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NSTA

Empowering science educators, transforming science education—to benefit all

 
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Welcome to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), a vibrant community of 40,000 members — science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and STEM and its impact on student learning.


 

What We Stand For

  

NSTA Strategic Plan

Charting an Exciting and Important Vision for the Future

View Plan

Vision

Science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society, enabling us to make informed decisions about the collective challenges we face.

Mission

Transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships and advocacy.

Our Guiding Principles

Build Community

We believe that the community of science educators extends beyond the classroom, and that together science educators influence and advance change.

Include All

We believe that all educators have a critical role in cultivating science literacy and that all learners deserve access to a high-quality science education.

Foster Passion

We believe that an appreciation for science can be fostered in every student and a passion for professional growth lies within every educator.

Champion Science

We believe that science literacy is essential to our collective wellbeing.

Pursue Learning

We believe that science learning never stops.


 

What We Do

  
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Professional Learning & Teaching Resources

NSTA supports science educators in deepening their knowledge base and enhancing their instructional practice through research-based professional learning.

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Conferences & Events

NSTA hosts several face-to-face conferences and virtual events each year, offering the latest in science and STEM content, teaching strategy, and research to enhance and expand educators’ professional growth.

View Upcoming Conferences & Events

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Publications

NSTA publishes books, four grade-range-specific journals, an online journal that bridges in-school and out-of-school STEM learning, three e-newsletters, and the NSTA Blog, all in an effort to help educators elevate their science teaching and learning.

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Awards and Competitions

NSTA hosts and administers several competitions for teachers and students, grants, and an awards program, honoring extraordinary individuals for their accomplishments and outstanding work in the science and STEM education field.

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Network

NSTA leverages its powerful national network to help connect educators with knowledgeable, like-minded peers and leading industry experts to share best practices and innovative teaching strategies and to collaborate on new ways to enrich students’ learning and increase equitable participation the science classroom.

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Advocacy

NSTA serves as an advocate for science educators by helping to raise the profile of science education to promote respect and ensure investment that supports an equitable, high-quality science education.


 

Who We Are

  

We are a dedicated and passionate community of professionals, who believe that an appreciation for science can be fostered in every student and a passion for professional growth lies within every educator. Our vision is a world where science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society and each member of our team—staff and leadership alike—strives to make that vision a reality.

Our Staff

There are approximately 60 full-time staff at NSTA headquarters, managed by the following senior staff:

  • Erika Shugart, Executive Director & CEO
  • Bob Lay, Chief Finance Administrative Officer
  • Ryan Foley, Chief Operating Officer
  • Tricia Shelton, Chief Learning Officer
  • Cathy Iammartino, Chief, Publications & Digital Products
  

 

Our Partners

  

It takes a village to advance change. Our partners—state/province and student chapters, associated groups, affiliates, corporations, foundations, and government agencies, to name just a few—serve as valuable allies as we work to transform science education to benefit all.

  
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