Fiftieth Anniversary History

MSTA in the 1960's and 1970's

During the late 1950's and early 1960's, the focus on science education was implementing the National Science Foundation supported alphabet courses. Such courses as AAAS-Science A Process Approach for the elementary grades to PSSC Physics for the high school were available to Michigan schools. Colleges and universities served as sites to update teachers on their content backgrounds and instructional skills to implement the programs. Most MSTA conventions included sessions related to the new courses of study.

Much of the leadership in MSTA in the early sixties was provided by public school science coordinators. Such persons as Dave Schulert, Lansing; Joe Dickinson, Midland, Elmer McDade, Detroit; John Rosemergy, Ann Arbor; Roger VanBever, Detroit; and Norman Taylor, Jackson, were strong contributors to the development of MSTA. Also remembered is the strong service to the Science Curriculum Committee of Ed Whiting from the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo. Jack Kammeraad became the Science Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education during this period.

Representation to MSTA from the college and university ranks, after the Mallinsons, began to grow in the sixties, as Fred Dutton of Michigan State University became President in 1961. Soon other college and university science educators appeared such as Burton Voss, University of Michigan; Julian (Bob) Brandou and Martin Hetherington from Michigan State University, Howard Stein from Grand Valley State University, Carl Engels from Western Michigan University; and Sylvan Mikkelson from Wayne State University, who chaired the Science Curriculum Committee for a period of time. Of course everyone appreciated the generous services of Dr. William C. VanDeventer (Dr. Van to the many who knew him), from Western Michigan University, who further developed and reconstructed the MSTA Newsletter and later the MSTA Bulletin. The science coordinators, public and private school science teachers, and the college and university science educators joined together to help MSTA grow. The Research Committee and an Awards Committee soon followed. Over 1000 persons attended the March 1969 convention.

Unusual conventions occurred in the fall of 1970 and the spring of 1971. MSTA decided to join the National Science Teachers Association with a joint Regional Convention in Grand Rapids. On Friday of the Convention, Dr. Paul Brandwein was the keynote speaker and presented to a packed house (remember his embellishments on the piano!). At four o'clock the Convention Center was deserted for the most part and hardly anyone attended the Saturday sessions. The spring Convention was held at Delta College on a Saturday only, and about 200 persons attended.

The first MSTA Outstanding Educator Award was presented to Lawrence Conrey, chemistry teacher at the University High School in Ann Arbor and assistant professor at the University of Michigan.

In the early seventies, committees of MSTA contributed to the efforts of the Michigan Department of Education. Contributions were made to the position papers on Goals for Science and a Statement on Accountability. Members also assisted on the development of the Environmental Education Guidelines.

This period of the sixties and seventies showed remarkable growth in the MSTA. Outstanding leaders in science education were developed. The MSTA was recognized as being a strong contributor to the efforts of the Michigan Department of Education in the improvement of science teaching, assessment and research. The 25th Anniversary Convention was held in Lansing. Dr. David Butts, University of Georgia, was the keynote speaker. Dr. LaMoine Motz was president that year.