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 happening on Friday, October 24th and the keynote, exhibit hall, sessions, and lunch on Saturday the 25th. We hope to see you there!
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
| Friday 10/24/25 |
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Conference Program | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Check it out! |
Friday Bonus Events!
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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. | 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! |
Friday Field Trips
On Friday afternoon, registrants will have the opportunity to join a free field trip, either outdoors or to one of Tacoma's famous museums.
| Featured Speaker: Patrick Freeland
Patrick Austin Freeland (Wind Clan of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma) is the Senior Tribal Climate Liaison for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. With over two decades of experience in climate science, education, and Indigenous advancement, he integrates culturally responsive, place-based approaches to support Tribal Nations in climate adaptation. His work centers on ethical knowledge exchange, data sovereignty, and empowering communities toward self-determination through Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
| Plenary Speaker: Carol O'Donnell Sponsored by Carolina
Carol O’Donnell is the Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which is dedicated to transforming K–12 Education through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. O’Donnell is responsible for all operational activities and planning , including building awareness for preschool through 12th-grade science-education reform, conducting programs that support the professional growth of P–12 teachers and school leaders and overseeing all research and curricular-resource development, philanthropic development and administration. |
Featured Speaker: Dra. Anastasia Sanchez
Dr. Anastasia Sanchez is a scientist, educator, and advocate for justice-centered K–12 science education. She designs inclusive, culturally relevant learning experiences that integrate social justice and systems thinking into science classrooms. At the Puget Sound Educational Service District, she supports STEM pathways that empower all students to see science as a tool for equity and transformation. | Featured Speaker: Dr. Kelsie Fowler
 Dr. Kelsie Fowler is a research scientist at the University of Washington, where she supports statewide climate justice education networks and teaches science methods in the UW Teacher Education Program. A former classroom teacher with over a decade of experience, she centers anti-racist, anti-colonial, and youth-informed approaches to science education. Her work bridges formal and informal learning, including leading a youth-driven marine pollution lab in Bahía de los Ángeles focused on climate and ecological justice. |
Featured Speaker: Dr. Philip Bell
Dr. Philip Bell is a professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development at the University of Washington, where he holds the Shauna C. Larson Endowed Chair and directs the Institute for Science & Math Education. His research focuses on how people learn in personally meaningful ways across formal and informal environments, with an emphasis on equity-focused STEM innovation. A national leader in science education reform, Dr. Bell contributed to the NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education and co-chaired the report Learning Science in Informal Environments. |
Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsors! |
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Still have questions? We have answers! |