Ft. Lauderdale to Host NSTA Area Conference on Science Education November 12 - 14, 2009

ARLINGTON, Va. Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, announced that more than 2,000 science educators will convene in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for its 2009 Area Conference on Science Education. Held in conjunction with the Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST), the three-day conference features hundreds of workshops, presentations and seminars on a variety of topics, aimed at engaging science educators of all levels in the latest and most innovative teaching methods and new developments in science. The conference will be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and other local venues.

Conference Keynote Speaker Julie Scardina, animal ambassador for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove in San Diego, Cali, will share her passion and concern for the planet and its wildlife. An engaging and enthusiastic presenter, Scardina's presentation will take place on Friday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the convention center's Grand Floridian Ballroom E-H. A few other notable conference speakers include Randolf Tobias, professor emeritus, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing. Tobias is an expert in how to provide equity or inclusive learning atmospheres for students to learn science. How do teachers make science relevant to all of their students and involve them in the process, Tobias can show them how. Teachers can also benefit from Emma Rader, Manager, Education Programs, Space Florida, Kennedy Space Center, Fla., presentation. Rader will discuss integrating technology into the classroom and using the inquiry method in more innovative ways.

Attendees will explore the technology in the physics of body movement by constructing a mechanical arm and be able to join Ms. Frizzle on the Magic School Bus and learn how to cook using solar energy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will present two Symposiums on the science of food safety, nutrition science and the food label. FDA also gives a stipend to participants that exceed the cost of the workshop. These and other workshops will give teachers experience with exciting new technologies, techniques and resources they can take back to their classrooms.

Also not to be missed, NSTA's Exhibition of Science and Teaching Materials in the convention center. With more than 100 companies and organizations exhibiting, attendees will be able to explore, examine and learn about the latest science education materials, laboratory equipment and computer hardware and software available.

The NSTA Fort Lauderdale Area Conference begins on Thursday, November 12 at 8: 00 a.m. and will conclude at noon on Saturday, November 14. Teachers interested in attending the conference can register online at http://www.nsta.org/conferences.

About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.