSS to Design Interdisciplinary Lessons for Elementary Students
• Inquiry in Action: Investigating Matter K–5

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 $95 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

2018 Area Conferences

• Reno, October 11–13
• National Harbor (MD), November 15–17
• Charlotte, Nov. 29–Dec. 1

“Dive into Three-Dimensional Instruction” Workshop
National Harbor, November 16–17, 2018

2019 National Conference
St. Louis, April 11–14

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

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