NSTA Institute Welcomes New Partner

NSTA and University of Maryland's College of Chemical and Life Sciences have joined forces to provide new online programs for teachers via the NSTA Institute.

The Internet-based programs for middle and high school science teachers will be content-rich with a concentration in biology and in chemistry. Created specifically for the practicing science teacher, the 30-credit interdisciplinary graduate program gives teachers the opportunity to improve their science knowledge and immediately apply it to their classrooms. The Master of Life Sciences is one of the first online graduate programs of its kind in the nation created specifically for working teachers. Non-degree-seeking students also may enroll for up to 12 credits.

The NSTA Institute is the Association's professional development initiative to support quality teaching. The institute links all of the Association's professional development activities and is providing a framework for diverse programs, including online courses and site-based topical conferences and workshops. The popularity of web-based professional development courses is fueling the growth of the institute's online portal. The University of Maryland is the third major provider to join the institute; other providers include the National Teachers Enhancement Network at Montana State University and the JASON Foundation for Education.

Beginning this spring, NSTA will feature the University of Maryland program developed and taught by the university's faculty. For the Master of Chemical and Life Sciences program, four 10-week terms are offered each year. Admission is based on satisfactory performance on an online comprehensive entrance examination or completion of the introductory course, Concepts of Modern Biology, with a grade of B or better. GRE scores or a thesis are not required, and students can register for the entrance exam at any time. Courses include Concepts of Modern Biology, Chemical Ecology, Principles of Chemical Biology, and Modern Molecular Genetics. All courses will be offered on a rotating basis.

"NSTA is committed to providing science teachers with quality professional development that provides good content and pedagogy," said NSTA President Harold Pratt. "Partnerships with outstanding providers like the University of Maryland are helping us achieve this goal and make the NSTA Institute the professional development portal for teachers."

"The partnership with NSTA is an important statement about the quality of our program and its students," said Paul Mazzocchi, Director of the University of Maryland's Master of Life Sciences program.

The University of Maryland's online courses offer many benefits, including asynchronous lessons, giving teachers the flexibility to participate anytime; easy-to-follow online instructions to access lectures, assignments, and laboratory simulations; and web-based chat rooms and e-mail to add greater depth to the learning experience.