Why Science Teachers Sow Doubt About Evolution (Even When They Don't Mean To)

Name: Kwonki Lee E-mail: livefriendie@gmail.com Member Status: Nonmember March 2, 2015 Why Science Teachers Sow Doubt About Evolution (Even When They Don't Mean To) This Washington Post piece, part of a series on politics and science, is from Eric Plutzer and Michael Berkman, political science professors at Penn State University and authors of "Evolution, Creationism, and the Battle for Control of America's Classrooms." Read more. AAAS Seeking Teachers to Participate in Field Testing of Science Assessment Items AAAS Project 2061 is developing assessment items to measure elementary, middle, and high school students' understanding of ideas about energy and recruiting teachers willing to field test multiple-choice test items with their students in Spring 2015. Students must be in grades 4–12. The test may be administered online or in paper format and should take no more than a single class period. Learn more. Join the NPR Dissection Discussion A recent NPR piece on dissection ( Dissecting A Frog: A Middle School Rite of Passage) has sparked quite a bit of conversation among science teachers. NSTA Executive Director David Evans was asked to weigh in, and we appreciate the opportunity as this is an important issue for our community. Join us on Facebook to see what your peers are saying, and chime in yourself. Reasons Why You Should Attend NSTA's Conference in Chicago Hint...U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and teacher favorite Bill Nye! Both inspiring speakers are confirmed to be joining NSTA in Chicago next week. Learn more about the NSTA National Conference in Chicago, and register today!   Here's just a peek at what you can fill your schedule with at our National Conference—the largest gathering of science educators this year! Short Courses Field Trips Networking Opportunities Professional Development Institutes Elementary Extravaganza and Share-A-Thon Meet Me in the Middle Day NSTA Press Sessions, in which you can meet the author behind the books! Global Conversation in Science Education | International Day, March 11 Join us for an all-day, deep dive into the Next Generation Science Standards with writers, state science supervisors, and other experts. And many more opportunities to re-energize your teaching and launch it to great heights. We look forward to seeing you inChicago in less than two weeks, on March 12–15. From the NSTA Calendar: "STEM in 30" Free Webcast Series In just 30 minutes, your students in grades 5–8 can experience a whole lot of STEM—live from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum! The museum and NASA are collaborating on the " STEM in 30" live webcast series to increase student interest and engagement in STEM. Coming up on March 18 is "Oh, You're Just Full of Hot Air: Hot Air Balloons and Air Pressure." Find out about more free webcasts, grant opportunities, and a whole lot more by visiting the NSTA Calendar.   Shell Science Lab Challenge Names 2015 District Winners Congratulations to the 2015 district winners selected for the fifth annual Shell Science Lab Challenge. The Challenge's 18 district winners found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources and then shared their unique instructional approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. As a district winner, each teacher and his or her school receives a $3,000 science lab prize package that includes donated science lab equipment from Ward's Science; a gift certificate to the NSTA Science Store; one-year NSTA memberships for two teachers; NSTA Learning Center subscriptions for two teachers; and paid registrations for two teachers to attend a 2015 NSTA Area Conference on Science Education. What Science Teachers Are Reading Looking for something new to read, a lesson plan to download, or new classroom ideas to inspire you? Check out the latest issue of What Science Teachers Are Reading from NSTA Press, with links to all the favorite books, ebooks, and journal articles that readers downloaded in February. Sponsored announcement: Earn PD Credit Hours! Free Online Webinar from the Wildlife Conservation Society Join the Wildlife Conservation Society on Tuesday, March 3, at 7pm EST for a free online webinar "The Potential for Environmental Conservation to Improve Human Health," with Dr. Christopher Golden.   This webinar will cover a few case studies of the ways in which teachers can convey to their students the myriad pathways by which protecting our environment can translate into protecting our own health. The presentation will also cover several forms of environmental change and several forms of human health. Valuable resources will be available—including classroom lesson ideas. Visit http://www.wcs.org/teachers/teacherpd/webinars.aspx for information and registration—available under "Upcoming Webinars" or call 718-220-5136.   PD Participation Certificates are available to those who participate in the live event and also to those who decide to view the webinar recording on a later date. Registration is required for both options. Sponsored announcement: Applications for PAEMST Are Now OPEN The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)program is pleased to announce that the 2014–2015 application period for 7–12 grade mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers is now open! Please consider nominating a talented teacher or applying yourself by using the PAEMST website today. The nomination deadline is April 1, and the application deadline is May 1.   PAEMST is the highest honor the United States government bestows for K–12 mathematics and science teaching, honoring up to 108 teachers each year. Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the President; a trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events; and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). PAEMST's most recent cohort of awardees even had the opportunity to meet with President Barack Obama.