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!

February 2024

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EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

President's Message

As the days lengthen, I find myself reflecting on this season of renewal and growth. I find spring to be a time of transformation and opportunity, both personally and professionally.

Spring growth in the natural world may remind us of the importance of our science education work and the

impact we have on our communities and beyond. As science educators, our efforts contribute to positive change and progress in the lives of our students, and in the successes of our communities. Through our commitments to science education, we help lay the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Whether it's through our volunteer efforts, advocacy work, or community initiatives, each one of us plays a vital role in shaping a brighter world. As we embrace the spirit of spring, let us remind ourselves of our shared mission and the values that unite us as science educators.

May we continue to sow the seeds of curiosity, resilience, and collaboration, knowing that even the smallest actions can make a difference. Together, we have the power to cultivate positive change and create a world that is more just, equitable, and sustainable for all.

The new year brings the idealism of realizing our vision of science education for all, of having the resources to offer powerful curricula to our students, multiple professional learning events for interested educators, and elevating Elementary Science to the level of prominence needed for all students to have opportunities to learn science.

In this new year, each of us will find the resolve to continue along the path of effective science education for all students K-12, regardless of the geography of their lives, and the challenges we face in our districts. As you forge ahead, know others who share your resolve are part of the NSELA Science Education Leadership network, please join us in our dialogues!

I am filled with optimism and hope for what we can accomplish together! May you find the hope, idealism and resolve to guide your work in the months ahead. Have a fantastic 2024, NSELA looks forward to continued conversations at our Face to Face gatherings in Denver and Seattle, We hope to see you there!

NSELA Announces 2024 OLISE Awardee

NSELA is proud to announce the 2024 Outstanding Leader in Science Education Awardee! This year's OLISE Award goes to Mary Starr, the Executive Director of the Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network.

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

Stephanie Brushway - Denver Public Schools

Stephanie, from the moment she stepped into a district-level leadership role a few years ago, has tirelessly worked to use her position to influence changes in how students in a large, urban district experience classroom science. Ms. Brushway is committed to increasing instructional minutes in science, especially in K-8 grades. Prior to joining central-office administration in Denver as a Science Curriculum & Instructional Specialist, Stephanie was a teacher leader, teaching middle-school science and driving reform ideas from within her department.

To help convince school leaders to increase instructional minutes for science at their schools, Stephanie thought it would be powerful if they could, from one location, see how their schools compared with others. 

Stephanie set out to design and build a website to serve as a dashboard to school leaders so they could access all of th at information. Sometimes just seeing that other schools actually have science in their schedule is enough to convince a leader to do the same. The way Stephanie influenced that system-level change is the epitome of what successful and spotlightable science leadership should be.

The best advice Stehanie ever received as a science education leader was to “Lead how you teach: see the end goal, break it down into steps, and then work to guide others there on their own path.” The advice she gives hungry science leaders today is “Lead the best you can each day and continue to seek out new information and skills so your best is always better than the day before.”

Read Stephanie's entire Leadership Spotlight blog here!

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

Register for the 2024 NSELA Leadership Summit

As we gear up for another exceptional year of professional growth and collaboration, we are thrilled to announce that the countdown to the 2024 NSELA Leadership Summit is underway! With the release of our session lineup and schedule, attendees can start planning their personalized summit experience.

NSELA 2024 Leadership Summit

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

the Curtis Denver - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Denver, Colorado

Additionally, we are thrilled to introduce new sponsorship opportunities for the 2024 NSELA Leadership Summit. By partnering with us as a sponsor, organizations have the unique chance to showcase their commitment to advancing science education leadership while gaining exposure to our diverse community of educators, administrators, and policymakers. Interested parties are encouraged to visit our website for more information on how to become a valued partner in supporting this premier event. 

The Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader Scholarship Is Back!

Calling all new, emerging, and novice science leaders with 5 years or less experience. The Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader Scholarship (VESELS) is a gateway to professional growth with transformative mentorship and recognition at the NSELA Summer Leadership Institute in Seattle, WA. Scholars receive $500 for the Summer Leadership Institute, mentorship opportunities, and a spot in the prestigious VESEL Scholars cohort. Check the application process, criteria, and important dates. Your journey towards impactful science leadership starts here! Apply by February 21, 2024. Don't miss this chance to shape your science leadership journey! 

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.

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

Featured Free Resource

STEM Teaching Tools #95

How can STEM education leaders move with community towards culturally affirming and sustaining practices?

The National Research Council’s A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the resulting Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) represent a new vision to help all students understand the natural and built world. As educators realize this new vision, many problems of practice come up. STEM Teaching Tools are co-authored by teachers and researchers to illuminate these issues and give advice about how to accomplish specific pieces of the NGSS. The resources are short, direct, easily shareable, and offer links to other useful tools.

Check out the most recently released tool - #95!

NSELA Welcomes New Partners

Curie Level

Newton Level

Announcements

Society for Science: We invite you to apply for the Society for Science Advocate Program, which provides a $3,000 stipend and training to an individual who agrees to serve as an advocate for students from traditionally underrepresented groups to transition them from conducting scientific or engineering research projects to completing applications to STEM research competitions. Application Deadline:  March 3, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Media Literacy Now: With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and based on numerous conferences and meetings about scientific misinformation, Media Literacy Now published a report called Learning to Find Trustworthy Scientific Information. The report includes recommendations for K-12 science education and available here. 

University of Chicago: Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E) is organizing a series of focus groups to develop model data science learning progressions. Feedback will be gathered from teachers, curriculum providers, higher education stakeholders, and industry and policy professionals along with a $500 stipend. Please complete this form by February 16 if you are interested in participating and contact the DS4E team directly at marisamorgan@uchicago.edu with any questions.

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.

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

Safer Laboratory Dissection Activities

This commentary addresses the advantages and disadvantages of traditional hands-on animal dissection vs. alternative digital dissection activities.  It includes important considerations that both science/STEM teachers and supervisors need to be aware of when considering dissection activities.

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