Welcome to PSTA!

Mission Statement

The Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association shall work toward the advancement, improvement, and coordination of science education in all areas of science at all educational levels.

Latest PSTA News

July 20, 2010 –NRC Releases Draft Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards
Science Educators Urged to Review and Comment on Draft by August 2

Today the National Research Council (NRC) Board on Science Education released a draft conceptual framework for new science education standards. The 190-page document lays the foundation for what core science ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and scientific practices all students need to succeed in science, and is the first major step in the development of the next generation of science standards. Science educators and other stakeholders have until August 2 to review and comment on the framework.

With funding from the Carnegie Corporation, a committee of experts developed the draft framework and is currently gathering feedback from a broad range of stakeholders. The revised framework will be released publicly later this winter. The framework will then be used as the basis for writing new science education standards, a process that will be led by Achieve.

NSTA, in collaboration with partners Achieve and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), has been providing advice to the project and is engaging members and constituents in the feedback process. In the coming weeks, NSTA is hosting focused feedback sessions to gather input from science educators to submit to the NRC.

Review and comment on the Draft Framework—open for public comments until August 2!
Read background information from the NRC
Read more about NSTA’s work with NRC
Read the news release from the National Academies

July 12, 2010 – The National Congress on Science Education will be held in Las Vegas, NV from July 22-24, 2010.  This national event brings together leaders from NSTA state chapters, associated and affiliated groups.  PSTA will have several leaders at this event including Carli Yeager Hall, PSTA President, Keith Butler, PSTA President Elect, and Christine Royce, PSTA Executive Secretary and NSTA Professional Development Division Director.

July 5, 2010 – PSTA offers several awards including the McIlwaine Science Teaching Award, the Leadership in Science Education Award, and the Honor Roll of Fellows Award.  Application packets are due September 1, 2010. Further information can be found under the Awards section in About PSTA!

July 1, 2010 - Wanted:  8th grade science teachers who use an interactive and constructivist manner to engage their students.  I am beginning a research project that is going to compare teacher style and student success on the Science PSSA test and I need constructivist teachers who are willing to participate.  For more information or to participate please contact Jarrett Chapman (IUP Doctoral Candidate and Jr-Sr High Science Teacher) at j.m.chapman@iup.edu

June 30, 2010 – Interested in serving in a leadership position with PSTA?  Visit the nomination forms section of the webpage under “about” above and submit a nomination form now. Nomination forms are due July 31, 2010!

June 15, 2010 – Several students from Pennsylvania were winners at the International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, CA May 8-15, 2010.  To see an entire listing of the Pennsylvania recipients, please click here.