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NSTA exhibit hall scene
session at an NSTA conference
NSTA conference view
hands-on activity at an NSTA conference

You never know what you'll run into in the Exhibit Hall of an NSTA Conference on Science Education.

Exhibitor workshops show how to use the latest tools and techniques.

Share your experience and swap classroom stories with your colleagues at NSTA conferences.

NSTA conference sessions provide hands-on learning opportunities for science educators.

Conferences & Professional Learning

NSTA Conferences on Science Education

NSTA conferences offer the latest in science content, teaching strategy, and research to enhance and expand your professional growth. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to collaborate with science education leaders and your peers. Each year, NSTA hosts a national conference on science education (in the spring), three area conferences (in the fall), and a STEM Forum & Expo.

Twitter hashtags: #NSTA17 (2017 conferences), #NSTA (all-purpose)

Upcoming Conferences

Los Angeles (Nat'l): Mar. 30–Apr. 2, 2017 Registration Housing/Travel Sessions More …
STEM Forum & Expo: July 12–14, 2017 Registration Housing/Travel More …
Baltimore: Oct. 5–7, 2017 More …
Milwaukee: Nov. 9–11, 2017 More …
New Orleans: Nov. 30–Dec. 2, 2017 More …

Proposals are no longer being accepted for the 2017 Los Angeles national conference, the 6th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, and the 2017 Area Conferences. We are in the process of accepting proposals for the following:

  • 2018 National Conference: Atlanta

For more information on presenting and to submit a proposal, click here.

Want to promote your educational product or service? Select Exhibits and Advertising and learn about opportunities at NSTA conferences.

NSTA District Package: Teaming Up for STEM

District leaders and school administrators are invited to take advantage of customized learning experiences at the national conference in Los Angeles. NSTA can guide groups of teachers and administrators, throughout the conference, to ensure that they use this incredible learning opportunity to best meet the actual needs of their schools or district. Learn more

NGSS Workshop

Please check out the following NGSS workshop:

NSTA Virtual Conferences

Do you have a limited travel budget and want to enhance your skills from the comfort of your own home? NSTA offers virtual conferences on key topics such as NGSS, STEM, and PreK–6 Science! Click here to register for the next live conference and/or purchase archives from a recent program.

Recent Conferences

Columbus: Dec. 1–3, 2016 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions More …
Portland: Nov. 10–12, 2016 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions More …
Minneapolis: Oct. 27–29, 2016 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions More …
STEM Forum & Expo: July 27–29, 2016 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
Nashville (National): Mar. 31–Apr. 3, 2016 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
Kansas City: Dec. 3–5, 2015 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
Philadelphia: Nov. 12–14, 2015 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
Reno: Oct. 22–24, 2015 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
2015 Summer Institutes: July 9 | July 28
STEM Forum & Expo: May 20–23, 2015 Sessions
Chicago (National): Mar. 12–15, 2015 Transcripts Evaluations Sessions
Archive of past conference sessions
Use the online browser here to download files shared by presenters

Future Conferences

National Conferences

  • Los Angeles, California: March 30–April 2, 2017
  • Atlanta, Georgia: March 15–18, 2018
  • St. Louis, Missouri: April 11–14, 2019
  • Boston, Massachusetts: March 26–29, 2020
  • Chicago, Illinois: April 8–11, 2021

2018 Area Conferences

  • Reno, Nevada: October 11–13
  • Gaylord National Harbor, Maryland: November 15–17
  • Charlotte, North Carolina: November 29–December 1

Professional Learning

Professional Learning Institutes

Professional Learning Institutes (PLIs) are focused, content-based programs that explore key topics in science/STEM education in depth. One-Day PLIs are a preconference full-day session only. Full PLIs begin with a full-day preconference session, followed by pathway sessions that offer further exploration of the topics covered. PLIs are presented by experts in science/STEM education, professional learning, standards implementation, assessment, curriculum, and resources/materials development. Institutes are offered in conjunction with the NSTA National Conference on Science Education and require conference registration. Learn more

Click here for information on The Northrop Grumman Foundation Professional Learning Institute Scholarship Program Opportunity.

Online Learning

NSTA Learning Center

To create a personalized learning journey based on your own unique learning needs and preferences, visit the NSTA Learning Center, where you can plan, track, and assess your progress over time.

ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

The ExxonMobil Teachers Academy for grades 3–5 teachers is dedicated to increasing students’ learning and appreciation of math and science by enhancing teachers’ mathematics and science content knowledge; demonstrating the interrelationships between scientific inquiry and mathematical problem solving; helping teachers use the tools of mathematics to build understanding and connections to science concepts; and modeling "best practices" in teaching and learning for teachers to use in their classrooms. Learn more

FDA / NSTA Partnership in Food Science

FDA / NSTA Partnership in Food Science

Begun in 1999, NSTA and FDA used inquiry-based science to develop a supplementary curriculum called Science and Our Food Supply, for middle and high school science teachers. The program provides challenging hands-on activities that link food science and food safety to students' everyday lives. Learn more

NSTA New Science Teacher Academy

New Science Teacher Academy logo

The NSTA New Science Teacher Academy is geared to the needs of science teachers in their second through fifth year of teaching.

Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy

The Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy is a program for middle school physical science, engineering, and technology teachers (grades 5–8) designed to help enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, engineering, and technology, while increasing teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. Learn more

NSTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation

These NSTA standards are intended as the foundation for a performance assessment system, through which teacher candidates must satisfactorily demonstrate their knowledge and abilities at stable assessment points (gateways) in the science teacher preparation program. The standards address the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are deemed important by NSTA for teachers in the field of science. Learn more

Science Matters

Science Matters is a public awareness and engagement campaign designed to rekindle a national sense of urgency and action among schools and families about the importance of science education and science literacy. The Science Matters network is a vehicle for information dissemination and communication among teachers of science.