Veteran Teacher:
It's not lunch, it's science!
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-21
 The National Academies of Science has some ideas for “Igniting a Passion for Science” in your students. The session this morning featured forensic anthropologist Diane France.
Before France spoke, attendees were encouraged to think about why they would integrate scientists into their teaching. The benefits mentioned included exposing students to alternative careers, making science ‘real’ and accessable, and the scientist’s complementary knowledge base. It was quite an animated discussion!
In case you’re wondering, this was not a lunch session – the fried chicken legs in the photo were dissected during the session as teachers got hands-on expereince with a lab they could share with their students back in the classroom. The talk ranged from variations of bone density caused by stress load, to osteoporosis, to steriods used for body building, and how forensic anthropologists can use that kind of information when identifying bones. There was also discussion of how bone fractures depending on when the break occurred in relation to time of death and the cause of the break.
France highlighted various points in the exercise where teachers could focus their instruction on topic areas such as growth and development. She also incorporated the vocabulary of science into the discussion – explaining her point in ‘regular’ language before giving the scientific term.
You can learn more about France, ask a question, or simply take a “curious look at women’s adventures in science” by visiting http://iwaswondering.org.
The National Academies of Science has some ideas for “Igniting a Passion for Science” in your students. The session this morning featured forensic anthropologist Diane France.
Multimedia lab reports and science podcasting
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2009-03-21
There are many sessions devoted to technology applications. Two that I attended on Friday afternoon were presented by dynamic teachers from New Jersey and Texas.
In “Lights! Action! Science!” Barbara DeSantis showed examples of her students’ work using applications such as Voicethread, Animoto, and xtranormal (no, I hadn’t heard of these, either). She shared her website with links to these resources.
Anyone who doubts the value of podcasts in science should talk to Stef Paramoure! in her high-energy presentation “The ABCs of Podcasting” she shared some of her favorite podcasts and how she uses them in her classes. Check out her website, too.
There are many sessions devoted to technology applications. Two that I attended on Friday afternoon were presented by dynamic teachers from New Jersey and Texas.
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-20
I’ve had a chance to talk to several teachers about why they attend the conference and what some of the highlights have been for them. Debra and I will be posting some of those comments here. Don’t forget to look for more in the April issue of NSTA Reports!
— Lynn Petrinjak
I majored in science. I love coming to these. It helps me with elementary science. I learn a lot of great tricks for my students. —Erica Rudolph (left)
I’m the science lab teacher at my school and whenever you go to these, there’s always some new innovative and fun thing I find that I can use in my classroom. I am elementary level. I just love it —Evelyn Pettus
I’ve been to several of these. Two years ago I went to St. Louis. Every year I come for something different. I try to pull out things I can apply in my classroom, to kids that I have. I was very successful today; I found some really, really good tools…I did one on Google Earth, which at first I wasn’t too sure about, thought it maybe just a commercial, but it was really good…I hope to be able to pull out some things I can take back to my colleagues.
—Jeff Shaver
I’ve had a chance to talk to several teachers about why they attend the conference and what some of the highlights have been for them. Debra and I will be posting some of those comments here. Don’t forget to look for more in the April issue of NSTA Reports!
— Lynn Petrinjak
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2009-03-20
  While waiting to catch a shuttle bus, I chatted with Amanda Jeffers and Melissa Kidder from Sunset, Louisiana. “I think the conference is going so well,” said Amanda. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity
for people to meet and discuss different science topics that they’re having in different states. We’re just all having a really great time.”
Melissa agreed. “There’s a wealth of information here. The collaboration among teachers is great, and we’re getting a lot of information that we can bring back to our students.”
While waiting to catch a shuttle bus, I chatted with Amanda Jeffers and Melissa Kidder from Sunset, Louisiana. “I think the conference is going so well,” said Amanda.
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2009-03-20
The NSTA Bookstore is a popular place. For those of us who like to pick up and page through a book before making a purchase, this is the place to be. There are even tables and chairs (coffee is available in the lobby). Other NSTA merchandise is for sale here, too. And some authors are doing book signings.
The NSTA Bookstore is a popular place. For those of us who like to pick up and page through a book before making a purchase, this is the place to be. There are even tables and chairs (coffee is available in the lobby). Other NSTA merchandise is for sale here, too. And some authors are doing book signings.
NASA's expanding field of vision
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-20
 Credit: NASA, ESA, and C. Conselice (University of Nottingham)
NASA is hoping to get a better look at the history of universe as they expand the capabilities of the Hubble telescope. Michael Weiss, deputy program manager of the Hubble Space Telescope Program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, talked about how the new equipment will provide images from the ultraviolet, infrared, and near-infrared spectrums. The upcoming shuttle mission, which will be the fourth to service the telescope since it’s launch, will add a new wide field camera, replace gyros, repair equipment that has failed, and more.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and C. Conselice (University of Nottingham)
A peek at Informal Science Day
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2009-03-20
 NSTA Informal Science Day offered a wide variety of networking opportunities and presentations. From noon to 2, attendees had a chance to have lunch while listening to Andrew Shouse and Philip Bell and their colleagues from the National Research Council address the topic How Students Learn Science When They Are Not in School.
Bell and Shouse presented highlights from the recent NRC report, Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits, enlightening the audience about how designed settings can support science learning for diverse learners and serve as a resource for classroom teachers, and the powerful role cultural diversity plays in all learning settings. (To learn more about this report, read the NSTA Reports article.)
NSTA Informal Science Day offered a wide variety of networking opportunities and presentations. From noon to 2, attendees had a chance to have lunch while listening to Andrew Shouse and Philip Bell and their colleagues from the National Research Council address the topic How Students Learn Science When They Are Not in School.
Wow—Grand Master Hank
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2009-03-20
I just have to say a quick “Wow!”
I was walking by the ballroom and could hear music, shouting and laughing. I couldn’t resist looking in to see what was causing such a commotion.
It was Grand Master Hank’s science lab. The presentation, for students (and their teachers), really had the audience excited—dancing, calling encouragement to classmates answering questions, and just displaying a level of energy I envy after two days on my feet!
Perhaps there were a few kids even inspired to become scientists. Too bad my photos didn’t turn out. Maybe one of the participants will have some they could post?
Don’t forget to check out NSTA’s photo stream on Flickr to see more pictures from the conference!
I just have to say a quick “Wow!”
I was walking by the ballroom and could hear music, shouting and laughing. I couldn’t resist looking in to see what was causing such a commotion.
It was Grand Master Hank’s science lab. The presentation, for students (and their teachers), really had the audience excited—dancing, calling encouragement to classmates answering questions, and just displaying a level of energy I envy after two days on my feet!
You never know who you'll see here
By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2009-03-20
 With thousands of people here, you’re certain to see someone you know. I ran into my grad school advisor, several people I had met before (virtually) on the NSTA listserves, and a vendor I had met in a previous life. I saw Bill Nye speedwalking through the lobby. And this lucky teacher is chatting with Sally Ride!
With thousands of people here, you’re certain to see someone you know. I ran into my grad school advisor, several people I had met before (virtually) on the NSTA listserves, and a vendor I had met in a previous life. I saw Bill Nye speedwalking through the lobby. And this lucky teacher is chatting with Sally Ride!
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