If you have questions about the new standards and implementation, check out our FAQ document: https://bit.ly/STEELSfaq

We worked with PDE to create this document for teachers across the state. 

We are in the process of scheduling webinars for the spring and summer months! Be sure to check our Events page for the links to register via Zoom! 

Tuesday, February 21st at 7 pm: Conservation Science: A Hands-On STEM Curriculum

Come learn about how Conservation Science can be used in your classroom. Teachers have stated "This is a really good application based curriculum." Check out how you can use Conservation Science in your specific discipline! The Conservation Science curriculum engages students in doing science and developing important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, data collection, etc.

Tuesday, February 28th at 7 pm: Skype a Scientist

Skype a Scientist is a free program that matches teachers with scientists for Q&A sessions! Join Skype a Scientist's founder, Sarah McAnulty, for a practical guide on how to use the program with your classroom.

Tuesday, April 11th at 7 pm: Achieving STEELS through Defined Learning

Explore how to drive student engagement and achievement through real-world project-based learning. Explore how Defined Learning provide teachers with the tools that align with STEELS for the  implementation of high-quality PBL that builds future-ready skills.

Award nominations are now open for our five awards: The Donald Keys Excellence in Science Teaching Award, The PSTA Science Administrator of the Year Award, The William B. McIlwaine Science Teaching Award, The Leadership in Science Education Award, and the PSTA Fellows Award. Only PSTA members can nominate for the awards, but the applicants DO NOT have to be PSTA members. To fill out the nomination form, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/M4jRcjtrb5a2CttH9 For more information about each award, see below. Nominations for awards are due by June 30, 2022. The awards committee will then reach out to the applicants to complete their application. 

For more information about each of these awards and the application requirements, see: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CLZzcMb0rgSfbMLxOVOe4e9uxkz4-yGD?usp=sharing

Join two PA science educators on Monday, January 25th for a free webinar and panel discussion. All science educators are welcome to attend as most of the strategies can be transferred across science disciplines. This webinar is not only for chemistry educators! 

During the webinar, we will share labs that students can do at home, labs with virtual lab partners and discuss evidence-based strategies that work (and those that don't). We will show you how to use programs like Nearpod®, PearDeck®, Edpuzzle® and others, to check for understanding as well as sharing and viewing student data in a socially distanced way. We are also excited to hear about the great things you are doing in your class to maintain the rigor of a college chemistry course in these challenging times.

REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR AT

https://bit.ly/3sCyQSj

Presenters: 

Samantha Ramaswamy, AP Chemistry Teacher

Michele Whitecraft, Science Education Professor

In September 2019, the State Board of Education directed the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to begin the process of updating Pennsylvania’s science standards to align them with current research and best practices, including a review of Next Generation Science Standards. The State Board of Education’s current regulations include two sets of science standards – Science and Technology, and, Environment and Ecology – which serve as the basis for curriculum development and instruction in schools. Both sets of standards took effect on January 5, 2002.

PDE will examine the state’s current standards, outline the various components that must be addressed when changing regulations, and develop a proposed timeline for making the changes – with the overall goal being to provide the best framework possible to prepare all students to be productive citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PDE’s examination of the current standards includes input from the public. A series of stakeholder engagement sessions will be held across the state and virtually – the public is invited to attend and provide input. The stakeholder session dates, times, and locations appears below.

Register to attend a stakeholder session

PSTA understands the complication of these sessions being during the day since most of the stakeholders are teachers. We highly recommend participating in the virtual sessions to share your thoughts and input with PDE. 

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/01/17/Pa-Department-of-Education-announces-5-7-million-in-STEM-grants/stories/202001170141

The World of 7 Billion student video contest bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The contest challenges students to create a short video connecting world population growth to one of three global challenges: Sustaining Water Systems, Ensuring Economic Opportunities, and Improving Climate Resiliency. 80+ cash prizes will be awarded, and participating teachers will receive free curriculum resources. The deadline for submissions is February 27, 2020 – use this lesson plan to get started now! Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found here.