The event offers workshops, keynote speakers, networking, exhibitor displays, and sponsorship opportunities, along with special features like field trips, an awards dinner, and multiple session tracks for science educators. Each educator can receive SCECH credit for continuing education hours for an additional $25 fee.

Keynote speakers:

Dr. Jesse Wilcox Friday, March 6 8:00 AM (Sponsored by SAVVAS – include logo)

Title: From Surviving to Thriving: Small Changes that Can Make a Big Impact on Your Teaching Career

Teaching science is a difficult job. Yet, teachers can make small, actionable changes that can increase their joy and excitement for science teaching as well as improve their students’ learning. This keynote will provide examples, grounded in science education research, that you can use to create a thriving career teaching science.

Dr. Jesse Wilcox is an Assistant Professor in Biology and Science Education at the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to becoming a professor, Dr. Wilcox served as a high school general science and biology teacher. Over the course of his career, he has won numerous teaching awards, presented hundreds of times at science and STEM education conferences, and published dozens of articles in science and STEM education journals.

Today, Dr. Wilcox’s research focuses on how to best prepare and support science teachers using research-based practices. As part of this research, he seeks to understand the experiences and content knowledge gains of students when they engage in high-impact instructional practices, as well as identify how to best bridge the gap between research and practice to promote effective science teaching.

Chris Woods Saturday, March 7 at 8:00am

Biography: Chris Woods has been inspiring kids as a math and science teacher for over 25 years.  In addition to his work in the classroom, Chris wrote the book Daily STEM: How to Create a STEM Culture in Your Classrooms & Communities, shares free STEM resources on his website dailystem.com and @dailystem on social media, and is the host of “The STEM Everyday Podcast” 

Chris loves finding creative ways to inspire students, especially by adding STEM to every classroom & making STEM accessible to families at home.  He believes that STEM is not a class we teach, it's a culture we build.

Chris has been happily married to his wife Sue for 27 years & has 3 great kids.

MSTA is now accepting proposals for speakers at the upcoming conference. We invite educators, researchers, and professionals to share their expertise, innovative practices, and inspiring stories with science teachers from across the state. Sessions can range from hands-on workshops and classroom strategies to curriculum development, leadership, and emerging trends in science education.

Please fill out this form below to submit a presentation proposal. Proposals are due by December 5, 2025. The primary presenter must be a member of MSTA.

All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated for content and learning methodologies that will assure balanced, high-level engagement with our participants.

Section – add ICON. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities – Link to Prospectus

Sponsorships offer valuable visibility and direct engagement with hundreds of science educators through opportunities like keynote sessions, receptions, teacher scholarships, and more. Packages range from $300 to $8,000 and include recognition in newsletters, social media, event signage, and opportunities to connect directly with attendees.

CLICK the link below to book your room by February 11, 2026: 

Radisson Hotel Booking Link

Notes:

1. The Radisson Hotel is where all conference sessions will be hosted except for off-site field trips and the Awards dinner
2. Overnight self-parking is discounted to $10/night
3. Valet parking is available at our standard rate of $30/night, before tip

Friday, March 6, 2026

Saturday, March 7, 2025