1. CSTA & You! What is the California Science Teachers Association? How can it help you as a future teacher? Copyright 2007 California Science Teachers Association. All rights reserved.

2. What is CSTA? CSTA is the California Science Teachers Association. CSTA represents science educators statewide - in every science discipline at every grade level, pre-kindergarten through University. CSTA is the California Science Teachers Association. CSTA represents science educators statewide - in every science discipline at every grade level, pre-kindergarten through University.

3. Who is CSTA? CSTA includes teachers from elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels, as well as preservice students and informal science educators. It provides representation for all levels on our Board of Directors. CSTA includes teachers from elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels, as well as preservice students and informal science educators. It provides representation for all levels on our Board of Directors. CSTA is supported by over 20 local and subject area science educator groups, and promotes their membership and activities. CSTA is supported by over 20 local and subject area science educator groups, and promotes their membership and activities.

4. What Does CSTA Do? CSTA demonstrates leadership in science education in the state by organizing and participating in statewide reform initiatives and provides leadership opportunities for members who wish to serve on state advisory committees, including framework, standards, and textbook committees. CSTA demonstrates leadership in science education in the state by organizing and participating in statewide reform initiatives and provides leadership opportunities for members who wish to serve on state advisory committees, including framework, standards, and textbook committees. CSTA publishes California Classroom Science and the California Journal of Science Education CSTA publishes California Classroom Science and the California Journal of Science Education CSTA sponsors the California Science Education Conference, the largest state conference designed specifically for science educators statewide. CSTA sponsors the California Science Education Conference, the largest state conference designed specifically for science educators statewide. CSTA recognizes excellence by sponsoring award programs for both students and teachers. CSTA recognizes excellence by sponsoring award programs for both students and teachers.

5. Vision Statement Science is an extension of everyone's natural curiosity and permeates our lives. Science has had a profound influence on human history and has implications for both positive and negative influence on the future. Therefore….

6. CSTA seeks to: Promote and support all aspects of effective science teaching, including new technologies and instructional strategies; Promote and support all aspects of effective science teaching, including new technologies and instructional strategies; Encourage the natural curiosity of learners at all levels; Encourage the natural curiosity of learners at all levels; Increase scientific literacy and the application of science to everyday life; Increase scientific literacy and the application of science to everyday life; Promote science as a vehicle for lifelong learning for all citizens; Promote science as a vehicle for lifelong learning for all citizens; Assume a leadership role in advocating for science education and creating an understanding of the value of science. Assume a leadership role in advocating for science education and creating an understanding of the value of science.

7. Immediate Benefits of Joining CSTA California Classroom Science, CSTA's monthly online newspaper California Classroom Science, CSTA's monthly online newspaper California Journal of Science Education (twice a year) California Journal of Science Education (twice a year) Reduced members-only prices on selected CSTA publications Reduced members-only prices on selected CSTA publications Reduced registration fees at CSTA's annual California Science Education Conference and other CSTA events Reduced registration fees at CSTA's annual California Science Education Conference and other CSTA events

8. Immediate Benefits of Joining CSTA Reduced registration fees to professional development events sponsored by select CSTA partners (such as the UC Museum of Paleontology) Reduced registration fees to professional development events sponsored by select CSTA partners (such as the UC Museum of Paleontology) Membership in the premier science teacher organization in the state Membership in the premier science teacher organization in the state Opportunities for grants and awards (including one specifically for preservice teachers!) Opportunities for grants and awards (including one specifically for preservice teachers!) A vibrant website with up-to-date information on legislative issues related to science teaching, NCLB updates, teaching resources and more! A vibrant website with up-to-date information on legislative issues related to science teaching, NCLB updates, teaching resources and more!

9. What has CSTA done lately? Influenced policy makers to change the requirement in K-8 science instruction to be AT LEAST 25% HANDS-ON instead of no more than 25% hands-on Influenced policy makers to change the requirement in K-8 science instruction to be AT LEAST 25% HANDS-ON instead of no more than 25% hands-on Oversaw the adoption of science instructional materials to ensure a wide variety of hands-on materials were included on the state list Oversaw the adoption of science instructional materials to ensure a wide variety of hands-on materials were included on the state list Been an active participant in creating the blueprints for Integrated Science Been an active participant in creating the blueprints for Integrated Science Working to develop year-round professional development options which support NCLB qualifications Working to develop year-round professional development options which support NCLB qualifications

10. We Need You! CSTA was able to accomplish these significant successes only because they have the support and backing of the science teachers of the state. But CSTA needs the support of all teachers of science in the state to be able to continue these efforts. We hope you will thoughtfully consider your role as a professional and join CSTA. The voice of the organization is only as strong as its members.

11. Join Your Professional Organization You are now, or soon will be, a credentialed professional educator. You are now, or soon will be, a credentialed professional educator. Like other professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, you have a professional organization which represents you and your interests. Like other professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, you have a professional organization which represents you and your interests. You owe it to yourself to belong to your professional organization. You owe it to yourself to belong to your professional organization.

12. For more information about CSTA please visit the web at www.cascience.org