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Summer is a great time for teacher to get together to share experiences and ideas. In this thread are ideas for summer conferences 2012 Second ASQ STEM conference This innovative conference invites faculty from K-12 and higher education, educational and STEM administrators, government officials, scientists, engineers and workforce development professionals from industry and others who are interested in moving the STEM Agenda forward to attend and network. Our schedule includes time for networking and the discussion of ideas for improving STEM education and taking back to your institutions, communities and corporations the latest ideas on STEM initiatives and successful collaboration among stakeholders. July 16-17 http://asq.org/conferences/stem-agenda/

Since my family has moved again and I'm "between districts" at the moment, I'm enjoying the rare opportunity to seek out my own professional development this summer. I'm looking beyond state and district offerings and am instead looking to local aquariums, museums, universities, etc. Has anyone found other fantastic PD opportunities in places you might not expect to find them? Some of the best PD I've ever had was right in my own backyard. Thanks! Kendra

HI Kendra, The National Science Education Leadership Association in partnership with NSTA is holding a Summer Leadership Institute in Austin Texas June 24th - 28th and the focus of the institute will be the NGSS. We will have Harold Pratt walk us through the Frameworks and Stephen Pruitt and the writers of the standards will be helping us in a in-depth look at the standards and what that means for us. We will also have a developing leadership strand in case you or someone you know is interested. It's not a typical professional development experience and I encourage you to learn more at www.nsela.org. Beth Allan

It may be a little late to get in on TI's Inspire Summer Workshops http://education.ti.com/calculators/pd/US/In-Your-Area/Summer-Workshops Learn how to bring TI-Nspire technology into your instruction.* T³ – Teachers Teaching with Technology™ Summer Workshops offer hands-on, subject-specific TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS technology training to new and experienced educators. Dates and Locations here http://www.baskow.com/client/tinspire2012/topics.htm#gs-hssci

Next Generation STEM Learning: Investigate, Innovate, Inspire. November 8-10, 2012, Kansas City, Missouri. Register by September 26 for best conference rates Next Generation STEM Learning: Investigate, Innovate, Inspire will focus on how colleges, community colleges, and universities of all sorts can articulate, expand, measure, and track what works to advance students’ achievement of key learning outcomes, emphasizing scientific literacy, quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking, and visionary leadership. Planned in concert with leaders from Project Kaleidoscope, the conference also will feature evidence-based practices that address the urgent need to help underserved students pursue and succeed in STEM courses and programs. It will feature interdisciplinary learning experiences; alignment of program goals for STEM student success across the K-16 continuum; strategies for institutional change that enable 21st century learning; and new approaches in the curriculum and co-curriculum to provide real-world experiences. http://www.aacu.org/meetings/stem/12/index.cfm?goback=.gde_1146517_member_117877652

ISTE's thirty-third annual conference and exposition is in beautiful San Diego, California. Join us at ISTE 2012 as we discover how educators from around the world are using innovative technologies to help students expand their horizons June 24-27 http://www.isteconference.org/2012/

ISTE Leadership conference focus forward Come together with education leaders and change agents at the ISTE leadership conference, October 21–23, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In our first year, we will "focus forward" as we work together to transform learning environments so that all students can reach their creative and intellectual potential. http://www.iste.org/conference/LeadershipConference.aspx

Alan November's building learning communities http://blcconference.com/about July 15-20 Each year at BLC, we welcome representatives from around the world along with some of the most prestigious leaders in the field of education. In recent years, we have welcomed educators from all over the world. Our conference program features hands-on pre-conference workshops, keynotes and over 90 main session workshops.

The Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) is a statewide event that provides quality programs focused on technology in the educational field. Each year, hundreds of exhibitors showcase their latest technology products and services to the vast audience of teachers, administrators, technology directors, school board members and more. Monday and Tuesday mornings kick off with keynote speakers that will both educate and inspire you. Throughout the three days, you can attend concurrent sessions, keystone poster sessions and student showcases. There is something for everyone at PETE&C! http://www.peteandc.org/ Feb 10-13 2013

