Contents

Calendar

President’s Message Volume 55, Number 1 February 2011

Bylaws Amendments

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts Inside This Issue:

• Bylaws Amendments
• CAST 2011 Preview
• Board of Directors Nominees
• STAT Legislative Tracker
• and more...!

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The Official Newsletter of the Science Teachers Association of Texas
 Contents

Calendar
About Us
President’s Message
We are STAT, the Science Teachers Association of Texas.
Bylaws Amendments STAT is committed to the enhancement of the teaching of science in Texas at all levels
and in all science disciplines.
Teachers in Space
For STAT Position Statements, go to: http://www.statweb.org/positions
STAT Legislative
Tracker STAT is:
o A statewide organization of elementary, middle level, and high school
teachers, college educators, supervisors of science, and others dedicated to
Board Nominations maintaining the highest levels of science and education in our schools.
o A chapter of the National Science Teachers Association
Einstein Fellowship o Visit the NSTA site

CAST 2011 Preview STAT seeks to:

o Serve as a unified voice for the science teachers of the state.
STAT Around Town: o Keep science teachers and other members informed about current trends in
science education.
Sightings and Pics o Provide opportunities for members to examine techonology, curriculum,
materials, and services.
Contacts o Inform members of local, state and national meetings, conferences, seminars
and workshops related to sciences.
o Cooperate with other science oriented organizations and teacher associations
in the promotion of teaching of science.

History:
STAT, Science Teachers Association of Texas, was formally organized in 1957 during
the 4th Annual Conference for the Advancement of Science & Mathematics Teaching
(CASMT). STAT membership is now more than 7,000 strong!

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 Contents

Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments
Calendar..............................................................4
Teachers in Space President’s Message .........................................5
STAT Legislative
Bylaws Amendments .......................................7
Tracker Teachers in Space ..............................................9
Board Nominations
STAT Legislative Tracker ..............................11
STAT Board Nominees ..................................12
Einstein Fellowship
Einstein Fellowship ........................................21
CAST 2011 Preview CAST 2011 Preview.........................................22
STAT Around Town:
STAT Around Town: Pics ..............................26
Sightings and Pics STAT Contacts .................................................28
Contacts
Elected Officers ....................................28
Appointed Positions ............................28
Affiliate Congress.................................29
Texas State Board of Education..........30

Cover Art by Amy Rust, freshman at Water Valley High

school, and student of Sharon Williams. Side panel art by
students of Jessica Rodriguez, Port Isabel Junior High.

3
3
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Calendar
October
President’s Message CAST 2011 Committee & STAT
BOD Meeting
Bylaws Amendments
November
Nasco Science Division
Teachers in Space STATellite Newsletter CAST 2011: The Art of Science
Spring 2011 November 17-19
STAT1102 Dallas, TX
STAT Legislative March
Tracker NSTA National Conference CAST 2011 STAT Board Meeting
March 10-13 November 19
Board Nominations San Francisco, CA Dallas, TX
Einstein Fellowship May STAT1102

STAT Board Retreat

CAST 2011 Preview May 13-14
Frisco, TX; Westin Hotel
STAT Around Town:
Sightings and Pics
April
STAT Budget Committee Meeting
Contacts April 16

July
NSTA’s Chapter and Associated
Groups Meeting
July 12 - July 16
TBD

September
TAEE Conference
September 23-25
Navasota, TX
44
4
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Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments
A Message from President Palmer
To say that education in Texas is facing an enormous crisis is an understatement.
Teachers in Space At this point, no one knows how deep the budget cuts will be, but everything
indicates that they will be painful and will impact all teachers in Texas. Whether
it be larger class sizes, additional duties, or lack of funds for instructional
STAT Legislative materials, our budgets will be tight. Every dollar will need to be squeezed
Tracker as tight as possible.

One of the things I hope you remember is that one of the best values in staff
Board Nominations development is the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST).
This year’s conference will be held in Dallas at the Dallas Convention Center. For the second year
in a row, the conference will be held at a single site. If your district is anything like mine, the
Einstein Fellowship decisions about the increasingly scarce funds are being made right now. We as science educators
need to raise our voices and be heard. Most districts will not finalize budgets until after the
CAST 2011 Preview Legislature makes its decisions, but contingency plans are being developed. We need to remind
district leadership that we will be asked to teach new standards for a new assessment with the
same state-provided resources that we have had for ten years. CAST is a great bargain to prepare
STAT Around Town: us for the challenges ahead.
Sightings and Pics
The conference dates for next year are November 17 – 19. I realize these dates may be problematic
for some. They are the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving week. Those dates
Contacts are difficult days to be off in some districts. I want you to know that these dates were not our first
choice. Our original dates were November 3 – 5, but contract issues with the convention center
forced us to move the dates. We will do what ever we can to communicate with district
administrators that these days are not just opportunities for employees to start their holiday early,
but are valuable staff development opportunities.

Whatever comes, STAT is dedicated to providing support for the Science Teachers of Texas. Keep
an eye on the STAT web site www.statweb.org for the latest news and resources to help you as you
attempt to do your very best to prepare your students.

If you have any ideas or suggestion feel free to contact me at president@statweb.org.

