Contributed Article By Paul Anger/EAC Discovery Park
MESA – On Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7 – 9, nine local science educators were among more than 300 educators from across Arizona who attended the 2024 Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Annual Conference, “Voyages of Discovery: Charting the Uncharted in Science Education” sponsored by Eastern Arizona College, Freeport-McMoRan, and others.
The local STEM educators participating and demonstrating their commitment to advancing science education in the Gila Valley were; Becky Booth; Duncan High School and 2024 ASTA President and ASTA Conference Director, Dr. Phil McBride; EAC Senior Dean and ASTA Region V (Graham & Greenlee Counties Representative), Jodi Klayman; Pima High School, Diana Palmer, Brittani Allred, and Tawnie Anger; Pima Jr. High School, Cami Contreras; Pima Elementary School, Ethan McBride; EAC Associate Professor – Biology, and Paul Anger: Director, EAC Discovery Park and Chair of the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative.
The annual conference is a two-day professional development opportunity that provides science-based educators the opportunity to learn and practice new ideas and work together in advocating the best standards-based science teaching and learning for all of Arizona’s children.
The conference began Thursday with ASTA’s “NEXT GEN” Facilitators sharing “Deep Dive” grade-band focuses on “Characteristics of Sensemaking”; with instructions for an educational process that helps students understand how the world works and how to design solutions to problems. It involves students actively engaging with the world, asking questions, and developing, testing, and refining ideas. Participants queried the effects of high acidity in ocean water on oysters and shellfish, discussing the similarities and differences in locals, the possible causes, and envisioning solutions to resolve the issues.
Friday began with keynote speakers from the popular YouTube Channel; “The Amoeba Sisters”, who are Sarina Peterson (a self-taught cartoonist) and Brianna Rapini (a former high school biology teacher). “The channel specializes in teaching biology concepts at the high school level and beyond through engaging illustrated cartoons. At the center of the channel are the characters “Pinky” (Brianna) and “Petunia” (Sarina), two amoebas that guide viewers into the fascinating world of biology using humor and relevance.” The remainder of the day was filled with exciting break-out sessions on engaging in phenomenon-driven and Inquiry-based STEM curriculums and lessons.
Becky Booth: Duncan High School and 2024 ASTA President and Conference Director, commented that “science education, much like science itself, is ever evolving. It’s not a fixed program or a set of steps, but an ongoing journey of discovery—finding new ways to inspire a love of learning and teach with deeper meaning.”
For more information on the Arizona Science Teachers Association, or the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative (EASI) contact Paul Anger, at (928) 428-6260 or email: paul.anger@eac.edu.
