In this Issue

President's Message

NSELA Award Winners

National Plan for Addressing STEM Needs

Tech Support

PDI 2008 and beyond

Safe Science

Meet Your New Board Members

Regional News

Board Meeting Summary

2009: Celebrating with NSELA

1 Hour to Prepare a Lesson

Nominate a Colleague for an Award

Have you been getting NSELA emails? If not update your email address

Download a Membership Brochure: Page 1, Page 2

July 7 - 10, 2008
NSELA Summer Leadership Institute, Asheville, NC

March 18, 2009
NSELA Professional Development Institute, New Orleans

March 19-March 22, 2009, New Orleans
NSTA Convention

NSELA Leadership Team

A Message from the President
Building a Community of Science Education Leaders
By Linda Atkinson, Ph.D., NSELA President

It is an honor to serve as president of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) and to represent and work with its outstanding board and membership. NSELA is an organization that has a tradition of creating and supporting the efforts of a community of science education leaders as they address the various issues faced by its members. As you may know from the NSELA’s history that is posted on the website, www.nsela.org, NSELA started as the National Science Supervisor’s Association (NSSA), an organization to support science supervisors and activities. In 1994, in recognition that leadership for science education comes from a much broader field of community members, the current name was adopted. It is my firm belief that we must build the leadership capacity and involvement of all stakeholders; teachers, school administrators, science supervisors, policy makers, business and industry partners, parents, and students, to have a scientifically literate society.

This is an exciting year for NSELA as an organization. We will celebrate NSELA’s 50th Anniversary beginning with the NSELA/NSTA 2009 Conference in New Orleans. It will be a time of reflection and remembering the lessons we have learned from mentors and friends as well as our experiences. I would like to invite you to begin this reflection. Visit the www.nsela.org and click on the link to the discussion board. Also, we are collecting photos of NSELA’s history.

As we reflect about our history, we build on what we have learned to meet the challenges and mandates before us. At a time when research findings are providing the most effective strategies to promote learning, we must prepare our students to enter the 21st Century workforce that will require increasing scientific, mathematical, and technological knowledge and skills. As leaders in science education it is our responsibility to influence and promote science education policies, facilitate partnerships, and develop relationships that enhance the learning environment for our students as well as our teachers and school leaders.

NSELA’s Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) is an opportunity for science leaders to continue their learning. The Institute’s theme is “Powerful Professional Learning in Science” and the program will focus on the differences between professional development and professional learning. Participants will be able to facilitate at least three powerful designs with their own staff members. The SLI will be held in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina from July 7 -10, 2008. Register by June 1 and you will receive a free copy of Powerful Designs for Professional Learning. Attending NSELA’s SLI provides unique opportunities to grow professionally and network with colleagues in a relaxing setting.

Yours in science education,
Dr. Linda Atkinson is the Associate Director and Director of STEM Partnerships at the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal. She can be reached at 405-325-4420 or latkinson@ou.edu or latkinson@cox.net.