September 29, 2023

Illinois Institute of Technology

Rice Campus - Wheaton, Illinois

 To continue to encourage all to attend, this year's conference is being offered at the same discounted fees as were offered in 2022 

50% OFF pre- Covid rates

(Early Bird Pricing Ends September 11th)

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Ten years after the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, we continue to look for ways to increase integration of diverse instructional practices and student success. To move our science teaching forward, this conference will explore ways of integrating and supporting the multi-dimensional classroom experiences we design to allow for student sensemaking by connecting :

• Students’ Diverse Needs and Their World – from connecting to relevant phenomena to building comfort with being inquirers;

•  Three Dimensional Learning -- from connecting inquires to concept building to linking ideas to building powerful conceptual understandings;

• Authentic Formative and Summative Assessments – from connecting learning experiences to multiple ways of communicating new insights and conceptual ideas to making sense of assessment data; and

• Transdisciplinary Learning – by connecting science concepts and practices to mathematics, ELA, and computer science to building students use of interdisciplinary thinking.

Schedule

Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00 - 9:00

Sessions:  9:00 - 12:00

Lunch (provided): 12:00 - 1:00

Sessions: 1:00 - 4:00

Exhibits open 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Special Conference Session

There will be a special session. Topic and speaker to be announced.

Thursday Evening Program

Letting Go of the Past : Bringing the Three Dimensions to the Forefront of Learning

Pre-session Sponsored by HHMI

Featuring Dr. Jason Crean 

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at lllinois Institute of Technology  Rice Campus

Dr. Crean will discuss challenges to letting go of past pedagogical approaches so one can bring the 3 Dimensions to the forefront of learning.  As we continue to move away from the traditional delivery of science facts, we now must focus on providing student experiences that make the 3 Dimensions more explicitly part of learning routines. Dr. Crean will talk about his journey from the teacher-centered classroom to one that focuses on students constructing their own conceptual understandings.

Costs: Active ISTA Members -- FREE.    Nonmembers -- $10                                          

If you cannot attend the conference but want to be a part of this Thursday evening event please contact Bob Wolffe to register at: finance@ilscience.org.

Benefits

• Professional Development Hours Provided 
• Special Extended Learning Opportunities in Small Groups
• Numerous sessions covering a broad array of current topics

• District Group Discount Rate and Administrator's Discount- see information below
• Science education vendors featured in the exhibit space.
• Raffle at end of conference with many free prizes for those in attendance.
• Opportunities to network with colleagues and meet new people
• Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided 

Special rate - only $50 for preservice teachers

Join Us As We Work Together To

Connect Science Forward

CLICK the "REGISTER" button to the left.

Once you have completed the registration form, you will be able to either pay immediately at our secure site with a credit card or at a later date via check/PO from you or your employer. The confirmation of registration you receive via email serves as either your receipt or bill. Check out the new group discount program below before registering.

Last Week Registrations and Cancellations: Individuals registering one week prior to the conference may not receive the pizza option selected as orders will have been placed. Registrations canceled after September 21st will incur a $50 fee regardless of whether payment has been received.

Special District Group Discount 

With the hope of providing more teachers the opportunity to attend our joint conference, ISTA is offering a  discount program. If your district registers 5 or more teachers for the conference, the fee will be reduced by $10 dollars per in-person registrant. To take advantage of this special savings contact Bob Wolffe at finance@ilscience.org or 309-472-3118. He will send you the registration form to be used for groups. The same form will be used for all registrants regardless of discipline. DO NOT register on-line. Invoices provided upon request.

If your school or school district is paying for 4 or less people to attend, each person must be register individually on-line and a receipt or bill will be sent via email as each registration is completed. A single payment can then be sent for the entire group and each invoice will be recorded as paid upon receipt of payment.

Check Payable to: ISTA

Mail Payments to: Bob Wolffe, ISTA Finance Director

230 East Green Acres Ct.

East Peoria, IL 61611

Administrator Special Promotion

We believe it is important to promote the attendance of administrators at the conference. We know, with their support, teachers are better positioned to implement best practices. An administrator attending with a paid teacher registrant may come to the conference for only $50.   

EXHIBITS

Come talk with many commercial and non-commercial exhibitors.  There displays will be open from 8:30 am - 2:30 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.

COMPLETE PROGRAM

Closer to the date of the conference the program will be available online. You will be notified when this occurs.

Chicago Public Schools Update

Great news for CPS educators. It should now be easier for you to attend as ISTA has a new vendor number so you can process registrations. The number is 10603019. 

Contact Bob Wolffe at finance@ilscience.org for information needed to join us in 2023.

Media Permission

By registering for this event I grant the Illinois Science Teachers Association (ISTA) the right to take photographs, videos, and/or other recordings of me at this event. I understand such media can be used for any lawful purpose, which may include publicity, marketing, illustration, advertising and Web content related to the work and responsibilities of ISTA. Published information may include names, school, city/state, and other identifying information. 

If I do not wish to allow for above I will notify ISTA via email.

 Cancellations

Registrations canceled after September 22nd will incur a $50 fee regardless of whether payment has been received since food will have been ordered for you..