Upstate Technology Conference Are we turning the page by giving our students opportunities to wrestle with real problems? Are our students presented with challenging ideas and applying content in meaningful ways? As we prepare our students for the 21st Century, we strive to provide opportunities for students to collaborate, think creatively, and solve problems. Join us at at Wade Hampton High School, for the FREE Upstate Technology Conference featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Lodge McCammon. June 12-13 http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/utc/main.asp?titleid=index

his year the NYS Outdoor Education Association (NYSOEA) Conference will be on Long Island at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Suffolk County, offering more than 100 indoor and outdoor workshops and field trips over four days (Thursday Oct. 18-Sunday Oct 21) and featuring three keynote speakers and special interactive events. Our theme is: Outdoor Education has always been 'green'....and an effective way to teach STEM." See www.nysoea.org for information, including a listing of many of the confirmed workshops. It's very affordable, too.(Early bird registration before July 31 is less than $150, including a year's membership in NYSOEA). http://nysoea.org/2012-conference/

IMPROVING TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING FOR ALL STUDENTS: A PLAN OF ACTION ITEEA's 75th Anniversary celebration of its past, present, and future will take place in Columbus, OH on March 7-9, 2013. We invite your application to present as we work together to improve technology and engineering for all students. Show us your “plan of action.” http://www.iteea.org/Conference/conferenceguide.htm

Science Teacher of Ontario STAO2012 November 15, 16, 17, 2012 DoubleTree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Hotel STAO2012 Theme: RECAPTURE THE WONDER! We currently teach students who are hooked into information technology: their heads are bent reading and typing while their ears are plugged with favourite tunes! And why is this not good? The answer is simply because our real 3D world is full of wonderful science. If you asked them questions such as why do fireflies glow or why is vinegar which is sour considered delicious by some or if a tree falls in a forest when no one is there does it make a sound, most would simply look them up = flat 2D information. It is our job to provide students with experiences to understand their world. To do that, teachers must recapture student curiosity and ignite their imagination! http://stao.ca/conf2/conference.php

SEEC Space Exploration Educator's Conference February 7-9, 2013 This conference is for Grades K-12 – and not just for science teachers! Space Center Houston strives to use space to teach across the curriculum. The activities presented can be used for science, language arts, mathematics, history, and more! Space Center Houston is proud to continue offering the educational opportunity of a lifetime! Experience three days of complete submersion into the out-of-this world adventure of space exploration! Attend sessions hosted by the actual scientists and engineers working on these exciting endeavors including the International Space Station, Mars exploration, and the planets beyond. Hear from the astronauts leading the charge in exploration! Come learn about the bold vision to send humans back to the Moon and off to Mars! Attend sessions presented by educators and receive ready to implement classroom ideas and experience minds-on, hands-on fun! Network with fellow educators, take back a multitude of cross curriculum ideas and activities and earn 24 hours of Continuing Professional Education credit. http://www.spacecenter.org/TeachersSEEC.html

2012 CALIFORNIA SCIENCE EDUCATION CONFERENCE OCTOBER 19-21, 2012• SAN JOSE, CA The 2012 conference will be held at the San Jose Convention Center, Marriott San Jose Hotel, Hyatt Place San Jose, and Hilton San Jose Hotel. The workshops have been selected and are available for viewing on an Excel list. The workshop schedule will be available online this summer. http://www.cascience.org/csta/conf_home.asp

CAST (Conference on the Advancement of Science Teaching) When: Nov. 8-10, 2012 Where: Corpus Christi, Texas For more than 50 years, the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) has been connecting science educators and policymakers from across Texas and beyond. CAST 2012 is Nov. 8-10 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Included in the registration price is access to more than 650 free workshops tailored to specific grade levels and subject matters. Extra-Early Bird Registration is now open. Extra-Early Bird Payment Deadline: July 15, 2012 ($115) Early Bird Payment Deadline: Sept. 30, 2012 ($120) Advance Payment Deadline: Oct. 31, 2012 ($150) Regular Payment Deadline: Nov. 8, 2012 ($165) http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/science-teaching-conference/

AAPT July 28-Aug 1 The AAPT 2012 Summer meeting will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the first great American experimental physicist, Ben Franklin. Physics is an experimental science. Encouraging and empowering the next generation to embrace the art of experimentation that lies at the core of physics, will ensure that our field remains vibrant and alive. http://www.aapt.org/Conferences/sm2012/

