BRIDGING THE DISCIPLINES
Today's complex problems, such as avoiding a flu pandemic or responding
to natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, require many
scientists and researchers from different science disciplines to
work together to find solutions. As modern science evolves into
many interdisciplinary fields—astrophysics, astrobiology,
and astrochemistry; bioethics, biotechnology, and bioinformatics;
geophysics, geochemistry, and geohydrology—your teaching activities
and ideas can bridge the disciplines and include material outside
of a strictly focused, discipline-based curriculum. Read in this
issue how other teachers have bridged the disciplines.
the Disciplines in the News
Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (visit
for national news for science educators).
Stories selected for this month’s issue will enable you to
explore ways to work across the different science disciplines and
with other subject areas.
to learn more.
on the Web
In this month's high school journal, The Science Teacher,
NSTA members can read "Connecting Earthquakes and Violins."
The link to that article is http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=tst&n=51190.
Journal Articles on Bridging the Disciplines
The archives of The Science Teacher yielded several articles
that show how other teachers of science bridge the different disiplines
of science in their classrooms.
Click here to read more:
The NSTA Science Store and catalogs offer NSTA Press books and
other outstanding titles for science educators. The selections for
this issue are grade appropriate and were chosen for their relevance
to this month's theme: Science Across the Disciplines.
Click here for this month's selection:
Click here for the newest titles from NSTA Press:
To receive the latest NSTA catalog for your specific grade level,
These face-to-face professional development opportunities
at NSTA conventions are half-day, standards-based programs designed
to enhance educators' scientific content and pedagogical practices.
Presenters include scientists, engineers, and educational specialists
from NASA, as well as renowned NSTA Press authors. Three exciting
programs are scheduled to take place this fall at the NSTA Area
Conventions in Chicago and Nashville. For more information, visit
These 90-minute live professional development experiences
use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact
with nationally acclaimed experts; NSTA Press authors; and scientists,
engineers, and education specialists from NSTA government partners,
such as NASA and NOAA—all from the convenience of your desktop!
Educators use online tools that allow them to mark
up and annotate presenters' slides, share desktop applications,
or engage in chats and surveys and respond to poll questions with
others online. Seminars may be archived and are available for
viewing after the live event has occurred. Be sure to check out
the fall schedule for these exciting learning opportunities and
register by going to http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp.
the World's Children: Patterns of Growth and Inequality
"Many developing countries have made dramatic
progress over the past several decades to enroll their children
in school. Still, too many children—especially girls and
those in rural areas—are out of school or leave school before
graduating from the primary level and have little opportunity
to attend secondary school." This excerpt is from the recently
released report Educating the World's Children: Patterns of
Growth and Inequality, authored by the Education Policy
and Data Center at the Academy for Educational Development (AED).
To read the report, visit http://eportal1-ssdc.aed.org/extend/en/external/epdc_reports/EducatingTheWorldsChildren.pdf.
Unveils New Name for Time-Honored Conventions
NSTA has unveiled a new name—and an enriched
format—for its time-honored annual conventions. Long considered
the premiere professional development events for science educators,
NSTA’s national and area conventions will now be called
NSTA Conferences on Science Education. The change reflects
the growth and evolution of conventions into deeper, more meaningful
professional development experiences for teachers. NSTA will
debut the new name at its 54th National Conference on Science
Education, which takes place April 6–9, 2006, in
Anaheim, California, and is expected to draw more than 13,000
attendees. "Science, The Universal Language" is the
theme. To read the NSTA Reports article on this announcement,
Treasurer Post Open
NSTA seeks applicants for the NSTA Treasurer position.
Responsibilities include oversight of the association’s
financial and budgetary matters. The Treasurer shall be appointed
by the Board of Directors for a three-year term of office, which
may be renewed for another three-year term. Appointees will
be expected to devote 10-12 days of service a year for this
nonstaff position. An honorarium will be provided, as well as
reimbursement for required meeting attendance (travel and per
For additional information about the position’s
responsibilities, visit http://careers.nsta.org/job_detail.asp?jobid=308.
Application deadline: January 15, 2006. Interested
individuals are invited to submit their resume, along with a
cover letter that specifies interest in being considered for
appointment, to NSTA Executive Director, 1840 Wilson Blvd.,
Arlington, VA 22201-3092.
The Science Teacher (grades 912)
has issued a Call for Papers on specific topics. Click here
to find out more:
Technology, and Society
THE FINE PRINT
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