55
 Remember
Contents
the first time
you fell in love
Calendar with science?
President’s Message We do. It is the reason
we believe in hands-on

Bylaws Amendments scientific technology. It

engages students in a
meaningful way, develops
Teachers in Space keen analytical skills,
and awakens a love

STAT Legislative for discovery.

Tracker www.vernier.com
for product tours, training
Board Nominations videos, FREE sample
labs, and to look for
FREE workshops in
Einstein Fellowship your neighborhood.

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

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6
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Bylaws Amendments
Calendar
Cast Your Bylaws Amendment Votes Here: Bylaws Voting Site
View the full document of the Bylaws Amendments Here: Bylaws PDF
President’s Message
Your Executive Committee has voted unanimously to restructure our Bylaws to create broader
positions and change a few other key items listed below. To make the Bylaw changes official, we need
Bylaws Amendments your votes! Please review the summary of proposed changes, and follow the link above to cast your vote.
Please remember: you must be logged in as a member to vote for the changes. You may retrieve your
Teachers in Space password by clicking “Request New Password” and entering your email address, or simply e-mail us at
stat@bizaustin.rr.com for help. This vote will close on March 17.

STAT Legislative Article 2: Membership

Tracker Change types of memberships to have all members as voting members and remove non-voting members
from the Bylaws. Membership categories will be individual or business instead of voting or non-voting.

Board Nominations Article 3: Affiliate Organizations

Lessen the amount of paperwork required for affiliates to remain involved in STAT. Instead of organiza-
tional reports of activities, income and expense statements and percentage of STAT members, affiliates
Einstein Fellowship will now only submit a membership list and a copy of their previous year’s tax return.

CAST 2011 Preview Article 4: Meetings

Change number of meetings of the Board of Directors to two required meetings instead of four. Change
publication of meeting date to the website rather than a quarterly publication. Changes specific months
STAT Around Town: listed in the bylaws to seasons.
Sightings and Pics
Article 6: Executive Committee
Add three Members At Large to the Executive Committee to increase the number of decision makers.
Contacts Allow Vice President, Secretary and Members At Large to run for two consecutive terms to permit less
turnover.

Article 8: Nominations
Allow call for nominations for board positions on the STAT website. Make the CAST board meeting the
due date for new board nominations and the Executive Committee to approve the slate of officers during
the CAST meeting. Allow officer ballots to be voted online for 30 days.

Article 10: STAT Committees

Change name of Policy/Issues Committee to Policy and Procedures Committee. Remove Regional
Conference Committee as these are set up in regions and do not need a STAT appointed committee.
Remove Honorary Membership Committee as it is a part of the Awards Committee process to designate
honorary members, remove Safety Committee as it is only needed for CAST proposal reviews and will be
part of the CAST Manual. Allow CAST Committee details to be written in the CAST Manual to allow for
changes from year to year rather than the Bylaws.

7
 Contents ®
NEW!
by Rosemary Martin

Calendar
Engaging station
activities to
President’s Message
reinforce content
& processes!
Bylaws Amendments
Includes STARR
Teachers in Space Readiness &
Supporting
STAT Legislative Standards
Tracker Contact Rosemary Martin, ssibastrop@gmail.com for more information

