The Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. (HASTI) had it’s annual conference in Indianapolis Feb 4,5, & 6, 2009. The conference was a success and many folks from all over the state enjoyed networking with old friends (maybe I should say “long-time” friends instead of old?), meeting new friends and colleagues, sitting in on or working in interesting, helpful, and even eye-opening sessions.
The exhibitors hall was well represented by a variety of interests from non-profit educational organizations, colleges and universities, and commercial exhibitors of all stripes. If you were interested in increasing the use of modern technologies in your classes – it was there. If you needed information about lab supplies – it was there. If you wanted to find places to connect to local and state interests that could help plug your kids into the global sphere – it was there.
This year’s sessions had a strong environmental strand running through them. Many sessions dealt with helping teachers with ideas, lessons, and materials to help our students to see how local issues are connected to global issues and that students can make a difference in these issues. I saw a strong thread of “service” in many of the sessions as well. It’s one thing to teach kids about energy, it’s something altogether different to get them to look at their own homes and schools to start making wise energy decisions that have a cumulative social, environmental, and economic affect.
IABT members were well represented in sessions throughout the conference, but there were fewer strictly “biology” sessions than in the past. Our Quick Hits sessions has always been a big hit. If you are unfamiliar with Quick Hits, we assemble a group of 5-8 IABT members and each does a quick presentation of a lesson they find particularly successful or useful for a specific topic. The topics range from ecology to cell biology to genetics to how to review for tests. Much practical information is presented and all the activities are teacher & student tested. Most are about as “student-proof” as you can get, since they have been played with and tweaked several times by the presenter. New teachers and veterans alike appreciate the boost of many new ideas.
Outside of Quick Hits, the IABT needs to be an active and progressive force in science education in general and biology education in particular. Biology-1 is a required course for Indiana’s CORE 40 diploma program. In a couple years, CORE 40 will be required for all students. We already have the End of Course Assessment (ECA) in place and it will be used to supply data for schools and the state with respect for the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act; the state’s Public Law 221, CORE 40 program and any ISTEP initiatives in science. We NEED to be proactive and we need to be on the forefront of helping all our students in the state get the best teaching using the best technologies and information.
So, be thinking where you could fit in at HASTI in 2010. Do you have a really great lab that motivates your students while reaching (hopefully exceeding) state and national standards? Do you have a classroom management trick that helps make labs and other hands-on activities easier to perform or run more smoothly? Do you have a unit that just makes you smile when you see it coming up on the schedule? Are you skilled or versed in a new or emerging technology? If so, PLEASE sign up to do a session at HASTI next year.
To you old codgers: Some of you have been coming to HASTI for many years, now, and feel like you have “BEEN THERE – DONE THAT.”
Um…how do I say this politely? There is new stuff out there that would blow your socks off! Biology is changing faster than anyone can keep up, but we all need to at least try to stay abreast of the KINDS of changes that are going on! Veteran members, you need to help us by doing two things:
- Present your best lessons or classroom skills. New teachers are HUNGRY for ways to learn how to plan, purchase for, and set up labs. This is poorly covered (if at all) in pre-service coursework. You know the time, money, and energy realities that need to be considered so that you can run an effective lab or long-term project. Please share! Your experience is invaluable to the upcoming generation of teachers.
- Seek out and take advantage of new opportunities at HASTI and elsewhere. The discipline of biology has grown immensely and continues to change — and is now even driving the other disciplines by its sheer power to change life on earth! What do you know about bioinformatics or computational biology, protein structure, cell signaling, interference RNA (iRNA) and other newer trends? A lot? Then share! We need you. You say you know but little? Then jump in and pick up a few new ideas.
If you have some quick ideas, drop a note to IABT@gmail.com to let the executives know you are interested and they’ll get you plugged in.
Submitted by Kirk A. Janowiak
Filed under: Biology Categories, Calendar Items, IABT News, Professional Development, Reviews | 1 Comment »
