Call for Entries to the 2009-2010 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, today announced a call for entries for the 2009-2010 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy.

The NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, co-founded by the Amgen Foundation, is a year-long professional development program established to help reduce the high attrition rate among science teachers new to the teaching profession. Intended for science educators entering their second or third year of teaching, the Academy is designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence and improve teacher content knowledge. Since its launch in 2007, the Academy has received more than 1,500 applications nationwide.

NSTA Fellows selected for the program receive a comprehensive membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each NSTA Fellow receives financial support to attend and participate in NSTA's 2010 National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia.

Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional development to more than 350 science teachers nationwide, impacting nearly 15,000 students, approximately.

Science teachers located throughout the country who will be entering their second or third year of teaching and whose schedule is a minimum of 51 percent middle or high school science, can apply to become an NSTA Fellow. For more information about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy or to learn how to apply to become a fellow, please visit www.nsta.org/academy. Applications must be submitted no later than June 1, 2009 to be considered.