Category Archives: Commentary

Return of a Bad Idea

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Bob

Back in 2008 we wrote in this space about HB 1001, “The Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” as it was filed by Representative Sally Kern (R- Oklahoma City).  That bill was itself a reintroduced edition of HB 2211, which had failed the … Continue reading →

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Making Science Labs a Priority

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Bob

Commentary from Education Week, May 5, 2010, by NSTA Executive Director Francis Eberle In January, an article in The Washington Post told the story of a group of Maryland science teachers who are learning how to replicate their DNA. Their … Continue reading →

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Evolution Denial and Climate Change Denial Linked?

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Bob

EVOLUTION AND GLOBAL WARMING REDUX (from NCSE’s Evolution Education Update) “Critics of the teaching of evolution in the nation’s classrooms are gaining ground in some states by linking the issue to global warming, arguing that dissenting views on both scientific subjects should … Continue reading →

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What Have You Done for OSTA Lately?

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Bob

Spring is always a busy season for organizations like OSTA.  You’d think it would be Fall, when the conferences and in-services are typically held, but nope, late-winter to early spring is when the decisions are made that will affect how … Continue reading →

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A Dozen Reasons to Celebrate Darwin

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Bob

By Deborah Heiligman
author (from The Washington Post’s “On Faith” Forum,  November 24, 2009) This is Darwin’s year. We celebrated his 200th birthday in February and this month is the 150th anniversary of publication of “The Origin of the Species”. Sadly … Continue reading →

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MyScience Underway

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Bob

6:30 AM Thought I’d get an early start to set up a booth and prepare the election booth.  Have the ballots, have the display board, have my presentation materials.  I should be able to get there before anyone else. Off … Continue reading →

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Eating Out at the OSTA Conference?

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Bob

OK, so you plan to attend the OSTA Fall Conference (and you really need to attend  this year), even though you forgot to pre-register.  Yes, you’ll miss the luncheon and the opportunity to network with other state teachers and honor … Continue reading →

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SB 834 Passes Oklahoma Senate

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Bob

The “School District Empowerment Program,” SB834, if passed and signed by the governor, would mandate that a school district which has a school identified for improvement by the State Board of Education would become a charter school district in the … Continue reading →

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‘Best Practice Simplified’ on the KABT BioBlog

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Bob

Over on the left side of this page are links to a number of other science associations of interest. KABT (Kansas Association of Biology Teachers) member Scott Sharp has just posted a new item on the KABT BioBlog that is intriguing given … Continue reading →

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