You can make a difference! Please act today.

As you know, The PA science standards are outdated and sorely need to be modernized. We received word that there may be some changes coming soon, so we need your help. We're asking you to write letters to three decision makers at PDE to let them know how you feel about the current standards and what you think should happen with them. 

Yes, you read that correctly. We're asking you to actually print out a letter and mail it in. "Who writes letters anymore?" you may ask. The people who want to actually make change, that's who. Emails, Tweets and calls are OK to get short-term attention but we need real, paper and ink letters that can be copied and shown to the politicians making decisions.

You won't need to write a book. All they need to hear is how frustrated science teachers are with the current standards and how much better shape we'd be in with the NGSS. There will be a sample letter copied below for you to model yours on. Once you're done writing it, send a copy to each of these people:
Pedro A. Rivera, Secretary, Department of Education
Matthew S. Stem, Deputy Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Brian Campbell, Director, Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
The address is: PA Department of Education 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17126

Secretary Rivera wrote an op-ed in a number of papers across the state this week touting the changes PDE has made that will help our students succeed. One glaring omission was any word about science and STEM standards. Please remind him how important it is to have modern standards for us to teach from.

Sample Letter:

Secretary Pedro Rivera

PA Department of Education

333 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17126

 

Dear Secretary Rivera:

I am a retired elementary/middle school science teacher and IUP professor. I write to you today regarding the current legal PA Academic Standards for Science and Technology. Adopted in 2002, they are extremely confusing, non-specific by grade level and outdated. I have often witnessed the confusion and frustration exhibited by classroom teachers trying to navigate between those and their non-legal 2009 counterpart. Unfortunately, the ramifications for students and science education are dire.

The students of the Commonwealth deserve to have access to the best possible science education at all levels. This requires a current, consistently used, research-based set of science standards employed by educators statewide. I strongly encourage the Pennsylvania Department of Education to adopt new standards, specifically, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), to accomplish this goal. 

 

Respectfully,

Science Teacher

At the 2018 conference, PSTA made $665.00 on the professional development silent auction. Each of two winners of the drawing will be awarded a $332.50 professional development stipend. Thanks to all conference attendees who participated and made the event so successful. The winners are:
Eileen Coughlin, Falk School/Pitt
and
Todd Smeltz, Upper Dauphin SD

PSTA needs dedicated, passionate leaders to join our team!

Please consider running for one of the following positions that are currently vacant on the PSTA Board of Directors:

• Vice President
• K-12 Regional Representatives: Central, Central Western, Eastern, Northeastern, Midwestern, Northwestern and Southwestern
• Central College Representative (open to college and university faculty only).

If you are interested in running for any of these positions or have questions regarding a position, please contact Todd, our Recording Secretary, as soon as possible at moleman89@gmail.com. 

When you reply, please include the following: indicate the position that you are interested in, your school/institution affiliation, your school's county, your county of residence, a short bio about your qualifications, and that you are a PSTA member in good standing. 

Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2018. 

Advance Program for the 2018 Conference is available! To see the program for PSTA 2018, click here!

The PSTA Board has taken a position on the NGSS. Please take a look at the statement HERE.

The PSTA Board has taken a position on the NGSS. Please take a look at the statement HERE.

Early bird registration for or annual conference is now open.

Click HERE for direct access.

It is with excitement that we announce the second annual Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) Logo design competition. This first annual event that will allow Pennsylvania students to use their creativity, critical thinking and technology skills to design a logo that will be considered as the symbol for the 2018 PSTA Conference, STEM Education: A Pathway to Success​. ​Students can use creativity to design a logo that reflects their interpretation and vision relative to the conference theme and that reflects what they think the future of science education will look like! Deadline is May 13. More information and forms are available here: goo.gl/dbAS6q

The mission of the Pennsylvania Science Teacher's Association (PSTA) is to connect, inform, support, and advocate for science educators and students in Pennsylvania. As a science educator in the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Science Teacher's Association is asking for your input! We are conducting a survey to determine the future direction of the organization. Please share your opinions using the form below.
Thank you! --PSTA Board of Directors

https://goo.gl/zXy6jt

Check out the first post for our BRAND NEW blog! 

Keeping Up With Keystones - Best Practices for Student Success

Standardized tests have played a role in the American education system since the 1800s. After the No Child Left Behind Act (2002) was passed, educators experienced even more pressure to increase student performance on such tests to be considered an effective teacher. As Pennsylvania teachers, we are responsible for preparing students for the end of year tests such as PSSAs, Keystones, or Advanced Placement exams. Many teachers ask How can I best prepare my students for the Keystone?

I was able to sit down with Jennifer Henney, a biology teacher at Penn-Trafford High School, and ask her about her preparations for the Keystone exam each May.

 Read more...