NSTA Launches New Strategic Direction

Multi-Year Strategic Plan Reflects Association’s Commitment to Transform Science Education to Benefit All Through Professional Learning, Partnerships, & Advocacy

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) today announced the release of a new strategic plan for the Association that outlines a bold vision and five ambitious goals that will transform science education and best serve NSTA members and the vast science education community. Developed by a task force composed of NSTA leaders, member volunteers, and staff, the strategic plan was approved by the NSTA Board of Directors in December and will guide the work of NSTA through 2027 with equitable programs and strategies for educators that will change science teaching and learning and help to ensure all youth receive a quality science education.

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“Under our new strategic plan, NSTA will work to empower teachers of science and create a world where science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society,” said Erika Shugart, executive director, NSTA. “This will enable us to make the informed decisions about the collective challenges we face, which are absolutely critical, especially now as we continue to grapple with this worldwide pandemic.”

The plan identifies five key overarching goals and the philosophies that underscore them:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – Equip and empower all educators to provide students access and opportunity to be successful in science. The principles of DEI are reflected in every aspect of the plan.
• Knowledge and Practice – Advance the knowledge and practice of all educators of science through a research-based, learning-first initiative.
• Community – Create a nurturing and inclusive community of educators.
• Advocacy – Raise the profile of science education to promote respect and ensure investment that supports an equitable, high-quality science education.
• Sustainable Business Practice – Promote sustainable business practices to build organizational capacity.

“The strategic plan charts an exciting and important vision of the future of NSTA,” said Dennis Schatz, co-chair of the strategic planning subcommittee and the immediate past president of NSTA. “We will continue to remain focused on helping all educators—K-12 teachers of science, informal science educators, STEM administrators, pre-service educators, and more—to connect, collaborate, and grow professionally, while also developing new research-based professional learning opportunities. NSTA will also concentrate on partnering with more diverse organizations to foster inclusiveness and community and create a more unified voice advocating for science educators and learners.”

“At the core of the NSTA strategic plan is our commitment to programs and strategies that will help educators of science provide an equitable and inclusive science education so that all who study science are successful,” said Eric Pyle, president, NSTA. “The plan will also allow us to focus resources and develop programs to best address the needs of science educators and leverage opportunities to address challenges that arise from the fluid landscape of educational policy. It is also a road map for how NSTA can collaborate, coordinate, and communicate with other organizations engaged in providing the highest quality science education to all.”

To learn more about the new 2022 NSTA Strategic Plan, visit https://www.nsta.org/nsta-strategic-plan.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field.

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