Pre-Conference Details

From the Pre-Conference Program

How is the MSTA Conference Making a Difference?

Elementary Academy
Are you Science Shy? Do you wait to teach science until the end of the day, and then, oh well, there is not enough time left? Well, be shy no more! This year the annual conference is featuring an Elementary Academy in the Lansing Center especially for elementary teachers. The Academy has thirty-two sessions and two exciting workshops presented by Featured Speaker Chris Chiaverina on Friday which are repeated on Saturday. Walk away with some very cool "stuff" on sound and light, and force, motion, and energy.

Effective College Science Teaching Strand
Friday afternoon and Saturday morning will feature a series of presentations designed specifically for college and university science faculty. You will find out about what research says to college science teachers, learn about problem-based learning strategies, find out about college courses in nanotechnology and forensic science, learn how to stimulate student thinking about energy issues, and much more.

Friday Evening Bonanza
Chat with colleagues while you visit the reception and tour Impression 5 Museum. Back by popular demand, the Murder Mystery hosted by Ward Scientific. Have you ever wondered about the science behind the brewing of beer? Come find out at the Michigan Brewing Company.

New GLCE's
Kevin Richard from MDE will host a series of talks on the new K-7 GLCEs and the High School Content Expectations Clarification Document. Sessions Saturday, March 8, 2008 starting at 8 a.m. in the Lansing Center, Room 201. More details to come!

Featured Speakers
The hot topic of global climate change will be addressed by Dr. Robert Hollister in his talk "Polar Science - Global Impact". Dr. LaMoine Motz will be speaking about "X-treme School Science Facilities Makeovers for Effective, Safe Teaching and Learning". Jeff Hepburn from Central Academy in Des Moines, Iowa will be wowing the audience with "Chem-thusiasm". Dave Bydlowski will be giving an update about Building a Presence in Science, and Chris Chiaverina will be having a blast with the elementary teachers.

Field Trip
Hop on the bus to visit MSU's National Superconducting Cycloton Laboratory, one of the world's top nuclear research facilities.

Exhibit Hall
The bigger than ever exhibit hall will be open Thursday night 7:00 p.m. - 9:00p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Stores
Don't miss the MESTA Rockshop and MSTA Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall.

Thursday Events
MSELA will hold its annual professional development event and dinner. There will also be DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) Workshops.

The 2008 Conference Committee hopes you find this year's conference as exciting as we do. We all look forward to seeing you in Lansing to show you how MSTA is MAKING A DIFFERENCE in your life.

Elizabeth Larwa, Conference Chair
Paul Drummond, MSTA President