| Illinois Science Teaching Association |
2024 Annual Conference
October 14, 2024
NIU Naperville Campus
Help make the conference a success by presenting a session. Click here to submit a proposal
Click here to register as an exhibitor
Click here to register for the conference
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Our students’ future depends on their being prepared to analyze and interpret data in many forms to make informed, rational decisions. The focus of this year’s conference spotlights how to provide learning opportunities that allow students to define and answer questions that allow them to construct and apply valid scientific knowledge to all situations. Sessions will delve into aspects of one or more of the conference’s three threads.
Thread 1: Planning Purposefully
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- How can we design embedded three-dimensional assessments to support the phenomena we use?
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- Workshops will explore the decision we need to make related to choosing phenomena to how to connect disciplinary core ideas, cross cutting concepts and science and engineering practices to designing embedded assessments.
Thread 2: Making Methods Meaningful
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- What do we do so that well-designed lesson plans actually work in the classroom?
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- Workshops will explore the realities of implementing quality science pedagogy.
Thread 3: Situating Science in the Classroom
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- How can we use science as the context to engage students with other disciplines (e.g., ELA, mathematics, computer science, agriculture)?
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- Workshops will explore integrating other disciplinary standards when teaching science.
Schedule
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00 - 9:00
Sessions: - 9:00 - 12:00
Lunch (provided): 12:00 - 1:30
Sessions: 1:30 - 3:30
Exhibits open 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
HOTEL INFORMATION
There are numerous hotels within 2-5 miles of the conference site. Search the Wheaton or Naperville areas for list including a range of prices and amenities.
Address Conference Exhibit Questions and Questions related to Workshop Proposals to:
Ken Weter <assistantexecutivedirector@ilscience.org>
Phone: 309-660-9902
Address Questions related to the Registration Process or Fiscal Arrangements to:
Bob Wolffe <finance@ilscience.org>
Phone: 309-472-3118
ISTA NEWSLETTERS
Winter 2024 *NEW*
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ISTA Regions & Regional Directors
The Illinois Science Teaching Association Regional Directors represent the seven educational regions of Illinois. The regions are a grouping of Illinois counties. ISTA members working within each region elect two (2) Regional Directors. ISTA Regional Directors serve staggered two-year terms to ensure continuity.
Region 1:
Region 2:
Region 3:
Region 4:
Region 5:
Region 6:
Region 7:
| Regional Directors:Patricia Boguslaw, 2022 - 2023 Jeff Grant, 2023-2024 Region:DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Suburban Cook, Will Regional Directors:Maggie Moore, 2022 - 2023 Aubrey Mikos, 2023-2024 Region:Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago Regional Directors:Sebastian Szyjka, 2022 - 2023 Vacant, 2023 - 2024 Region:Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Mercer, Menard, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Tazewell, Warren, Woodford Regional Directors:Rebecca Wattleworth, 2022 - 2023 Deanna Keeney, 2023 - 2024 Region:Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, Vermillion Regional Directors:Angela Box, 2022 - 2023 Brandy Hildebrand, 2023 - 2024 Region:Calhoun, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Monroe, Randolph, St. ClairRegional Directors:Alyssa Weisenstein, 2022 - 2023 Amy Telford, 2023 - 2024 Region:Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson Regional Directors:Misty Richmond, 2022 - 2023 Jennifer Eastman, 2023-2024 Region: City of Chicago |
The Illinois Science Teaching Association has three (3) part-time staff members
Executive Director: Bridina Lemmer, Ph.D.
ExecutiveDirector@ilscience.org
Assistant Executive Director: Ken Wester, Ed.S.
AssistantExecutiveDirector@ilscience.org
Finance Director: Bob Wolffe, Ed.D.
Meet the ISTA Board of Directors and Staff
Governance and Guidance Documents
The Illinois Science Teaching Association (ISTA) promotes excellence in science teaching and learning throughout Illinois.
ISTA connects educators, supervisors, pre-service teachers, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, informal education institutions, and others involved in science education through a professional association committed to science teaching and learning. As the state chapter of the National Science Teaching Association, ISTA promotes excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all students of Illinois. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, ISTA is managed primarily by dedicated volunteers and supported by members and donors.
ISTA Governance Structure
The Illinois Science Teaching Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of five (5) Executive Officers and fourteen (14) Regional Directors. The ISTA Board of Directors are elected by ISTA members. The Board of Directors sets policy and makes decisions on behalf of the membership by providing general oversight regarding the affairs of the ISTA, its committees, affiliates and publications; determining its policies or changes therein; actively pursuing ISTA goals and objectives; and monitoring financial affairs.
ISTA Executive Officers
The Illinois Science Teaching Association Executive Officers perform specific duties and serve as chairpersons on ISTA Standing Committees. The President chain shall be a six-year commitment and shall automatically progress based on the following terms: President-Elect (2 years), President (2 years) and Immediate Past President (2 years), each with a two-year term limit. The Vice President and Secretary serve a two-year term as well.
President: Nicole Vick
President-Elect:
Past President: Kristin Rademaker
Vice President: Heather Galbreath
Secretary: Chris Embry Mohr