Technology Conferences and Science Teachers: Fun & Learning
Posted by: Peter Rillero in All Grade Levels, Classroom Best Practices, Elementary School Science, High School Science, Instructional Leadership, Middle School Science, On-Line Learning, tags: NECC, Northstar, NSTA, NYSCATE, Peter Reynolds, Science Teacher Conferences, Teaching with Technology, Technology ConferencesLast week I had the good fortune to attend the NYSCATE conference. As an enthusiastic science educator, I have always enjoyed and profited from science teacher conferences, such as the NSTA regional and national conferences and state conferences (NY, AZ, and OH). I still get those special sensations of “I am with my own people” and “Let the science geek inside me run free” whenever I am part of the science teacher convention scene. I think at my first science teacher conference, I must have felt like Barack Obama when he visited Kenya for the first time and met his welcoming relatives.
After attending NSCATE and NECC, I have to confess that these tech folks really know how to have fun. Of course, upstate New Yorkers tend to be on the friendly side anyway, but the NYSCATE folks really planned on powerfully fun experiences. Is it something about teachers and administrators who use technology that make them more fun? Or is it just that sponsors of technology conferences are more lavish in their support?
At the conference I was fortunate enough to have Helen Padgett, the incoming ISTE president, introduce me to Peter Reynolds (photo to the right), the author of many children’s books including Northstar (online reading at http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/). In Northstar, Peter reminds us to take our own paths, take time to explore the world around us (like why leaves float), and that things we learn along the journey will later be useful.
Of course, NECC was also a lot of fun, with even bigger budgets and all kinds of parties. This year NECC is in Washington, DC. All sorts of ideas can be learned and new products discovered at technology conferences which can be used as one progresses in his or her own journey. Because of the learning and the fun, I recommend that all science educators experience at least one tech conference!
Upcoming Technology Conferences (chronological order)
Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC), January 21–24, 2009 , Orlando, FL fetc.org
Midwest Educational Technology Conference (METC) , January 26–28, 2009, St. Charles, MO www2.csd.org/metc2009.htm
Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), February 2–6, 2009, Austin, TX www.tcea.org
CoSN’s School Networking Conference, March 10–12, 2009, Austin, TX www.k12schoolnetworking.org/2009/
International Technology Education Association (ITEA) , March 26–28, 2009, Louisville, KY www.iteaconnect.org
Nebraska Educational Technology Association) Conference, April 23-24, 2009, LaVista Embassy Suites Conference Center, Omaha, NE http://www.netasite.org/
Arizona Technology in Education Alliance, May 2, 2009, Raymond Kellis High School, Glendale, AZ http://www.aztea.org/conferences.html
The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE) Metro Conference, May 18-19, 2009, Hilton Rye Town Hotel, 99 Westchester Ave., Rye Brook, NY http://www.nyscate.org/conferences.cfm?subpage=281
National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) June 28—July 1, 2009, Walter E. Washington Convention Center http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2009/
Upcoming State Science Teacher Conferences
Buoy Your Pedagogy: Attend a Conference
(from http://www.pasco.com/resources)
|
Date |
Conference |
City, State |
|
Dec 10 – 11, 2008 |
