Illinois Science Teachers Association

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Plans for ISTA Conference 2009

General Conference Chair Troy Simpson and the Conference Committee are hard at work with plans for the November 12-14 ISTA 42nd Annual Conference to be held at the Peoria Civic Center and Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria. The theme will be "The Evolution of Science Education: From So Simple a Beginning...". One major change this year to better serve ISTA members will be online registration and credit card billing.

ISTA Announces the keynote speaker will be Prof. Rick Duschl, Pennsylvania State University, speaking on: The 20th Century Parade of Science Education: Progress and Its' Problems. Abstract: Science education during the 20th Century can be characterized by one reform after another. From 1950 onward there have been no fewer than 4 major changes to learning theory and 2 major changes to views about the nature of science. Prof. Duschl’s presentation will examine developments over the last 50 years in cognitive science and philosophy of science that have shaped both what we teach and how we teach K-12 science.

The conference CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS has been extended by the conference committee, to June 30, or when the program slots are filled.


ISTA Selects Springfield Crowne Plaza for 2010 ISTA Conference

Following detailed research and site visits to 6 potential venues, the ISTA board selected the Springfield Crowne Plaza for the 2010 43rd Annual Conference. The date will be November 4-6, 2010, one week earlier than in the past several years.


NEW HOME FOR ISTA LISTSERVE

Effective March 10, the ISTA LISTSERV was transferred to the Office of Math, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE) on the UIUC campus from it former location at the IL Math and Science Academy. ISTA directors thank IMSA for many years of excellent service. With this new location we will promote teacher participation and usage of this excellent communication medium. We encourage teachers to raise issues and ask for help from their fellow teachers. It must continue to be a non-commercial venue for the exclusive use of ISTA members.

We encourage ISTA members to try out the new listserv if they have not already been on it. And we prefer you manage your membership on your own by going to http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ista

There is a link to send an unsubscribe message that appears on every email that goes through the list. It's simple: to unsubscribe, send a blank email to ista-request@lists.mste.uiuc.edu with the subject "unsubscribe".

Finally, if you need help with any of this, Michael McKelvey and George Reese at MSTE are glad to add or remove anyone. Michael's email is mmckelve@mste.uiuc.edu and George's is reese@illinois.edu .


ISTA Represented at Governor’s Sustainable Schools Symposium

On February 27, Governor Pat Quinn’s Sustainable Schools Symposium was held at Joliet Central High School, built in 1899 and still maintained and working. The conference aimed at encouraging healthy, energy-efficient buildings; recycling; community-centered education; and "green" curricula aimed at inspiring young people to create a greener and better world.

Governor Quinn spoke of his work as the chairman of the Green Government Coordinating Council and encouraged administrators to join the 175 schools which have signed on to the Sustainable Schools Compact. He stated that while young people are serving in two wars overseas, we must bring our energy use under control on the home front so as not to be controlled by "petrodictators". He stated that education is an essential element in improving the environment, noting the "No Child Left Inside" initiative and "Nature Deficit Disorder". He also cited the work of Paul Ritter, Pontiac High School Science Teacher, and his students in working with law enforcement agencies on an innovative pharmaceutical disposal program. (see www.p2d2program.org)

In a breakout session on community collaboration, ISTA showcased the Cool Communities Mini-grant Program featuring the work of the following science teachers and their students:

  • Gary Swick and Elizabeth Woods at Dundee-Crown High School working with the Village of Algonquin on a proper tire inflation project.
  • Patricia Parsons at Gage Park High School working with the City of Chicago and Friends of the Chicago River on vermicomposting and water monitoring projects.
  • Tom Kearney and the GREEN TEAM at Andrew High School working with the District 230 Foundation on conducting an Environmental Awareness Fair.
  • Kristi Van Hoveln at Milburn Grade School working with the Milford Youth Center and merchants on plantings in downtown planters.
  • Molly Godar at Rochester High School working with the Village of Rochester on Village Pond mapping, monitoring, and renovation.
  • John Clark (retired Lawrenceville HS teacher) working with the Embarras River Management Association and 11 high schools on river monitoring.
  • David Abendroth at Red Hill High School working with the City of Bridgeport on plantings in the city park.
  • Also featured was the work of Presidential Science and Math Awardee Paul Ritter at Pontiac High School for working with law enforcement agencies on proper pharmaceutical disposal programs.

