ASTE will be discontinuing the use of MailChimp for association communications on March 15, 2026. ASTE will transition to using WildApricot as the primary method of communication and will use that platform exclusively after March 15. During the transition period, you may receive duplicate messages from both MailChimp and WildApricot.

Messages through MailChimp are sent to around 1200 contacts that are, or were, ASTE members at one time. Messages sent through WildApricot are sent to around 550 contacts who are or were members since 2025 (when the ASTE website switched over to the WildApricot website and membership platform).

If you no longer receive email messages from ASTE after March 15, 2026 you will need to join or renew your ASTE membership at https://theaste.org/join-us  Note that ASTE membership rates increase on March 15, 2026 as well.

Ron Hermann
ASTE Executive Director

Prospective Author and Reviewer Opportunity!

https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/usch20/collections/NSTA-Leadership-Matters-Column

We present an open access curated collection showcasing the Leadership Matters column across the National Science Teaching Association’s three peer-reviewed journals: Science & Children, Science Scope, and The Science Teacher. Originally centered on elementary education, the column has expanded to include middle and high school perspectives, creating broader opportunities for educators to share leadership insights. This collection highlights how leadership influences science education through policy, practice, equity, professional learning, curriculum, and transformation across PK–12 settings. Contributors reflect diverse roles and both formal and informal leadership experiences. Rolling submissions are accepted, and column editors welcome inquiries. 

Applications now being sought for the position of Conference Program Coordinator(s) for the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)

The Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) is seeking applications for Conference Program Coordinator (s). The duration of the appointment is 3.5 years. The first six months (July 2026 –January 2027) will overlap with the current Conference Program Coordinator as a transition and training period. Official coordination responsibilities will be from closure of the 2027 ASTE Annual Conference through close of the 2030 ASTE Annual Conference.   The coordinator(s) will carry out their work as part of the ASTE Conference Planning Committee (CPC) to ensure that meetings, workshops, offsite events and field trips are included in the conference program. The CPC members include:  CPC Chair Program Coordinator(s)  Local Host Team Past -President Executive Director Director of Electronic Services Equity Committee Representative Graduate Student Representative  In preparation for the ASTE Annual Conferences, the Conference Program Coordinator(s): Communicate with Thread Coordinators regarding recommendations for  accepted proposals, confirming decisions to accept/reject with the Director of Electronic Communications for author notification Manage the process for building the daily conference schedule, including concurrent sessions, meetings, and other events Coordinates the process of assembling the information from all parties necessary to build the conference program and conference app. Collaborates with CPC Chair and other members of the committee Most of the coordinator’s work is completed remotely, with the busiest period between July and November each year as proposals are submitted and reviewed.   The Conference Program Coordinator(s) must be members in good standing of ASTE. Desired qualifications include a high level of organization, strong interpersonal skills for collaboration, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and familiarity working with spreadsheets. The position includes a stipend of $1800.00, complimentary registration, and up to 4 complementary nights at the conference hotel during the annual conferences during the term of service (2028, 2029, 2030).    For questions regarding this position and to submit application materials, email ASTE President-elect Amanda Townley at amanda.lee.townley@gmail.com.  Full applications for the position are due April 15, 2026 and should include: A cover letter stating interest in the position and qualifications An abbreviated Curriculum Vita (no more than 5 pages) focusing on work relevant to the position

ASTE Membership rates will increase on March 15, 2026. 

The new membership rates are as follows:

• Pre-service Teacher Membership (electronic only JSTE) - $35
• Retired Membership (electronic only JSTE) - $70
• Retired Membership (print and electronic JSTE) - $100
• Graduate Student/Teacher Membership (electronic only JSTE) - $70
• Graduate Student/Teacher Membership (print and electronic JSTE) - $100
• Regular Membership (electronic only JSTE) - $160
• Regular Membership (print and electronic JSTE) - $190

JSTE publisher, Taylor & Francis, supplies print versions at a cost of $30 US dollars per annual volume, per member.

