by Rick Pomeroy

The following is the text of the President’s address at the opening session of the 2012 California Science Education Conference:

These are exciting times to be in science education. Since the last time we talked, a lot has happened in our schools that will fundamentally change our teaching, science education, and, most importantly, the learning and lives of our students.

The child born today will begin school in 2017. He or she will graduate high school in 2029, college in 2035, and work as a productive citizen through 2070. Given the trends in life expectancy, the child born today will be alive in 2100. The decisions we make today will impact choices and opportunities for a significant period of time. (more…)

by Rick Pomeroy

What is STEM? Besides the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), STEM is the hot topic in science education circles. Representing an ethereal notion of teaching that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, STEM, as the next big idea, has taken on a life of its own. As science educators and science professionals, we live in an increasingly STEM-centric world. Political leaders and pundits alike tout STEM as the wave of the future, the elixir to return California to an age of prosperity, and the solution to what ails public education. STEM will engage and motivate students, increase the number of people entering post-secondary education with majors in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, and create a new reality in schools. Unfortunately, defining STEM education, identifying what STEM will look like in schools, and distinguishing it from current instructional practices are extremely difficult tasks. (more…)

by Rick Pomeroy

Governor Brown’s most recent budget proposal contains a number of recommendations designed to reduce the California budget deficit and bring more order and consistency to the state budgeting process. Unfortunately, one of those recommendations is the elimination of the state mandate that high school graduation requires two years of science. In the language in the current proposal, Governor Brown recommends the elimination of many state mandates as a way of providing school districts with greater flexibility and greater local control. It also has the effect of  reducing the financial burden that education places on the state budget. (more…)

by Jessica Sawko

The early bird registration deadline for the 2011 California Science Education Conference is just one month away. Registering early has several advantages, not just saving money. By registering early, you get first pick on the most popular Field Courses and Short Courses. Many of these events sell out before the conference and registering early means you won’t be left out come conference time. You can also make your hotel reservations on-line and get your first choice of hotel.

Even if you don’t plan to attend a ticketed event, registering early will save you as much as $25. Your registration includes access to all 175+ workshops, the general sessions, focus speakers, evening events, and the exhibit hall. That is a lot of programming for just $98. Remember, you must be a current CSTA member and register before August 1 to take advantage of this fantastic rate. (more…)

Call for Workshop Proposals from K-8 Teachers

Each year we strive to make the CSTA Science Education Conference better than the year before.  The conference planning committee goes over comments and evaluation data from the previous conference as they plan the following year’s program.  One of the comments we heard from many attendees was a desire for grade-specific workshops as opposed to workshops which span multiple grade levels.

The thinking of these participants was that the broad range of grade levels meant that presenters tried to meet everyone’s needs as opposed to focusing on a single grade level.  This was most evident in the elementary workshops where there would be several activities presented during a workshop but only one or two ideas that would fit into a particular grade level.  If all the activities could be geared towards a single grade level then teachers would leave the session with better informed and ready to teach. (more…)

by Tom Chorneau, School Innovations & Advocacy Cabinet Report
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Close to nine out of ten California adults believe science instruction is nearly as important a component of K-12 education as reading, writing and arithmetic, according to a new poll released Tuesday. (more…)

by Donna Ross

For many of you reading this column, this begins the school year when you make the shift from studying science to teaching science.  Welcome to an exciting new career!  Teaching is one of the most rewarding and exhausting jobs imaginable.  Most teacher education programs include useful readings, video examples and assignments, but there is never enough time to prepare people for the complexities of teaching.  (more…)

by Sue Pritchard

I am sure you have noticed that education looks a bit different these past two years.  The recession has played havoc in how districts assign teachers, and fluctuating student populations make teacher placement even trickier. (more…)