May 25th, 2013 Bob
Oklahoma Journal of School Science (OJSS)
Call for Papers
The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) is requesting PK-20 science teachers and science teacher educators to submit manuscripts for publication in the inaugural Oklahoma Journal of School Science (OJSS). We are inviting manuscripts for review that have not been submitted for consideration or published elsewhere. The OJSS will be published twice each academic year – November and March. The online journal is intended to be an outlet for teachers from elementary to college level (PK-20) to share their ideas and beliefs about the teaching and learning of science. The content should reflect the needs of its audience of classroom teachers and teacher educators. Publishing in OSTA’s peer-reviewed journal is your opportunity to make a positive contribution to science programs at your level of practice (elementary school, middle school, high school, or college).
The OSTA encourages manuscripts that provide original, exemplary, innovative, classroom-tested, inquiry activities and resources focused on PK-20 science education. OSTA also welcomes manuscripts describing proven innovations in pedagogical approaches for the science classroom, as well as interdisciplinary science experiences and successful partnerships and programs. Manuscripts should relate to the Oklahoma C3 Standards for science, and, if applicable, should correlate to the Common Core State Standards and /or the Next Generation Science Standards.
All authors must be members of OSTA before manuscript is published. To join OSTA please access http://www.oklahomascienceteachersassociation.org/. Please refer to the OJSS Author Guidelines for more information. Questions? Contact the OJSS Editors.
Manuscript submission deadlines:
August 1, 2013 for November 2013 Issue
December 1, 2013 for March 2014 Issue
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April 23rd, 2013 Bob
OK, open up your calendar…
Now, turn (or scroll) to November 2, 2013…
Pencil in (or type) “OSTA FALL STAFF DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, UCO”
There you go. Now you can plan around that date and make sure you are able to attend the largest and best science staff development conference in Oklahoma.
Details to come!
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February 16th, 2013 Bob
The latest review of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) coincides the beginning of a series of meetings to write the latest version of the C3 State Standards for Science.
The NGSS represents a significant effort on the part of scientists, educators, industry leaders and policymakers to define and organize the best scientific understandings in combination with the best instructional practices with an eye toward integration with the Common Core State Standards.
In anticipation of this important work, the OSTA Board has approved a position statement indicating the Boards support for those NGSS and it’s use in developing the new C3 Science Standards.
NGSS Position Statement
The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) is a membership organization for professional science educators that develops, promotes, and supports science education in the state of Oklahoma by providing training opportunities to teachers. Our training emphasis assists teachers in implementing the science education standards set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Education; facilitates the dissemination of scientific knowledge; encourages scientific thinking and the utilization of the practices of science through the teaching of science; makes information available to teachers concerning the selection, organization, and presentation of scientific materials; stresses the interrelationships of the sciences and to other educational experiences; plans, organizes, and administers projects for the advancement and utilization of knowledge in science education; and advocates for high quality science education at all levels and education venues within Oklahoma.
At the core of OSTA’s mission are the Oklahoma science standards set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. From the original Suggested Learner Outcomes (SLO’s), to the Priority Academic Student Skills(PASS), to the current College, Career, Community(C3) standards, these documents have directed the course of OSTA staff development as we work with the science educators of Oklahoma to bring those standards to life. Beginning almost twenty years ago, the current PASS and subsequent C3 Standards were developed in reference to the best science education content and processes skills as defined by the National Research Council’s National Science Education Standards and the American Academy for the Advancement of Science’s Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Needless to say, major advances have since taken place in the world of science and in our understanding of how students learn science effectively.
Now, through a state-led process where state policy leaders, higher education, K–12 teachers, the science and business community, and others are completing work on the development of the Next Generation Science Standards for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce (NGSS). The process for the science standards development takes into account the importance of having the scientific and educational research communities identify core ideas in science and articulate them across grade bands. Managed by Achieve, Oklahoma’s long-time education partner, these new K–12 science standards are written to be rich in content and practice and arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education. The work undertaken by Achieve is being supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. No federal funds have or will be used to develop the standards.