Board Nominations
TEKS Correlations – Catalog – Ordering information
Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts WWW.WORMWATCHER.COM
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8
 Contents
Teachers in Space
by Edward Wright
Calendar
In the summer of 2011, Teachers in Space will
offer a series of professional-development
President’s Message
workshops for high-school science, technology,
engineering, and math teachers. Developed in
Bylaws Amendments cooperation with NASA, the workshops will give
teachers opportunities to fly in an unpowered
aircraft with a former NASA Shuttle commander,
Teachers in Space learn to fly a flight simulator for the next generation
of reusable spacecraft, study physiology in an
altitude chamber, and build experiments that will
STAT Legislative
fly on a suborbital vehicle. Workshops will take
Tracker place in Florida, California, and Texas.
One of the cornerstones of the summer program is
Board Nominations
the Excelsior STEM mission, a historic opportunity
for high-school STEM teachers to gain hands-on
Einstein Fellowship experience with space-science hardware. The Excel-
sior STEM mission will fly on a suborbital reusable
launch vehicle (RLV) built and operated by Masten
CAST 2011 Preview Space Systems, based at Mojave Air and Space Port
in Mojave, CA.
STAT Around Town:
Teachers will build experiments for the mission dur-
Sightings and Pics ing a Suborbital Flight Experiment Workshop that
will take place at the NASA Dryden Flight Research
Center’s AERO Institute in Palmdale, CA on August
Contacts
1-5. NASA Ames Research Center is helping to de-
velop educational experiment kits that teachers will
assemble during the workshop.
In the past, build/fly workshops have enabled teach-
ers and students to fly experiments on sounding
rockets and high-altitude balloons. Unfortunately,
those flight opportunities were rare and expensive.
In the current era of space exploration, companies
like Masten Space Systems are developing sub-
orbital reusable launch vehicles -- fully reusable
rocketships -- that will bring about a revolution in
frequent, low-cost access to space.
Suborbital RLVs will provide reliable and afford-
able flight opportunities for scientists, teachers, and
students. RLVs are still in the early stages of devel-
opment, but Excelsior STEM will provide teachers
with a unique early flight opportunity. By introduc-
ing teachers to the next generation of space hard-
ware at this early stage, Excelsior STEM will open-
ing the door for many more education flights in the
future. In a few years, students flying space experi-
ments will be as routine as high-school science fairs.
The Suborbital Astronautics Workshop, which will
take place in three states including Texas. In this
workshop, teachers will learn about aeronautics
and spaceflight while experiencing first-hand some
of the training that future space pilots will receive.
Expert instructors will include former Shuttle com-
mander and XCOR Aerospace chief test pilot Col.
Rick Searfoss (USAF-ret.). Participating teachers
will fly in a glider and learn to pilot a flight simula-
tor for a suborbital spacecraft now under develop-
ment by XCOR Aerospace. At the end of the work-
shop, teachers will receive a copy of the simulator
software to take back to the classroom.
The Suborbital Astronautics Workshop will be held
for the first time at the Frontiers of Flight Museum
in Dallas, TX on June 20-24 with repeat sessions at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona
Beach, FL on July 18-22 and the AERO Institute in
Palmdale, CA on July 25-29.
At the Space Medicine and Human Factors Work-
shop, teachers will learn about high-altitude physi-
ology and respiration, decompression and vacuum
exposure, space weather and radiation, and the ef-
fects of weightlessness, gee forces, noise, and vibra-
tion. The workshop will be held at Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL on
July 11-15.
9
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Teachers in Space (cont’d.)
Calendar
Workshops are offered at no charge to participat-
ing teachers. Subsidized housing will be available
President’s Message for workshop participants at a cost of $14 per
night. A limited number of travel stipends will be
Bylaws Amendments available to defray the cost of meals and trans-
portation. Applications are due by April 15, but
teachers are encouraged to apply early. The
Teachers in Space application period might end based on the
number and quality of applications received.
STAT Legislative Additional information and workshop applica-
Tracker tions can be found at: www.teachersinspace.org/work- Pathfinder astronaut teacher candidate
shops.htm Rachael Manzer prepares for a glider flight with
XCOR Aerospace chief test pilot and former NASA
Board Nominations Edward Wright is project manager for Teachers in Shuttle commander Col. Rick Searfoss (USAF-ret.).
Space and principal investigator for the Excelsior Rachael Manzer will be the workshop manager for
the Suborbital Flight Experiment Workshop in
STEM mission.
Einstein Fellowship summer 2011. Colonel Searfoss will be lead flight
instructor at the three Suborbital Astronautics
Workshops.
CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts
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and the EXPORT Project Bridging the Gap Award Program (Grant No. P60 MD000503).

10
 Contents
Legislative Tracker
Calendar
STAT is here to defend and advance your career through advocacy.
President’s Message Now, there’s a way for you to get involved.

We’ve tackled hundreds of House and Senate bills to bring you a short-list with the new STAT Legislative
Bylaws Amendments
Tracker. Visit www.statweb.org/legislative to access these bills and get up-to-date information.

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

Get involved by joining the 82nd Legislative Session Group.

Post, comment, and let your opinion be heard!

Want help protecting your career in these tough times?

Sign up through STAT for Educators’ Professional Liability Insurance today.
Coverage is only $50/year.
11
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Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments The Nominees Are In!

Cast Your Votes for STAT’s 2011-2012 Leaders.
Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker The Nominees
Board Nominations

President-Elect
Einstein Fellowship
Sharon Kamas Deidre Parish
CAST 2011 Preview
Vice President
STAT Around Town: Donald Burken Sharry Whitney
Sightings and Pics

Contacts Secretary
Denise Hill Jo Anne Jackson

Treasurer
Terry Howard Terry Ward

Visit the 2011 Voting Site to Cast Your Vote.

