Seven Weeks and Counting--NSTA National Conference in Chicago

NSTA Home | Member Benefits | Conferences | Journals | Science Store | Learning Center | Career Center  [ View in web browser ] Name: Kwonki Lee  E-mail: livefriendie@gmail.com  Member Status: Nonmember January 26, 2015 NGSS@NSTA Hub: A New Year, a New Look Only 7 Weeks 'til NSTA National Conference in Chicago School Administrators and Science Leaders—This One's for You! Creating Children's Science Books: A Lesson in Teamwork NGSS Parent Guide: Hablas Español? No Problem! Assessing Students' Teacher Evaluations Still Time to Register for the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition DuPont Challenge Entries Due January 31 Free! Live Online Webinar Series from the Wildlife Conservation Society NGSS@NSTA Hub: A New Year, a New Look The NGSS@NSTA Hub is better than ever with a new look and plenty of new resources and tools tailored for teachers. The Hub is your one-stop source for information, resources, news, professional learning opportunities, and expert advice in understanding and implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Only 7 Weeks 'til NSTA National Conference in Chicago! Register Today Sessions on science and literacy and connecting with Common Core State Standards-Math; an all-day, deep dive into the Next Generation Science Standards, strands on equity, student learning, and the science of design; PLUS NSTA's famed Elementary Extravaganza with an afternoon share-a-thon—just for elementary teachers! Don't miss out: Learn more about NSTA's National Conference in Chicago, and register today. Search the conference sessions here, and put together a personal schedule with the training that you need (and want) as part of your professional development, then take it to your school leaders. Only a few short weeks left to register, hurry! School Administrators and Science Leaders—This One Is for You! NSTA's District Conference Package When a team of 4–8 (including one administrator) from a district registers for the NSTA National Conference in Chicago, NSTA will work one-on-one with you to tailor the conference learning experience for you and your teachers—at no additional cost beyond the price of conference registration.  Interested? Check out NSTA'sDistrict Conference Package, open to the first 100 schools that register and read what District Administration says about the NSTA national conference. Learn more the great speakers slated for the administrators workshop, including Leland Melvin, Eric Brunsell, and Barry Fishman. Creating Children's Science Books: A Lesson in Teamwork When NSTA and the Children's Book Council published our annual Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 list last November, author Loree Griffin Burns was thrilled to see two of her books with photographer Ellen Harasimowicz on it—but she thought something important was missing from the list. Find out what we missed, and read Loree Griffin Burns' story about how she and her photographer make beautiful, scientifically accurate books for kids. NGSS Parent Guide: Hablas Español? No Problem! NSTA's hugely popular resource for parents on the NGSS is now available in numerous languages. TheNGSS Q&A helps parents understand the importance of standards and the role they play in education. It's a great tool for science teachers, principals, and other administrators to distribute to and discuss with parents. Download the Q&A in numerous languages, including Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese, from the NGSS@NSTA Hub. Assessing Students' Teacher Evaluations You evaluate your students' performance every day, assessing what they've learned and how they use that knowledge. At some schools, students are asked to evaluate their teachers/instructors and courses. NSTA Reports would like to know whether your students evaluate you, how you collect and use that information, and what you think of student evaluations in general. Do they provide valuable information you can use to improve the course or your performance, or do they tend to be a waste of time? Take this short, anonymous poll. Still Time to Register for the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition The deadline to register teams for the 2015 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program—the world's largest K–12 science and technology competition— is just four days away! If you haven't registered your team for the ExploraVision competition, it's not too late—register today. The deadline for submissions is January 30. Visit the ExploraVision website for competition details and helpful resources for teachers, parents, and students. In case you missed it, watch the recent web seminar, How to Avoid Disqualification in ExploraVision, for further information about the competition and tips on how you can prevent ineligibility.   In addition, students who enter a project into the ExploraVision program, as well as participating teachers, will also be eligible to apply for the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy, an expense-paid, week-long cross-cultural STEM exchange program held in Tokyo where students and teachers from the United States work closely with a team of Japanese counterparts to develop proposed solutions to global issues. The DuPont Challenge (Grades 6–12) Essay Submissions Due January 31: Don't Miss the Deadline or Your Chance to Win The deadline to submit entries for The DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition (Junior and Senior Divisions) is coming up soon! Submit your STEM essays by this Saturday, January 31, for a chance to win more than $100,000 in prizes and awards, including savings bonds, teaching grants, exciting trips, and much more. Entries for the Elementary Division (K–5) will be accepted until March 1. For more information, including official rules, entry forms, and details on awards, visit The DuPont Challenge website. Live Online Webinar Series from the Wildlife Conservation Society Professional Development Opportunities Available! Free Online Webinars from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Online Teacher Academy   The Wildlife Conservation Society's award-winning Online Teacher Academy allows busy educators across the nation to earn professional development credit hours. Interact livewith WCS scientists and educators—all from the comfort of your own home!   As a participant, you will learn about WCS field research and conservation work as you listen to conservation stories from WCS field scientists. Walk away with valuable resources – including classroom lesson ideas for implementation.   The new series begins NOW with Mannahatta2409.org: A Teaching Tool for Investigating Nature in Cities onFebruary 3 at 7 pm EST. More webinars will be available throughout the year. For more information and to register visit http://www.wcs.org/teachers/teacherpd/webinars.aspx or call 718-220-5136. Sponsored by:     Learn more about NSTA e-newsletter sponsorships And Don't Forget... Visit our member services web pagelearn what NSTA can do for you! Download your copy of the NSTA Membership Guide.