Network Connections

Network Connections is a one-day conference for educational professionals focused on mathematics and science.  The conference is held twice a year; once in the fall and once in the winter.  Teams of Teacher Leaders, administrators and guidance counselors from school districts throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania come together to explore relevant research and tools in mathematics and science education.  A variety of sessions address proven approaches focusing on the big ideas of mathematics and science.  The overview and keynote sessions give all participants a context and anchor for the conference.  Breakout sessions provide opportunities to explore specific topics with more depth.  INTERACT (INvitation To Effectively Reflect And Collaborate Together) time will be provided for participants to share experiences and plan with district colleagues.  A resource fair will be conducted on site during the lunch hour. 

Who Attends Network Connections?

Each district is invited to appoint seven teacher-leaders (elementary, middle, and high school mathematics teachers, elementary, middle and high school science teachers, a librarian, guidance counselor, and/or technology coordinator) and two administrators (a principal and the administrator responsible for curricula selection and professional development).  This district leadership team is expected to represent their district's perspectives, to report back to their districts/schools/departments to share information about the resources, and to leverage involvement in relevant opportunities. Independent and private schools are welcome to participate, but are encouraged to partner with each other in making appointments.  If you are interested, contact your district's point person or your superintendent to express your interest in serving and to learn of available appointments. School districts can make their appointments at any time by completing and returning the appointment form or with a letter from the superintendent’s office.  

Do I Need To RSVP?

YES!   Full information, including agendas and RSVP forms can be found in the MSC Journal, which is published late summer.  Once appointed, each educator should complete the RSVP form and FAX it to the Math & Science Collaborative by the registration deadline.  The agendas and RSVP forms for each year are also made available on this web site.

Upcoming Network Connections Conferences:

• October 28, 2010- Carnegie Science Center
• February 10, 2011- Carnegie Science Center

Features from Past Network Connections Conferences-

February 18, 2010

• The winter 2010 Network Connections returned "home" to the Carnegie Science Center.  It was rescheduled from February 11, to February 18, due to inclement weather.
• View the PDF of the Powerpoint from Nancy Bunt's overview/welcome session.
• The keynote speaker originally scheduled, Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft, could not come on the new date.  Therefore, a presentation about the Learning Lab was held during the keynote session.

November 5, 2009

• The fall 2009 Network Connections was held as a "conference within a conference" within the annual PCTM conference at the Green Tree Radisson.
• View the PDF of the Powerpoint from Nancy Bunt's overview/welcome session.
• The keynote speaker for the November 2009 Network Connections was Eric Jolly, President, Science Museum of St. Paul, Minnesota.

February 12, 2009

• View the PDF of the Powerpoint from Nancy Bunt's overview/welcome session.
• The keynote speaker for the February 2009 Network Connections was Edward Burger.
• View the presentation from Session D- "Managing Effective Student Discourse" including transcriptions for discourses: Brownie Share, Physics of Optics, and All Sorts of Leaves.

November 20, 2008

• View the PDF of the powerpoint from Nancy Bunt's overview/welcome session. 
• View the slide show from Session I- "Acting on Assessment Results". 
• The keynote speaker for the November 2008 Network Connections was Tim Kanold.  View the PDF of the powerpoint from the keynote address.

February 6, 2008

• View the PDF of the powerpoint from Nancy Bunt's overview/welcome session.
• The keynote speaker for the February 2008 Network Connections Conference was Angela Kirby-Wehr and Edward Vollbrecht of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  Their address provided an update on current PDE initiatives.

November 29, 2007

• The keynote speaker for the November 2007 Network Connections Conference was Heidi Schweingruber of the National Research Council of the National Academies and the Committee on Science Learning, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.  Dr. Schweingruber spoke on how children, grades K-8 learn the ideas and practice of science. 
• View the PDF of the powerpoint from the keynote address.

February 22, 2007

• The keynote speaker for the February 2007 Network Connections Conference was Deborah Loewenberg Ball of the School of Education at the University for Michigan.  Dr. Ball spoke on the subject of learning mathematics for teaching.
• View the PDF of the powerpoint from "DOs and DON'Ts of PSSA Math Test Prep" session.
• View the PDF of the keynote presentation:  "Knowing your subject well enough to teach it: What more does it take?" 

October 24, 2006

• The keynote speaker for the October 2006 Network Connections Conference, was Dr. Philip Sadler, of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Executive Producer of the award-winning video, "A Private Universe."  Dr. Sadler discussed assessment of student misconceptions about basic science concepts and how they can be changed through instruction. 
• View Cassandra Jones' presentation on "Changing High School: Project 720". 
• View the powerpoint from "Instructional Decision-Making, Using Data"session.

February 9, 2006