Standing Committees

One of the most fulfilling ways to have an impact on science education is to participate at a national level.

Volunteer opportunities are available to NSTA members who would like to lend their skills, talents and passion for science learning to one of NSTA's standing committees, advisory boards, or panels.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2024

Alicia Conerly

President-Elect

President-Elect, Alicia Conerly is looking for dynamic and dedicated members who are ready to go beyond presenting at a conference and become engaged with the decision-making processes of the Association.

Serving on NSTA’s committees is a very rewarding experience. By serving NSTA, you are actively engaged in shaping the future of science education. As we are all trying to figure out new ways of thinking about high-quality teaching, this is your chance to be a part of these pivotal conversations by having your voice heard at a national level.

If you are willing and interested, but not sure which committee you’re interested in, take a moment to find descriptions on each committee below. You may apply for up to three committees.

Apply Today

Additional Leadership Opportunities: NSTA Advisory Boards & Panels

By Level

Level Committees

Early Childhood – Elementary Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to the teaching of elementary science and ensure that the interests of early childhood and elementary teachers of science are served by the Association. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council, including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Middle Level Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to the teaching of middle level science and see that the Association serves the interests of teachers at that level. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

High School Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to the teaching of high school science and see that the interests of high school teachers of science are served by the Association. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Post-Secondary Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: The committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, research, and teaching activities related to enhancing the knowledge and practices, building a diverse community of, and empowering those involved in the teaching of post-secondary science to create inclusive and equitable learning opportunities. The Association supports the professional development of well-prepared post-secondary educators of science. To this end, the committee shall collaborate with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination and NSTA staff to support post-secondary science teachers through professional learning opportunities and to assist in the development and maintenance of resources for post-secondary science teachers and their students. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and/or NSTA staff with approval by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

By Function

Function Committees

Coordination and Supervision of Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to the supervision and coordination of science teaching, and see that the interests of coordinators and supervisors of science teaching are served by the Association. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Informal Science

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to informal science education and see that the interests of informal science educators are served by the Association. The committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Multicultural/Equity in Science Education

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to multicultural and equity issues in science education. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semiannual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Preservice Teacher Preparation

General Responsibilities: The committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, research, and teacher development activities relating to the preparation of science teachers and see that the Association supports the development of highly qualified teachers of science. To this end, the committee shall collaborate with NSTA staff to support teacher preparation programs and professional learning for preservice teachers and their professors, support preservice chapters and their members, assist in the development and maintenance of online resources for preservice teachers and their professors, promote professional learning opportunities and resources for pre-service teachers and their professors, and to identify and/or pursue new funding or grant resources for the Association as it relates to opportunities and resources for pre-service teachers and their professors. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and/or NSTA staff and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Professional Learning in Science Education

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to professional development in science education and see that the Association serves the interests of those involved in the professional development of science educators. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semiiannual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Research in Science Teaching

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to research in science education and see that the Association serves the interests of researchers in science education. The Committee shall work together with other Division Committees on K–16 coordination. Additional charges may be directed by the President, requested by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

By Task

Task Committees

Committee on Awards and Recognition

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to awards and recognition. This committee shall: select the recipients of some corporate-sponsored awards, along with other awards or recognitions as approved by the Board of Directors and listed in the NSTA Handbook; review the selection process and recommend changes to the Board of Directors; study any proposals for the termination of existing awards or other recognitions, and make recommendations concerning those proposals to the Board of Directors; review any proposals for new awards or other recognitions, and make recommendations concerning those proposals to the Board of Directors. Additional charges may be directed by the President, recommended by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors

Committee on Finance & Audit

General Responsibilities: The committee shall be responsible for serving as the review body for all policies, programs, and activities relating to budget and finance of the Association. Reviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors an annual budget which will be prepared by staff, under the supervision of the Executive Director, and with the advice and guidance of the Treasurer. Studying activities supported by the budget and recommending to the Board of Directors, as appropriate, an order of priorities, including termination of support for budget lines, activities, or programs, based upon costs and effectiveness. Receiving and making recommendations to the Board of Directors related to requests for funding unbudgeted items from the Executive Director, officers, or members of the board. Studying and recommending to the Board of Directors funds to be allocated to the various areas of activity of the Association to include making recommendations on the initiation of new programs or discontinuing programs. Reviewing and recommending proposed new revenue lines. Identifying emerging financial problems and concerns related to the budget. Additional charges as may be directed by the President, recommended by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Board of Directors including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.

Committee on Nominations

General Responsibilities: This committee shall review annually all NSTA policies, programs, and activities relating to nominations. This committee shall identify and nominate well-qualified candidates that include a diversity of nominees with regard to distribution of geography, gender, ethnicity, and racial background. Additional charges may be directed by the President, recommended by the Board of Directors, or initiated by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall submit a semi-annual report to the Council including recommendations for action by the Board of Directors.