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!

June 2024

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EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

President's Corner

Welcome to Andy as the new President of NSELA! The monthly President's Message is going to change up a bit, becoming the President's Corner; a place for a call to action for members. Be on the lookout for a more detailed President's Message every quarter. 

As we continue cultivating a vibrant and dynamic community of science education leaders, I encourage you to take a moment to ensure that the "referred by" field in your NSELA profile is filled in. This small yet significant action helps us gain valuable insights into the networks and connections that have brought us together, whether it was a mentor, colleague, event, or organization. Understanding these pathways will enable us to strengthen our community and build a more robust support system. Your participation is crucial in mapping out the connections that define our association's growth 

and reach, helping us identify key influencers and effective outreach strategies. Together, let's enhance our collective knowledge and appreciation of the network that makes NSELA a powerhouse of science education leadership. The link below contains step-by-step instructions on accessing your profile on the NSELA website. Thank you for your dedication and for taking the time to update your profile details.

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

Daniel Alcazar-Roman

Associate Director, Learning Design Group

Center for K-12 Science

The Lawrence Hall of Science

University of California, Berkeley

Daniel's career in education started in Houston where he taught 2nd grade at Roosevelt Elementary. Daniel has taught students in early elementary through middle school, in dual-language and gifted and talented programs. Later he served as a school administrator and a district science supervisor in the Houston Independent School District. After a move to DC, Daniel worked as the science director at Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia before joining the District of Columbia State Education Agency to lead the development 

of the NGSS science assessment system. For the last three years, he have been working as an associate director at the Learning Design Group where they work on research and the design of science instructional materials.

What has been a success of your leadership in science education that you are proud of? What has been challenging?

I am most proud when I see students finding a love for science and when teachers feel empowered to teach science and when they have the time, instructional resources, and professional learning opportunities to be successful. I was proud to see the District of Columbia science education community come together to envision, design, and develop an assessment system that is rigorous and reflects the vision of the Framework of K-12 Science Education. I am also proud of the amazing work that our team at The Lawrence Hall of Science Center for K-12 Science does every day in service of students, teachers, school systems and their communities.

A critical barrier for aspiring African American and Latine leaders in science education is the limited access to professional support networks and mentorship from individuals who share their cultural background and language. This lack of cultural connection can make it difficult for them to find guidance and role models they can fully identify with. That is why I support programs that seek to improve recruitment and retention of educators of color, and to build strong leadership pathways

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

There is still a lot of work to do to improve science education. Here's how you can get involved:

• Find your Community: Connect with a diverse group of people who share your passion for science education. Learn from their experiences and share your own ideas.
• Find Your Focus: Identify a specific area of science education that excites you. Dedicate time to developing your expertise in this niche.
• Contribute to Solutions: Connect with researchers, participate in discussions, and collaborate on developing solutions for science education challenges.
• Empower the Next Generation: If you're in a leadership role, remember someone once believed in you. Mentor a teacher leader, encourage others, and find ways to involve them in your work and network.

Daniel is an active member of the Communications and Publications Committee. Read Daniel's entire Leadership Spotlight using the link below.

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 Summer Leadership Institute

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

NOAA Sea to Sky: Education Resource Database

The NOAA's Sea to Sky education resource database is a collection of education resources created by NOAA and their partners. You can search more than 1,300 educational resources by grade, standards, topic, and more! It’s everything but the ‘carbon sink.’

More information about opportunities and resources from across NOAA for students, educators, and curious people 

everywhere can be found on the NOAA Education Website. You can connect with the NOAA team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Partner Feature

Partners featured in the NSELA E-Navigator support NSELA at the Einstein, Carver, or Curie levels. We are grateful to all our partners and appreciate their support. Click the button to learn more about the benefits of an NSELA partnership.

Vernier

In what ways is science education leadership important to/in your organization?

By collaborating with leaders in the science education space through national and regional organizations, conferences, and research groups, we stay attuned to the real-world challenges that students, teachers, and administrators face. These partnerships help us find new ways to better support educators and foster the next generation of curious, engaged, and STEM-literate students.

How does your organization support science education leaders?

Vernier is deeply invested in the future of STEM education, and that means supporting the leaders who shape it. We recently crystallized our long-term commitment to the science education community by transitioning to a Perpetual Purpose Trust ownership model—ensuring that Vernier will always prioritize our mission to support science education leaders, teachers, and students over profits. This decision empowers us to give back to the community through financial, educational, and professional support to further science and science education, which is what we believe in and why we exist.

Why did you want to partner with NSELA?

NSELA is a crucial forum where we can really listen to what our education leaders are thinking, hear what their pain points are, understand their challenges, and learn about big picture patterns in education. Our collaboration with NSELA allows us to contribute to the wider goals of enhancing science literacy. Since 2017, we have sponsored the Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader Scholarship (VESELS) Award, which supports the professional growth, mentorship, and development of emerging science leaders across the country.

We always welcome conversations with NSELA members, so if you have questions or want to speak with us about needs in your district, please reach out to our team at solutions@vernier.com.

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

Legal Protection for Science Teacher/Supervisor Employees

School science/STEM teachers and other laboratory instructional space employees, including supervisors, are protected by various federal and state laws, as well as local and school regulations and policies, against administrative intervention and retaliation for intervening on safety violations.

Thank you to our Partners!

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