Conference presentations including the ISTA and Dundee-Crown powerpoints are available from the Governors website. Click here to go to this website: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/green/school_symposium.php


ISTA INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS and DIRECTORS

At the March 7 ISTA board meeting, new officers and directors were installed for a two year term and outgoing officials were recognized.

President— Gwen Pollock, Sherman, consultant and recently retired science supervisor at the IL State Board of Education.

President-elect—Carol Baker, Community HS 218, Oak Lawn, Director of Curriculum for Science and Music, 18 years of classroom experience.

Vice-president—Julie Gaubatz, Hinsdale South HS, science teacher with 13 years of teaching experience.

Secretary—Kathy Schmidt, Jay Stream MS, Carol Stream, 6th-8th grade science and social studies teacher with 9 years of teaching experience.

Past-president—Jill Carter, Pekin Community High School. High school science teacher, immediate past president of ISTA, and chair of nominations and election.

District 1 Director—Margie Corp, Orenic Intermediate School, Troy District, Plainfield, 6th grade science teacher with 28 year of teaching experience.

District 2 Director—Amy Sandgren, Rock Island Regional Office of Education, Moline, Science Education Consultant for seven years with 9 years of science teaching experience at Rock Island High School.

District 3 Director—Bob Wolffe, Bradley University, Peoria, Education Professor with 20 years of tertiary and 14 years of elementary teaching experience.

District 4 Director—Kendra Carroll, Shiloh Unit District, Hume, science teacher with 20 years of teaching experience at junior high to high school levels.

District 5 Director—Kathleen Roper, Hoyleton Public School, Hoyleton, 7th and 8th grade science teacher with 35 years of teaching experience.

District 6 Director—John Clark, retired teacher and educational consultant with 38 years of science teaching experience in Lawrence County schools.

District 7 Director—Christian Greer, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, director of education with fifteen years of informal educational experience at five institutions.


VIDEO PSA Contest on Drinking Water

To Illinois Science Teachers and Water Enthusiasts:

Are you clever? Want to show off your creative side? Could your science club and advisor use $1000? We need your help in promoting the value of tap water. A committee of Illinois water professionals developed a video contest for any interested high school science club or science department. The idea is to develop a 30-60 second video that can be used as a public service announcement with a positive message about the value of tap water, the importance of maintaining a safe drinking water supply, and to provide a view of the world should we be without it. The winning videos will be put on YouTube, various water-related websites, and played on TV stations across the state of Illinois. The initial phase of the contest is the development of creative ideas, and your ideas are due April 15, so its time to get started. The second phase of the contest is to produce the video and those entries will be due October 30, 2009. For more information, and complete rules, go to:

http://mtac.isws.illinois.edu/cyber/videocontest.asp


GOVERNOR PAT QUINN INVITES PARTICIPATION OF SCIENCE TEACHERS

At the ISTA Annual Conference on November 14, Governor Quinn's senior staff officer Ryan Croke invited science teachers to participate in ten programs related to schools and the environment. They are listed here.


2009 — Illinois Year of Science

We’re planning several really cool projects for Illinois science teachers and their students:2009 Year of Science

  • Intriguing Science with Intriguing Photography—ISTA plans to promote local photography exhibits by your students to intrigue themselves in science with intriguing close-up or distant photographic displays.
  • Science Book Clubs—ISTA is organizing a system which will allow you to inspire your students, colleagues, and community to read together. We’re also working with ideas for an on-line book study for our members using the new National Research Council book, Ready, Set, Science! (ISTA has copies available.)
  • Year of Science—2009 Events—we’re working to develop a 2009 calendar of events throughout the state for you to attend, learn and enjoy science and science teaching even more. Many of these local or regional events will be in collaboration with scientific, professional, and trade organizations or agencies.
    Event worksheets now available! If you have an event you would like publicized, please complete and submit:
  • Letters to Your Local News media: To help commemorate, celebrate, and promote the Illinois Year of Science, ISTA asks science teachers to write a letter to their local news media, seek an interview, or showcase a science project. We know the letter below may be too long, it will identify issues and provide ideas for this promotion of IMPROVED SCIENCE EDUCATION.
  • FOR ALL Four: we need your help. We’ve set up a general framework for all four, but need your help to plan and facilitate these opportunities and to develop guidelines or templates. Contact Gwen Pollock (now retired, gpollock@casscomm.com) to find out more.


