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Research Teachers Conferences
In 2022, the Society once again brought together science educators from across the country to share best practices and learn from one another in a pair of immersive peer-led conferences, the High School Researcher Teachers Conference and Middle School Research Teachers Conference.
Both conferences are designed to provide a unique professional development experience that focuses on peer-led sessions, nurturing teacher community and building teacher-leaders. Educators who attend the conference also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., the conference host city.
In 2022, the Middle School Research Teacher’s Conference welcomed 74 teachers from 31 states and Washington, D.C. The High School Research Teachers Conference hosted 190 teachers from 41 states, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Of this year’s attendees, more than 85% teach in public schools and more than 40% teach in Title I schools.
SOCIETY BLOG
How embracing failure can help students succeed in STEM
For the first time since 2019, the Middle School Research Teachers Conference was fully in person. Laura Smith-Velazquez, Principal Scientist at Charles River Analytics, gave the conference keynote address, which emphasized the importance of helping students understand that failure is necessary for success and of teaching students to build relationships with their surroundings.
MSRTC spotlight: One teacher’s insight into inspiring empathy and creativity through science research
The hallmark of the conference is a packed schedule of peer-led sessions covering topics ranging from guiding students through the experimental design process to engaging students who are underrepresented in STEM and beyond. One popular session this year was led by Kaleena Jedinak, a teacher at Tybee Island Maritime Academy in Tybee Island, Georgia, who spoke about leading students to meaningful research questions.
Learn more about the Research Teachers Conferences and how you or someone you know can enter the lottery to attend a future edition.
High School
Bringing high school research teachers of all experience levels together to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges and learn more about the Society for Science and the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Middle School
Bringing middle school research teachers of all experience levels together to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges and learn more about Society for Science and the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge.
OUTREACH & EQUITY
Advocate Program
The Advocate Program provides training, equipment and year-round support to mentors working with underrepresented and low-income students. In 2022–2023, 84 educators from 36 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Mexico served as Advocates.
Science News Learning
In 2022, the Science News in High Schools Program, which changed its name to Science News Learning, reached up to 5 million students, 17,000 educators and more than 5,000 schools.
STEM Research Grants
Through the STEM Research Grant program, the Society awarded $135,000 to 95 middle and high school science educators during the 2021–2022 school year to help their students conduct scientific research outside the classroom.
STEM Action Grants
Through the STEM Action Grant program, the Society distributed $176,000 in grants to 45 nonprofits in 2022, across 22 states and Washington, D.C.—the largest pool of recipients to date.