ISTA News & Events (2008)
ISTA to Recognize Outstanding Rookie Science Teachers
Announcing:
2008 ISTA New Teachers of the Year (PDF)
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:
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
For More information: visit our "News" section of this web site.
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.
Medallions and Certificates
ISTA Medallions and Certificates now available through generous sponsorship by Illinois Petroleum Resources Board" (http://iprg.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.
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 Integral Role of Laboratory Investigations in Science Instruction (http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/laboratory.aspx)
- Liability of Science Educators for Laboratory Safety (http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/liability.aspx)
- Safety and School Science Instruction (to be updated shortly) (http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/safety.aspx)
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.