September 29, 2023

Illinois Institute of Technology

Rice Campus - Wheaton, Illinois

The largest state association representing science educators across Illinois is offering a dynamic conference to promote quality instruction within and across disciplines. Attendance in-person is encouraged with virtual streaming also available.

We invite science and general education vendors and supporters to work with us to share innovative professional development, instructional materials and supplies and related opportunities aimed at excellence in teaching around our conference theme to Expand the Path Forward for Students, Teachers and Communities.

Exhibit setup is  6:30 am to 8:30 am, Friday, September 29th. 

Exhibits will be open Friday from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.

To encourage your attendance, fees have been reduced from pre-Covid years 

Commercial and Non-Commercial Exhibit fees include: 

Any additional guests over the allowed amount will be removed.

Additional representatives or attendees over the allowed amount may register through the participant/attendee registration process.

All exhibitors and supporters are asked to provide raffle items. When requested, donors who provide materials or services with a retail value of $200 or more will be provided a 30 second announcement or commercial during the Friday afternoon raffle in the exhibit area. 
Raffle donors are recognized in the conference packet. Deadline September 14, 2022  

Additional ISTA services

Following receipt of your online registration and payment, ISTA will provide an exhibit preferences request, hotel information, exhibit setup information, etc.  We request names of your representatives using the online registration for name tags, which must be worn to enter the conference.  ISTA communication will be through your company contact person from the exhibitor registration process unless you provide other information.

All registrations must be paid by the September 15th or your space may be assigned to another vendor. Cancellations after September 22nd will result in a cancellation fee of one-half the registration fee.

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.

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.

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