MSTA 1-04 Newsletter

MaineScience

Newsletter of the Maine Science Teachers Association

January 2004

Dear MSTA Members,It’s hard to believe it was over adecade ago that I served as MSTAPresident, National ScienceTeachers Association (NSTA) DistrictII Director, and Executive Boardmember of NSTA. First as a middleschool, and former high schoolscience teacher, and today as mypresent position as a ScienceSpecialist for the Maine Mathematicsand Science Alliance, supportingteachers and school systems in

President’s Letter

While the past decade has broughtmany changes to science education,one constant remains- involvementin professional science teachingassociations, such as MSTA andNSTA, is a sure pathway to definingand refining professionalism inscience education. I trace back muchof my own personal and professionalgrowth in science education to myearly involvement with MSTA andNSTA. Recognizing the importanceof professional associationinvolvement, I have pledged toachieving high levels of science teaching andlearning. I am indeed honored to represent andserve Maine’s science educators once again at thestate and NSTA level. Having worked as both aclassroom science teacher and one who works tosupport science teachers at all levels, I hope to usemy experiences in the broader field of scienceeducation to continue to enable MSTA to be theleading science teacher association in Maine,representing all grade levels and sciencedisciplines.As we begin a new year, I’d like to thank Past-President, Nancy Chesley, for her tirelesscommitment to Maine’s science teachingcommunity. Through Nancy’s leadership, MSTA hascontinued to be the vanguard of K-12 scienceeducation in Maine, adding new emphases such asscience and language literacy. In addition, theselfless contributions of the MSTA Board membershave enabled MSTA to continue to provide anoutstanding annual conference, connecting Mainescience teachers to people, programs, practices,and policies that affect educators at all levels of teaching. These are tireless volunteers whomaintain MSTA’s programs and get the work donefor the benefit of all of us. My deep respect andthanks go out to all of you.focus my term as President on encouraging andexpanding opportunities for MSTA members tobecome involved in various leadership rolesthrough MSTA.Professional association involvement allowseducators to take on voluntary leadership roles tohelp provide increased access to science educationopportunities for colleagues, provide a statewide

“science educator voice”, influence the direction of policy, and support a connected network of scienceeducators throughout the state. Becoming an activemember of the MSTA Executive Board, andstanding and

ad hoc

committees not only provides

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Inside this issue:MSTA Conference Update ……....pp 2 - 3NSTA and Other National News...pp 4-5Professional Development………pp 5-16Opportunities & Resources……...pp 9,13-16MSTA Awards Program…………...pp 17-18MSTA Membership Form…………pp 19

an altruistic opportunity to serve others, but alsoincreases teachers’ own understanding of themultiple facets of the science teaching profession,which also results in tangible benefits for their ownschools and classrooms. Please consider volunteering to serve on an MSTA committee or serving a term as a Board member. How does onefind out about these opportunities? Be sure tocheck the MSTA website atwww.mainescienceteachers.orgor subscribe to theMaine Science Listserv athttp://list.terc.edu/mailman/listinfo/maine_science.The latter is the best way to stay up to date onscience education news and opportunities in Maine.I will be using the listserv to keep membersconnected between newsletters, so please be sureyou are subscribed.In January the MSTA Executive Board will beholding a retreat to identify what MSTA can to do tomaintain and support its unique niche in Mainescience education. What can MSTA do for scienceteachers to support existing initiatives or providesnew opportunities for members? If you have ideasto propose, or would like to be involved in acommittee, regional representation, or become aBoard member, please contact me atpkeeley@mmsa.org. As always, I am honored torepresent you and will actively work to help youblaze your own trail, road, or superhighway tobecoming a better teacher and leader in scienceeducation.Best wishes for your continued success,

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Page KeeleyMSTA President

FROM THE EDITORS

: We would like to invite youto send suggestions for websites, professionalbooks and/or student books for publication in our future newsletters. Please list the title and author or web address and write your review in 25 wordsor less. We will publish as many as possible, soplease check future issues if you do not see your submission.Nancy Chesleynchesley@blazenetme.net Laurette Darlingldarling@ctel.net

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