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Welcome to MAST!

 

The Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST) is a professional organization dedicated to improving science education at all levels. MAST is the state chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and acts as your representative on national and state policies concerning science education.

MAST is run by a volunteer Board of Directors.  To get involved, please contact Craig Richard at President@MassScienceTeach.org


 Join our 2023 MAST Conference

Wednesday November 8, 2023

Register Here 

Dr. Andy Zucker

Keynote Presenter

“Tackling Scientific Misinformation in the Science Classroom”


We invite you to join us for a day of inspiring professional development created by Massachusetts science educators!  Our conference will be held on Wednesday November 8, 2023 at the Best Western Royal Plaza located in Marlborough, MA from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Attendee registration includes a one-year membership to MAST as well as a boxed lunch.


A little bit about Dr. Zucker…

Andy Zucker is an independent scholar, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts who has taught science, mathematics, and technology at many grade levels.  Moving to the U.S. Department of Education after teaching, Andy worked on STEM issues and legislation.  At SRI International’s Center for Education Policy, he led evaluations of state and national education programs, including programs to improve math and science education.  He is currently leading a national project to identify what students should learn in K-12 science classes to help them better evaluate information they encounter in the wild.  Andy received an M.A. in science education from Stanford and a doctorate in science education from Harvard.  

Andy’s keynote will focus on tackling scientific misinformation in the science classroom.  “We live in a world where people encounter too much harmful scientific misinformation. We can help students to better evaluate information they acquire from friends, Tik-Tok, Instagram, Facebook or any other source, and do that in a non-partisan way closely aligned with the STE Standards.”

We hope that you will join us for a day of engaging professional development!  


Call for Nominations for Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Educators

Important dates are listed below and we are asking all submissions be electronic:

Nomination Letter Due: Friday, September 15, 2023

Take a moment to reflect on recommending one of your colleagues who has contributed greatly to science education in Massachusetts for the 2023 Massachusetts Science Educators Hall of Fame induction. Please email the name, address, email address and telephone number of your nominee to Jennifer Craddock (masshof4scieducators@gmail.com). Include one page telling why you are nominating this person. Criteria information is available on MSELA’s website: http://msela.org/aboutus.

Inform nominees of your nomination and remind them to complete the necessary application materials.

Application Packet Due: Friday, September 22, 2023

The nominees are required to attach to an email an up-to-date resume and three letters of reference limited to two pages each to: Jennifer Craddock (masshof4scieducators@gmail.com).

Selection Committee Meeting: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Hall of Fame members are invited to serve on this committee. For more information contact Jennifer Craddock (masshof4scieducators@gmail.com).

Induction Ceremony: Friday, October 27, 2023

Induction ceremony will take place during a luncheon at the annual MSELA Fall Conference. The all-day conference will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Marlboro,75 Felton Street, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752  More information about the conference will be posted on the MSELA web site, http://msela.org.

Thank you in advance for your continuing support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Craddock

Chairperson, Executive Committee

Massachusetts Science Educators Hall of Fame, Inc

masshof4scieducators@gmail.com

Congratulations to our 2022    Awards Winners!

The following persons received awards at our annual banquet on November 8th at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough, MA. 

This year’s honorees are:

Dawn Sather Exemplary New Teacher Award  

Alexandria Sylvia, Brockton High School, Brockton

Maria Lazebnik, Gann Academy, Waltham


Russell P. Stanhope Distinguished Friend of Science Award             

Evan Pagliuca, Green Jobs Academy Programs Manager, Marlborough


Joann Blum Inspiration in Environmental Education Award

Julia Whalen, Carver Middle High School, Carver


2022 County Science Educator of the Year Awards                                  Barnstable County -  Emily Nyerick, Monomoy Regional Middle School, Chatham

Essex County - Craig Richard, North Andover Middle School, North Andover

Norfolk County - Sandra Pearl, SEED, Plainville

Middlesex County - Elizabeth Stewart-Miranda, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Tyngsborough

Middlesex County - Renee Affolter, Boston College


2022 MAST State Educator of the Year Award                                           Jim Perry, retired educator from Mansfield Public Schools

The criteria for these awards are:

  1. A past history of being an active, contributing member of national, state, and/or local science teacher organizations.

  2. Provided a leadership role in promoting and advancing the cause of quality science education among his or her peers.

  3. Active in promoting and advancing the cause of quality science education among students

Congratulations to our Spring 2022 Grant Winners!

These grants support teachers in their goal to provide quality, enriching, science education to students in Massachusetts.  This year’s honorees were:

2022 Elaine Adams Professional Development Award  

Raksmey Derival, Innovation Academy Charter School, Tyngsborough       

                                      

2022  Grants for Educating Teachers Awards (GET)                         

Liz Bless, SEED, Plainville

Adam Leiterman, Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

Courtney Felix, Luther Elementary, Swansea

Colby Reilly, Medfield High School, Medfield

Debora O'Reilly, Essex North Shore Agricultural High School, Danvers

MAST 2023-2024 Fall Awards

We all appreciate our colleagues who work diligently each year to create and implement amazing lessons and experiences for science-learners at all grade levels.  The past few years we have relied on each other more than ever, and we have achieved more than we could ever imagine we would need to. Please help MAST celebrate the phenomenal teachers in our state by nominating teachers that you know are doing something cool in their classroom!  You do not need to be a member to nominate an educator however, some awards are for members only. You can encourage your potential nominees to become members by visiting http://www.massscienceteach.org/Join-Us 

To nominate someone visit  https://massscienceteach.org/page-18208   Please fill out as much information as you can and write a short statement about why they deserve the award.

If you have any questions email awards@massscienceteach.org 


Events & Opportunities

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Member Benefits

Make sure you log in to access all of your account! Click on the person icon in the banner and then "view profile" to see your member profile and any invoices. 

Benefits of MAST membership includes access to conferences, awards, grants, job opportunities, licensure information, and more.

Find out about our Member Benefits and career opportunities within our Association.

Learn more


MAST Statement on Social Justice

“Interrupting racism takes courage and intentionality; the interruption is by definition not passive or complacent.  So in answer to the question “Where do we go from here”,” I offer that we must never consider ourselves finished with our learning.”

Robin Diangelo

White Fragility

In response to the tragic events that took place in Minneapolis and across our country, NSTA has released an official statement on Social Justice and Science Education.  As the state chapter of NSTA, the MAST Board of Directors also acknowledges the need to do more to live up to our guiding principles of embracing diversity and equity.  We, too, are committed to increasing our focus on dismantling systemic racism in the work we do with teachers and in the science education that we provide to our students.  

If you would like to help MAST with these initiatives, please let us know.  For those interested, please send an email to presidentelect@massscienceteach.org.

Regards,

MAST Board of Directors

NSTA Releases Official Statement on Social Justice and Science Education


Resources and Articles

MAST & MSELA Executive Leadership DEIA Workshop Slides 

Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson Webinar, Sept. 30, 2021- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Anti-Racism in STEM Education   

Anti-Racism Resources and Articles for STEM Educators - WPI STEM Education Center

Anti-Racism Resources for Students, Educators, and Citizens - UCONN NEAG School of Education  

Sociology of Racism

URGE Webinar - Racism:  Definitions & Forms

Science Matters in Massachusetts

Science Matters is a public awareness campaign by the National Science Teachers Association. The Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST) will work to share science opportunities throughout Massachusetts. This is a newsletter sent out by email on the 1st and 15th of each month. If you have an opportunity to share please email it to Dr. Betsey Clifford:
sciencematters@massscienceteach.org

2022 Awards Banquet and Conference

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