JoinPhilly Soul
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2010-03-18
NSTA conferences offer so much more than what you see on the program. Between sessions, I stopped to watch and listen to this young man, who was performing outside of the Philadelphia Convention Center this afternoon. Not only did he dance up a storm, but he also sang some dynamite covers of Motown classics by Marvin Gaye and the Temptations.
Anyone know his name? Leave a comment if you do.
NSTA conferences offer so much more than what you see on the program. Between sessions, I stopped to watch and listen to this young man, who was performing outside of the Philadelphia Convention Center this afternoon.
Did you bring your kids?
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Posted on 2010-03-18
I didn’t bring my son, but after walking around the Exhibit Hall, I regretted it. Who knew that Curious George would be here? When I saw him, I started thinking, and when I saw the penguins and petted the wallaby, I started making phone calls. Surely a day at the Exhibit Hall is worth my husband taking a day off work and taking my son out of school for the day? When he shows his teachers a picture of himself with the skeleton and brings them books on building a classroom garden, they’ll consider it time well spent. Hmmm… and while hubby and son are playing with the robots, maybe I’ll sneak off to the most wonderful booth of all—to get a free foot massage!
I didn’t bring my son, but after walking around the Exhibit Hall, I regretted it. Who knew that Curious George would be here? When I saw him, I started thinking, and when I saw the penguins and petted the wallaby, I started making phone calls. Surely a day at the Exhibit Hall is worth my husband taking a day off work and taking my son out of school for the day? When he shows his teachers a picture of himself with the skeleton and brings them books on building a classroom garden, they’ll consider it time well spent.
All about animals
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2010-03-18
This is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a Madagascar hissing beetle. I enjoy going to NSTA conferences because I get to see all sorts of denizens of the animal world that I would never get a chance to view ordinarily.
During their workshop on Connecting With Animals in the Classroom, Stephanie Selznick (left) and Suzanne Flynn showed us some of their friends in the animal world and described how teachers could “create the ‘aha!’ moment for students by teaching about animals. Suzanne said treating students to the sight of a mother gerbil giving birth and nursing her baby is something students will never forget—and can inspire a love for science. “Kids love to look at and touch live things,” said Stephanie.
Teaching about animals also provides a vehicle for linking other subjects to science—and “the more links, the more thinks” for students, said Suzanne. Young children can count an animal’s legs and even create Venn diagrams about the animal’s characteristics and compare them with those of other animals, for example. That sounds much more fun than the Venn diagrams I remember doing in elementary school!
Suzanne described how teachers could use the NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books and find other books using NSTA Recommends to integrate language arts into lessons involving animals. She praised the scientific accuracy of the books on the NSTA/CBC lists.
Stephanie told us about a 20-minute activity for fifth graders that can be used as an end-of-unit assessment. She has her students choose an animal they’ve studied and write four or five facts about it on a card. Her fourth graders have created “notebooks of cool facts” about their favorite animal, including its physical features, its favorite foods, and how it can be characterized.
Other than two insects that leaped out of their containers and had to be rescued (both successfully!), the workshop went very smoothly, and I heard many teachers say “Great session” as they prepared to leave for their next adventure.
This is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a Madagascar hissing beetle. I enjoy going to NSTA conferences because I get to see all sorts of denizens of the animal world that I would never get a chance to view ordinarily.
The Science Store is bustling
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2010-03-18
The NSTA Science Store has a new look!
There’s still a few minutes before the exhibit hall opens, but the Science Store has been busy for quite a while this morning.
The Science Store has new look this year. If you’re on site, check out the Picture Perfect Science Lessons, the science T-shirts, and of course all the great books. I heard several folks discussing their favorite titles. One teacher was telling a friend/colleague how she uses Everyday Science Mysteries with her students.
I’ve also seen a lot of warm greetings as attendees reconnect with old acquaintances. I can’t how many times I’ve heard, “I didn’t know you were going to be here!”
The NSTA Science Store has a new look!
Early enthusiasm evident
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2010-03-18
I was talking to a first time attendee on the trolley from the hotel to the convention center this morning. Cecelia Dygdon told me the web site was overwhelming, she found a lot of sessions she wanted to attend, but didn’t immediately realize they were spread out between the convention center and a couple nearby hotels. She was headed to the first time attendee meeting, so I’m sure she’ll get some great advice from the folks there.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons Seashells are multifunctional. In addition to housing and protecting an organisim, they can be used to spark scientific curiosity and literacy.
Cecelia describes herself as a career-changer, having worked in industry for several years after teaching for a short time after college. She’s now a high school chemistry and physical science teacher in the Chicago, Illinois area. She says she came to the conference because “it’s good for me to hone my skills. I really need to relearn things; not just content but pedagogy.” Cecelia is in the Department of Education’s ACTS program.
The first session I planned to attend was packed to overflowing. I couldn’t even get close to the door! Apparently a lot of educators got up this morning with Differentiated Science Inquiry on their minds.
