Northern Illinois University

Naperville Conference Center

The largest state association representing science educators across Illinois is offering a dynamic conference to promote quality instruction within and across disciplines. 

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: Science in Practice. 

To encourage your attendance, 

fees are still reduced from pre-Covid years 

With the change of venue for this year's conference, there is a limit on the number of exhibitors that can be accepted. Preference will be given based on the date of registration and to registrants that choOse to support the conference through one of the options Which provide additional support listed on the registration page.

Exhibit setup is  6:30 am to 8:00 am, Monday, October 14th. 

Exhibits will be open Friday from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm.

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 22nd or your space may be assigned to another vendor. Cancellations after September 30th will result in a cancellation fee of one-half the registration fee.

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

• • How can we design embedded three-dimensional assessments to support the phenomena we use?  
  • • 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

• • What do we do so that well-designed lesson plans actually work in the classroom?
  • • Workshops will explore the realities of implementing quality science pedagogy.

Thread 3: Situating Science in the Classroom 

• • How can we use science as the context to engage students with other disciplines (e.g., ELA, mathematics, computer science, agriculture)? 
  • • 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.

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