NSELA catalyzes leadership to maximize effective science teaching and learning in a complex and changing environment. If you are receiving this email and are not a member, we encourage you to join us and get involved!

October 2023

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EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

President's Message

Happy Fall everyone! The change of seasons has been dramatic, and exhilarating, just like the work we do in science education!

The National Science Education Leadership Association, NSELA, hosted a webinar last month on the eclipses that will take place during the 2023-2024 educational

year. If you were unable to attend live, I encourage you to join veteran astronomers and educators Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi, for the webinar “Getting Teachers and School Administrators Ready for the Upcoming Solar Eclipses”.

The webinar was highly informative, and had ideas for working with school administrators, local libraries, the community at large and more! Dozens of resources were shared, including lesson plans and talking points. Science Education Leaders will play a critical role in shaping the experiences of our students during these rare and amazing celestial events!

The link to the Eclipse webinar is included in this newsletter. Find this and more in the NSELA webinar archives!

NSELA will be at the NSTA National Conference in Kansas City, as part of a “Leaders Institute” organized by NSTA. The Leaders Institute on Thursday, October 26th, will have general sessions in the morning, and breakout sessions around different leadership strands in the afternoon. NSELA and two other Science Education organizations will be facilitating the afternoon strands.

If you will be attending the 2023 National Conference on Science Education, in Kansas City, your badge will get you into the afternoon Leaders Institute strands on Thursday, October 26th. Please join us if you are in KC on Thursday! Look for NSELA sponsored sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Trisha Herminghaus

President, National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA)

Photo: Trisha with her mother during the 2017 eclipse.

Leadership Matters Column

To promote collaboration among elementary science teacher leaders, earlier this year NSELA launched a Leadership Matters column in partnership with the NSTA journal, Science and Children, to support elementary science education influencers at all levels, from the classroom to the boardroom. In the most recent column, “Activating student knowledge through Explore-Before-Explain,” the authors (Brown, McTighe, and Bybee) describe the advantages of backward planning to help students develop conceptual understanding through focused investigations that engage students’ ideas. Throughout the article, specific questions and ideas for implementation are shared to encourage teacher implementation of this research-based approach. Links to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and Math underscore the interdisciplinary advantages of this approach. View the article by clicking the button below and look for more Leadership Matters columns in the coming months!

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

For this month's Leadership Spotlight, we are fortunate to feature two members! Sandra Ryack-Bell and Kathy Renfrew from the Wade Institute for Science Education.

Sandra (Sandi) Ryack-Bell, Executive Director

Sandi has a B.S. in Marine Science and a M.A. in Education focused on working with in-service teachers to deliver quality inquiry-based science curriculum. She worked at the University of Rhode Island’s marine studies center for K-12 students, Seascope, at the Lloyd Center for the environment (a research and education facility) at Save The Bay (delivering on-the-water education programs for school groups). Sandi has also worked for a

Foundation that developed land use curriculum for schools and provided grants and training to support use of the curriculum across the country. She chaired the MA Secretary of Environmental Affairs and Energy’s Advisory Committee (SAGEE) for three years.”

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

“Be sure to be a leader that listens to the teachers you are working with. Find ways to balance what you as an administrator see as needs with what the teachers perceive as their needs. When you plan a program or working groups for your teachers, be sure they understand the goals and have the resources to be successful.”

What’s the best advice anyone has given you as a science leader?

Sandi says, “Listen to the needs of the teachers and make sure you are addressing their issues in a way that supports both their needs as well as the school/school districts. Be sure to include the teachers in the loop as you design and deliver professional learning (PL). Be open to adapting and changing the focal point of the PL to be sure teacher’s buy into the PL.”

Kathy Renfrew, Education Specialist

Kathy has planned professional development as the Elementary Science Assessment Coordinator for the Vermont Agency of Education and has worked with the Council of State Science Supervisors, National Math and Science Initiative, and the Massachusetts Reading Association. She coaches educators throughout the country with Sibme and is President of the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees (SEPA).  

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

“Have a vision for what science leadership means to you and how your role is making quality science instruction happen for all learners.” Kathy has observed that student centered learning drives engagement and interest in science.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you as a science leader? 

Kathy describes Stephen Pruitt, originator and advocate of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), as having a lot of passion and a strong belief in the need for new science standards. His drive to facilitate change for the sake of all science learners motivated Kathy to join the movement towards NGSS adoption.

