STAT mourns the loss and honors the legacy of Virginia Elizabeth Sturdivant Woods, who passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, at the age of 97.

Throughout her career, Virginia served Texas students and educators in countless ways. She taught high school chemistry, physics, and biology in Clarksville, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, and Austin; served as a chemistry instructor at Dallas Baptist College; and was science coordinator for Round Rock ISD for 7 years. She then served as Executive Secretary of STAT for 15 years, guiding the organization through years of growth and transition before retiring to care for her sister.

National Teacher Appreciation Week may only last seven days, but the impact you have guiding the next class of discoverers lasts lifetimes. To celebrate the many ways you inspire discovery of the world through science, STAT is offering a special CAST25 Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale—your chance to register at the lowest rate of the year. 

Now through Saturday, May 31, you can register for the 2025 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, November 13–15 in Dallas, for just $245. Register now and save!

Congratulations to the newly elected 2025–2026 STAT Executive Board members. These leaders will join continuing 2025–2026 Executive Board members in service to STAT beginning June 1, 2025.

• President-Elect: Dennis Johnson
• Treasurer: Chris Carrell
• Board Member: Gregory Drew
• Board Member: Natasha Garza

The Executive Board is STAT's governing body that sets policy and makes decisions on behalf of the membership by providing general oversight over STAT's activities. The officers and at-large board members are voting members of the Board.

The Call for Proposals for the 2025 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas, is now open! Submit your session proposal by May 31 to share your expertise at CAST25, this November 13–15 in San Antonio.

As one of the premier science education events in the country, CAST traditionally features hundreds of breakout sessions presented by educators like YOU who generously share their best strategies for inspiring discovery of the world through science. STAT invites you to turn your innovative teaching strategies and lesson plans into proposals for sessions that could benefit educators and students across Texas and beyond. 

Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.

The 2024 STAT Statewide Award recipients are: 

TEA has release a recording of one of the TEKS Guide 101 webinars held this summer. The Science TEKS Guide 101 sessions are designed to provide educators an introduction to the components of the Science TEKS Guide so they can learn how to integrate it as a planning tool. Access the recording here, and find the slide deck here. 

TEA also released TEKS in Focus, which will highlight changes in the Science TEKS along a vertical continuum from elementary school to high school for specific key concepts.The July edition features a complete view of the vertical changes within the study of energy forms.

STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual awards program, which highlights classroom teachers at multiple levels, campus/district leadership, and nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today for a 2024 STAT Statewide Award. The nominations deadline is August 31.

STAT will present the following 2024 awards: 

It's time to connect with new ideas, innovative teaching strategies and resources, and science educators from all corners of Texas. Early bird registration and housing for the 2024 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, are now open. Register today to experience the energy of CAST24 this November 14–16 in San Antonio and save up to $85.

Watch your inbox for more information about the countless opportunities to build connections at CAST24, including the announcement of this year's keynote speaker, educational sessions, and more.

Register Now

The TEA Science Curriculum Team just announced the launch of the Science TEKS Guide. This tool will help provide a consistent and clear interpretation of the new science TEKS so that all science educators in Texas have the same understanding of the standards. To access this resource, use the dropdown menu to select science and the grade level. 

TEA is also hosting three TEKS Guide 101 sessions throughout the summer: 

• June 5, 2024, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. CDT, Register here 
• June 21, 2024, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. CDT, Register here
  
• July 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CDT, Register here 

The CAST Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale is here! National Teacher Appreciation Week may just be a week long, but STAT is extending the celebration of our Texas science educators. 

Now through Friday, May 31, you can register for the 2024 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, November 14–16 in San Antonio, at the lowest possible rate to celebrate the many ways you’ve inspired discovery of the world through science this year. Register now for just $225 and save!

Congratulations to the newly elected 2024–2025 STAT Executive Board members. These leaders will join continuing 2024–2025 Executive Board members in service to STAT beginning June 1, 2024.

• President-Elect: Cathrine Prenot
• Secretary: Ariana Kay
• Board Member: Elizabeth Bingham
• Board Member: Nicole Lyssy

The Executive Board is STAT's governing body that sets policy and makes decisions on behalf of the membership by providing general oversight over STAT's activities. The officers and at-large board members are voting members of the Board.

The Call for Proposals for the 2024 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas, is now open! Submit your session proposal by Friday, May 31, to share your expertise at CAST24, this November 14–16 in San Antonio.

As one of the premier science education events in the country, CAST traditionally features hundreds of breakout sessions presented by educators like YOU who generously share their best strategies for inspiring discovery of the world through science. STAT invites you to turn your innovative teaching strategies and lesson plans into proposals for sessions that could benefit educators and students across Texas and beyond. 

The STAT Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Devorah Jakubowsky, CAE, as the new STAT Executive Director, continuing our successful partnership with Strategic Association Management (SAM). 

With more than 2 decades of experience in association management and having served as the STAT Deputy Director for the past year, Devorah brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her exceptional leadership within STAT, coupled with her deep understanding of the organization's mission, vision, and values, marks an exciting chapter for both STAT and the Texas science education community. As Executive Director, Jakubowsky will guide the strategic direction of the organization in close collaboration with the STAT Executive Board, ensuring continued success.

STAT is thrilled to announce Kiki Corry, STAT 2023–2024 Past President, was named the 2023 Children in Nature Individual Legacy Champion! The Texas Children in Nature Children in Nature Champion Awards recognize individuals, like Kiki, who have had a significant impact in Texas in improving children’s connection with and access to nature.

Congratulations, Kiki! 

STAT is proud to honor Donald Burken, a longtime STAT member and volunteer leader, with the Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education. The award is the highest award STAT can bestow upon a member for contributions to science education.

Donald, who recently retired from Spring Branch ISD, received the award last month at the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, in Houston.

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is set to approve instructional materials and resources to support the new science TEKS this week. The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) leadership is concerned about the SBOE actions taken earlier this week that preliminarily rejected many instructional materials and resources that were reviewed and vetted by both by the TEA process and the Texas Resource Review (TRR). Rejection of these vetted items could make it difficult to for Texas schools, teachers, and students to meet the learning objectives in the new TEKS.

Prior to the final vote, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, STAT is asking the SBOE to consider the following points:

Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.

The 2023 STAT Statewide Award recipients are: 

Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.

Nominations for the 2023 STAT Statewide Awards are now open. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today! Nominations and self-nominations will be accepted until August 31. All nominees will receive additional information, including an invitation to apply, which must be completed by September 14. Learn more about the award types and requirements here, and then submit a nomination today.

Early bird registration and housing for the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT), are now open. Register now to reconnect with your Texas science community in Houston this November 9–11.

Learn more about registration types and deadlines here.

The CAST Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale is here! National Teacher Appreciation Week may just be a week long, but STAT is extending the celebration of our Texas science educators. 

Now through Wednesday, May 31, you can register for the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers (CAST), presented by STAT, November 9–11 in Houston, at the lowest possible rate to celebrate the many ways you’ve inspired discovery of the world through science this year. Register now for just $205 and save!