12
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Calendar
President’s Message President-Elect
Sharon Kamas
Bylaws Amendments What does “think outside of the box” mean to
you? To me it means, be different; brave and cre-
Teachers in Space ative. In my classroom, I was exactly that; differ-
ent, brave, and creative. Problem: I didn’t always
know what my students were learning from all
STAT Legislative that creativity, or more importantly, what they
Tracker weren’t learning. Research wasn’t making me a
better teacher. I had no framework or perspective
to house new ideas. Research didn’t show me
Board Nominations how it was supposed to look in the classroom. I
could have continued my path without making
changes, after all, I was considered a pretty good
Einstein Fellowship teacher, but frankly I was a little exasperated; I
needed more for my students.
CAST 2011 Preview
I began to reach out; observing colleagues, at-
tending every workshop and conference possible.
STAT Around Town: Still, nothing changed! Turns out, you have to
Sightings and Pics actually try the new things you learn and practice
new skills and techniques. I found myself making
excuses for not trying new ideas. “I don’t have
Contacts time” or “It doesn’t fit” or “What if my students
don’t respond?” Maybe this sounds familiar to
some or brings back memories for others.
Professional development alone wasn’t working.
Research alone wasn’t working. Why do I share
this story? My first years as a teacher and my
journey thus far are the very reasons I feel such
passion for best practices, research, and improv-
ing science instruction. The difference for me was
the network and support I was able to tap into
through STAT and the leadership skills I have de-
veloped over time. Meeting and talking with oth-
ers that share my vision for making science great
for students and listening to how others celebrate
success - that is transformational! I had a support
system; validation and confidence. I was able to
problem-solve things that weren’t working for
me. I learned how to make the research and best
practices work for me. My students benefitted
more than ever before and now teachers benefit
also.
Research now has real meaning! Research-based
practices and models have value for teachers.
They need support for how to make it work for
them, just as I needed that support. We must
reach teachers, new and seasoned alike, and
provide them with an indispensable network
of resources, effective models for implementing
research-based practices, and serve as mentors.
We have to continue the remarkable work that
STAT already does.
It has been a great pleasure to volunteer at CAST
countless times, but none more satisfying than
serving on the 2010 CAST steering committee
and a phenomenal workshop team! Our goals
were to enhance communication and
continue to develop the proposal review
process. We did just that.
As an instructional coach, it is my goal to
positively impact teachers and give them the
tools to make the difference in the lives of their
students. I understand the tremendous commit-
ment, dedication, and responsibility it will take
as president-elect for STAT. I am confident that
with diligence and tenacity, we will continue to
move forward for excellence in science
education.
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Calendar

President’s Message
President-Elect
Bylaws Amendments Deidre Parish
As STAT Secretary, I have observed the passion and dedication Texas science teachers have for
Teachers in Space teaching. I have listened to what you ask: We need sufficient resources to teach our students
current information. We need valid and reliable data to adjust our instruction for student
STAT Legislative mastery of topics. We need hands-on activities that allow for student-centered instruction. We
need information about state assessments in order to align what is written, taught, and
Tracker assessed. We need collaboration so that no teacher has to work alone. Together we can pursue
these needs and raise our voices. We as Texas science teachers have strength in numbers. As
Board Nominations STAT President Elect, I will work to help teachers obtain what we need to ensure the best
support for our teachers and the best education for our students.

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

1414
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Calendar

President’s Message
Vice President
Bylaws Amendments Donald Burken
As a child, I was taught science through lectures, reading textbooks, memorizing vocabulary
Teachers in Space words and definitions, memorizing facts, and participating in few experiments. I believe this
impeded my learning of the science content. After much mentoring by science teachers, special-
ists and directors, I now understand the importance of having students experience science rather
STAT Legislative than be passive observers. Students need to have inquiry experiences both in the classroom and
Tracker out in the real world as well as ways to connect their learning through authentic literature and by
self-reflecting on the learning.

Board Nominations As the support team specialist for my district, my objective is to build the capacity of all elemen-
tary science teachers and specialists in the district to provide effective science instruction that
encourages students and teachers to become lifelong scientists. Through lively discourse and
Einstein Fellowship professional relationships that occur at county supervisor meetings, I have gained much insight
how to best help teachers provide true inquiry opportunities for students.
CAST 2011 Preview
The networking that I have been able to do as the result of being on the 2010 CAST steering
committee, volunteering at the 2009 CAST, and attending the TSELA meetings has been priceless.
STAT Around Town: I now have many friends that I can email or call for advice as well as share ideas with around the
Sightings and Pics state. These networking opportunities allow me to help teachers be the best they can be.

My goal for our organization is that all science teachers in the state of Texas actively participate
Contacts in the organization. It is imperative that every science teacher understand the importance of
STAT and how they can benefit from it. While the state conference is an invaluable experience
for teacher, those that cannot attend are at a distinct disadvantage. The teachers who miss out
on CAST lose out on the ability to network with other teachers across the state. Thus, they fail to
benefit from on an excellent opportunity to learn. One way to combat that would be to encourage
and support more “mini CASTS” around the state and provide an avenue for teachers to debrief
with one another. By working together, all science students and teachers will be better scientists.

I am seeking the Vice-President position of the Science Teachers’ Association of Texas. I fully
understand the commitment needed to be effective and believe that the leadership I have
demonstrated both in my district and as part of the steering committee for the 2010 CAST that
I will be able to help our organization reach its full potential.

15
15
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Calendar

President’s Message
Bylaws Amendments
Teachers in Space
STAT Legislative
Tracker
Board Nominations
Vice President
Sharry Whitney
From alternative energy debates to oil spills in the gulf and from bioengineering to stem cell
research, the myriad of societal and personal issues that encompass our daily lives requires
citizens to make informed decisions based on science and technology. People who are scientifi-
cally literate understand core science concepts, use scientific reasoning, and recognize the interac-
tions between science, technology, and society. A quality science education teaches students to
raise questions, persevere in search of answers, reason logically, and distinguish between unsub-
stantiated claims and those that have valid and reliable evidence. I believe that all students from
preschool through high school and beyond need opportunities to refine and strengthen their
scientific knowledge and scientific inquiry skills.

I support an inquiry-based approach to science education. Adequate time and appropriate

Einstein Fellowship resources must be provided for this special and important kind of instruction. It is important to
engage students in science investigations that foster their natural curiosity and provide opportu-
CAST 2011 Preview nities for learning experiences that are relevant to their daily lives.

