Washington State's Only Science Education Conference!
Live and In-Person!
Saturday October 25, 2025
UW Tacoma
Tacoma, WA
(Pre-Events on October 24)
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Conference Theme: You Matter. Science Matters. More Than Ever.
Our conference mission is to empower and equip science teachers to take on the challenge of creating a scientifically literate society. Through cutting edge presentations, inspiring speakers, and intentional community building activities, we are committed to being here for you.
Great science teaching matters more than ever.
Join us for exciting presentations, outdoor learning adventures, social gatherings, STEM clock hours, prizes, vendors, and great learning about science and environmental education. With pre-events happing on Friday, October 24th and the keynote, exhibit hall, sessions, and lunch on Saturday the 25th. We hope to see you there!
We know that there are many barriers to attending an in-person conference. To increase access to the great professional learning that this conference provides, we will be hosting a low-cost midwinter virtual conference. We will invite all of our best presenters from October and recruit new ones from across the country! Stay tuned for dates and registration information.
GET INVOLVED!
| Register to Attend |
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Register as an Exhibitor | |
| Registration is open and members can get the early bird rate until September 12! We have discounted rates new and pre-service teachers too. Apply to be one of WSTA's Science Teachers of the Year in one of many categories (Early Learning, K-5, 6-8, 9-12, Higher Ed, and Informal Science) and you will receive a free trip to be recognized at the conference! We also have a scholarship that practicing and pre-service teachers (or groups of teachers) could use to attend. | Teachers, researchers, community members, and exhibitors are welcome to submit presentation proposals. All sessions will be evaluated on their importance to current best practices in science education and the potential interest of our science education community. In place of strands, the conference will have themed rooms, there will also be space for sessions that do not match the themes. |
A critical part of our conference is engaging science educators with companies and non-profits that support great science teaching, whether that is with lab supplies, standards-aligned curricula, pedagogical support, or potential field trips. Our exhibit hall will be a lively space where our keynote and meals will also happen. All levels of exhibitor registration come with badges and lunch for two attendees. |
| Conference Registration |
$175 - Earlybird Rate for WSTA & E3 WA Members Ends on 9/12 $100 - Pre-Service and 1st Year Teachers Rate $200 - ISTA/OSTA/ASTA/MSTA Affiliate Member Rate $250 - Non-Member Rate |
| Become a WSTA Member | Get $75 off of the conference rate by becoming a member for $25! |
| Exhibitor Registration |
Exhibitor registration is now open, check out our reduced rate for non-profits! |
| Apply to Present | Presentation proposals are due on 5/9/2025. |
| Apply for one of our science teaching awards (available for early learning, K-5, middle school, high school, higher ed, and informal educators!) Or apply as team for one of our scholarships and use it to pay for the conference. Nominations are due June 30th! | |
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Schedule |
Coming soon! |
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Friday Field Trip Registration |
Coming soon! |
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Friday Speaker & Social Registration |
Coming soon! |
| Travel and Lodging Information | Nearby hotels, room blocks, map of events, and carpool information. |
FEATURING |
Featured Speaker: Paul Andersen
Paul Andersen is an educational consultant and YouTube creator living in Bozeman, MT. He was honored as the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for the 2011 National Teacher of the Year. You may know Paul from videos on his Bozeman Science channel, which have millions of views worldwide. He has since developed meaningful professional development for educators around the globe and curated The Wonder of Science website, a comprehensive platform created to support the next generation of science teachers. Learn more about Paul and our other speakers: (Link coming soon!) | Award Announcements!
The Washington Science Teachers of the Year, the Green Chemistry & Sustainability Awardee and the finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching will be honored during a celebratory lunch at the conference. Apply NOW to be a Washington Science Teacher of the Year. Winners receive a free trip to the conference and an honorarium. Applications are due June 30, 2025. | Nerdy T-Shirt Contest and Prizes
Let's get nerdy! Wear your best nerdy science t-shirt and you could win a free registration to next year's conference. Additionally, our exhibitors are bringing great prizes for you to win. Every attendee will receive tickets that they can use to enter for specific prizes such as classroom materials, lab equipment, books, and science toys! |
Outdoor Field Experiences
On Friday afternoon, registrants will have the opportunity to join one of four field experiences around the Tacoma area. These are at no additional cost, you will receive a code via email in your conference registration confirmation that will allow you to register for your choice. Register and learn more here. (Link coming!) | Lunch Provided
Registrants won't have to worry about food on Saturday, October 25th. Lunch will be provided along with plenty of snacks. Come enjoy the conference without worrying about where your meals are coming from. Make sure to mark in your registration if you have specific food needs. |
Still have questions? We have answers! |