The NGSS lays out the core ideas and practices in science that students should master in preparation for college and careers. They clarify for students the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the four STEM fields) to everyday life. NGSS describes a vision of what it means to be proficient in science. It also presents and explains the interrelationships among practices, cross-disciplinary concepts and disciplinary core ideas. Engaging in these practices help students become successful analytical thinkers, prepared for college and careers.
The goal of the Next Generation Science Standards is to create robust, forward-looking K–12 science standards that all states can use to guide teaching and learning in science for the next decade. Many national and local organizations, including the National Academies for Science, Achieve, the National Science Teachers Association, and the American Academy for the Advancement of Science are working collaboratively with states and other stakeholders to help ensure the standards are of high quality, internationally benchmarked, rigorous, research-based and aligned with expectations for college and careers.
The Next Generation Science Standards were also developed to make the best use of the Common Core State Standards that have already been implemented in Oklahoma to help students meet the particular challenges of mathematics, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in their respective fields—in this case, science. Oklahoma educators and policymakers can use the NGSS, as we work to use the CCSS in English language arts and mathematics, to align curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional preparation and development in a seamless, efficient manner.
In the end, the decision to adopt the standards and make them consistent between states will lie in the hands of the states themselves. But already, science education materials developers, curriculum writers, textbook authors, education vendors, and assessment specialists are developing materials and products for use by the majority of states and schools in the United States that will adopt and implement the Next Generation Science Standards. States that do not utilize NGSS for one reason or another will be left with a mish-mash of standards and objectives developed without the research basis that is at the foundation of the NGSS and without alignment to materials, supplies, or assessments that will be in use by the majority of schools and states. It will be difficult for such non-adopting states and districts to compare or contrast their education efforts and even more difficult for them to assert they are developing a workforce ready to compete in the global market or develop students for STEM careers. In short, they will disarm while adopting states are preparing to do battle in the global marketplace.
In 2013 the Oklahoma State Department of Education begins the process of reviewing and developing new C3 standards for science and approving those standards for official use by Oklahoma school districts as the pre-K – grade 12 science curriculum. It is the position of the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association that in order to reap the benefits of the science standards, Oklahoma should adopt the Next Generation Science Standards in whole, without alteration, as the Oklahoma C3 Standards for Science.
- Approved by the OSTA Board of Directors, February, 2013.
Download a copy of the statement here.
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January 21st, 2013 Bob
Your member profile is now a gateway to connect and engage with other members of our OSTA Memberclicks community. Some of the new features of our Members-only website include: 
- Similar to Facebook™ friends or LinkedIn™ connections, you can now form connections with your friends and colleagues.
- Create albums and upload photos to your profile to share with other members.
- Status messages give you a way to share what you’re working on with other members.
- Profiles have a “wall” where connections can leave messages for each other.
- Join circles for special interest and discussion groups. You can create photo albums within Circles too!
- Renew membership quickly and easily and receive convenient reminders before your membership lapses.
To get started:
- Click the OSTA Memberclicks login on the left
- Log into your profile
- Upload a profile picture or edit your existing one.
- Make connections with friends and colleagues.
- Create or join a Circle to engage in special interest groups.
- Send private messages to one or more members at a time.
- New privacy settings allow you to control who has access to each area of your profile.
The Members Only site is still very much a work-in-progress, but there is much potential and a lot of new stuff coming that will be of great use and benefit to OSTA members.
Check your email for your OSTA Memberclicks login, coming soon to your computer!
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December 17th, 2012 Bob
The 2012 OSTA officer election results have been tabulated and certified. Assuming terms of office on the OSTA Board of Directors for 2013 are:
Vice-President/President-Elect (one year term, to become President 2014 and past President 2015)
Joyce Cheatham (Pawnee Middle School)
BS Secondary Science, OSU, MS Curriculum and Instruction, OSU, Teacher of the Year, Pawnee Public Schools. OSTA/NSTA member, Current Middle School Director for OSTA, Attended the 2012 NSTA Congress.
Middle School Division Director
Jessica Hornberger (Agra Middle School) (2 year term)
Holds a degree from Oklahoma State University in secondary education with focus in biology.