New memberships and membership renewals will remain at the current rate until March 15, 2026. Memberships can be purchased at https://theaste.wildapricot.org/join-us

Ron Hermann
ASTE Executive Director

Are you looking for ways to get more involved with ASTE? We are looking for ASTE members to serve on the following committees for a 3-year term:
 
Awards, Equity, NSTA Partnership, Oversight, and Professional Development
 
We also are seeking graduate student reps to serve a two-year term on the following committees: 
 
Awards, Communication, Equity, Oversight, and Publications.
 
You can learn more about ASTE committees here: https://theaste.org/Committees. 
 
If you are interested in joining an ASTE committee, first ensure you are a current ASTE member then please email Kelly Feille (President Elect) at feille@ou.edu with your committee interest(s), your institution, and preferred email contact. 
 
Thank you for your service to ASTE!
 
Kelly Feille
President Elect
feille@ou.edu

Dear ASTE Friends,
  

The ASTE Elections Committee is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 ASTE Election. With 127 members voting, the results are: 

President-elect

●  Kelly Feille
 

 Board Members Elect

●  Joshua Ellis

●  Preethi Titu

 

Elections Committee 

●  Melanie Kinskey

●  Holly Plank

●  Ryan Summers

  

Thank you to all who ran for a position and to members who voted!

Congratulations to our new ASTE elected leaders! 

 

Sincerely, 

Jesse Wilcox, Elections Committee Chair

Julianne Wenner, Elections Committee Chair-Elect

Dear Colleagues,
 
The Swissotel ASTE Conference rate of $139.00 plus taxes and fees ends on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Hotel Reservations: Please secure your hotel room at the Swissotel through our conference link to lock in the $139.00 (pre-tax) nightly rate. Hotel reservations at this rate must be made by Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
 
Sincerely,
ASTE 2026 Local Planning Team
(co-chair) Sumreen Asim – Indiana University - Southeast
(co-chair) Becky Hammack, Purdue University
(co-chair) Paula Magee, Indiana University - Indianapolis
 

For those who weren't able to attend the recent Professional Development webinar focused on providing a 2026 Conference Preview, you can access the recording through this link. 

Are you a graduate student or a new faculty member hoping to get more involved and connected in the ASTE community?

Or,

Are you an experienced ASTE member who is willing to provide guidance and mentorship to newer members?

Whomever you may be, the ASTE mentor/mentee Nexus is for you and is currently open for sign-ups for the upcoming 2026 international conference in Chicago, Illinois! 

Still on the fence? Current Graduate Student Forum President Jeff Papa had this to say about how his experience as a mentee shaped his involvement with ASTE and future career goals. 

“My participation as a mentee was a transformative experience that positively influenced my role as a student, scholar, and member of the ASTE community. Through my time at the ASTE conferences, I have been able to grow my network of friends and colleagues. I owe much of my experience to the incredible people of the mentor/mentee nexus.”

The deadline for signing up is Friday, November 28th. After the deadline, we will match participants who have signed up and send an email to inform you of your match and provide details about mentor-mentee events at ASTE ‘26. You only need to complete one form of your choice. So, if you see the form or the link for the form in other correspondence after you've already filled it out, you do not have to complete it again.

Sign up to be a mentor

Sign up to be a mentee

Mentor Obligations:

• Communicate with your mentee before the ASTE conference to choose a time to meet during the ASTE conference
• Meet with your assigned mentee (virtually or in person) at least once during the ASTE conference
• Provide support and advice to your assigned mentee during the ASTE conference and if possible, facilitate useful connections/collaborations

Mentee Obligations:

• Respond to your mentor before the ASTE conference to choose a time to meet during the ASTE conference
• Meet with your assigned mentor (virtually or in person) at least once during the ASTE conference

Thank you! If you have any questions ahead of signing up, please contact Isaiah Kent-Schneider at Isaiah.Kentschneider@gmail.com 

The Professional Development Committee would like to invite you to an ASTE Virtual Interactive Workshop!

Workshop: Chicago Here We Come: Learn More about the Conference before attending

What: Come learn about this year's wonderful ASTE 2026 Conference. This session will provide an introduction to each of the conference threads and all of the opportunities to learn and experience Chicago.

When: Wednesday November 19th at 2pm ET

Where: Zoom (Link will be sent to registrants)

Registration Now OPEN