Feb28

Debra's Turn

You've heard the old saying that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. In the case of the NSTA Boston National Conference, when the city is ready, thousands of teachers will appear!
 
This student is ready to absorb as much science education as my brain can hold--and to get "up close and personal" with the teachers for whom I write articles and assist with queries. It always energizes me to meet you in person and to witness your professional development in the sessions I attend. I return home wishing I could be in school again with you as my science teacher and with all of the wonderful teaching tools now available.
 
If you happen to see me--or any NSTA staff member, for that matter--please feel free to let us know how we can help you be the best educator you can be.
Published: Feb-28-08 | 1 Comment | 743 Links to this post

Feb22

Mary's Turn

I've been attending NSTA conferences off and on since the early 1980s. But this year, since I've retooled (rather than retired!), I don’t have to report back to a district on specific topics, and I'm taking a break from doing presentations. I'm a free agent!

Conferences are rejuvenating. It's exciting to be surrounded by thousands of folks who share similar interests, and there is so much to learn, both formally at sessions and informally through meeting other people. But it's hard to get to conferences, especially if it's on the opposite coast and travel expenses are high. This time of March could also be the testing window for state assessments, and I know it's hard to get good substitutes (or any substitutes at all in some cases).

But here's an offer you can't refuse. Since I am a free agent, I can plan my own conference schedule. If you can't make the conference, but there are hot topics you'd like to suggest, let me know and I'll focus my energies on a few of them and report back through this conference blog site, with session summaries and resources. Just add your suggestions through a comment below!
Published: Feb-22-08 | 3 Comments | 992 Links to this post

Feb21

Lynn's Turn

I'll give Tyson credit - he spelled my last name correctly (no mean feat) and South Jersey includes the shore, so close enough.
 
I joined the NSTA staff only a few months ago, so I am looking forward to my first National Conference in Boston. As a first-timer, I hope to share this perspective with all of you.
 
Lynn
Published: Feb-21-08 | 0 Comments | 434 Links to this post

Feb21

Welcome to the Boston Conference Blog

Welcome members, nonmembers, conference goers, and anyone else interested in this blog's-eye view of the NSTA Annual Conference in Boston. As I write this, the conference is still a month away, but as you might expect, we're already gearing up.
 
Most of you reading this will be at home, though some of you will be in Boston, but unable to see EVERYTHING. Well, we won't be able to show you everything, either, but we hope through blog entries, YouTube videos, podcasts, pictures, and even twitter entries, our merry band will take you on roads both more and less traveled to show what attending an NSTA conference is like.
 
I'm Tyson Brown, and I've worked at NSTA for 15 years, so I've been to a few conferences. I'll spend most of my time in Boston talking to teachers and exhibitors about the products and services they want from NSTA to make teachers' lives easier. If you happen to be in Boston while reading this, drop by the NSTA booth (look for the colorful banners) and say hello.
 
I'll stop here and let my fellow bloggers get in a few words edgewise, but here's quick intro:
  1. Dale Basler and Brian Bartel, two science teachers from Wisconsin and the fellows who bring you the Lab Out Loud podcast
  2. Mary Bigelow, a retired but not retiring science teacher from Pennsylvania, who taps out the SciLinks blog
  3. Lynn Petrinjak, who hails from the Jersey Shore (as I write this, I'm sure I have it wrong) and happens to be Editor of NSTA Reports
  4. Debra Shapiro, Associate Editor of NSTA Reports and Maryland native.

See you in Copley Square!

Published: Feb-21-08 | 0 Comments | 584 Links to this post