College Division Director
Tim Laubach (OU) (2 year term)
Assistant Professor of Education. University of Oklahoma Department of instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. PhD, 2005, University of Oklahoma
District Two Representative – NW Region (West of I35, North of I40)
Bethany Lorenz (Putnam City North High School) (2 year term)
Re-elected. NBCT, Putnam City District teacher of the year 2012, NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recepient 2012, OSTA Board 2010-2012. BS, OSU
District Four Representative – SE Region (East of I35, South of I40)
Kay Gamble (Ada High School) (2 year term)
Re-elected. BS, UCO; MEd, ECU; MS, Washington University. NBCT. National Association of Biology Teachers OBTA. OSTA District 4 Representative, OBTA Director for Oklahoma, Advisor for the Only NABT BioClub in Oklahoma
District Six – Any OSTA member who teaches in the area within Oklahoma City Public schools boundaries, including private and parochial teachers.
Natalie Bowman (Northwest Classen High School)
Re-elected as OSTA District 6 Representative (2 Year term)
In addition to elections for Board officers, members attending the fall conference ratified changes to the OSTA Constitution and By-Laws. Among the changes approved are a shift from 6 regional directors to 4 Directors-at-large. Those changes will come in to place as current members complete their terms of office and rotate off the Board. Other significant changes ware a change in the membership year to coincide with the anniversary date of membership, a provision that allows future voting for board candidates to occur online via email, the definition of the process to be followed should OSTA dissolve, and a restatement of purpose for the organization. The see all of the changes, download a copy of the newly approved Constitution here.
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November 9th, 2012 Bob
The OSTA Fall Staff Development Conference starts today with the OSTA Awards Reception at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
The reception starts at 6:30 in the Nautilus Room inside Aquaticus. Entry is through the Zoo Education Building. Get details about the reception, the honoree’s, and maps, click here.
The Fall Conference “Saving the World Through Science”, begins with Registration at 8 AM. Keynote Speaker Vanessa Westbrook begins her address at 8:45. Don’t Be Late! You don’t want to miss her remarks.
This conference truly has a rich and diverse set of professional development offerings. We made much of the two half-day Institutes on the schedule, but there is so much more. NGSS, HHMI, CCSS, SEPUP, AP, OESE, KISS and many more workshops with lots of initials…
And do not forget to bring your checkbook for the OSTA Silent Auction benefiting the OSTA Awards to student researchers at the State Science Fair.
And do not forget to vote for OSTA Board of Directors and the revisions to the OSTA Constitution.
See you at the Awards Reception tonight and the Fall Conference tomorrow!
Download the conference program here.
Download a map of the UCO campus here.
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November 7th, 2012 Bob
There is a free lunch, IF YOU ACT TODAY (11/7)…
Register today for the OSTA Fall Conference and you can still get lunch… As well as an outstanding array of workshops, presentations, and events.
What will you do? Download the conference program here.
Where will you go? Download a map of the UCO campus here.
What’s happenin’ Friday night? You can still register to attend to OSTA Awards Reception at the OKC Zoo. Click the registration link above and indicate you will attend when you register (it’s free thanks to the generosity of Pearson and the OKC Zoo) or you can add the event through the registration gateway.
You don’t want to miss this…
- half-day Forensic Science Institute
- half-day Global Climate Change Institute
- AP Biology workshops
- Common Core
- The Next Generation Science Standards
- Teaching with HHMI materials
- NABT BioClubs
- Evidence for an Ancient Earth
- Science Olympiad
- SEPUP
- Rocketry
- The OSTA Silent Auction to benefit state science fair students
And Much Much More!
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November 6th, 2012 Bob
The OSTA Fall Staff Development Conference offers a full range of workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits. But if you teach Biology, you need to save a spot at the end of the day to learn about NABT and the NABT BioClub program. The NABT BioClub provides opportunities for students to share and promote interest in the biological sciences. Activities include preparing and presenting experiments and technical information before groups and sharing information about career, technical training, and college opportunities.
