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OSTA 63rd Annual Conference on Science Education

2025 Theme: Tides of Discovery, Bridges to the Future

Pre-conference: Friday, October 10, 2025
Conference: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Newport Middle School,

Newport, Oregon

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Windschitl

Conference Registration Conference Schedule Pre-conference Events

Letter of Support Template

NOTE: You must be registered for the conference on Saturday to be eligible to attend the pre-conference events.

Some pre-conference opportunities may incur a cost to attend and will have a registration cap.

Registration Type	Early Registration By Sept. 12th	Advanced Registration Sept. 13th-30th	Registration Oct. 1st-11th
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 William Baur (wmbaur@yahoo.com) for that code.

Exhibitor registration

The Oregon Coast is a model for environmental stewardship and an inspirational location of dramatic scenery and rich wildlife. This year's conference, Tides of Discovery: Bridges to the Future emphasizes sustainability, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in shaping the world of tomorrow.

Threads:

Oregon Field Guide: Environmental Education & Stewardship

Explore Oregon’s diverse ecosystems—coastal tide pools, rainforests, mountains, and deserts—through hands-on, place-based learning. Sessions in this strand will integrate local environmental issues, climate impacts and solutions, sustainability, and stewardship into K-12 curricula, empowering students to understand and care for the planet through real-world, ecological education.

Enhancing Science & Engineering Instruction: Tools and Strategies for Success

Through sessions in this strand, educators will discover practical strategies and valuable resources to strengthen their science and engineering instruction. Focusing on hands-on techniques, real-world applications, and innovative tools, participants will leave with a toolkit of proven methods and materials to engage students and enhance learning in these critical fields. Whether you’re looking to improve lesson plans, integrate new technologies, or create more interactive experiences, this strand offers actionable insights to elevate your teaching practice.

Inclusive Science Education: Strategies for All Learners

Learn how to create equitable science classrooms that support diverse learners. This strand covers differentiated teaching, culturally responsive curricula and practices, accessible resources to engage all students, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and social justice in science education.

Pre-conference Events:

Event:	COST:	Registration Cap:	Event Details:
Marine Discovery Tours	$50	49	1:00-4:00 pm 345 SW Bay Blvd. Newport Join us on this expedition in which you learn what we do with school groups -- staffed by enthusiastic marine educators, the DISCOVERY delivers powerful, hands-on tours and experiences.
Field Science in Action: A Forest Experience for Educators	$25	25	1:00-4:00 pm Park near the Yakona Gate and Wilds Taphouse and BBQ, 775 SE College Way, Newport OR Join us for a moderate hike through the coastal fog belt forest at Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center. Explore how to engage students as scientists by collecting and analyzing real-world data in a living ecosystem. This takes place on a moderate to difficult hiking trail. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes with tread and layers. Fees for this event are to cover OSTA Pre-conference logistics: OFRI, Yakona, and Starker are not collecting a fee. If you have concerns about the trail please reach out to Anna Rodgers: anna@yakonaoregon.org.
Field-Based Science Inquiry: Into the Woods with the Diack Ecology Program	$25	25	1:00-4:00 pm Hatfield Marine, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport OR This pre-conference workshop will introduce teachers to a variety of methods, equipment and strategies for doing field-based research with students. It will be a hands-on workshop conducted outside, weather permitting. Information will be provided on how to apply for funding from the Diack Ecology Education Program
Climate Fresk	$25	36	1:00-4:00 Hatfield Marine, Guin Library Seminar Room, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport OR Climate Fresk: Seeing the big picture: Building a climate change and solutions mural + debriefing its value for students. This activity-based session will help participants construct a “big-picture” understanding of climate change, human impacts, and solutions, as well as how these are all connected.
Behind the Scenes @ the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center	$30	15	1:00-4:00 pm Oregon Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR This walking activity will include a 45 minute, behind the scenes tour at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and a variety of behind the scenes tours at Hatfield Marine Science Center, including the Vertical Evacuation Building, the Innovation Lab, the Visitor Center, and at least one other exploration of a lab or data collection center. Important: Wear close-toed shoes!
Yogurt Making	$40	20	1:00-4:00 pm Hatfield Marine, Ed Wing Room 27, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport OR This hands-on pre-conference workshop invites educators to explore the fascinating science of yogurt making in an engaging classroom activity. Participants will learn how live bacterial cultures ferment mile sugar into lactic acid, transforming milk proteins and creating the creamy texture of yogurt. Educators will receive a detailed lesson plan, student handouts, and strategies to guide scientific inquiry through observation of changes in pH, texture, and aroma, as well as experimental design by varying conditions such as fermentation time and temperature.

2025 Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Mark Windschitl

Dr. Mark Windschitl is a professor of Science Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington. He is the author of Teaching Climate Change: Fostering Understanding, Resilience, and a Commitment to Justice (2024, Harvard Ed Press). His research explores how K-12 educators find diverse ways to incorporate rigor, compassion, and hope into their climate change instruction. He has recently spoken about climate leadership with audiences at Harvard, UC Santa Barbara, The Exploratorium in San Francisco, the National Science Education Leadership Association, UC Irvine, and others. He is collaborating with the American Natural History Museum in New York City to create an online course on teaching about climate change, regeneration, and justice. Dr. Windschitl is also the lead author of Ambitious Science Teaching (2018, Harvard Ed Press) and a member of the National Research Council’s Committee on Strengthening and Sustaining Teachers.

Continuing Education Units

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. Click here to register.

Here are examples of the assignments that were submitted from the 2024 Conference.

Here are some details to note:

Registration must be completed by October 10, 2025
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.