Alaska Science Teachers Association

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Motivate Collaborate Celebrate Advocate

for effective and engaging science education

Register and review schedule at this link.

Alaska Science Teachers Association

invites you to join a statewide network of

dedicated, curious, enthusiastic teachers

and informal educators from many agencies

who want to share challenges, resources,

and experiences with others.

All grade levels and backgrounds are most welcome.

Look for the Membership link in the gray toolbar above.

For more information on how to apply for the PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHING or nominate someone else, go to PAEMST or contact Joey Jigliotti for science or Sandy Schoff for math. There are mentors available to help guide you in the intricate process.

The 2025 nomination period is open now for K-6 teachers. The process of applying is itself professional development in its purest form, away from the oversight of administrators or actual instructors. It is a time for self-reflection and celebrating your intrinsic gifts as a teacher. Keep science and math education moving forward and in the news!

If you have applied before, please note that there have been some changes made. These include the allowance of up to one break in their video, opportunity to respond to state-level reviews through an addendum in early June, more detail provided in instructions related to responding to the Five Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching prompts.

Past Alaskan winners include Marily Asicksik of Shaktoolik (1996 K-6) Jennifer Childress of Diamond High School (2017 7-12), Jason Daniels of Kalifornsky Beach Elementary (2020 K-6), Rebecca Himschoot of Sitka (2012 K-6), and Joanna Hubbard of Nicholas Begich Middle School (2011 7-12). More awardees are listed on PAEMST web site. Past Awardees

For more to her story: About Stacy

For more to her story: About Heather

NEW LOGO FOR ASTA

The Mind Behind the Design
My name is Tawney Crowley and I have been an artist, or have at least had a passion for art, since I was very young. My dad created artwork as a hobby and we shared that special bond all through my childhood. When I was a teen, the Coast Guard brought us to Ketchikan, Alaska and I discovered this whole new environment through my artwork.

There’s simply no shortage of inspiration here. I left the state for a few years while I completed my degree in education and that’s where my love of teaching came in. Outside of Alaska, there is a fascination with our state. Its mystery, beauty and traditions are fuel for the imagination. I loved sharing my Alaskan home with anyone who wanted to learn more, especially with all of the misconceptions and stereotypes. I loved sharing the little details; the things that generally go unnoticed. I challenge myself to fill my artwork with small details that make you wonder and ask questions. I want my artwork to push others to explore and discover. My goal is to never take any of this for granted.

Alaska is home to many different peoples, cultures, animals, plants, waters… the list seems as endless as the land is. I hope that this design fairly represents even a fraction of the wonderful things that we are blessed with the opportunity to explore.

Tawney is an SEL and art teacher at Evergreen Elementary in Wrangell. Thanks so much!

Learn New Science Standards for Alaska

through this WEBINAR SERIES

Available as free recordings
Awareness of Science Standards for Alaska
Introduction with Dept. of Ed and ED staff
By Teachers for Teachers

Note: Recordings have transcription attached

Introduction Recording

Grades K-2 Recording Grades 6-8 Recording

Grades 3-5 Recording Grades 9-12 Recording

Link for Description

PAST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Spring 2025

The light returns and teachers scramble to fit in all the content they optimistically hoped for when they set up their classrooms at the beginning of the year. Standardized testing looms and teachers try to find the balance between "this is just one tool to measure what students know" and "it's going to be in print for all to see."

When I was in the classroom full time, I especially remember thinking, "But science is a discipline about questioning and crafting ways to answer those questions. When do we get to spend more time on that?"

Alaska legislature is focused on school funding with a lot of support on the horizon. Specifically Representative Rebecca Himschoot of Sitka, former ASTA board member and PAEMST Awardee and Einstein Fellow, is leading the charge. It helps to have a person with a vision of what the Real Life of a Teacher is like. And she is joined by other former teachers and school board members as well.

To address concerns of the Governor, of course, money isn't the only solution to bringing student skill levels up, but it can buy some things that would really help. How often do you have professional development in science and engineering at your school or district? Does your district offer some financial support for you to network about science with other teachers? Do they make you aware of summer opportunties? Maybe there are even some that are happening near family that you are visiting over the summer. We all need some novel experiences to keep us engaged and there are some really talented teacher trainers out there. One is Mark Windschitl. Right now there is a book study group meeting to talk about some key points around Ambitious Science Teaching. (See info at top of this home page.) Two dedicated ASTA Board members are making this happen.

Last year ASTA funded two advocacy efforts, one to present to the Alaska Board of Education and another to meet with a dozen legislators to advocate for more and better science education. This year we have invested in meeting with teachers at two major conferences in Anchorage: RTI/MTSS held January 24-26 and Alaska Society for Technology in Education. An ASTA Board member is also current director of the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair and she has recruited peers including the current ASTA Treasurer.

So, speaking of recruiting. ASTA enthusiastically invites science teachers and informal educators (museums, nature centers, non-profits, and home school families engaged with STEM learning across the state to join the web of educators who continue to "motivate, collaborate, advocate, and celebrate" advancement of science education.

If you are on Facebook, you can visit the Alaska Science Teachers page anytime. There are lots of interesting posts there. I hope you will join the network and think about the interests and skills you could share with your peers in a great state for teaching and learning about science! We will hold an election this spring to refresh our Board leadership or you can start with joining or even starting a committee.

Enjoy the second half of your school year! Get outside when you can.

Patty Brown

Alaska Science Teachers Association Board

PAST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Spring 2025

When I was in the classroom full time, I especially remember thinking, "But science is a discipline about questioning and crafting ways to answer those questions. When do we get to spend more time on that?"

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