OSTA 62nd Annual Conference on Science Education

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Roosevelt Middle School,

Eugene, Oregon

Conference Registration	Conference Theme	Exhibitors & Sponsors
Conference Schedule	Conference Program	Conference Lodging
Awards Celebration	Keynote Speaker	Continuing Education Credit

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Support Oregon Science Education by becoming a sponsor.

Become A Sponsor

Partner Lever Sponsor

Innovator Level Sponsor

Mentor Level Sponsor

Keynote Speaker

Jes Burns works for OPB's Science & Environment unit as a science reporter and producer of the Northwest science show “All Science, No Fiction.”

She previously worked for the NPR affiliate KLCC in Eugene as a reporter and the local "All Things Considered" host. Jes has also worked as an editor, host and producer for Free Speech Radio News and has produced radio and television stories for national news programs, including “Marketplace” and “PBS NewsHour.” She’s won many awards for her reporting, including an AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award.

Jes has a degree in English literature from Duke University and a master's degree from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications.

Conference Registration

Conference Registration is open now. Click link above

Registration Type	Early Registration    Extended to October 4th	Advanced Registration Through October 26	October 27th through Onsite Registration
Member	$160	$180	$200
Non-member	$190	$210	$240
Pre-Service Teachers and Student Members	$50	$50	$50
Retiree Member	$110	$120	$130
WSTA Member*	$160	$180	$200

*WSTA Member rate requires a registration code.  Please contact WSTA Representative Carol Sandison (sandicar2165@gmail.com) for that code.

Please access this letter of support template  to present to administrators to request funding or time to attend the conference, if needed.

Conference Lodging

OSTA has arranged for special rates on hotel room blocks.  Due to limited availability, we encourage you to reserve your room as soon as possible. When booking, you must mention that you are attending the Oregon Science Teachers event to access the negotiated rate.

Reservations must be made by October 4th for the conference room rate. Rates are subject to minor adjustment due to updating government rate and Lane county lodging tax.

Hotel	Contact	Rate
Graduate Eugene 66 E 6th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401	844-888-GRAD (4723)	$152.00/night + tax
Hilton Garden Inn 3528 Gateway St, Springfield, OR 97477	541-736-3000	$132.00/night + tax
Comfort Suites Eugene 3060 E 25th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403	541-343-7000 https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/RT71V6	$169.00/night + tax

Continuing Education Credit

In Partnership with Eastern Oregon University, OSTA will be offering 1 CEU upon completion of the required work associated with your attendance at the conference.  Registration at EOU and payment of the credit fee ($200) is also required.  Registration process can be found here.

Here are examples of the assignments that were submitted from the 2023 Conference.

Here are some details to note:

• Registration must be completed by October 11, 2024.
• The Non-Admitted, Non-Degree Seeking student application fee of $25 is waived for individuals enrolling in Credit Overlay courses. 
• Please review your student account and if you believe you have been assessed this fee in error, please contact the EOU Admissions Office at admissions@eou.edu.

Conference Schedule

Time	What’s going on?
7:00 am	Check in & Network. Exhibits open at 7:30.
8:00 - 8:50 am	Concurrent Sessions
9:00 - 9:20 am	Break: Networking & Exhibit Hall Open
9:25 - 10:40 am	Welcome  Awards  Keynote Speaker: Jes Burns, All Science, No Fiction
10:40 - 10:50 am	Break: Networking & Exhibit Hall Open
10:55 - 11:45 am	Concurrent Sessions
11:45 am - 1 pm	Lunch, Networking & Exhibit Hall Open
1:10 pm - 2:00 pm	Concurrent Sessions
2:00 - 2:15 pm	Break: Networking & Exhibit Hall Open
2:20 - 3:10 pm	Concurrent Session
3:10 - 3:30 pm	Raffle Winners Announced

Awards 

Know an outstanding science teacher?

Nominations are now being accepted for awards to honor deserving science teachers in various stages of their career.  

Visit our Awards webpage for complete details and application links.

2024 OSTA Post Conference Celebration: Science Prom!

Join your colleagues as we celebrate the participants, awardees, volunteers, and special guests who have been part of the 2024 OSTA Fall conference.

Our theme this year is Science Prom! Break out your best science clothing or dive into your closet or a thrift store for prom specific (or adjacent) attire. Yes, that's right - we're expecting everything from poofy prom dresses and ruffled tuxes to favorite science t-shirts, lab coats, and goggles!

Tickets are $19.99 and there is a limited supply. Dinner is provided, a cash bar is available.

For more information or to register: https://oregonscience.org/event-5896941

Conference Program

This is the latest Schedule with presentation descriptions, room locations, and other key information including about our awards, keynote, president's message, and our conference sponsors .  A paper program copy of his program will be available onsite.

Friday Night Fun

Teacher Trivia Night, hosted by Stile, at Play (1232 W. 5th Ave, Eugene) on Friday, November 1 at 6:00 pm.

There will be dinner, drinks, and prizes.

For more information, see their event page. 

This Year's Conference Theme: Uniquely Oregon

Oregon is such a special place. Our varied geography, many cultures, and ways of knowing provide many commonalities among our thirteen regions, and outside of the state. Of course there are many differences too, and that’s what makes Oregon so special. So unique. In that spirit this year’s conference will highlight some of the incredible science and science teaching happening in our state inspired by several popular and uniquely Oregonian offerings from OPB.

Have fun connecting with what makes your region and your own science teaching fun and unique! We look forward to our time together in Eugene on Saturday, November 2, 2024!

Threads:

• Oregon Field Guide: Part of Oregon’s bounty is its natural wonders! We are so lucky to have incredible natural phenomena all across the state, from the coast to the Steens! What is happening in your part of the state? What are your unique teaching and engagement strategies? What are the local phenomena you and your students are interested in and working with? What’s happening outside of our classrooms - in school gardens, on field trips, at Outdoor School? Sessions in this thread will connect with questions like these, or you might make your own unique connections.

• Oregon Experience: The land we call Oregon has a rich history since time immemorial. What issues and events have shaped, and are shaping, the landscape of your science teaching and of students science learning? In what ways have you connected our changing weather and climate science to your students? How have you involved your community in scientific endeavors? How has traditional ecological knowledge been shared with your students? How have you incorporated our Tribal History/ Shared History lessons in your classrooms? Sessions in this thread will connect with questions like these, or you might make your own unique connections.

• All Science, No Fiction: We are fortunate to have a robust and innovative scientific research and engineering community in Oregon. From businesses and backyard projects to colleges and universities across the state, solutions-oriented work is setting the scene for our well being and satisfying our curiosity along the way. What makes you wonder? What problems are you and your students curious about? What’s going on in your local science community? How are you approaching challenging topics such as climate change with hope? Sessions in this thread will connect with questions like these, or you might make your own unique connections.