I believe that educators must increase their efforts to motivate and prepare more students to
STAT Around Town: pursue science-related careers. The future of our nation depends on our ability to equip our
Sightings and Pics students to compete in a global economy. By ensuring that every student learns science in a
relevant, intellectually engaging way, education can be the vehicle that opens new opportuni-
ties for students who otherwise may not experience how science is the way to explain every day
Contacts events, and possibly solve most of the great challenges of this century.

Partnerships between families, school districts, community organizations, businesses, universi-

ties and the state governments are necessary to fulfill this vision of science education as prepara-
tion for life. I want to be a part of this effort and have a voice in the direction of science education
today.

“Science is the greatest of all adventure stories, one that’s been unfolding for thousands of years
as we have sought to understand ourselves and our surroundings.” ~ Brian Greene

16 16
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Calendar
President’s Message Secretary
Denise Hill
Bylaws Amendments Innovation is vital in these days of accountability,
Educating the students of today requires the rise of
a curriculum and environment very different from
Teachers in Space many of tlle practices implemented by educators.
Today’s students are technologically astute and more
sophisticated. They are multi-taskers and easily lose
STAT Legislative focus if numerous sensories are not utilized.
Tracker
Solution...students learn science by doing science
utilizing integrated activities and hands-on experi-
Board Nominations ences that teach the science process skills and con-
tent beginning even in the early childhood grades.
Constuctivism must be the daily theme for the sci-
Einstein Fellowship ence class. But, it is often reading and writing that
drives the teaching in the science class. Alternative
assessment must be considered for students to show
CAST 2011 Preview evidence of the content they have learned. But, it is
often the prepared paper exam that is used from the
teacher’s manual. Even though science teachers them-
STAT Around Town: selves want students to be taught in the most effective
Sightings and Pics way, they often disagree which is best, “traditional”
or “progressive/constructivism.” Texas teachers have
two major concerns as they prepare their unconven-
Contacts tional students for this higher level of accountability:
the lack of time available to teach the science stan-
dards, and the lack of understanding on how to best
teach and assess science in their classrooms.
I believe effective science teaching requires both. I
believe science is best taught, and I’m sure Jean Piaget
would agree, from the concrete to the abstract...from
the hands-on experiences to the pencil and paper
assessment. Doing both not only prepares them in sci-
ence understanding and content, but prepares for the
accountability. I believe preservice and experienced
science teachers need more guidance and direction
for developing innovative assessments of students’
understanding of science, and assessing students’
ability to conduct inquiry.
That is one reason I chose to continue my profession
in higher education. I wanted to take what I had
learned through “hard knocks” about effective sci-
ence teaching for 9 years in the middle school and 10
years in the elementary school to the young preser-
vice and beginning teacher. My passion tor teaching
science developed while I developed curriculum and
instruction for the Gifted and Talented in mathemat-
ics and science in Nacogdoches, Texas. We put away
our textbooks (“Curses!”) and created lessons and
assessments that were hands-on, integrated, thematic,
authentic and real! What fun! Science came to life;
it was no longer words on a page. Science was all
around... in our desks, in our kitchen, in our yard, in
water, on land and in the air. But most important of
all, the students were successful; they “got it.” They
understood science, and they themselves developed a
passion for science, just as I had developed that pas-
sion. After 2 years of teaching the GT students, I re-
quested that I teach classes of at-risk students instead.
These were the sludents that I believed could really
benefit from this form of science teaching. And I did
for the next three years. And again, the students were
SUCCESSFUL! It is that passion that I want to give
my preservice teachers and science teachers that
are working on their graduate degrees.
It is that passion and innovative teaching that I want
to spread. “I SING: Integrated Science Inspires
Neural Growth” was presented by myself and two
colleagues just this year in Philadelphia (NSTA),
Corpus Christi (ME by the SEa Conference) and
Houston (CAST). I want new and experienced sci-
ence teachers to know that science does not have to
be taught the way it was taught to them, and it does
not have to be taught one way or the other. It can
be integrated with other subjects, it can be taught
through music and dance, and it can be assessed uti-
lizing student-created podcasts, vodcasts and movies.
This is why I seek the office of STAT Secretary: to
share and to serve in the name of Science.
17
17
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Calendar

President’s Message
Bylaws Amendments
Teachers in Space
STAT Legislative
Tracker
Board Nominations
Einstein Fellowship
CAST 2011 Preview
Secretary
Jo Anne Jackson
As professional educators we are charged with seeking opportunities to build and develop
skills necessary to promote the success of the diverse students we teach. As a previous
classroom teacher for 16 years and now an instructional coach working with teachers in
Lubbock ISD and across the region, I am even more aware of how necessary support and
networking is for classroom teachers.
The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) provides a necessary network that
offers teachers opportunities to learn new content and pedagogy. Our organization also
brings together experienced leaders in science across the state. CAST allows Texas
educators to come together to network with other teachers. As a junior high and high
school classroom teacher my experiences in attending and presenting at CAST truly made
a difference for me because this allowed me to collaborate with fellow educators across
the state. As we introduce new curriculum in our schools and a new testing system in the
state, it is important educators have the opportunities to collaborate with peers who teach
science.