Do you have someone in mind for the Leadership Spotlight? Self-nominations are welcome! Click the button to access the submission form.

Join an NSELA Committee and Help Shape National Science Education!

At NSELA, collaboration and shared expertise are crucial in driving positive change in science education. We invite you to become a committee member and contribute to shaping our organization's direction while advancing national science education. Our three standing committees - Communications & Marketing, Membership, and Professional Learning - provide incredible opportunities for experienced educators, enthusiastic advocates, and dedicated professionals like you to share your unique skills and insights. By joining us, you can make a meaningful impact on the future of science education. Come and be a part of something meaningful! Join us today and become a valuable member of NSELA, where your contributions will shape the landscape of science education nationwide. Together, let's create a brighter future for science education.

OLISE Applications Open!

Are you or a colleague an outstanding leader in science education? Consider applying for the NSELA's yearly Outstanding Leadership in Science Education (OLISE) Award! Applications close on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Click the button to learn more.

Save the Date! 2024 NSELA Leadership Summit

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

the Curtis Denver - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Denver, Colorado

New Webinar Recording Available for Members

We are excited to announce that the recording of our recent webinar, "Getting Teachers and School Administrators Ready for the Upcoming Solar Eclipses," is now available for members.

In this webinar, our expert panelists shared their insights on making the most of these celestial events. They covered topics such as:

• key messages for school administrators,
• where the eclipses will be visible,
• how to view them safely,
• what learning activity resources are available,
• what causes them, and
• why they are such rare events (or are they?).

If you missed the webinar or would like to watch it again, you can access the recording by clicking the button below. All webinars can be accessed through the Member Portal.

Not a member yet? Sign up today and get access to the recording for free, as well as other exclusive member benefits.

Upcoming Partner Webinars

NSELA is pleased to announce two webinars in November from our partners. Please visit the NSELA website for more information on how to register and attend one or both of these online professional learning events!

November 1, 2023

Title: Gamifying the K-5 Classroom: A Cross-Curricular Approach to Deeper Learning

Partner: Legends of Learning

Speakers: Sean Reidy & Andrea Goddard

Description: This session will focus on supporting K-5 instruction by using Game Based Learning to integrate cross-curricular instruction. Participants will learn about a variety of GBL best practices and strategies that they can use to create engaging and meaningful cross-curricular learning experiences for their students.

November 15, 2023

Title: Practicing the Practices to drive Middle School Student Readiness

Partner: BrainPOP

Speaker: This webinar will focus on middle school science. Specifically when your MS students get to HS, what should the HS teachers expect them to be prepared to do? What are the skills or practices they should be mastering in MS?

Main Takeaway: A vision of how providing MS students time to “practice the practices” while also focusing on expanding teacher capacity for multi-dimensional science can lead to increased student readiness for the rigors of HS science courses as well as for class, district, or state assessments.

COLLABORATE
Highlighting the work of our members, partners, and other organizations.

Featured Free Resource

Diversity in STEM Education Summit: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teacher Workforce (Washington, DC)

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is hosting an opportunity is for state and school district teams to share ideas and develop plans to attract and retain a diverse teaching workforce. The event will take place March 8-10 in Washington, D.C. Team can apply to participate and science leaders can apply to serve as mentors by December 15th.

Participants selected for the program who reside outside of a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. will receive travel and accommodations provided by the SSEC. There are two information sessions on November 8th. Interested applicants can register for the Zoom sessions via links on the event landing page.

Please contact Sherrell Williams with questions.

Announcements

Wade Institute for Science Education: Join the Wade Institute for Science Education and our collaborating partners, the Lloyd Center for the Environment and Buttonwood Park Zoo, for our 2023 STEM Challenge, “Engineering Design Challenge: Animal Adaptations and Bioengineering”! Learn more and register here.

Massachusetts Science Education Leadership Association: Registration for the MSELA 2023 Fall Conference is now open! Learn more and register here.

Advertise in the NSELA Newsletter

Would your organization like to reach the science leadership audience that is NSELA? Or do you know of an organization that would like to advertise? View this brochure to learn more! Please pass along to your colleagues.

SAFER LABS: Be Protected!
By Dr. Ken Roy, NSELA Safety Compliance Officer

A Hazardous Chemical Beyond Its Time

Biological and chemical waste is highly regulated by local, state, and federal laws and therefore must be disposed of in a safer way. Learn more by reading this latest blog!

Thank you to our Partners!

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