Square One has an excellent list of workshops http://squareonenetwork.org/educators/ Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles August 20-21 2012 Oak Park High School, Oak Park, MI Educators for 4-12 grade youth, with an interest in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as they apply to the marine environment are invited to attend this exciting 2-day workshop that provides a truly unique educational opportunity. Participants will receive an instruction manual, materials and support to design, engineer and build a fully functional underwater remotely operated vehicle or ROV. STEM skills and activities presented in this workshop support standards and benchmarks in science, math and technology. Each team will receive lessons, design and build a fully functional ROV, control box, power source, and optical system valued at over $800 Cost: $200 per team of three for workshop meals, materials and instruction. SBCEUs are available Science of Cell Phones and Wireless July 24 & 25 2012 Oakland Schools, Waterford MI Discover an exciting and meaningful way to teach waves and the technology of wireless communication. We use Iphones, Blackberrys, and other wireless devices every day, most students and teachers don't really understand the science behind these technological marvels. These devices can be used to effectively teach physics concepts, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Teachers should attend in teams of two. 8:30 – 4 both days Cost: $500 per team of two (includes meals and materials) SBCEUs are available for this workshop Synergy Summit: Winning the Future August 15, 2012 Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI Creating tomorrow’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) leaders is critical to America’s economic future. Generating excitement in our youth is the first step in this process. Please join us in uniting educators, students, entrepreneurs, non-profit service agencies and industry leaders as we seek ways to cultivate a creative, well-prepared technology oriented workforce through dynamic presentations and conversation. Keynote Speaker, Ann Arbor’s renowned Menlo Innovations will set the stage with"Igniting Innovation through Collaboration" providing valuable and compelling best practices you won’t want to miss. Plan for a dynamic, relevant and engaging program. Save the date! Cost: $95 (includes lunch and materials) SBCEUs are available for this conference

The AERAn 2013 annual conference will be in San Francisco, California Saturday, April 27 - Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Theme: Education and Poverty: Theory, Research, Policy and Praxis Dates for open submission for the 2013 Annual Meeting are: June 1 – July 22nd, 2012 http://www.aera.net/Default.aspx?TabID=10208

The 85th annual convention of the FFA will be October 24 – 27, 2012, Indianapolis. Details about sessions and teacher workshops will be available in August https://www.ffa.org/Events/conventionandexpo/planning/Pages/Registration.aspx#

Each year, FFA members from all over the United States travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) During the five-day event, attendees learn how to become effective leaders by teaching them to know their purpose, value people, take action, and serve others. They leave WLC with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, community, and their country. Most sessions are sold out. There are opening for weeks 6 & 7 https://www.ffa.org/events/conferences/WLC/Pages/default.aspx#

The 2013 NARST (National Association for Research in Science Teaching) Annual International Conference will be in the Wyndham Rio Mar Rio Grande, Puerto Rico April 6-9, 2013 http://www.narst.org/annualconference/2013_Conference_flyer.pdf

For International Members and those feeling adventurous CONASTA is the annual Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). In 2012 CONASTA 61 will be hosted by the Science Educators Association of the Australian Capital Territory (SEA*ACT). CONASTA 61 will offer a strong Professional Program including: Lab Tech Program, Primary Program, Workshops and Excursions. CONASTA 61 will also offer fantastic social and networking opportunities. CONASTA 61 will be held at the Australian National University (ANU) 8-11 July 2012. http://www.cvent.com/events/conasta-61/event-summary-cdec804aed4d474cb57ff6441e804c93.aspx

The ACS will be offering it's chemistry in the community workshop this summer in Chicago. The ACS picks up most expenses (July 15-18 Loyola University) http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_SUPERARTICLE&node_id=1146&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=b69e4644-90a7-438e-9684-dc38147b462b Three-day residential workshops Chemistry in the Community are conducted each summer throughout the country by ACS Master Teacher Leaders. In this workshop, you will: Gain in-depth knowledge of the first four units of ChemCom Learn instructional tips and techniques Get explanations about the ChemCom philosophy Perform many of the student laboratory investigations and classroom activities with an emphasis on safety, analysis and preparation

Here is another option for international and adventurous members (BTW - I would love to attend if anyone out there would sponsor me :) World Conference on Science and Technology Education - To be held on 29th September to 3rd October 2013, in Kuching, Malaysia http://worldste2013.org/