STAT Around Town: As science educators and professionals we provide a voice in decisions regarding the
Sightings and Pics teaching of science. We are the voice for new teachers who struggle and need our
support. STAT has the experiences of the classroom and the numbers necessary to make
a difference in Texas. We are charged with preparing students for careers in the 21st
Contacts century but also in supporting and leading teachers as they build and develop solid
foundations for tomorrow’s classrooms.

My teaching experiences in the junior high and high school classroom along with
experiences working with teachers locally and at the state level gives me a day to day
understanding of the concerns of educators, both teachers and administrators. I am
running for Secretary because STAT provides a voice for educators as we face the
challenges of change with curriculum and testing. I would be honored to serve in this
leadership position and represent science educators.

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Calendar

President’s Message
Treasurer
Bylaws Amendments Terry Howard
I started my professional teaching career at Lee Senior High School in Midland, Texas
Teachers in Space teaching Honors Chemistry and Honors Physics. I then accepted a position at Permian High
School where I taught Chemistry. I moved back to the Lubbock/Amarillo area to finish my
M.Ed. at Texas Tech, but that was a mistake because as it worked out, I spent more time
STAT Legislative concentrating on finishing my degree in administration at UTPB and I spent many weekends and
Tracker evenings making the 520 mile round-trip between Amarillo and Odessa. I went to Hereford
High School in Hereford, Texas for two years teaching Chemistry Pre-AP, Physics Pre-AP, and
TAKS where I also served as an administrative intem. Also, in addition to my teaching duties in
Board Nominations Hereford I mentored a first year science teacher, rewrote the scope & sequence for Chemistry
and Physics, helped with CSCOPE, and various curriculum duties. I also completed the
Einstein Fellowship Administrative Internship at Hereford High School. After finishing both Master’s degrees, I was
eager to take what I learned and apply it to an administrative and/or curriculum related
educational position. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to return back to Odessa and serve
CAST 2011 Preview in my present position as science curriculum specialist and CSCOPE science facilitator for Ector
County ISD.

STAT Around Town: I hold a Bachelors of Science in Multidisciplinary Science with a Secondary Teaching
Sightings and Pics Certificate with a Science Composite-Biology Emphasis from Texas Tech University. I worked
concurrently on two Master’s degrees including Educational Leadership at The University of
Texas of the Pennian Basin (UTPB) and Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University. I
Contacts fmished my Master’s degree (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University on
May 8,2009. I completed the requirement to be a PDAS certified appraiser the summer of 2008,
and I completed my Educational Leadership Administrative PracticunliIntemship in the fall of
2008. I graduated with my Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership at UTPB on December 13,
2008; and I currently hold standard certification for Principal EC - 12. Also in May of 2010, I
obtained ESL certification. I am currently working on my superintendent certification through
Region 18 ESC. As part of the superintendent internship, Dr. H.T. Sanchez will be serving as
my mentor.

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Calendar

President’s Message
Bylaws Amendments
Teachers in Space
STAT Legislative
Tracker
Board Nominations
Treasurer
Terry Ward
As an almost twenty year science educator, I believe that science must be taught to students
conceptually rather than as a series of unrelated facts . Emphasis must be placed on
making meaning and reflecting on observations and data in order to draw conclusions that
are student generated. Science content and skills are fertile ground in which to plant the
seeds of inquiry and learning by discovery that must be the cornerstones of how students
not only do science but learn science. Educators must become diagnostic and prescriptive in
their approach to teaching. The “broadcast” method is ineffective. As in the scientific world,
data must be gathered, analyzed and must shape instruction in order to effectively teach all
students.

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

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Einstein Fellowship
by Kirk Beckendorf
Calendar
I don’t know about you, but I have spent many The impact that you make as a teacher is
President’s Message hours in the teachers’ lounge discussing and impossible to replicate. But if you want to impact
complaining about No Child Left Behind, education policies and practices at a Federal level,
standardized tests, how policies negatively impact
Bylaws Amendments best practices of instruction, etc… After seventeen
please consider applying for the Albert Einstein
Fellowship. You can obtain more information about
years in the classroom I decided that I wanted to the program and learn about the current Fellows at
Teachers in Space have these conversations with the people who www.einsteinfellows.org.
make the policies, so I applied for the Albert
Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. Even if you don’t apply, sharing your advice from
STAT Legislative your experiences as a classroom teacher, science
Tracker The one year Fellowship selects STEM teachers specialist or principal is imperative and is
to work in federal agencies and in Congress for a welcomed by policy makers. If you want to see
year in Washington D.C. The first time I applied, I changes to those policies that are talked about in
Board Nominations was passed over. But the second time, while I was teacher’s lounges across the country, become
teaching middle school science at Blanco, TX, I was involved. At the least write a letter (they really are
selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Einstein Fellowship Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Education.
read and listened to) to your representatives,
providing real recommendations, suggestions and
During the next two years (I was given the concerns. Getting involved in organizations like
CAST 2011 Preview option to stay a second year) I lived about five STAT and the National Science Teachers
blocks from the U.S. Capitol and commuted on my Association can also spread your influence. Go out
bicycle down the National Mall to my office across and make a difference!
STAT Around Town: the street from the White House and the
Sightings and Pics Washington Monument.
Contact the Author:
Those discussions I had been having in the Kirk Beckendorf
Contacts teachers’ lounge were similar to many discussions 100 E Magnolia Lane
that I had during my two years in D.C., except Oak Ridge, TN 37830
that sometimes they actually impacted policies and 830-456-4643
practices. Some of the activities with which I was kirkbeckendorf@gmail.com
involved included helping to write NOAA’s 20
year Strategic Education plan. I wrote a paper for
NOAA that guides the development of their newly
revised education website and for online education
materials. I met with Congressmen and
Congressional staffers to discuss education policy;
I made suggestions that changed the language in
an education bill that was introduced on the House
floor. As Fellows, we were asked to provide advice
on education policy to Whitehouse and cabinet
advisors, Congress and the National Academies.

