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A big congratulations to our newly elected NESTA Board members.
Thank you to all who participated in voting in our last election, your support of our candidates is appreciated! It will be my privilege to learn from each of you as we tackle challenges and propel NESTA into a brighter future!
RETURNING elected NESTA leadership (2024-2026)
Welcome NEWLY elected NESTA leadership (2024-2026)
I would also like to officially welcome/acknowledge the following members for stepping up to help with NESTA goals this upcoming year.
Things to look forward to in the upcoming months as E-Blasts as we head into our summer months:
The Spring 2025 edition of The Earth Scientist focused on how Earth and space science is being addressed in today’s Physics classrooms.
We have such a strong team, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as President while continuing to advocate for equity and excellence in space and Earth science education.
Natalie MackeNESTA President
It was such a great NSTA conference in Philadelphia! It left me energized, filled with ideas and optimism for the future of NESTA. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the NESTA Poster sessions and member workshops. If you missed it… no worries, attend April’s Earth and Space Education Hour for a recap! Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern Timehttps://www.nestanet.org/event-6112584.
This year, at our Friends of Earth Science Reception, I had the honor of standing alongside my colleague Peg Steffen as we were both presented with the Jan Woerner & Harold B. Stonehouse Lifetime Achievement Award. We are truly grateful for this recognition and proud to have had the opportunity to serve our community in this way.
In addition, NESTA recognized the following 2025 NESTA Award recipients for their outstanding contributions in 2024. Congratulations to Angie Rizzi (NESTA Fellow); Diane Ripollone, Maria Royle, and Randall Sanders (NESTA Service Awards); and Michael Jabot, PhD, and Kristin Hunter-Thompson (NESTA Appreciation Award for their significant contributions to The Earth Scientist). Your hard work, vision, and dedication exemplify the best of our profession.
Let this be a moment of encouragement for all of us—your efforts matter. Whether you're in the classroom, supporting professional learning, or contributing to the broader scientific community, you are making a difference. I’m proud to work with such an amazing group of dedicated educators.
Here’s to building on this momentum and continuing to uplift, support, and celebrate one another.
With appreciation and excitement, Natalie Macke President, NESTA
The time is here for us all to get together to share, learn, and celebrate! - A special invitation for you...
NSTA, Philadelphia is right around the corner and finally, the opportunity is here for our membership to connect face-to-face. We've put together a dedicated webpage for the event so you can easily find colleague and affiliate presentations! https://nestanet.org/NSTA2025
Please join us this year at the Friends of Earth Science Reception, on March 22nd (Friday evening) at 6:30 PM to both commune and celebrate all we have accomplished this past year. A special thank you to our event sponsors this year, AGI and Activate Learning.
Finally, coming later this month you will have an opportunity to elect NESTA leadership for our next term! - Show your support for your colleagues by taking just a moment of your time to complete your election ballot! Look for your ballot as a special E-mail communication. Thank you for those of you who have reached out with interest in leadership positions… I’ll be in touch soon! School life and NSTA prep has taken over recently. Hope all can soon take a big breath of that springtime air..
Come find us at NSTA.. Natalie MackeNESTA President
I hope this message finds you safe and well this February. With its brutal winds, extreme temperatures, powerful storms, relentless precipitation, and devastating wildfires, this past month has provided truly remarkable examples of natural phenomena that connect our students on a very personal level with Earth’s systems. For those members who find themselves or their communities in the path of devastation, know that you're not alone. We recognize the resilience and dedication it takes to continue inspiring students amid such challenges. If there are ways we can assist or connect you with resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
As NESTA leadership, partner organizations, and members come together this winter in preparation for our national gathering at the NSTA convention in March, I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to everyone contributing their energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to this shared effort. As in the past, I’m asking members and organizations to share information about their events, workshops, posters, and vendor activities so we can best guide educators in connecting with our community. Please complete the following Google Form or email me directly with the information you wish to share.
Faced with extraordinary challenges on many fronts, we are reminded of the importance of creative solutions and strong partnerships in achieving our goals. At this past NESTA Board meeting, it was my pleasure to announce that Dr. Christine Hirst Bernhardt has been appointed as NESTA President-elect and will assume the role of NESTA President in May 2026. While I’ll allow Dr. Bernhardt to properly introduce herself, many in our community know that her willingness to step into this leadership role makes our community that much stronger.
Wishing you all continued resilience and inspiration!
As we begin this new year, I am excited to connect with all of you and share our collective passion for inspiring students to explore and understand both our dynamic planet and the universe beyond. As educators, we lay the foundation for the stories our students will eventually write for themselves. We challenge them to think critically about systems rather than simply memorizing facts. We prepare them for future decision-making and exploration. This is our mission.
This year, NESTA is focused on strengthening our connections with you, our members. Whether it’s by providing access to valuable resources through our partner organizations or offering virtual professional development opportunities, we are committed to making 2025 a year of greater access to the tools and resources you need to support your students.
I also invite you to take a more active role in NESTA’s leadership. Whether through presenting at conferences, contributing to The Earth Scientist, or joining one of our leadership teams. Together, we can shape the future of Earth Science education.
Let’s embrace this year with renewed innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to care for our planet. I am deeply grateful for your dedication to our mission and for all the work you do to inspire the next generation.
Thank you for being a part of NESTA.