1st Annual International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development Conference This conference will focus on ISS Research and Development—research results and future opportunities in physical sciences, life sciences, Earth and space sciences, and spacecraft technology development. Plenary sessions will highlight major results and pathways to future opportunities. Organizations managing and funding research on ISS, including NASA programs and the ISS National Laboratory will provide overviews of upcoming opportunities. Parallel technical sessions will provide tracks for scientists to be updated on significant accomplishments to date within their disciplines. The meeting also includes a workshop designed to help new users take this information and develop their own ideas for experiments using this unique laboratory. Potential ISS users who attend will learn: “What can I do on the ISS? How can I do it? What are sources for funding?” http://www.astronautical.org/node/96

PBL World June 18-22 Napa California http://www.pblworld.org/ Join a worldwide group of educators who are focused on empowering 21st century learners through Project Based Learning. Share your ideas for improving teaching and learning with Project Based Learning. Learn best practices in project design, assessment and management in workshops facilitated by the best in the business

SocialEdCon 2012 (formerly EduBloggerCon) http://www.isteunplugged.com/sat-623-socialedcon.html Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 8:00am - 4:00pm art of the EduBloggerCon tradition, SocialEdCon is the fifth all-day unconference held the Saturday before ISTE, and it's a great event for beginners and regular attenders alike! Come join us for an amazing community experience filled with interesting conversations in a highly social environment. SocialEdCon is free (thanks to the amazing generosity of ISTE). There is no formal signup, but for planning purposes and connecting with others, it's helpful to have you indicate your attendance at the Classroom 2.0 or Facebook event (coming soon) pages. Honestly, this is a great event, and many will tell you it is the event to attend at ISTE because it's all about connecting and sharing. SocialEdCon is based on the idea of an "unconference", and is being organized by the participants in real time on-site. It's maybe better referred to as a "collaborative conference." There are no formal presentations, just "conversations" that you or others facilitate. To lead a session, it is not expected that you prepare material but that you have a topic you want to open to discussion. If you're not sure what to expect for EduBloggerCon, take a look at the photos and schedule from EduBloggerCon 2011. Every year is different but equally fun!

The National Teacher Institute for Garden-Based Learning is a collaborative partnership between Longwood Gardens and KidsGardening.org, a resource of the National Gardening Association. The partnership was formed to offer professional development to educators and volunteers from one of the great gardens of the world and the leader in K-12 plant-based educational resources, materials, and grants. The engaging on-site courses delivered at Longwood, as well as through LongwoodLIVE, its online global classroom, offer you the best of both worlds in gardening education. Classes provide you with creative and practical ways to augment classroom curriculum, while inspiring a new generation of learners who value plants and stewardship of the environment. Teachers, administrators, volunteers, and community youth educators are encouraged to participate. NGA is pleased to partner with Longwood to share their expertise, through the National Teacher Institute for Garden-Based Learning, in building and maintaining successful school gardens and garden programs. This initiative furthers NGAs mission to build A Garden in Every School(R) - and their dedication to make a difference through individual teachers and students. Visit NGA's website to learn more about its mission, educational resources, grant opportunities, and more. https://ce-registration.longwoodgardens.org/wconnect/ShowSchedule.awp1?~~GROUP~:FULL

ASEE Annual Workshop on Engineering Education 2012 ASEE K-12 Workshop on Engineering Education Presented by Dassault Systèmes “Employing Engineering for STEM Learning” June 9, 2012 San Antonio, Texas 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center 200 East Market Street K-12 teachers and engineering educators from the southwest and across the nation! Please join us for an energizing, interactive day focusing on advancing K-12 STEM education in the classroom. Learn about hands-on, innovative, effective ways to integrate engineering education into the STEM classroom. Count on new knowledge and best practices, fun ideas for lessons, useful take-away materials, networking opportunities, and a program document stating hours of completion. (Depending on attendee's institution, hours can be applied toward continuing professional education credits.) http://www.asee.org/conferences-and-events/conferences/k-12-workshop/2012

The Schenectady Museum is offering a three day teacher workshop July 10-12. You may sign up for one, two, or three days. Please checkout the link below. You may also contact Elizabeth Hoffman at [email protected] for more information. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=qtpvpgcab&v=001wOJ9jnfVkvgm32av7HNU7G0gv_7Xrkw7kL3Veb2x5Tz9eIdGS3ZVmGhlPp72A0KhoAGAVcXPIpsrGUgz4n4fkbziRrH1YLvk51ckt2dhCM4e9Aw4S9s3cH4DGxL-_fDj

