Greetings and welcome to the Forty-Eighth annual New Jersey Science Convention!  

Welcome, returning educators and first-time attendees!  We are delighted to have you join us for another year of cutting edge professional development.  This year we are excited to share a change we have made to the program format.  Tuesday will kick-off at 8:30 AM with a keynote address from our presenter, Dr. Heather Lynch, Quantitative Ecologist and Professor at Stony Brook University.  Her presentation is titled “K-12 in Antarctica.”  You can read more about Dr. Lynch on our website, linked here.

The New Jersey Science Convention is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Science Teachers Association and the New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association.  Our convention brings you over 130 sessions and workshops of the highest quality K-12 programs, addressing all of the disciplinary core ideas with a focus on new and emerging technologies such as AI.   This year’s program will be linked on our website and updated regularly.  Exhibitors and vendors will provide you with ideas for new resources, equipment, and innovative classroom technology; be sure and stop by to see what they have to share.

The Presidents’ Reception will be held Tuesday evening at 5:00 PM, followed by the Annual Recognition Dinner at 6:00 PM.  Do not miss the opportunity to share this event and socialize with friends and colleagues!  You can purchase a ticket when you register on our website, NJ Science Convention, or reach out to registration@njscienceconvention.org and provide your confirmation number if you already registered.

Our mission is to provide a forum for educators to meet, collaborate and formulate new ideas to support science education.  The Steering Committee, composed of volunteers from both sponsoring organizations, has worked throughout the year to meet this mission.  We are grateful for the time and energy they dedicate throughout the year to make this convention possible. We thank the presenters, registration workers, and all the preservice teachers and the retired educators who volunteer their time during the convention. And of course we would like to recognize and share our gratitude for our exhibitors, sponsors, donors, and advertisers, whose generous support makes our convention possible. 

We hope you return to your districts energized!  We encourage you to share your convention experience with colleagues and invite them to join you in attending NJSC next year. Visit our website to find more information about NJSC (njscienceconvention.org). 

Angela Best, Executive Co-Chair, NJSTA

Coleen Weiss-Magasic, Executive Co-Chair, NJSELA

Dear Friends in Science Education,

It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2024 New Jersey Science Convention! On behalf of the New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association (NJSELA), we extend our deepest appreciation to Co-Chairs Angela Best and Coleen Weiss-Magasic, the committed members of the New Jersey Science Convention Steering Committee, and all our presenters, vendors, and contributors. Your collective efforts are instrumental in making this event a remarkable success.

I am profoundly grateful for your steadfast dedication to advancing science education in New Jersey. This convention offers a unique opportunity to gather and celebrate the tremendous strides we've made in our field.

In recent years, New Jersey's science educators have integrated groundbreaking technologies, innovative teaching tools, and interactive learning platforms into their curricula. These advancements have enabled us to create dynamic and captivating learning experiences, sparking a genuine interest in science among our students. Your commitment to continually improving teaching methods has significantly enriched the educational journey for all learners.

This year, we are particularly excited to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and OpenSciEd in our classrooms. AI offers transformative potential in personalizing education, providing real-time feedback, and enhancing student engagement. OpenSciEd, with its high-quality, freely accessible science instructional materials, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver equitable and impactful science education. By leveraging these tools, we can further inspire curiosity and deepen understanding in our students.

This convention is an inspiring occasion to acknowledge our achievements and plan for the future, focusing on enhancing New Jersey students' educational experiences with immersive and multi-dimensional learning opportunities. I encourage each of you to fully engage in the networking events over the next two days. Building connections, exchanging insights, and collaborating on new ideas will amplify our collective impact.

As you return to your schools and districts, I urge you to become ambassadors of inspiration and innovation. Share the knowledge and perspectives gained here with your colleagues. Your passion and dedication will drive us towards our shared goals and fortify the educational landscape across our state.

NJSELA's involvement in this convention highlights the crucial role of collaboration among science supervisors, directors, administrators, and educators. Your shared enthusiasm for science education enriches this event, and we are deeply honored by your participation and support.

We wish you all a rewarding and successful school year ahead. Your unwavering commitment to the future of science education in New Jersey inspires optimism and hope for what lies ahead.

Warm regards,

Laurie Maier  

President, NJSELA

Welcome fellow science educators and enthusiasts! 

The New Jersey Science Teachers Association (NJSTA) is pleased to co-sponsor, along with the New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association, the 48th annual New Jersey Science Convention.  

We are living in a time of change. Our 2024 theme, New Frontiers in Science and Technology, was chosen because of the impacts of NGSS and AI on the education landscape. In the past 15 years we have transitioned from smart phones to robotic vacuums to programs that are generating text, art, music, and videos. The physical, psychological, and pedagogical environments are changing. The climate is changing and creating new challenges that require new and creative solutions. Technological and scientific advancements are happening every day. With these new developments and discoveries we are forging new paths in this new educational and technological frontier. All of these changes require us to communicate, collaborate, and connect with each other. That is what the New Jersey Science Convention is about! 

The Convention offers an opportunity for us to learn from each other. Fellow educators, science leaders, and sponsors, from formal and informal settings, are presenting over 120 sessions that will inspire and engage you.  NJSTA is extremely grateful to everyone that helps to coordinate this phenomenal professional development event including the New Jersey Science Convention co-chairs, steering committee, and volunteers.  We learn not only from the presenters that share their knowledge and practice with us, but from each other. 

NJSTA offers you a community of like-minded science educators. Please consider becoming a member or becoming more involved.  Our Annual Fall General Membership meeting takes place on Tuesday of this convention from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in Nassau 25 where the upcoming events for this year will be announced and annual reports are presented.  The upcoming year promises to be an exciting one as we continue to find ways to connect with each other, promote high-quality science education, and support all New Jersey Science Teachers.  All are welcome!

I am constantly encouraged by passionate and dedicated teachers like yourselves that are committed to moving science teaching and learning forward in your classroom and New Jersey.  Please enjoy the many valuable experiences and networking opportunities while attending NJSC and take advantage of these two days to build your network and find support as we all move forward into the New Frontiers in Science and Technology. 

Warmly,

Lynn Prosen

NJSTA President