Past Meetings

The Fall NCSLA Summit was held November 28, 2018 in Charlotte. The theme of the Summit is "Science Everywhere" with an emphasis on both in and out of school science learning programs and activities across the state. We are so pleased to be able to host the Fall Summit at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte NC. Dennis Schatz, senior advisor at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle will be our keynote speaker. Dr. Christine Royce,current NSTA President will also speak at the Fall Summit.

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Agenda

See speaker boigraphies below

12:30 - Welcome and Business Meeting

1 pm - Keynote Speaker: Christine Royce
“How Leaders Can Use Their Voice and Speak Out for Science/STEM Education”

1:30 pm - Presentation of the Gatling Award for Outstanding Science Education Leadership

1:45 pm - Update from NC DPI

2 pm - NASCAR Hall of Fame Activity

2:30 pm - Keynote Speaker:  Dennis Schatz
“How and Why Out of School Science Education Works”

3 pm - Science Everywhere Showcase

4:30 pm - Closing Remarks

Photos

Featured Speakers 

Dennis Schatz

Dennis Schatz is Senior Advisor at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA, and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Learning Innovation in Portland, OR. He is Field Editor of Connected Science Learning, a journal that highlights links between in-school and out-of-school learning. The journal is a joint effort of NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) and ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers). He is also President-elect of NSTA, on the board of BSCS Science Learning and Technical Advisor to the SSEC (Smithsonian Science Education Center). From 2011 to 2015, he was a Program Director at NSF (National Science Foundation).

He is founding director of the Portal to the Public (PoP) effort that features scientists engaging with public audiences in face-to face interactions regarding understanding current science research and its application. He co-directed Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), a program to implement a quality K-12 science program in all 295 school districts in Washington State.

He has received numerous honors. Most recently, Asteroid 25232 was renamed Asteroid Schatz by the International Astronomical Union IAU) in recognition of his leadership in astronomy and science education. He has received numerous awards from NSTA. In 1996, he received the Distinguished Informal Science Educator Award. He received NSTA's 2005 Distinguished Service to Science Education Award, and in March, 2009, he received the Faraday Science Communicator Award.

He is the author of 25 science books for children, including When the Sun Goes Dark, published by NSTA just in time for the August, 2017 eclipse. He is also co-author/editor of several curriculum resources for teachers, including Astro-Adventures, Universe At Your Fingertips and More Universe At Your Fingertips. His most recent teacher resource book (written with Andrew Fraknoi), Solar Science, is published by NSTA.

Christine Royce

Dr. Christine Anne Royce is the president of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). She began serving her one-year term on June 1, 2018. Royce is currently a professor in the teacher education department and co-director for the MAT in STEM Education program at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Royce has been a passionate educator and dedicated leader in the science education community for more than 25 years. She began her career in education as a second-grade teacher at St. Hedwig’s School in Chester, Pennsylvania. Royce worked in several other positions from 1991-2002, including teaching math and science at the middle and high school levels; working as an adjunct faculty member in the education department at the University of Scranton; and serving as the academic dean at a high school, where she constructed the master teaching schedule and individual student schedules and designed and coordinated the renovation of three science laboratories.

In 2002 after 12 years in the classroom, Royce moved on to accept a position as a professor at Shippensburg University. In her current position, Royce—who served three consecutive terms as the chair of the teacher education department—teaches classes in science education, assessment, curricular planning and research design at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and implemented a new online teaching certification program this past fall.

An NSTA member since 1992, Royce has contributed extensively to the association. She was elected to the NSTA board as director of professional development (2009-2012). She also served as the district IV director (2006-2009), was the conference chair for the 2010 national conference, the program chair for the 2015 area conference, worked on numerous committees and task forces, and presented several sessions at NSTA national and area conferences. Royce is also an NSTA Press author and has written several journal articles for the association.

In addition to her work and commitment to NSTA, Royce is extremely active with other state and national organizations and STEM initiatives. She was the PSTA Exchange editor, executive secretary, and twice served as the president of the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association. Royce has also served as the treasurer for the National Science Education Leadership Association, was an NSF panel judge and chair for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching, and served as a STEM-UP PA participant in the STEM-UP Mentoring Program for Women in STEM Fields in Academia.

During her distinguished career, Royce has received a number of awards and honors. Her accomplishments include receiving NSTA’s Fellow Award (2016), Shippensburg University Provost’s Award for Extraordinary Service (2013), Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators’ Teacher Educator of the Year Award (2010), New Jersey Science Teachers Association’s Pettix Award for Science Education (2007), National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Outstanding Earth Science Teacher – Eastern Region (2003), and the Woodrow Wilson National Memorial Fellowship (2000). Royce was also named a 1997 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Royce earned a B.S. degree in elementary education from Cabrini College, a M.A. degree in curriculum and instruction from Delaware State University, a M.S. degree in school administration and supervision from the University of Scranton, a M.B.A. from Shippensburg University, and an Ed.D. in curriculum, instruction and technology education from Temple University.