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Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

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Calendar
CAST 2011 Preview
President’s Message The CAST 2011 Proposal Site Opens March 1st!
Get your best workshop, short course, or field trip proposals ready because the 2011 CAST
Bylaws Amendments Proposal Site is coming soon! We prefer course proposals to be hands-on. Workshops are
one hour in length, and short courses can be anywhere from 3 to 6 hours in length. Last
Teachers in Space year, we had almost 1,000 outstanding proposals (workshops, short courses, and field trips
combined) submitted. Get yours in early to stand out from the crowd!
STAT Legislative
Tracker CAST Registration Opening Early... Really Early!

Board Nominations Is your school district ending the year with extra funds, but concerned about next year’s
budget? For the first time in history we will open CAST registration EARLY for the full
conference price ONLY (no short courses, field trips, etc. will be available). We will open
Einstein Fellowship this extra-early registration on May 1 at $115 per registrant through July 15, 2011. CAST
Registration will re-open on August 15th, 2011 with the ability to add on short courses and
CAST 2011 Preview field trips.

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

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CAST 2011 Preview
Calendar
Thank you to everyone who submitted to “The Art of Science” CAST 2011
Program Cover Contest. We had over 60 stellar submissions. View them all Here.
President’s Message
Below are the four finalists from this year’s submission pool. Click on the artist’s
Bylaws Amendments name to see the artwork in full size.

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Jenna Claire Amy Rust
Sightings and Pics Richardson High School Water Valley High School

Contacts

Bailey Gutierrez
Zundelowitz Junior High
Diane Vasquez
Port Isabel Junior High
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 Congratulations to Jenna Claire, winner of the CAST 2011 Art
contest! Jenna and her teacher, George Hademenos, will receive a free CAST
Contents registration, and her artwork will be displayed on the CAST program!

Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship

CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

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STAT Around Town:
Sightings and Pics from STAT-Related Activities
Calendar

President’s Message
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in
Bylaws Amendments Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST),
science elementary division, named Nancy
Douglas of Austin ISD one of 2010’s finalists.
Teachers in Space Here, she poses with TEA’s Director of Science
Dr. Kenn Heydrick.
STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations

Einstein Fellowship
Left to Right: Dr. Kenn Heydrick,
CAST 2011 Preview award-winners Nancy Douglas,
Kent Page of Northside ISD, Martha
STAT Around Town: McLeod, with TEA’s Assistant Director
of Science, Irene Pickhardt.
Sightings and Pics

Contacts

Dr. Heydrick poses with Martha McLeod of

Aransas County ISD as she accepts her award.

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STAT Around Town (cont’d.)

Calendar

President’s Message

Bylaws Amendments

Teachers in Space

STAT Legislative
Tracker

Board Nominations
STAT office staff members Laura Tolin
Einstein Fellowship The STAT Booth at the Texas Association
and Melissa Jones (left to right) pose
in front of the STAT display.
of School Administrators’ Midwinter
CAST 2011 Preview Conference and Education Expo in
February.

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics

Contacts

STAT held a raffle for a free

Administrators and Policymakers
Artwork for the CAST 2011 Promo Board provided
Institute (API) registration for CAST
by students from Port Isabel Junior High School.
2011.

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Elected
Officers
STAT
Calendar Office

President’s Message Mailing Address:

President: Past President:
5750 Balcones Dr., Joel Palmer Patsy Magee
Ste 201 (972) 882-7388 (409) 617-5054
Bylaws Amendments Austin, TX 78731
president@statweb.org pastpresident@statweb.org
Phone:
Teachers in Space (512) 491-6685 President-Elect: Treasurer:
Fax: Ross Ann Hill Laurel Frank
(512) 873-7423 (806) 892-1900 (281) 356-7797
STAT Legislative www.statweb.org
Tracker stat@bizaustin.rr.com presidentelect@statweb.org treasurer@statweb.org

Vice President: Secretary:

Board Nominations Tony Zahn Deidre Parish
(817) 251-5519 (469) 633-5500
Einstein Fellowship vicepresident@statweb.org secretary@statweb.org

Appointed
CAST 2011 Preview Positions

STAT Around Town:

