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STAT Announces New Executive Director: Devorah Jakubowsky, CAE

The STAT Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Devorah Jakubowsky, CAE, as the new STAT Executive Director, continuing our successful partnership with Strategic Association Management (SAM). 

With more than 2 decades of experience in association management and having served as the STAT Deputy Director for the past year, Devorah brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her exceptional leadership within STAT, coupled with her deep understanding of the organization's mission, vision, and values, marks an exciting chapter for both STAT and the Texas science education community. As Executive Director, Jakubowsky will guide the strategic direction of the organization in close collaboration with the STAT Executive Board, ensuring continued success.

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Kiki Corry Named 2023 Children in Nature Individual Legacy Champion

STAT is thrilled to announce Kiki Corry, STAT 2023–2024 Past President, was named the 2023 Children in Nature Individual Legacy Champion! The Texas Children in Nature Children in Nature Champion Awards recognize individuals, like Kiki, who have had a significant impact in Texas in improving children’s connection with and access to nature.

Congratulations, Kiki! 

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Donald Burken Named Virginia Woods Award Recipient

STAT is proud to honor Donald Burken, a longtime STAT member and volunteer leader, with the Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education. The award is the highest award STAT can bestow upon a member for contributions to science education.

Donald, who recently retired from Spring Branch ISD, received the award last month at the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, in Houston.

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STAT Responds as SBOE Prepares to Vote on Textbook Adoption

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is set to approve instructional materials and resources to support the new science TEKS this week. The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) leadership is concerned about the SBOE actions taken earlier this week that preliminarily rejected many instructional materials and resources that were reviewed and vetted by both by the TEA process and the Texas Resource Review (TRR). Rejection of these vetted items could make it difficult to for Texas schools, teachers, and students to meet the learning objectives in the new TEKS.

Prior to the final vote, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, STAT is asking the SBOE to consider the following points:

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Congratulations to the 2023 STAT Statewide Award Recipients

Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.

The 2023 STAT Statewide Award recipients are: 

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2023 STAT Statewide Award Nominations Are Open

Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.

Nominations for the 2023 STAT Statewide Awards are now open. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today! Nominations and self-nominations will be accepted until August 31. All nominees will receive additional information, including an invitation to apply, which must be completed by September 14. Learn more about the award types and requirements here, and then submit a nomination today.

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CAST23 Early Bird Registration Is Open

Early bird registration and housing for the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT), are now open. Register now to reconnect with your Texas science community in Houston this November 9–11.

Learn more about registration types and deadlines here.

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CAST23 Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale Is Open

The CAST Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale is here! National Teacher Appreciation Week may just be a week long, but STAT is extending the celebration of our Texas science educators. 

Now through Wednesday, May 31, you can register for the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers (CAST), presented by STAT, November 9–11 in Houston, at the lowest possible rate to celebrate the many ways you’ve inspired discovery of the world through science this year. Register now for just $205 and save!

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Texas Educators Honored as H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Winners

H-E-B announced statewide award recipients of the 21st annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards on Sunday, April 30. Recipients included Katie Doyle, Oceans Program teacher at Flour Bluff Intermediate School, who was named the STAT 2022 Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year this past fall. Doyle was recognized in H-E-B's Rising Star Category, which honors recipients with a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school. 

In total, $430,000 in cash awards and grants were awarded to eight educators, two school districts, one early childhood school and a public-school board for being among the best in Texas.

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CAST23 Call for Proposals Is Open

The Call for Proposals for the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas, is now open! Submit your session proposal by Wednesday, May 31, to share your expertise at CAST23, this November 9–11 in Houston.

As one of the premier science education events in the country, CAST traditionally features hundreds of breakout sessions presented by educators like YOU who generously share their best strategies for inspiring discovery of the world through science. And this year, with the adoption and implementation of the new science TEKS approaching, attendees will benefit from sessions designed to help them navigate three-dimensional science teaching by leveraging the recurring themes and concepts and science and engineering practices into their daily instruction.

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Texas Educators Recognized by NSTA

STAT is proud to congratulate the excellent Texas educators recognized by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) as recipients of its 2023 NSTA Awards program. In fact, STAT is thrilled to share that George Hademenos, 2016–2017 STAT President and physics teacher in Richardson ISD, has been named recipient of the 2023 NSTA/Northrup Grumman Excellence in Engineering Education Award. 

Additional Texas educators recognized include recipients of the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge:

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