Good thing I had another session in mind as an alternative, Connect the Dots to Help Students Develop Literacy Skills Along with Science Content. Karen Ostlund shared how she has incorporated literacy into scientific exploration for sea shells. Hands-on activities for the participants, and examples of student work illustrated her methods well. Interesting fact I learned in the session this morning—shell colors are like a “memory,” recording changes to the mollusk’s environment.
I was talking to a first time attendee on the trolley from the hotel to the convention center this morning. Cecelia Dygdon told me the web site was overwhelming, she found a lot of sessions she wanted to attend, but didn’t immediately realize they were spread out between the convention center and a couple nearby hotels. She was headed to the first time attendee meeting, so I’m sure she’ll get some great advice from the folks there.
Among friends
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2010-03-17
The great thing about traveling to an NSTA conference is that almost immediately you find yourself among friends. When I arrived at the train station, I wasn’t sure if I would know anyone waiting in line. That can be a little unnerving. However …
Not only did I immediately spot two of my colleagues, but we also had a nice chat with Christopher DiScenza of the American Physical Society, who was waiting in line with us. I soon felt right at home, as NSTA staff are often in contact with the APS staff. And when Christopher mentioned his office is in College Park, Maryland, I replied that the University of Maryland, College Park, is my alma mater. Small world!
I’m looking forward to connecting with more familiar faces and names here in Philly. I know these “reunions” will happen.
The great thing about traveling to an NSTA conference is that almost immediately you find yourself among friends. When I arrived at the train station, I wasn’t sure if I would know anyone waiting in line. That can be a little unnerving. However …
The calm before
By NSTA Web Director
Posted on 2010-03-17
Things are quiet for now at the registration area in Philadelphia (noon on Wednesday—attendee registration opens at 5:00).
But things are buzzing in the Exhibit Hall. An NSTA staffer called it “sausage being made.” I’ve attended quite a few NSTA conferences, but never arrived early enough to see the Exhibit Hall being assembled. Quite a sight.
While many exhibitors have been hard at work all day, attendees are just starting to arrive. It’s not too late for you to decide to join them!
Things are quiet for now at the registration area in Philadelphia (noon on Wednesday—attendee registration opens at 5:00).
Can't wait for the exhibits!
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Posted on 2010-03-17
Walking through the Exhibit Hall, watching it get set up, is exciting. Pretty soon the rafts of building materials, strings of lights, and yards of material will be booths displaying all sorts of incredible science-teaching resources. The NSTA Avenue will be ready for members, where they can learn about their benefits, meet the staff, and discuss the issues important to them. Want to suggest something to NSTA? That will be the place to do it! And the exhibits are the best source of inspiration and goodies. Learn to keep a science notebook, browse through books, build a circuit, or even play with robots! And who doesn’t love stocking up on all the freebies—seed packets, pens, rocks—usually you end up with plenty to share with your whole science department.
Walking through the Exhibit Hall, watching it get set up, is exciting. Pretty soon the rafts of building materials, strings of lights, and yards of material will be booths displaying all sorts of incredible science-teaching resources.
Taking the train
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2010-03-17
It’s time to head for the train station and get on my way to the 2010 National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia. I’ve created a schedule for myself using the online Personal Scheduler (with a couple promising sessions/workshops selected for most time slots—just in case) and printed a hard copy (also just in case). My rolling bag is packed (comfortable shoes, notebook, pens, camera, etc.) and it’s time to head to the train station. I hope I’m not forgetting anything—I forgot to pack socks when we were in Boston two years ago. How does a person forget socks?
In addition to checking out the exhibit hall and sessions and talking to as many science eduation pros as possible, I have a personal goal for myself—get a Phillly cheesesteak South Jersey style !
It’s time to head for the train station and get on my way to the 2010 National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia. I’ve created a schedule for myself using the online Personal Scheduler (with a couple promising sessions/workshops selected for most time slots—just in case) and printed a hard copy (also just in case). My rolling bag is packed (comfortable shoes, notebook, pens, camera, etc.) and it’s time to head to the train station. I hope I’m not forgetting anything—I forgot to pack socks when we were in Boston two years ago.
Take a musical break
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2010-03-17
Catty-corner from the Mariott Hotel in Philadelphia is a national musical treasure: the Wanamaker organ (yes, the store is a Macy’s now). This is the largest operational pipe organ in the world. At the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ website, you can read about its history and specifications as well as listen to a sound clip. The photo (from the Friends’ site) shows the organ in the 7-story court in the store. The concerts are free. Revive your soul and spirit:
- Monday-Saturday 12pm
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 5:30pm
- Wednesday, Friday 7pm
My fondest childhood memories include riding the train to Philadelphia to hear the organ. I’ll relive those memories this week!
Catty-corner from the Mariott Hotel in Philadelphia is a national musical treasure: the Wanamaker organ (yes, the store is a Macy’s now). This is the largest operational pipe organ in the world. At the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ website, you can read about its history and specifications as well as listen to a sound clip.