Science Education Leadership

WisTEP supports the need for teachers to become the next science education leaders in Wisconsin. Through professional organizations like the National Science Teachers Association, the National Biology Teachers Association, the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers, and the Wisconsin Science Education Leadership Association, WisTEP supports teachers that wish to change the educational system for the better for all students.

 

WSELA

The Wisconsin Science Education Leadership Association is a sharing and networking organization of science curriculum coordinators (and equivalent positions) from K-12 schools and school districts. Also participating in WSELA are staff agency representatives from the Department of Public Instruction, post-secondary institutions, science chairs, directors of curriculum and instruction, science coordinators, university faculty and staff, and others involved in teaching science to the K-12 students of Wisconsin.

Meetings are held twice a year, mainly in Madison. Topics of discussion include such issues of common interest as state science standards, professional development funding, state testing programs, laboratory safety issues, etc. The group currently has a mailing list and a listserv of about 50 educators. A nominal registration fee ($20 per meeting) helps offset administrative costs for WSELA.

The mission of WSELA is to...
* Advance principles and practices of effective science education leadership in Wisconsin;
* Build a community of education leaders;
* Influence science education policies and practices;
* Strive to influence policy that will improve science instruction in Wisconsin.

Who should join WSELA?
If you are a Wisconsin science educator responsible for:
* Reforming science education in your school district;
* Implementing exemplary K-12 science education programs;
* Addressing how state and national policies such as P134 licensing, Title II funding, WSAS testing, and ESEA impact programming in your district;
* Promoting strategies and methods for effective K-12 science programs.

Contact Information:
* Kevin Niemi at (608) 262-5480 or kjniemi@wisc.edu


2007-08 WSELA meetings

The fall meeting for WSELA was hosted by the Wisconsin Rapids school district and WRPS science coordinator David Bergerson. Notes from the November 5 meeting are posted.

WSELA/Nov05.07/Notes (pdf download of November 5 meeting notes)

The spring meeting of WSELA was held on March 4, 2008 at WEAC headquarters in Madison. Notes from the meeting as well as associated handouts are posted below. Highlights from our March meeting include our always informative update from Shelley Lee-DPI science consultant, discussions of district Advanced Placement courses, MSP Grant Program--Abdallah Bendada-Title II coordinator for DPI, Madison schools and their mitochondrial DNA project-Andrea Anderson, Learning Targets and Curriculum--Dean Simon-Kimberly District, 21st Century Skills and Liberal Education & America's Promise (LEAP)-Shelley Lee and Kevin Niemi, and other very fruitful discussions as well as a scrumptious lunch.

WSELA/March04.08/Notes (pdf download of March 4 meeting notes)

 

2008-09 WSELA meeting dates

The fall meeting of WSELA was held on October 7, 2008 and hosted by the School of Engineering at Marquette University. Notes are posted below. Highlights included updates from Abdallah Bendada, DPI, on the MSP grants and Shelley Lee, DPI, on the Foundations document, a serious safety violation prompting Shelley to ask WSELA for assistance in drafting a classroom safety document, AYP rumors from DC, and status on move to 3 year science requirement in Wisconsin. Al Hovey is part of a new DPI Assessment task force that will first meet on October 8. Mike Beeth, Assoc Dean, UW-Oshkosh gave an overview of the new EXCEL Center in the School of Education. Several other announcements were shared including a new Science Futures professional development effort (based on the old Science World) by WSST, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Madison.

October 7, 2008, Marquette University, School of Engineering.

WSELA/October07.08/Notes (pdf download of October 7 meeting notes)

 

NOTE DATE CHANGE: February 24, 2009, location WEAC Headquarters,
33 Nob Hill Road, Madison WI 53708-8003

Agenda items for February 24 meeting:

  • DPI updates
  • Science classroom safety issues and WSELA position statement draft from Safety subcommittee
  • DPI assessment task force update
  • Ag and science equivalency update
  • Science class size (optimal as well as maximal) discussion
  • Science Futures discussion and recruitment
  • Science education literature sharing (Bring your most compelling article to share!)

WSELA/February24.09/Notes (pdf download of February 24 meeting notes)

2009-2010 Meeting Dates and Locations

October 6, 2009, Marquette University
October 6, 2009 meeting notes (pdf download)

February 23, 2010, UW-Oshkosh
February 23, 2010 meeting agenda (pdf download)
February 23, 2010 meeting notes (pdf download)

2010-2011 Meeting Dates and Locations

October 12, 2010 (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE), Madison or Milwaukee
February 22, 2011, Madison

Contact Kevin Niemi for details about the meetings.