Sightings and Pics Executive Director: Texas Science Teacher
Chuck Hempstead Editor:
Contacts (512) 491-6685 Joel Palmer
stat@bizaustin.rr.com (972) 882-7388
president@statweb.org
CAST Exhibits Manager &
Advertising Manager: STATellite Editor:
(512) 491-6685
Frank Butcher
stat@bizaustin.rr.com
(281)424-1230
frank.butcher@comcast.net
TEA Representative:
Kenn Heydrick
(512) 463-1827
Kenn.Heydrick@tea.state.tx.us

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Calendar

President’s Message
ACT ISEA
Bylaws Amendments Associated Chemistry Informal Science
Teachers of Texas Education Association
Teachers in Space
Amiee Modic Kiki Corry
amodic@sbcglobal.net kikicorry@tpwd.state.tx.us
STAT Legislative
Tracker
TABT TAEE TCES
Board Nominations Texas Association of Texas Association for Texas Council of
Biology Teachers Environmental Education Elementary Science
Einstein Fellowship
Sarah Anderson Sally Wall Deborah Rang
sarah.anderson@ttu.edu swall@gccisd.net deborah_rang@roundrockisd.org
CAST 2011 Preview

STAT Around Town: TESTA TMEA TSAAPT

Sightings and Pics Texas Earth Science Texas Marine Texas Section of the
Teachers Association Educators Association American Association of
Contacts Physics Teachers
Gail Gant Marolyn Smith
ggant@sjs.org marolyn.smith@yahoo.com Hugh Henderson
Hugh_Henderson@birdville.k12.
tx.us

TSELA
Texas Science Education
Leadership Association

Vanessa Westbrook
vwestbrook@mail.utexas.edu

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Gail Lowe, Chair William B. Travis Building
Bob Craig, Vice Chair 1701 North Congress Avenue
Calendar Mary Helen Berlanga, Secretary Austin, Texas 78701-1494

President’s Message
SBOE District 1 - Charlie Garza SBOE District 10 - Marsha Farney
12453 Tierra Cipres Dr. P.O. Box 99
Bylaws Amendments El Paso, Texas 79938
(915) 630-2427
Georgetown, Texas 78627
(512) 966-6771

SBOE District 2 - Mary Helen Berlanga SBOE District 11 - Patricia Hardy

Teachers in Space 2727 Morgan Avenue 900 North Elm
Corpus Christi, TX 78405 Weatherford, TX 76086
(361) 881-1000 (817) 598-2968
STAT Legislative (361) 881-1028 fax (817) 598-2833 fax

Tracker SBOE District 3- Michael Soto SBOE District 12 - George Clayton

2034 W. Kings Hwy. 526 Tiffany Trail
San Antonio, TX 78201 Richardson, Texas 75081
Board Nominations (210) 685-8378 (972) 834-3618

SBOE District 4 - Lawrence A. Allen, Jr. SBOE District 13 - Mavis B. Knight

2130 Vermillion Oak St. 6108 Red Bird Court
Einstein Fellowship Fresno, Texas 77545 Dallas, TX 75232
(713) 203-1355 (214) 333-9575
(214) 339-9242 fax
CAST 2011 Preview SBOE District 5- Ken Mercer
P.O. Box 781301 SBOE District 14 - Gail Lowe
San Antonio, TX 78278-1301 11 Chris Avenue
(512) 463-9007 Lampasas, TX 76550
STAT Around Town: (512) 556-6262
SBOE District 6 - Terri Leo (512) 936-4319 fax
Sightings and Pics 23516 Twin Oaks Dr. RR#5
Spring, TX 77389 SBOE District 15 - Bob Craig
(281) 257-0832 fax P.O. Box 1979
Contacts Lubbock, TX 79408-1979
(806) 744-3232
SBOE District 7 - David Bradley
2165 North Street (806) 744-2211 fax
Beaumont, TX 77701
(409) 835-3808

SBOE District 8 - Barbara Cargill

61 W. Wedgemere Circle
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 465-8095

SBOE District 9 - Thomas Ratliff

P.O. Box 232
Mount Pleasant, TX 75456
(903) 717-1190
Need to find your state legislators?
Search by zip code at:
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us
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Calendar Want to be published?

President’s Message
E-mail us your letters and articles!
Bylaws Amendments STATellite Due Dates
Due dates for publication of articles in The STATellite are:
Teachers in Space
Submission Deadline Publication Date
STAT Legislative
February 1 February 15
Tracker
May 1 May 15
August 1 August 15
Board Nominations December 1 December 15

Einstein Fellowship Text files or Microsoft Word documents are preferable, but InDesign,
PageMaker, or QuarkXPress files are also acceptable.
CAST 2011 Preview
A minimum of one picture to accompany each article is required.
STAT Around Town:
Sightings and Pics Mail or e-mail your submissions to:

Contacts The STATellite

5750 Balcones Dr., Ste 201
Austin, TX 78731
stat@bizaustin.rr.com

The views of the columnists in The STATellite do not necessarily represent the
views of STAT or its Board members.

Changing your e-mail address? Login to your STATweb.org user

account and update your information. If you’ve forgotten your
password, visit the main page and select “Request New Password”
under the User Login section.

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