Science Teachers From Across the Country Convene in Indianapolis for NSTA’s 60th National Conference on Science Education

ARLINGTON, Va.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, will meet in Indianapolis March 29-April 1 for its 60^th National Conference on Science Education.

“What Makes Space So Much Fun and So Hard”

Approximately 10,000 teachers from Indiana and throughout the country are expected to attend the four-day conference and will learn about the latest in science content, teaching strategies and research; network with fellow education professionals; and hear thought-provoking presentations from prominent scientists and educators. Thousands of hands-on workshops, presentations about the latest breakthroughs in science and education, and demonstrations covering every discipline, grade level and teaching focus will be offered.

Kicking off the conference on Wednesday evening is Science Rocks, a free community event for parents, teachers, students, and other community members. Racecar Driver Simona de Silvestro; NASA Astronaut Leland Melvin; Anousheh Ansari, the world’s first female private space explorer; Grand Hank, chemist, founder and president of Grand Hank Productions Incorporated; Mathematician Ken Ono; Molecular Chemist and Author Melanie Stegman; and Corey Powell, editor-in-chief of Discover Magazine; will share their experiences about why science rocks during a lively panel discussion.

On Friday, March 30, representatives from Achieve, Inc. and NSTA will join together in a featured panel—Next Generation of Science Education Standards (NGSS)—to update educators on the development of NGSS, and how the new science education standards will change the teaching and learning of K-12 science nationwide.

At the Science Leadership Summit, attendees will learn about how the Indiana Science Initiative (ISI) has been implemented through a unique partnership among the Indiana Department of Education, the I-STEM Resource Network, and Eli Lilly and Company. Participants will also discuss how teachers can be active participants in their own professional development and evaluation and learn how student engagement and student achievement increased at a large diverse urban high school in Indianapolis through teacher-led professional learning communities.

The keynote conference speaker is Tim Samaras, a severe-storm researcher and the National Geographic Emerging Explorer, who will present, “The Science Behind Chasing Tornadoes.” Other prominent speakers include Bill Nye, the Science Guy, who will present, “What Makes Space So Much Fun and So Hard,” and Jeff Goldstein, astrophysicist and director of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE), who will present, “The Art of Science and the Framework for Science Education.”

Teachers can also experiment with new products to use in the classroom, participate in exciting lab demos, see live animal presentations, or crawl through a portable planetarium to see the solar system up close at NSTA’s Exhibit Hall. More than 400 companies and organization from across the country will display the latest, state-of-the-art science education materials, tools, products, and services available to the K-12 science education community.

The NSTA National Conference on Science Education officially begins on Thursday, March 29 at 8 a.m. and will conclude at noon on Sunday, April 1. Teachers interested in attending the conference can register onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. For updated information about the conference, visit http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2012ind/?lid=tnav.

About NSTA

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

Note to Reporters: Members of the working press who wish to attend the conference will be given complimentary conference badges. To register, email Kate Falk at kfalk@nsta.org. Reporters can also register onsite at the NSTA press registration counter, located in the attendee registration area at the Indiana Convention Center (Hours: March 29, 8:30-4:30 p.m.; March 30, 8:30-4:30 p.m.; and April 1, 8:30-10 a.m.)