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He discovered the RMS Titanic, methane-fueled mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Mexico, completely preserved shipwrecks in the Black Sea and life where most believed wasn’t possible. And now, famed oceanographer and explorer Dr. Robert Ballard is taking the very explorations and discoveries that made him famous on a new mission to create the classroom of tomorrow. And you could have a front row seat.*

STAT is pleased to announce Dr. Robert D. Ballard as the keynote speaker at CAST 2010 in Houston, Texas.

In collaboration with National Geographic’s The Jason Project, Robert Ballard will share extraordinary details about his travels across the globe, uncovering just a fraction of the mysteries that belie current scientific research. His explorations uncovered historical artifacts and even a ‘Lost City, --much of it by accident. From recent discoveries of living organisms miles beneath the ocean’s surface, to excavating nearly intact shipwrecks in the Black Sea, his quest for answers will take you and your students beyond your classroom textbooks and into the heart of the expedition experience. 

*Register early and your name will be entered in a drawing for a VIP seat and invitation to the exclusive VIP reception with Ballard on Wednesday, November 10! Space is limited and available to Early Bird Registrants. Stay tuned to CAST online for more details!*

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released the list of interim charges that Texas Senate committees will study before the Legislature reconvenes in January 2011. View the full list of charges here. The following summary of charges are expected to be the most relevant to STAT:

Education

2. Review the state’s education policy and initiatives regarding middle grades. Make recommendations to ensure a comprehensive state strategy for preparing students at the middle grades for high school retention and success. This review should include an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth to finish school and that deter delinquency, drug abuse and violence.

3. Review teacher compensation, evaluations, professional development, certification and training programs. Specifically, review the following:

• Teacher compensation including the Minimum Salary Schedule. Incentive pay, merit pay, and stipends;
• How teacher evaluations can be effective mechanisms for increasing student achievement and improving instructional practices by including multiple measures, particularly student achievement data based on growth. Evaluate how teacher evaluations can direct district decisions on providing professional development, mentoring, intervention, and possible dismissal in response to underperforming teachers;
• State sponsored professional development initiatives including the alignment of professional development with curriculum and real work experiences and the value of professional development for bilingual, ESL and special education teachers in increasing student achievement.
• Need to adopt statewide standards for teacher certification and in-service training programs for regular and special education teachers at both the pre-service and in-service levels to ensure all teachers are highly qualified to teach students with disabilities.

7. Review dual credit courses including the cost of delivery, funding mechanisms, and possibility of a statewide dual credit system. This review should also include an examination of the rigor, quality and consistency of dual credit courses. (Joint charge with Senate Higher Education Committee)

8. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to  improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Review the implementation of legislation related to the state’s accountability system including the revised dropout rate calculation, textbooks, and the virtual school network. Specifically, monitor the following:

• HB 3, relating to public school accountability;
• HB 2488, relating to open-source textbooks, and HB 4294, relating to textbooks and the use of technology;
• HB 3646, relating to public school finance and programs; and
• SB 174, relating to an accountability system fir educator preparation programs.

Finance

1. Review and make recommendations regarding existing and future public debt at all levels of government in Texas, including independent school districts, cities, other local governments and the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan.

Higher Education

6. Review the structure and operation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Evaluate the board’s data collection systems, including costs to higher education institutions, and make recommendations for improvements. Include an assessment of higher education reporting requirements and make recommendations to eliminate duplicate requirements and streamline reporting.

8. Review dual credit courses including the cost of delivery, funding mechanisms, and possibility of a statewide dual credit system. This review should also include an examination of the rigor, quality and consistency of dual credit courses. (Joint charge with Senate Higher Education Committee)

AUSTIN, Texas (January 11, 2010) –The Science Teachers Association of Texas is thrilled to announce Chevron as Presenting Sponsor of the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), November 2010 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

Chevron’s sponsorship is the first significant contribution from an energy company to the conference. “Science teachers are always appreciative of support from industry, because they are cognizant of science education and its costs,” said Patsy Magee, Conference Chair.  “When industry steps up it makes teachers feel that others realize the importance of their job.” 

Chevron will also assist with the Reception and Tote Bags at CAST. Their early commitment will go a long way in making this a successful conference.  Patsy Magee says, “In reality, industry should support science education because their future workers are being taught by science teachers.  Another benefit for teachers is the connection with the industry.  Industry connects with teachers and teachers connect with students.”  Chevron’s sponsorship is surely a connection from which CAST will benefit and grow.

The conference is expected to host more than 7,000 attendees including teachers, administrators, and experts from across the state who will come together for three days of hands-on professional development.  As the largest statewide science conference in the nation, CAST has built its reputation around providing quality continuing education for science teachers.

 “Around the globe, wherever Chevron does business, we work to make our part of the world a better place. We know that begins with education,” said Joni Baird, Chevron Public and Government Affairs Manager.  “Chevron’s partnership with the Science Teachers Association of Texas is an opportunity to engage more students in the wonder of science and help create the future workforce of our country.”

Registration for the conference is open to teachers and administrators, but others who are interested in hands-on science education are welcome to attend. More information can be found at www.statweb.org.

About The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)
STAT, founded in 1957, is a non-profit organization of elementary, middle and high school teachers, college educators and supervisors of science. As a resource for science education, STAT is dedicated to ensuring that all students are scientifically and technologically literate, responsible and productive citizens. STAT is a chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and serves as a unified voice and network for science teachers across the state of Texas. The organization keeps members informed about current trends in science education, and provides opportunities to view the latest in technology, curriculum, materials and services. Today, STAT represents more than 6,000 members.

About Chevron
Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 62,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables.  More information is available at www.chevron.com.

Congratulations to teachers Candy Ellard and Barbara Kelley on being recognized yesterday at the White House for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching!

Ellard and Kelley were among just 100 outstanding educators honored in the special presentation by President Obama. The awards are the Nation’s highest honors recognizing outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and beyond.

A teacher at Pillow Elementary School in Austin, Ellard was named Pillow’s 2008 Teacher of the Year.  She is known for her tireless dedication, her extraordinary teacher mentoring skills, and her celebrated field trip outings to reward and inspire her students.  Kelley teaches at Cannon Elementary in Grapevine, and has also been named her school’s Teacher of the Year.  She is celebrated for her ability to lead not only her students, but also her fellow teachers; she excels as a teacher who builds a trust-based relationship with her students, encouraging them to think for themselves and celebrate their unique talents.

On behalf of all of us at the Science Teachers Association of Texas, our staff and members, we extend our sincere congratulations to Candy and Barbara and thank you for being an inspiration to us all.