ISTA/ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science Awards Program

new 2008–09 Awards Program

Up to seven K-6 science teachers representing the 7 ISTA regions will be awarded $1000 for extraordinary accomplishments.

The Illinois Science Teachers Association with the generous support of ExxonMobil announces the 2008–2009 ISTA/ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science Awards Program. Applications will be accepted from K–6 teachers of science who have demonstrated “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching. ISTA plans to recognize grade 7–12 teachers in the 2009–2010 school year.

The 2008–2009 program consists of up to seven one thousand dollar prizes. One $1000 award may be presented to a K–6 teacher of science from each of the seven ISTA regions in the state of Illinois. Previous winners are not eligible.

The awards are intended to recognize “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching. Applicants must provide evidence that demonstrates accomplishments that go beyond normal classroom teaching.

Criteria for consideration include:

  1. Current ISTA membership
  2. Full time teaching assignment
  3. Teaching assignment in the ISTA Region for which application is submitted
  4. Written narrative (maximum of 500 words) describing the teacher’s “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
  5. Evidence that supports the teacher’s description of “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
  6. Two letters of support from individuals who can attest to the impact of the “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
  7. A completed application form with required supplementary materials submitted by April 1, 2009

Download the Application (PDF) 4 pages

Winners will be notified by May 15, 2009.


Medallions and Certificates

award

ISTA Medallions and Certificates now available through generous sponsorship by Illinois Petroleum Resources Board" http://iprb.org

If you are a current member of ISTA and teach high school, this is a great way to honor your top science student. Order by emailing Sherry Duncan at sjduncan08@comcast.net

The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board announced on June 21 they would continue to underwrite the outstanding science student medallion program for the 08-09 school year.

President Jill Carter presented IPRB Executive Director Charles Williams with a certificate of appreciation for five years of support of the medallion program, stating the partnership with IPRB provided for a very successful student recognition program. ISTA members can request a free Olympic Style Medallion for presentation to an outstanding science student. Last year about 70 medallions were presented at various award ceremonies throughout Illinois.


COOL COMMUNITIES MINIGRANT PROGRAM

Cool Communities Working Together with Science Teachers

ISTA has been invited to organize a special opportunity for members of our organization to implement class projects that partner with your local municipalities during the spring and early summer of 2008...

NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCED FOR 08-09 SCHOOL YEAR

More information

ISTA is seeking a new source of funding to continue the Cool Communities Minigrant program beyond the 2008-2009 school year. Check back here for details.


ISTA To Recognize Outstanding Rookie Science Teachers

Announced:

Outstanding rookie science teachers in their 1st through 4th year of teaching will again be recognized for outstanding achievements in 2009. Up to five teachers will be recognized at the ISTA November 12-14, 2009 Annual Conference for innovative teaching experience, exemplary service or trend-setting teaching practices. Applications are due by June 30, 2009. For more details:


Principal's Column

ISTA was requested to provide a brief column in the IL Principals Association monthly newsletter. To keep our members informed of issues, we will also post them here on the ISTA website for 12 months. Upcoming articles will deal with the ISTA annual conference, 2009-Year of Science, and other current topics. Those who would like to contribute or who have issues which should be addressed with principals, please contact ISTA President-elect Gwen Pollock gpollock@casscomm.com.

Here is the first, dealing with SCIENCE CLASSROOM SAFETY:

September 2008 Submission by ISTA for the newsletter of the IL Principals' Association

The Board of the Illinois Science Teachers Association has been invited to share periodic valuable insights about science teaching and learning in our schools. We chose to start with sharing information that may be useful in dealing with the important issues of safety and liability, along with the curricular necessities of critical thinking and hands-on learning from laboratory investigations. Two of the position statements of the National Science Teachers Association were recently updated (07-08), with plans for the third in the near future.

The Guidebook for Science Safety in Illinois was compiled in 1995 and currently found at: (http://www.isbe.net/ils/science/pdf/science_safety.pdf). It can provide you with assistance as well for Illinois settings, more specifically.

We welcome collaborating with you to improve science teaching and learning in Illinois.


Illinois Building A Presence for Science

Building a Presence



SPECTRUM—The Journal of the Illinois Science Teachers Association

Spectrum

Spectrum is published and mailed to members three times annually in the spring fall and winter by the ISTA, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506. Send submissions and inquiries to the editor or focus editors.

Judith A. Scheppler, Ph. D.
IL Math and Science Academy