SOITA – Southern Ohio Instructional Technology Association |
Dayton, OH |
|
Jan 7, 2009 |
SEA – Southwest Education Alliance K-8 Science Conference |
Charlotte, NC |
|
Jan 8 – 10, 2009 |
ASTE – The Association for Science Teacher Education 2009 International Conference |
Hartford, CT |
|
Jan 9 – 10, 2009 |
WYMST – Wyoming Math & Science Teachers’ Professional Development Conference |
Casper, WY |
|
Jan 15 – 18, 2009 |
CLHS/NHSA – California League of High Schools/National High School Association Annual Conference |
Monterey, CA |
|
Jan 19, 2009 |
PMSA – Pennsylvania Middle School Association Western Region Conference |
Pittsburgh, PA |
|
Jan 23 – 25, 2009 |
FETC – Florida Educational Technology Conference |
Orlando, FL |
|
Jan 23 – 24, 2009 |
SNMSC – Southern Nevada Mathematics and Science Conference |
Las Vegas, NV |
|
Jan 26 – 27, 2009 |
TASA – Texas Association of School Administrators Education Expo |
Austin, TX |
|
Jan 26 – 28, 2009 |
METC – Midwest Education Technology Conference |
St. Charles, MO |
|
Jan 29 – 31, 2009 |
ANJEE – Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education |
Princeton, NJ |
|
Feb 2 – 6, 2009 |
TCEA – Texas Computer Education Association |
Austin, TX |
|
Feb 4 – 6, 2009 |
HASTI – Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. |
Indianapolis, IN |
|
Feb 12 – 14, 2009 |
GSTA – Georgia Science Teachers Association |
Savannah, GA |
|
Feb 12 – 16, 2009 |
AAPT/AAAS – AAPT/AAAS Joint Winter Meeting |
Chicago, IL |
|
Feb 19 – 21, 2009 |
TCCTA – Texas Community College Teachers Association |
Austin, TX |
|
Feb 24 – 27, 2009 |
ICE-IL – Illinois Computing Educators |
St. Charles, IL |
|
Mar 4, 2009 |
MEES – Massachusetts Environmental Education Society |
Worcester, MA |
|
Mar 5 – 7, 2009 |
TMSA – Texas Middle School Association |
Galveston , TX |
|
Mar 5 – 7, 2009 |
WSST – Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers |
Milwaukee, WI |
|
Mar 5 – 7, 2009 |
MSTA – Michigan Science Teachers Association |
Detroit, MI |
|
Mar 9, 2009 |
CAIS – CAIS 2009 Northern Regional Meeting |
Oakland, CA |
|
Mar 10 – 12, 2009 |
CoSN – Consortium for School Networking K-12 Conference |
Austin, TX |
|
Mar 12 – 14, 2009 |
CLMS – California League of Middle Schools Annual Conference |
San Diego, CA |
|
Mar 14 – 16, 2009 |
ASCD – Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development |
Orlando, FL |
|
Mar 19 – 22, 2009 |
NSTA – National Science Teachers Association |
New Orleans, LA |
|
Mar 20 – 21, 2009 |
WSTA – Washington Science Teachers’ Association |
Moses Lake, WA |
|
Mar 20 – 21, 2009 |
2YC3 – Two-Year College Chemistry Conference |
Salt Lake City, UT |
|
Mar 24, 2009 |
NHSTA – New Hampshire Science Teachers Association Spring Conference |
Exeter, NH |
|
Apr 5 – 7, 2009 |
NELMS – New England League of Middle Schools |
Providence, RI |
|
Apr 5 – 7, 2009 |
NELMS – New England League of Middle Schools |
Providence, RI |
|
Apr 23 – 24, 2009 |
NETA – Nebraska Educational Technology Association |
Omaha, NE |
|
Apr 23 – 24, 2009 |
NYSTEA – New York State Technology Education Association |
Lake George, NY |
|
Jun 14 – 17, 2009 |
ASEE – American Society for Engineering Education |
Austin, TX |
|
Aug 6, 2009 |
Teacher Expo – Teacher Expo |
Eatontown, NJ |
|
Aug 12, 2009 |
Teacher Expo – Teacher Expo |
Wayne, NJ |
|
Aug 19, 2009 |
Teacher Expo – Teacher Expo |
Cherry Hill, NJ |
|
Oct 22 – 24, 2009 |
CSEC – California Science Education Conference |
Palm Springs, CA |
|
Oct 28 – 30, 2009 |
NSBA T+L – National School Boards Association Tech and Learning |
Denver, CO |
|
Nov 19 – 20, 2009 |
NCSTA – North Carolina Science Teachers Association |
Greensboro, NC |
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