I would like to thank the members of NCSTA for selecting me to serve as your President for 2004. I am here to serve every member and help meet your needs as science teachers. I will try to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about NCSTA. My email is celliott@iss.k12.nc.us.

Now is the time to think about the Fall Professional Development Institute, November 10 and 11, 2004 at Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. We need you to present at the conference. The presenter’s form is now online. Ann Scarborough is responsible for this year’s Professional Development Institute. This will be a big year at the Professional Development Institute. This is textbook adoption year and we will have many vendors to demonstrate the benefits of their programs. We will also have a number of great speakers.

The new curriculum for the next five years (2005-2010) was adopted by the North Carolina State Board of Education in December. The support documents are being revised and will be presented this summer. I would like to encourage all members to attend the 2004 Summer Science Leadership Institute at the Trinity Center, Salter Path, NC. The High School Science Teachers and Supervisors Conference will be July 11-14, 2004. This year the focus will be on the newly revised 2004 Standard Course of Study for Science and the new support materials for Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Environmental Science, Physical Science and Physics. School Districts are encouraged to send a team of teachers and/or science supervisor representing the different high school courses with the expectation that these participants will provide updates for all science teachers in their district. The Middle School Institute will be July 14-16 at the Trinity Center. If you have questions call Science Section at 919-807-3846.

This is a busy time as members prepare for the NC State Science Fair. NCSTA is the sponsor of the NCSTA Science Fair. I would like to thank Judy Day, Linda James, and Misti Anderson for all the hard work that they do to make the State Science Fair a success. We hope to send winners to the International Fair this year. The State Science Fair will be held at Meredith College in Raleigh, April 30. I would like to thank Meredith College for donating the use of their building and food for the judges.

Remember, I am here to serve you the members.
Carolyn Elliott