National Science Teaching Association Explained

National Science Teaching Association
Abbreviation:NSTA
Formation:1944
Headquarters:Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Membership:40,000

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 (as the National Science Teachers Association) and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is an association of science teachers in the United States and is the largest organization of science teachers worldwide. NSTA's current membership of roughly 40,000[1] includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.

The Association publishes a professional journal for each level of science teaching; a newspaper, NSTA Reports; and many other educational books and professional publications. Each year NSTA conducts a national conference and a series of area conferences. These events attract over 30,000 attendees annually. The Association serves as an advocate for science educators by keeping its members and the general public informed about national issues and trends in science education.[2]

History

NSTA was formed by the merger of two existing non-professional organizations, the American Science Teachers Association and the American Council of Science Teachers, at a July 1944 meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[3] The organization was initially headquartered at Cornell University.[4] This first permanent headquarters, purchased in 1972, was located on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., and then moved to Arlington, Virginia in 1994.

Position statements

NSTA is engaged in an ongoing effort to "identify the qualities and standards of good science education," publishing its findings in the form of position statements.[5] These position statements are developed by science educators, scientists, and other national experts in science education, and the input of NSTA's membership is solicited before final approval by the board of directors. Over 35 topics are covered, including The Nature of Science, Safety and Science Instruction, The Teaching of Evolution, Environmental education, Responsible Use of Live Animals and Dissection in the Science Classroom, Gender Equity in Science Education, and Use of the Metric System.

In 2018, the NSTA urged teachers to "emphasize to students that no scientific controversy exists regarding the basic facts of climate change."[6]

Science Matters

Science Matters[7] is a major public awareness and engagement campaign designed to rekindle a national sense of urgency and action among schools and families about the importance of science education and science literacy. Science Matters builds on the success of the Building a Presence for Science program, first launched in 1997 as an e-networking initiative to assist teachers of science with professional development opportunities. The Building a Presence for Science network—now the Science Matters network—reaches readers in 34 states and the District of Columbia.[8]

Publications

Peer-reviewed journals:

Books:

NSTA's publishing arm, NSTA Press,[12] publishes 20–25 new titles per year. The NSTA Science Store[13] offers selected publications from other publishers in addition to NSTA Press books.

NSTA student chapters

In addition to state/province chapters and associated groups,[14] NSTA has over 100 student chapters.[15] NSTA and the student chapters are separate but interdependent organizations that have elected to ally themselves to encourage professional development and networking of preservice teachers of science from across the United States and Canada.

NSTA affiliates

As of 2018, NSTA has the following affiliates:

Outstanding Science Trade Books Award

This award is a joint project of NSTA and the Children’s Book Council. It has been awarded since 1973.[16]

2022

2021

Best STEM Books Award

Best STEM Books is a joint project of NSTA and CBC since 2017 that represents the year’s best children’s books with STEM content.[17]

2023

2022

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Science Teaching Association . 2022-05-11.
  2. Web site: About NSTA: An Overview. NSTA. 2007-12-12.
  3. Book: Pratt, Harold. Encyclopedia of education. Macmillan Reference USA. Guthrie, James W. (Ed.). 2002. 9780028655949. 2nd. New York. 1791. National Science Teachers Association. 49872009.
  4. April 21, 1944. The National Science Teachers Association. 1671415. Science. 99. 2573. 316. 10.1126/science.99.2573.316. 17737223.
  5. Web site: NSTA Position Statements. NSTA. 2014-04-11.
  6. Web site: National Teachers Group Confronts Climate Denial: Keep the Politics Out of Science Class. McKenna. Phil. 2018-09-13. InsideClimate News. en-US. 2020-01-17.
  7. Web site: Science Matters. NSTA. 2007-12-12.
  8. Web site: About NSTA: An Overview. 2010-05-17. 1997–2010.
  9. Book: Lehman, Jeffrey R.. Historical dictionary of American education. 1999. Greenwood Press. Altenbaugh, Richard J., (Ed.). 9780313285905. Westport, Conn. 252. 49569806.
  10. NSTA Journal of College Science Teaching. Retrieved on 2010-05-18
  11. Web site: NSTA Recommends . NSTA . November 4, 2016.
  12. NSTA NSTA Press. Retrieved on 2010-05-18
  13. NSTA NSTA Science Store. Retrieved on 2010-05-18
  14. Web site: NSTA Chapters and Associated Groups. NSTA. 2014-04-11.
  15. Web site: NSTA Student Chapters. NSTA. 2014-04-11.
  16. Web site: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12. nsta.org.
  17. Web site: Best STEM Books K–12. nsta.org.

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