The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership of 60,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.

The NSTA Learning Center is a personal favorite of mine.  The Learning Center is a portal designed to help educators address classroom needs. You can gain access to more than 6,000 different resources, of which over 1,800 are free.  Subjects such as Earth, Life and Physical Science are searchable.  You can also search by grade level from Elementary to College.  Resources include articles, online seminars and do-it-yourself interactive learning.  Here is a example from a journal article; Career of the Month – Roller coaster designer.

The upcoming NSTA national conference takes place in San Francisco, from March 10-13.  The event will feature keynote addresses, workshops and presentations.  One of the biggest attractions at NSTA conferences are the Exhibits.  With over 400 exhibitors, the exhibits give you the opportunity to examine a wide variety of teaching materials, from textbooks to laboratory equipment.  The fischertechnik division of Studica Inc. will be present at the show in booth 712.  Fischertechnik is a flexible and innovative construction system. Their collection of kits actively supports the development of skills and conceptual understanding in virtually every area of an educational program.  Fischertechnik is used to explore STEM related concepts such as robotics, renewable energies, mechanics, pneumatics and many more. As well, National Instruments will partner with Fischertechnik at the booth to demonstrate their new myDAQ measurement and control tool.

In closing and in keeping with the roller coaster theme from above, watch this amazing video of a Fischertechnik designed roller coaster. See you at NSTA!

Author: Jeff Mazzone