Learn about NABT BioClub from Kay Gamble, the only BioClub Advisor in Oklahoma and learn how you can bring this valuable opportunity for students to your school. Other NABT members will also be there to discuss an opportunity to form an NABT affiliate within OSTA. Come learn about BioClubs and NABT. Discounted memberships to NABT will be given to all who attend this session.
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November 4th, 2012 Bob
The current OSTA Constitution call for annual election of officers to be conducted each fall at the annual staff development conference (the proposed constitutional revisions will, if approved, allow such voting to occur on-line).
The OSTA Nominating Committee has recommended the following candidates for election to the Board of Directors:
Vice-President/President-Elect
____Joyce Cheatham (Pawnee Middle School)
BS Secondary Science, OSU, MS Curriculum and Instruction, OSU, Teacher of the Year, Pawnee Public Schools. OSTA/NSTA member, Current Middle School Director for OSTA, Attended the 2012 NSTA Congress.
Middle School Division Director
___ Jessica Hornberger (Agra Middle School)
Holds a degree from Oklahoma State University in secondary education with focus in biology.
College Division Director
___ Tim Laubach (OU)
Assistant Professor of Education. University of Oklahoma Department of instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. PhD, 2005, University of Oklahoma
___ Saeed Sarani (State Regents)
Curriculum Director with Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. PhD, December 2012, University of Oklahoma
District Two Representative– NW Region (West of I35, North of I40)
____ Bethany Lorenz (Putnam City North High School)
NBCT, Putnam City District teacher of the year 2012, NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recepient 2012, OSTA Board 2010-2012. BS, OSU
____ Connie Ward (Piedmont Middle School)
BS, Central State University, Middle School of Piedmont Teacher of the Year 2002-03, 2009-10 Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma Yukon Lodge Teacher for Today 2010
District Four Representative – SE Region (East of I35, South of I40)
____ Kay Gamble (Ada High School)
BS, UCO; MEd, ECU; MS, Washington University. NBCT. National Association of Biology Teachers OBTA. OSTA District 4 Representative, OBTA Director for Oklahoma, Advisor for the Only NABT BioClub in Oklahoma
District Six – Any OSTA member who teaches in the area within Oklahoma City Public schools boundaries, including private and parochial teachers.
____ Natalie Bowman (Northwest Classen High School)
Current OSTA District 6 Representative
You can vote for these candidates as well as vote to approve the the proposed revision to the OSTA Constitution and By-Laws at the OSTA Fall Conference NEXT SATURDAY! Have you registered? It’s not yet too late.
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October 21st, 2012 Bob
It’s time to check your schedule and finalize plans to be in attendance at the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference
“Saving The World Through Science”
First and foremost, this is the best science staff development conference you will find in Oklahoma this year. Second, the conference agenda brings together some of the most relevant topics for science teachers that you will find anywhere at any time.
Want to learn about the Next Generation Science Standards? Learn about it here, from Vanessa Westbrook, one of the NGSS writers!
How about Forensic Science? At Saving the World Through Science you can learn from professors who teach the top Forensic Science school in the country at UCO!
Wondering about how to work with students in studying glocal Climate change? Learn from climate scientists who are actively engage in climate research at the University of Oklahoma!
Need to know how scientists determine the age of ancient artifact through radiometric dating? Learn about the techniques and process from a scientist that does the work himself!
Trying to implement the Common Core State Standards ELA guidelines for science, social studies and technical fields into your course work? See how science graduate students at OU utilize these same recommendations as tools to develop effective communication and writing skills in the science research they produce.
Need more information of the AP Biology redesign, yep, we got that too!
Look at the OSTA Conference Agenda below. From keynote address to one hour sessions, to two half-day institutes, OSTA’s Saving the World Through Science promises to be a full day of fantastics learning experiences that will reap dividends for you and your students.
Don’t forget the OSTA Awards Reception at the Zoo on Friday evening at 6:30 PM. Help honor the recipients of the Annual OSTA Awards and mingle with science education leaders from around the state and nation! Sign up when you register. Thanks to generous contributions from the OKC Zoo and Pearson, the Awards reception is now FREE! Details are found here.
Click the link to register for the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference. The special pre-conference rate has been extended until November 8th!
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