Atlanta Conference Program

President’s Welcome
Build the Scaffolding for 21st-Century Science Literacy
elcome to the NSTA Atlanta Area
W Conference on Science Education!
This conference promises to be an
exemplary professional development experience
for you. The conference provides
the opportunity to gain cutting-edge science
content knowledge along with effective
classroom instructional strategies. You
will be able to document your attendance
through our evaluation process in order to
build your professional portfolio. I hope
you will be able to acquire new tools, resources, and understandings
to take back to your colleagues and students as a result of attending
this conference.
I believe your experiences here will support my presidential
theme—Build the Scaffolding for 21st-Century Science Literacy.
You will learn about the ways that science can be your passport
to success—scientific literacy is a necessity to survive and thrive
in the 21st century. The Atlanta Conference Planning Committee
has built the conference program around the theme, Science: Passport
for Success. The professional development strands supporting this
theme focus on the following relevant topics: “Providing Access
for All Students to the Science in STEM,” “Effective and Engaging
K–8 Science,” and “No Student or Teacher Left Inside.” The conference
offers an impressive array of workshops, featured speakers,
field trips, exhibits, and networking opportunities. There are also
a variety of special programs and ticketed events to choose from to
enhance your professional development experience.
We are at a pivotal point to move science education forward in
the 21st century with the publication of the NRC Framework and the
pending release of the Next Generation Science Standards. These
momentous documents have the potential to impact the teaching
and learning of science in significant ways. Be part of the change
process by participating in the conversation during this conference.
As science educators, we need to ensure that every child acquires
the skills and knowledge to survive and thrive in the 21st century.
Let’s become equipped with the tools necessary to meet the challenges
and take advantage of the opportunities to inspire our diverse
student population to achieve success in the 21st century. After the
conference, I hope you will be energized with science knowledge
and instructional strategies that will provide the scaffolding for
your efforts to help all students attain 21st-century science literacy.
I look forward to meeting you and sharing thoughts and ideas
throughout the conference to see how we can work together to
build the scaffolding for 21st-century science literacy for all!
Karen L. Ostlund
2012–2013 NSTA President
Contributors to the Atlanta Conference
NSTA and the Atlanta Planning Committee are extremely grateful
to the following companies and associations for their generous
contributions to the NSTA Atlanta Area Conference on
Science Education.
American Association of Physics Teachers and the Southern
Atlantic Coast Section of AAPT
American Chemical Society
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Appleseed Expeditions
Carolina Biological Supply
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Science Teachers Association
Southwest Airlines Co.
Texas Instruments, Inc.
Zoo Atlanta
The environment is important to science educators. These programs
are recyclable and were printed on recycled paper.
NSTA Atlanta Area Conference on Science Education
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