Only one week remains to submit a proposal today to present a Short Course at the 2010 California Science Education Conference in Sacramento. The deadline to submit a Short Course proposal is December 18. Workshop proposals will be accepted until February 1, 2010. »Click for details.
CSTA Is Now Accepting Proposals for the 2010 Conference
Submit a proposal today to present a workshop or Short Course at the 2010 California Science Education Conference in Sacramento. »Click for details.
Nominations for CSTA Board of Directors Now Open
CSTA Members: Consider running for a position on the Board of Directors. Nominations are now being accepted. »Check it out!
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
Thank you for attending the 2009 California Science Education Conference in Palm Springs. CSTA appreciates your participation and hopes you had an enjoyable time at the conference. On the CSTA website you will find links to session handouts and the conference evaluation form. »Click for details.
Less than two weeks remain to register in advance for the 2009 California Science Education Conference! CSTA members* can save as much as $40 on their registration fees if they register before October 9! Weekend Special
Can't miss class on Thursday and Friday? That doesn't mean you have to miss the conference too. Saturday-only registration is just $88 for CSTA members* and includes Sunday's "free" events. You'll get over 8 hours of professional development (almost 100 sessions to choose from) plus the Closing Session keynote address by Bonnie Bassler. Low-cost hotel rooms are still available, starting at just $89/night + tax. (Or attend just Saturday and still get over 80 sessions to choose from, plus the exhibit hall.) CSTA knows that this year more than any other poses challenges for teachers, students, schools, and districts having to do more with less. But it's also more important than ever that teachers seek out opportunities to get the professional development they need at the lowest cost. Don't let the difficult situation you face in your classroom rob you of the opportunity you have to gain important professional development and tools to help you face those challenges by attending the California Science Education Conference. If you have any questions about the conference or would like more information, please visit the conference website at: http://www.cascience.org/csta/conf_home09.asp, or contact us a registration@cascience.org or (916) 979-7004. On-line registration is available for credit card payments. A registration form is available for download for check and P.O. payments at: http://www.cascience.org/csta/conf_registration.asp.
CSTA invites you to join us and your fellow California science teachers in Palm Springs this October 22 – 25. Don’t wait, discount pricing is only available through October 9! Wishing you a successful 2009-2010 school year. Sincerely, California Science Teachers Association
3800 Watt Ave., Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 979-7004
FAX: (916) 979-7023
registration@cascience.org
www.cascience.org *CSTA members whose membership is paid through November 1, 2009 or later are eligible to receive member rates. If you are not a current member, you may join CSTA before registering to receive the member rates.
CSTA is pleased to announce that, through the generosity of a grant provided by Northrop Grumman, we will be offering 7 new teachers a scholarship to attend the 2009 California Science Education Conference in Palm Springs. Applicant criteria and a scholarship applications are available below. Applications will be accepted until October 9, 2009 or until all scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis based on the applicants' eligibility per the criteria outlined below.
Applicant Criteria:
Scholarship will cover the following expenses:
Recipient of Scholarship will be responsible for any and all other expenses including meals and incidentals. There is no compensation for substitute teachers or time off of work.
Click here to download an application form.
Application Deadline: October 9, 2009
As one of the strategies taken to resolve the state's budget crisis, the 2009-10 budget bill allows for flexibility in the way school districts spend their education dollars by, among other things, eliminating the earmark for the purchase of instructional materials. Until 2013, districts may spend those dollars in any number of ways; they may or may not purchase textbooks and other instructional materials. The state adoption of instructional materials has, therefore, been put on hold for five years.
Subsequently, the governor eliminated funding for the Curriculum Commission and the ongoing revisions of curriculum frameworks, which form the basis for the adoptions, stating that
it is unnecessary for the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission to continue to advise the Board on content frameworks and instructional materials adoptions for the next five years or until an agreed-upon process is reestablished.
