2024 Annual conference

Please “Save the Date” and plan to join us at Stonewall Resort from October 24th- October 26th

Embark on a voyage with fellow science educators whose timeless passion for science knows no bounds. Delve into the depths of knowledge and harness the lessons of the past to illuminate the path ahead for science education in West Virginia. This year’s theme, “Science 24/7,” embodies our evolving understanding of our world in the year 2024 and recognizes our pursuit to further our knowledge and make long lasting impacts in our teaching practices. Please bring a teacher friend with you or invite a first time attendee! WVSTA first-timers will walk away with immediate ways to  improve the science lessons already happening in your classes!

Stonewall Resort:  When registering, use the “Book A Room” button to reserve a room.  NOTE: the resort website defaults to Wednesday night instead of Thursday, showing higher prices and no availability.  Just update your search for Thursday + Friday to access our room block.  The price is $157/night plus resort fees and taxes or $194/night.  You may also call Stonewall Resort  directly (888- 278-8150) and book your room using the WVSTA group code: 741690  which covers October 24-26, 2024. 

IF your organization is  tax exempt, you can use a p-card but bring a tax exempt form to the resort or email it to Miranda at mdoss@stonewallresort.com.

Jordan Mader is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS), where she has taught since 2019. Her engagement and advocacy for students, colleagues, and the surrounding community have driven her work in higher education for more than 15 years. 

She received her degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the first cohort of the 7-Year B.S./Ph.D Program. During her 7 years as Assistant then Associate Professor at Shepherd University she established transformative programs, including co-developing the “Seeding Your Future” Initiative, a STEAM outreach program for 5th-12th grade students.

Currently, Dr. Mader is heavily involved in the University Curriculum and Policies and Procedures committees; has helped to plan and presented at the UAFS Student Success Mini-Conference; participated in the Festival of Science and the STEM Associates program for area science teachers; and provided SafeZone training for faculty, staff, and students across campus. She has been featured in the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Advisor Spotlight and the UAFS Faculty Voices.

Dr. Mader recently presented on interdisciplinary pedagogy (namely, project-based learning and the integration of the arts into her STEM classes) to public education and higher education audiences at the 2024 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Her research agenda is ongoing, as she has several research projects in development, primarily concerning the intersecting fields of environmental/green chemistry and organic synthesis. One of these projects has generated a student-led publication.

In her free time, Jordan enjoys reading fantasy and speculative fiction, hiking, gardening, playing any game in the Legend of Zelda series, and taking her 7-month-old dachshund puppy on big adventures.

Dan Mantz is the Chief Executive Officer for the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. He joined the REC Foundation in 2017 after 30 years in the robotics and manufacturing industries.  Dan is responsible for leading the REC Foundations strategic direction to provide more students the opportunity to engage in STEM activities and careers. The REC Foundation is one of the world’s leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) nonprofit organizations whose mission is to spark student interest and involvement in STEM by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable curriculum-based robotics programs.

The REC Foundation provides educators with services, solutions, and a community that allows students to learn and embrace the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for them to succeed in the 21st Century. Whether it's a competitive event, workshop, camp, or conference, the REC Foundation is committed to promoting technology and related student and professional advancement so that one day these programs become accessible to all students across all schools in all communities.

Last season, West Virginia had 474 teams participating in REC Foundation programs including: the Aerial Drone Competition, Technology Student Association, VEX IQ, VEX V5, and VEX University, and we expect these programs to continue their rapid growth for the foreseeable future.