Inspired and renewed, Natalie Macke President, NESTA
Dear NESTA Members,
As we approach the holiday break, my students are not-so-gently reminding of the incredible adaptability required in our profession. Now in my 25th year of teaching, I find myself working harder than ever to meet the diverse needs of my students. To “work smarter, not harder,” I’ve committed to increasing student agency in my classes. By fostering independence and ownership, my students gain unique access to our learning goals. Their ability to share personal experiences, engage in sense-making, and participate actively not only sparks curiosity but also strengthens critical thinking—better enabling them to connect scientific concepts to real-world challenges.
In exploring strategies that work (and learning from those that don’t), I invite you all to join me in supporting one another as we navigate future challenges together. During this break, I plan to carve out a “skinny minute” (or “New York minute,” depending on where you’re from!) to catch up and engage in our NESTA Professional Learning Community on Facebook. I’ll be sharing my commitment to instructional practices that promote inquiry, collaboration, and deeper understanding in Earth and space science classrooms. If you’d like to join or contribute, visit us here: bit.ly/3XzxZBY.
I also want to acknowledge that many of us (myself included) are actively trying to step back from social media. While Facebook remains our most cost-effective platform for sharing resources, questions, and ideas as a group, we are actively exploring alternatives for the near future.
Let’s continue building a stronger, more connected community together.
Warm regards during this holiday season, Natalie Macke President, NESTA
NOTE: The PLC will be only be available to paid members o NESTA
In the weeks ahead, we all will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving; I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your dedication to ensuring we have a future with informed and compassionate citizens that value stewardship of Earth inspires not only your students but also our entire community.
This year, as we take on new challenges, I am reminded of the power of resilience and unity. Our strength lies in our shared commitment to common goals. Together, we continue to build a strong and vibrant community that nurtures student curiosity, encouraging them to explore, reason, and explain phenomena through valid scientific practices.
May this season be a time of renewal and hope for each of you. Let us carry forward the spirit of gratitude and the confidence that, together, we can overcome any obstacle. Your work is invaluable, and your presence in this community is deeply appreciated. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and joyful Thanksgiving!
With gratitude,
Natalie Macke President, NESTA
Happy Earth Science Week and fall greetings from Northeast New Jersey. I hope this message finds you settled into some school routines, so you have a moment or two to enjoy the changing palette of the outdoors.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the difficult circumstances some of you may be facing in the wake of recent storms. These challenges have deeply affected your schools and communities, and NESTA is here to support you in any way we can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Looking ahead, our leadership team is preparing for the NSTA's national conference in New Orleans. As in the past, we are compiling a document that highlights our members' contributions. If you’d like to include your activity—whether it's a workshop, poster, booth, or something else—please complete this Google Form (https://forms.gle/G8duNghJxjuAZ6cC8) by October 25th. We’re happy to help publicize your efforts.
May the transition of seasons remind us that cycles of change are not only inevitable but necessary for nurturing future growth. Just as nature relies on these shifts to bring about renewal, our community depends on the fresh perspectives and new ideas that each educator brings. Please consider being part of the change that shapes our collective future—ensuring that our students, classrooms, and communities continue to flourish. I would love an opportunity to cultivate new connections!
Wishing you a productive and inspiring fall season ahead! Hope to hear from you
Natalie Macke
nmacke12@gmail.com
NESTA President
NESTA sends you warm wishes for the school year ahead. Like every year, we’ll each face new challenges but also exciting opportunities. After a summer to recharge, I’m re-energized with new ideas and hopes for my classroom, and I feel ready to create a space for my students that is filled with discovery, growth, and meaningful connections.
Thinking about my goals for NESTA this year, I’ll take a similar approach:
1. Foster Discovery through Innovation: Promote innovative practices and approaches to problem-solving, including new tools such as those powered by AI. We aim to support our community’s mission while easing the burden of tedious professional tasks.
2. Promote Growth through Continuous Learning: Prioritize the professional and personal development of members by providing access to workshops, resources, and opportunities for skill-building.
3. Strengthen Meaningful Connections within the Community: Cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where members can form meaningful relationships, share experiences, and collaborate effectively.
4. Establish and Support Connections with Other Educational Communities: Build partnerships and share resources with other educational organizations and communities, embracing the interdisciplinary nature of Earth and space science.
Please remember that NESTA is a completely volunteer organization, so I encourage you to reach out if you can help with any of the organizational goals or would simply like to start a conversation about them. I look forward to meeting and perhaps working with some of you this year! Good things are to come.
Greetings! As we anticipate and embark on a new school year, please remember that your passion and dedication play a crucial role in shaping the minds of future generations—those who will be entrusted with the stewardship of not just our planet, but perhaps boundaries far beyond. NESTA is here to support you every step of the way, providing resources, community, and encouragement.
A special thank you to Diane Ripollone and Kathy Biernat, presenters of our first collaborative webinar with the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association. Please take some time and review the materials they have provided at https://nestanet.org/webinar. I’ve added their resource list to our NESTA bookmark account!
Kudos to Peg Steffen for an excellent edition of The Earth Scientist focusing on PreK – Grade 5. The Board decided to provide open access to our spring and summer 2024 editions to celebrate our 40th anniversary and highlight the amazing work of our authors and 100% volunteer leadership group. Please share and help us grow . Thank you to Kristin Hunter-Thomson and Mike Jabot for an excellent Guest Editorial; a must read about the importance of data literacy in K-5 classrooms. I’m looking forward to our next edition highlighting 9-16 opportunities which should be in your inbox just in time for Earth Science Week, October 13-19th. https://www.earthsciweek.org/
Please feel free to reach out! Wishing you each a school year full of discovery, innovation, support and growth.
Natalie Macke NESTA President nmacke12@gmail.com
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