The elimination of all funding for the Curriculum Commission, which is a mere $700,000 out of a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, and the governor's cryptic allusion to an "agreed-upon process" clearly point to political motives for the governor's move. It is widely believed that some in the governor's office and some members of the State Board of Education were not happy with the early draft chapters of the new science framework, which was being written and approved by practicing science teachers. The fear among science education leaders in the state is that the governor's move marks a return to the secrecy and behind-the-scenes manipulation of the framework that were the hallmarks of the 2004 framework, where science teachers' voices were largely ignored.
The next science adoption was to have occurred in 2012; it is unclear when or if a new adoption schedule will be developed.
CSTA is working to try to have the funding reinstated. Please check
back for updates.
Dear California Science Teacher:
CSTA recognizes that this year is an especially difficult year for teachers and students in California. With school budgets cut, now more than ever teachers must find ways to make classroom dollars stretch, while still providing quality science education in the classroom. These issues highlight the importance of participation at the 2009 California Science Education Conference in Palm Springs. It's important, especially in these tough times, for teachers to come together, to learn from and support each other, and to emerge with renewed enthusiasm for the important work we do.
Your association is here to support you! In light of these rough economic times, CSTA is extending early-bird pricing for the California Science Education Conference through October 9 for CSTA members! This means that CSTA members will be able to register in advance for all four days of the conference for only $98! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to save money on your registration and register today!
What can you do for $98?
t Choose from over 200 standards based workshops (search the workshops to see what’s right for you)
t Participate in 8 quality Focus Speaker sessions
t Browse the exhibit hall where you can find freebies, great resources, and lessons you can use on Monday morning
t Gaze at the stars on Saturday night and learn how to create your own inflatable planetarium that costs less than $25 to make
t Network in the Conversation Corner – a table top session where YOU get to frame the discussion
t Earn a certificate of completion if you attend 12 hours of qualifying sessions of our No Child Left Behind/Title II or New Teacher Professional Development strands
With budgets tight and vacation time limited, take advantage of this opportunity to combine a fantastic professional development opportunity with a long weekend get-a-way. Enjoy one of Southern California’s favorite destinations!
Don’t miss your once-a-year opportunity to participate in the premier professional development event specifically designed for science educators and professionals – register today!
Not a CSTA member? You can join online and then register for the conference at the $98 rate!
Cal EPA has released the final draft of the Education and the Environment Initiative curriculum and is seeking review by the field. To view and comment on the curriculum units, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/sc/ee/.
CSTA congratulates the winners of the 2009 – 2011 board of directors elections: Rick Pomeroy, President-Elect, Marian Murphy-Shaw, Secretary, Bonny Ralston, Middle School Director, Michelle French, Primary Director, Meg Burke, Informal Science Education Director, Dean Gilbert, Region 3 Director. CSTA also thanks the members who participated in the elections either through their vote or their candidacy. The new directors will be installed on July 1, 2009 and will serve through June 30, 2011.
Attention Earth, Environmental, and Space Sciences (EESS) High School Teachers:
Professor Eldridge Moores, of UC Davis, has initiated a letter writing campaign to the University of California (UC), urging the inclusion of earth science as a qualified "d" (lab science) requirement for admission to UC schools. Very few of teachers have obtained "d" status for high school earth science classes, and some school administrators strongly discourage teachers from offering a science class to college prep students if it doesn't meet the requirement. The academic council of the University of California should hear our concern about the future of earth science education in California. Without the "d" status, high school earth science courses will be increasingly devalued, if they are offered at all. Please take a look at the sample letter and talking points for ideas and send out some emails or letters. This is a critical time in the decision process and your letters can make a difference. Click to link to the UC Academic Senate with talking points, a sample letter, and the contact list of UC Campus supporters of UC Area "d" science modernization proposal.
If you are a current CSTA member you should have receive or soon receive the latest issue of California Classroom Science (CCS). The current issue features articles on the Science Framework, Legislative and Regional Updates, Life, Earth, and Physical Science, and more. Also included is a copy of the 2009 California Science Education Conference Registration Brochure.Prefer to read CCS on-line? Members can access an electronic copy of the current issue via the Members-Only Resources link. To access this link click here to log-in to your record.
