STEM Policy Expert Jame Brown will paint a picture of the federal public policy landscape for STEM education generally and science education in particular, including emerging policies in Congress and the federal government and the outlook for the future.

TAKEAWAYS:
Get smart on what’s going on in Washington, DC around STEM education and how it can impact the science education ecosystem and your local community.

SPEAKERS:
James Brown

Join NSTA, the STEM Education Coalition, the Hands-On Science Partnership and the National Academies to learn about emerging public policy issues and how NSTA members can engage in the policymaking conversation at the national, state, and local level.

TAKEAWAYS:
As the old saying goes: If you are not at the table, you might end up on the menu. We will talk about practical ways to get science educators around today’s policymaking table. Also get a preview of upcoming NAS studies that can impact the field.

SPEAKERS:
Amy Stephens, Erika Shugart, Alex Molinich, James Brown

Deep dive trainings in strategic communications; focused on the use of digital and social media tools to reach broader audiences and on persuasive writing tips and techniques. Trainings will be followed by a panel of state teams who completed the trainings and are using the skills locally.

TAKEAWAYS:
Skills to effectively advocate for K12 science via digital and social media tools and techniques for securing OpEd/LTE and blog placements.

SPEAKERS:
Josh Parrish, Julia Rothenberg, Eric Rosenberg, Adam Ezring

The “Advocacy in Action” pathway will culminate with a panel discussion featuring three states that participated in a special communications and advocacy training program last year. They will share key takeaways form that training and describe specific actions they have each taken to improve their communications or to engage in local advocacy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Guidance and concrete ideas for how you and your colleagues can learn from these states and launch your own advocacy efforts locally! Featuring an advocacy charge from NSTA leadership to all NSTA members.

SPEAKERS:
Autumn Rivera, Julie Luft, Jonathan Frostad, Maggie Moore, Adam Ezring