Science Matters in Illinois
General Information
Science Matters is an initiative by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to bring content, news, and information that supports quality science education to parents and teachers nationwide. In Illinois Science Matters is supported by ISTA and cooperating partners to bring information to educators and others interested in quality science teaching and learning.
Building on the success of the Building a Presence for Science program which was first launched in 1997 as an e-networking initiative to provide science professional development opportunities for teachers, Science Matters now also includes materials and information for parents on its national website http://www.nsta.org/sciencematters. At this website there are links for both teachers and parents.
The Teacher Link, formerly Building a Presence for Science, reaches those interested in science education in 34 states and the District of Columbia. It is a vehicle for information dissemination and communication. Through the electronic network, teachers of science become aware of professional development opportunities, science resource materials, and funding programs within their area, region, state, and/or at the national level. They may also receive important information, helpful articles and materials to pass on to parents that focus on quality learning experiences in the sciences—starting at an early age—and why science education is critical to science literacy and our future workforce.
In Illinois the Science Matters network reaches over 3000 educators and those interested in quality science teaching and learning. And although membership in ISTA is not required to become part of the Science Matters network in Illinois, all network members are encouraged to join.
Become a Network Member
To become a member of the Science Matters in Illinois network go to the teacher section of the national Science Matters web site at http://bap.nsta.org.
- Click on "Become a Point of Contact" on the left side of the page.
- Select "Illinois" from the pull-down menu.
- Enter your school's zip code and click “Find Schools”.
- Click on your school's name from the list (If your school is not listed—contact the Illinois State Coordinator: lipscomb@imsa.edu).
- Fill in all required information and click “Next”.
- Fill in any additional information in the “Demographics” section. Then click “Submit”.
State Partners
Science Matters in Illinois State Partners are network members and supporters of high quality science teaching and learning opportunities for all. They also have the opportunity to work with and support science educators and broaden the awareness of their organization or institution throughout the network. Following are some of the opportunities available to State Partners.
- Advocacy
- Support standards-based science education
- Support the vision of high quality science learning opportunities for all
- Support providing highly qualified teachers in all classrooms
- Support the development and/or maintenance of a successful infrastructure in the science education community
- Work with and support science educators
- Broaden awareness across networks
- Communication/Collaboration
- Designate one person to serve as your organization’s liaison to the Science Matters in Illinois network
- Provide timely information and standards-based resources to the Science Matters in Illinois network
- Continuous access via the Science Matters in Illinois state coordinator to a network of science educators for state partner-generated communication
- Share information statewide
- Collaborate with other State Partners
- Receive recognition on the Science Matters page of ISTA web site: www.ista-il.org
- Resources
- Offer resources aligned to the vision of high quality science learning opportunities for all
- Offer your resources to support standards-based science education
- Stewardship of developing new leaders in science education in Illinois
- Offer discounts and/or direct benefits to teachers
- Provide your resources and knowledge to be used by schools with Points of Contact in the Science Matters in Illinois network
Current State Partners
Science Matters in Illinois State Partners include a variety of educational organizations, foundations, informal science organizations, businesses and government groups.
- The Environmental Education Association of Illinois
- Fermilab
- Flinn Scientific, Inc.
- iBio Institute
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Illinois State Museum
- Lab-Aids Inc./ SEPUP
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications
- Northern Illinois University STEM Outreach
- The Scope Shoppe, Inc.
- Scientific Specialities, Inc
- University of Illinois Extension STEM Team
- VRW Education
- Sargent-Welch
- Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories
- Ward’s Natural Science
- ROE #19, DuPage County
- ROE #31, Kane County
- ROE #41, Madison County
- ROE #49, Rock Island County
- ROE #50, St. Clair County
- ROE #55, Whiteside County
Science Matters Contact
For more information contact:
State Coordinator, Science Matters in Illinois
lipscomb@imsa.edu
News Archive
To view a past communication, visit the Science Matters News Archive.