ISTA New and Events - 2009

Looking for Regional Directors (Oct 2009)

Greetings fellow ISTA members!

We are still looking for individuals who would like to run for the position of Regional Director from their respective region. Would you like to be a part of a dynamic group of science teachers dedicated to improving science education within the state of Illinois? Please consider running for this winter's election.

How do I put my name on the ballot?

Just contact one of your regional directors. Names and contact information can be found in the Spectrum or go online to http://www.ista-il.org/regional-directors.htm
You must fill out a nomination form (very simple form declaring your intent to run). Your regional director can email you a copy of the form. Just ask them.
You must also fill out a form which includes your biographical information and your rationale for serving. Your regional director has this form as well. It will be emailed to you upon request.

What are the deadlines?

The basic nomination form is due via email to Jill Carter by November 16th (extended).
Download Nomination Form (Word Doc)
The rationale for serving/biographical information document is due via email to Jill Carter by November 16th.
Download Biographical Information (Word Doc)

How can I get more information?

Just contact your regional directors or me for more information.

I'm looking forward to receiving your information!

Jill F. Carter - Immediate Past President, Illinois Science Teachers Association

ISTA Searching For Webmaster (Oct 2009)

(Members with the appropriate skill sets are encouraged to apply!)

ISTA is accepting applications for a webmaster to keep our website up to date and provide improved online services to ISTA members and leadership.

The Webmaster will:

Maintain regular communications between ISTA Communications committee and Executive Director for web news and updates, insight about organizational needs, and innovative options for ISTA web design and style.
Maintain ISTA web site with bi-weekly updates if needed and checks for dead links.
Prepare and maintain closed access to specifically directed documents and files for ISTA officers and regional directors.
Post emergency changes directed by ISTA Communications Chair or Executive Director within seven (7) days.
Design new pages and maintain existing pages currently developed in Dreamweaver and AllWebMenus Pro using search enginee optimized, HTML code with CSS.
Manage third party applications for ISTA including RegOnline conference registration services and Survey Monkey services.
Develop and maintain dynamic web pages in PHP and MySQL including the development of a new membership database with user level access allowing the ISTA membership secretary full access, regional directors access to reports on the members in their region, and individual users access to modify their contact information.
Assist ISTA leadership in making recommendations for WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS and implementing them.
Provide quarterly billing for services at the end of March, June, September, and December. Billing will consist of a spread sheet showing hours worked and work achievements.
Manage the ISTA webhosting service including ISTA Email accounts and services.
Manage the ISTA Forums (phpBB) including adding forums, assigning permissions, and coordinating with moderators.
Manage the ISTA Announcement System (phpList) including updating user database and sending announcements.

Those wishing to apply for the position should send a resume and an application letter including relevant experience and stipend requirements by NOV 16th, 2009 to:

Attn: Carol Baker, ISTA e-Communication Chair
Email: cbaker@ista-il.org

Sign up now for National Green Week 2010! (Oct 2009)

Calling on all educators! Enroll in National Green Week 2010 by Dec. 15, 2009 and be entered into a raffle for free garden kits (gloves, tools, seeds), IXG Green Packs (reusable drink & snack containers, shopping bag and an organic tee) and cash prizes to jump-start your green program and be eligible for a $5,000 grant!

Green Education Foundation (GEF) is mobilizing millions of students from across the nation to participate in environmental educational programs during National Green Week 2010 (Feb. 1-5, 2010). GEF’s comprehensive curriculum provides Pre K-12 schools with extensive standards based lessons coupled with the following hands-on eco challenges:

Green Thumb Challenge—Join the largest youth gardening initiative in history calling on classrooms and schools to plant 10,000 indoor or outdoor gardens during the spring of 2010! GEF’s website provides gardening instructions, checklists for school approvals, plot location guidelines; container garden suggestions, funding resources (including grant templates) garden plans, vegetable and flower suggestions and much more. Green Thumb Challenge lessons link gardening to science, math, language arts, creative arts and technology. Summer student internships and community service programs will be available along with an online professional development course for teachers.
Waste-Free Snacks—Students nationwide will participate in the largest school based waste-reduction program of all time by simply pledging to carry their drinks and snacks in reusable containers for the week. The goal is to eliminate 500,000 pounds of trash from schools and landfills.
Green Energy Challenge—Students will audit their classrooms, schools and homes to find energy leaks and correct them in an effort to reduce energy consumption.

Don’t wait, enroll today at www.GreenEducationFoundation.org

Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization that provides educational resources that promote sustainable, impactful pro-green behaviors in children, families, and communities. Children learn best through hands-on programs which enhance a child’s critical thinking and understanding of why and how they should adopt new green habits. With this in mind, GEF programs provide a hands-on component coupled with lessons that promote environmental sustainability and individual health and well-being.

ISTA Announces the 2009-2010 Awards (Sept 2009)

The ISTA Award Committee has announced the 2009-2010 awards. For more information visit the ISTA website award page.

Shedd Aquarium's Educator Open House (Sept 2009)

Thursday, October 1, 2009 | 5:00 – 8:30 PM

Imagine cruisin’ through your school year with Shedd learning adventures and focused field trips. Invite an educator shipmate and join us for an imaginary cruise through a renovated Oceanarium and new curriculum extensions. Enjoy special entertainment with a preview of the new Fantasea aquatic show before it debuts to the public! Oceanarium seating opens at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation begins at 6 p.m.

All educators who register in advance will be entered into a drawing for fantastic prizes! Visit www.sheddaquarium.org/teachers to register and for parking information.

Questions? Contact Amy Christiansen at 312-692-3165 or teacherservices@sheddaquarium.org

For more information: Shedd Aquarium Educator Open House Announcement

Video PSA Contest on Drinking Water (April 2009)

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

ISTA Installs New Officers & Directors (March 2009)

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.

ISTA Represented at Governor's Symposium (Feb 2009)

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/ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science (Jan 2009)

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:

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

Winners will be notified by May 15, 2009.

Governor Quinn Invites Science Teacher Participation (Nov 2008)

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. For more information visit the "News" section of our web site.