June 2012 June 10-13 – ASEE Annual Conference, San Antonio June 13-15 – TASSP Summer Workshop, Austin June 13-14 – TEPSA Summer Conference, Austin June 26 – Texas STEM Center Coalition Directors' Meeting, Dallas June 27-29 – U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference, Dallas June 27-29 -- Texas Regional Collaboratives Annual Meeting, Austin July 2012 July 17-20 – CAMT State Conference, Houston July 23-August 4 – The Texas Project Lead the Way Summer Training (STI 2), The University of Texas at Tyler July 30-August 2 – TxSTEM PBL Workshop, The University of Texas at Dallas September 2012 September 26-27– Coalition Directors' Meeting, Austin September 28-30 – TASA/TASB National Convention, Austin October 2012 October 10-12 – NCTM Fall Conference, Dallas November 2012 November 7-10 – CAST Conference, Corpus Christi January 2013 January 23 - Coalition Directors' Meeting, San Antonio January 24-26 - T-STEM Conference, San Antonio, Menger Hotel April 2013 April 6-9, NARST International Conference, Puerto Rico April 11-14, NSTA National Conference, San Antonio April 17-20, NCTM National Conference, Denver November 2013 November 6-9, CAST Conference, Houston

College of the Atlantic is offering several workshop of various topic over the summer ranging from climate change to forensics http://coa.edu/summercoursefacultybios.htm#classroomasacrimelabI

The SDE 2012 National Conferences for Professional Development are extraordinary resources for you and every other teacher at your school and in your district. These subject-specific conferences offer hundreds of sessions by renowned presenters. And, the choice of dates and locations will fit any summer schedule. http://www.sde.com/2012/

Pennsylvania's Ecology and Environmental has many PD opportunities posted for Central PA. Most are free or less than $15. http://www.pa3e.ws/whats-new.html

The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery (located near Jamestown KY) will be hosting a combined Flying WILD and Aquatic WILD on August 24 and 25. This training will focus on migratory and resident birds of Kentucky along with aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. Participants will take part in hands on activities and learn about WILD science. Registration fee is $10 per day or $15 for both days. This fee includes lunch. To register, email [email protected] or call 270-343-3797.

Don't forget to check the NSTA Calendar for information about upcoming summer professional development programs.

I would like to share some of the greatest PD I have every experienced. Although it is my understanding that it's by invitation only... You can be invited by the person(s) over your science department and/or math department of your district, if they know you are interested. (1) The Mickelson ExxonMobile Teacher Academy and (2) Sally Ride Science Academy also sponsored by ExxonMobil. Otstanding hands-on, inquiry based, totally interactive, complete with wonderful tools, resources and materials to use. Rhonda

Here's a link to a free webinar on project-based learning that will occur Aug 3 at 10am EST.

PBL webinar

Project based learning is a 'a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.' (Edutopia

Thank you, Patricia. We'll post the information about the webinar on www.nsta.org/publications/calendar shortly.

Will there be any pd opportunities in Hawaii?

There is a FREE workshop on integrating STEM into the elementary language arts/social studies curriuculum. It is a Children's Council sponsored workshop that precedes the ITEEA national conference in the Columbus (OH) Convention Center and will be on Wednesday March 6 from 5 to 6:30 PM. Dr. Susan Holland, retired gifted and technology education teacher from Westerville (OH) Schools will be the presenter. The ITEEA national conference will be held in Columbus, OH March 7-9, 2013 at the Columbus Convention Center. Many sessions will be specifically for elementary level educators. Deadline for early registration is February 1, 2013. More information is available at www.tecchome.org/index.html.

Girls on IceGirls on Ice is a unique, FREE, wilderness science education program for high school girls. Each year two teams of 9 teenage girls and 3 instructors spend 11 days exploring and learning about mountain glaciers and the alpine landscape through scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, ecologists, artists, and mountaineers. One team explores Mount Baker, an ice-covered volcano in the North Cascades of Washington State. The other team sleeps under the midnight sun exploring an Alaskan glacier. 2013 Girls on Ice Expeditions* North Cascades (July 21 – August 1): Open to all girls. Alaska (June 21 – July 2): Alaskan and Pacific Northwest girls. Applications are now available, http://girlsonice.org/apply/ Application Deadline: February 1, 2013 Announcement of Girls on Ice 2013 Team: March 15, 2013 Age: 15-18 (you must turn 15 before June 21, and be no older than 18 on August 1, 2013)