Nurturing Science Education Leadership

Colorado needs to continually "grow and nurture" new science education leaders and support long-term leaders. Leadership can occur at many levels - school, district, higher education, and informal science institutions. Every school, K-12, should have a designated science leader who is well connected with other science educators in Colorado. In a leadership role science educators can support classroom teachers with cutting edge resources and strategies.

If you aspire to become a science education leader, here are some ways to do it. The Colorado Science Education Network (CSEN) holds monthly meetings for science education leaders from many venues (e.g. science coordinators, teacher leaders, informal science educators from museums, environmental education organizations, state and national government agencies, higher education faculty, and science consultants). CSEN has links to regional, and national science education organizations such as the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA), Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), MidContinent Regional Education Laboratory (McREL). Most meetings have a professional development component highlighting a new resource (e.g. assessment, reading in the science content area), best practices from projects funded by grants, research that guides science education. Meetings also have time for educators in similar role to discuss issues and needs and time for sharing important information (e.g. current legislation, CSAP results, and professional development opportunities) and new resources. If you want further information about becoming involved with CSEN, contact Nancy Kellogg at nkellogg@earthlink.net

Science leaders can also stay connected through electronic means. You can be part of the MAST Center list serve.  (To subscribe: 1) open your e-mail program,  2) send an e-mail message to: scico-request@uncwow.org  3) at subject box, type: subscribe,  4) send.  To share a message with members of the Colorado
Education Network listserve: send your e-mail
message to: scico@uncwow.org)
If you are part of CSEN, you will also be on a list that receives state and national information.
Another avenue to stay connected and meet other science educators is to attend state and national conferences. The Colorado Science Convention will be on October 4-5 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. At the national level the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) holds a national conference each year and several regional conferences in the fall. In conjunction with many of the regional conferences and national conference, the National Science Education Leadership Association hosts a one day mini-conference prior to the NSTA convention that provides professional development for leaders and a summer leadership institute for several days. The life, earth/space and physical sciences also have national organizations that provide opportunities for science leaders and teachers.

Science leadership is important to students and teachers by providing critical support. In addition there are many rewards and benefits for science leaders.