Submissions are now being accepted for the eighth annual Shell Science Lab Challenge. The Challenge encourages science teachers (grades 6–12) in the United States and Canada, who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences using limited school and laboratory resources, to apply for a chance to win up to $93,000 in prizes, including a grand prize school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. The deadline for submissions is December 15.

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) recently released a draft of K-12 science standards that alter and/or remove text regarding climate change and evolution. In a letter to the PED, NSTA indicated its support for the "adoption of the NGSS the way the writers wrote them because it reflects the best research in science and how students learn science." NSTA also expressed its support for the teachers in New Mexico who work hard to advocate for high-quality standards for their students. Read NSTA's letter.

Do you think quality professional development should be the goal of STEM certification? American Association of Chemistry Teachers President and Governing Board Chair Jenelle Ball gives her thoughts on that topic and more in the second blog post from the What Goes Into STEM Certification series.

Join NSTA's Nominations Committee September 28 at 9:00 pm Eastern Time for an #NSTAchat on the upcoming 2018 NSTA Board and Council election. Join the conversation on Twitter by using and searching the hashtag #NSTAchat.

Do you want to increase your school and district capacity to support implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and three-dimensional instruction? Then join us in one of three cities for a Discover the NGSS Train-the-Trainer Workshop: Baltimore (October 6–7); Milwaukee (November 10–11); or New Orleans (December 1–2).

Applications are now being accepted for the third annual Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy. The program—designed specifically for middle school teachers (grades 5–8)—was established to help enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in STEM, while increasing teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. This year, the Academy will support up to 27 teachers located in school districts in select Northrop Grumman communities. Learn more.

The National Science Foundation and the National Nanotechnology Initiative are inviting 6th through 12th graders—individuals or teams of 2–3—to compete in this year's Generation Nano: Superheroes Inspired by Science Challenge . Students compete for scholarship money and a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival by creating a superhero using science, and telling their story in a short comic or video. Honorariums for teacher(s) involved with the winning teams will be available. Learn more here .

NSTA Press has the resources you need for your classroom. From now until October 31, get free shipping on orders of $75 or more. (Offer valid only on orders placed for NSTA Press and NSTA Kids books to U.S. addresses. May not be combined with any other offer.)

Earn Graduate credit at classes taught by the Museum's world-class scientists and experienced course educators with the Online Teacher Education Program. Get access to cutting-edge research and powerful classroom resources with these easy-to-navigate, accessible courses.

 

Fall Session 2

Oct. 30 – Dec. 10

Registration deadline: Oct. 16

Register by Oct. 2 to save $50

 

Visit http://www.amnh.org/learn to learn more.