The conference begins with concurrent sessions at 8 AM on Thursday, December 3 and ends on Saturday, December 5 at 12 noon. Conference registration, program sessions, and exhibits will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Please join us for this exciting event that is filled with sessions sharing classroom teaching ideas, very special speakers, exhibits, as well as opportunities to network with other science teachers from throughout the nation.

For more details and to register, please visit NSTA's Phoenix Area Conference website by clicking on the graphic below. 

From the list of “Top 10 Reasons to Attend an NSTA Conference,” we’re sharing just one today:

Reason #1 PERFORMANCE—Because you and your students deserve to excel in the science classroom

If you’re considering professional development options to meet your career goals, NSTA’s Conference on Science Education in Phoenix offers a wonderful, warm weather destination with a wide range of sessions, featured speakers, content-driven workshops, and interesting field trips for adventurous science education enthusiasts. Save the dates, Dec.4-6, and promise a pre-holiday gift to yourself! Register by October 23 and save.

Here’s a sampling of what’s planned.

• Host, NPR's Science Friday Ira Flatow, keynote speaker to present on the challenges faced by communicators in a society where even the most educated among us don't have a basic understanding of nature, where the media is "dumbing down" science news, and where the public believes more in science fiction than fact.
• Facing the Future—Explore sustainability issues and the incorporation of literacy in the science classroom through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. CD-ROM provided. Middle-High
• Activities from Across the Earth System—Educators and scientists share their repertoire of hands-on, inquiry-based activities spanning the five "spheres" of Earth system science. Handouts! Elem-High
• Using Science Exploration Stations in the Classroom—Learn three ways to add science exploration stations to your classroom. Stations offer simple five-minute exercises, full-inquiry lessons, and discovery time to inspire kids to explore and wonder. Elem-Middle
• What Is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements? Explore the origin of the periodic elements with these activities and curriculum from NASA. Take home a workbook, poster, and Imaging the Universe CD. Middle-High
• Desert Discovery Tour—Centrally located in beautiful Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden is a captivating way to experience the beauty of the desert without leaving Phoenix. Ticketed
• It Takes ESP to Find Exemplary Science Programs—Participants in this symposium will include the authors presenting from specific monographs
• Day long programs: Biology Day, Physics Day, chemistry Day, and Physical Science Day.
• Exhibitors from top companies bring top products and giveaways for those who stop by to talk. Bring a tote!

To register, visit http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2009pho/?lid=con&lid=conph20090813.

Become a part of Arizona's largest organization dedicated to improving science education. Join today!

Nominate a Colleague for ASTA Science Teacher of the Year Awards

The end of summer brings us the first days of school and the opportunity to recognize outstanding Science Teachers in Arizona. Yes, it is that time of year again to nominate a fellow colleague to be recognized for his or her enthusiasm for teaching science to our students. Don't miss this opportunity to bring a well deserved accolades to your colleagues by nominating them for one of ASTA's Teacher of the Year Awards.

To find out how, CLICK HERE

As a member of ASTA, you enjoy many benefits...