HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is back to work for us and I know the break came as a welcome breather to everyone. The NCSTA is also currently back to work too, promoting science education here in North Carolina. Even as you read this article, your district directors across the state are planning one day Drive-Ins as our organization’s ongoing effort to provide you continued professional development. Just think, the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm that refreshed and inspired you from our state PDI in Greensboro can happen again by your attendance at these Drive-Ins. Unlike our annual PDI, our drive-ins cost you nothing, that’s right, your membership in this organization has already paid the fee. It's a bargain and I hope to meet you there. Just look at the web page for dates, locations and contact your district director by clicking on their name under About NCSTA, officers and leadership. Don’t know your district number? We have taken care of that also, just click on the map to find your director.

Notice the new webpage! You the members voted on this design during the conference. The changing nature scenes relax me as I look at the offerings our site has to offer. Along with areas of professional development, you also can click on topics such as Awards and Grants. We do amazingly innovative things both in and out of the science classroom and are more times than not failed to be recognized for the effort. Do something wonderful for a deserving colleague and nominate them now. We take self-nominations too so do not wait for autumn to recognize those wonderful science teachers. But wait a minute! Suppose you have a wonderful idea that needs a little financial support or perhaps you would like to attend a workshop or even take that interesting course during the summer? Download the application for grants, and send it to us right away.

Believe it or not, now is the time to be thinking about the NSTA’s regional meeting next fall in Charlotte? Appropriately, our theme is Charlotte’s Web of Science 2008 and we want you to prepare now to attend. If you have not attended a NSTA regional or national conference you do not know what you are missing! The opportunity to listen to celebrated scientists and to participate in some pretty awesome concurrent sessions is what science education is all about. This meeting will be held in October next year so be on the look out for all the current updates by checking out our webpage first. We are encouraging all our members to participate and NSTA has early bird registration.

Finally, let us know how we are doing. What else can NCSTA provide for you the member? Let me hear those fantastic suggestions by sending me an email. What else can you do after you have applied for the awards (or grants) and have attended our professional development opportunities? As the second half of the school year begins let’s resolve to network with other remarkable science teachers and support those science teachers who are new to our profession. Share your ideas and passion for teaching. It sounds passé and I know the phrase has been overused but we really do make the difference, both in the eyes of our colleagues and our students. Enjoy the journey together; June will be here before you know it!

Fanette Hines Entzminger,
NCSTA President

From Bill McArthur, Astronaut and PDI 2007 Keynote Speaker

I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year! I do regret being unable to spend more time with all of the NCSTA members in November. My recovery continues to go well. I returned to work, full-time, on December 10th. Perfect timing as I shortly took vacation for the Christmas - New Year's holiday and continued to rest. My doctor let me start driving two weeks ago. My wife is happy that she no longer needs to chauffeur me around. The doctor also promised that I'll graduate from the walker and "move up" to a cane by mid-January. Going to the gym for re-hab 4 or 5 days per week. Who knows? Might be running before Spring ends.