Utah Science Teaching Association upcoming events

UtSTA 2026 Annual Conference "Sustain the Spark" (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Early Bird Rates (until Oct 10, 2026)

Member $130
Non Member $190
Student/Student Teacher/1st year Teacher= $80

Rates Starting Oct 11-Oct 22nd

Member $150
Non Member $210
Student/Student Teacher/1st year Teacher=$90

Rates Day of Conference (Oct 23rd)

Member $200
Non Member 240
Student/Student Teacher/1st year Teacher=$100

Registration codes will be sent to accepted presenters

Vendor for profit: $800

Vendor for nonprofit: $325 (501C3)

Log into your account for member options or

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Watch for information about the awards dinner the evening of October 23rd

Keynote speaker Dr. Scott Tinker! In addition to the keynote, there will be 13 different themed strands throughout the day and 4 different breakout session for each to help you with your teaching curriculum with ideas, demos, lessons, etc. We hope you can join us for a great day that will help you and your students better appreciate science and science education.

Teacher Awards will be given before the Keynote.

Refund: full refund until September 23, 2026 for Teachers. Vendors please see specific info on registration.

Dinner at WSU for 2026 UtSTA Award Winners - Richard Tolman Scholarship 2026 (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:30:00 GMT

- WSU is sponsoring a dinner for all 2026 UtSTA Science Award Winners. Limited to 20 attendees.
  - Space is limited to the 2026 UtSTA Award Winners
  - - Please register by October 1st!
    - If you have additional family members that would like to attend please register them at this link . There will be a $5.00 per ticket donation request. All funds go toward the Richard Tolman Scholarship for preservice science teachers.
  - Dinner will be in the Weber State University Campus, Tracy Hall is 1369 Edvalson St, Ogden UT 84408 Click Here for a map of the Building
  - Agenda
  - - 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
    - - Menu:
        
        Lemon and Thyme Seared Chicken Breast: Grilled chicken breast marinated with lemon, olive oil and garlic served with a cream sauce.
        
        Garden Salad: Romaine and spring mix topped with grape tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots, Ranch Dressing or Balsamic Vinaigrette
        
        Simply Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes: Red bliss potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper
        
        Charred Tri Color Baby Carrots: Tri color carrots charred and tossed with a carrot top vinaigrette
        
        Sliced Fresh Fruit: Platter of fresh sliced cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple and blueberries
        
        Devil`s Food Cake
        
        Lemonade and Iced Water
      - Keynote
- End by 7:00 pm
Parking details and maps will be sent to registered guests. Parking instructions are HERE

Dinner at WSU - Friends and Family of 2026 UtSTA Award Winners (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:30:00 GMT

- WSU is sponsoring a dinner for all science educators and their families. This ticket is for friends and family of the award winners. Limited to 70 attendees. If you are the award winner go to this link to receive your free ticket.
  - Space is limited to the 70 guests
  - - Please register by October 1st 2026
    - $5.00 per person ALL Proceeds go toward next years Richard Tolman Scholarship
  - Dinner will be in the Weber State University Campus, Tracy Atrium Hall is 1369 Edvalson St, Ogden UT 84408 click HERE for a map of the Building
  - Agenda
  - - 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
    - - Menu
      - Lemon and Thyme Seared Chicken Breast: Grilled chicken breast marinated with lemon, olive oil and garlic served with a cream sauce.
        
        Garden Salad: Romaine and spring mix topped with grape tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots, Ranch Dressing or Balsamic Vinaigrette
        
        Simply Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes: Red bliss potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper
        
        Charred Tri Color Baby Carrots: Tri color carrots charred and tossed with a carrot top vinaigrette
        
        Sliced Fresh Fruit: Platter of fresh sliced cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple and blueberries
        
        Devil`s Food Cake. Lemonade and Iced Water
    - Keynote
  - End by 7:00 pm
- Parking details and maps will be sent to registered guests. Parking instructions are HERE
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE MORE PLEASE GO TO THE DONATIONS SECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF UTSTA.ORG AND MAKE A DONATION. IN THE COMMENTS SECTION ADD TOLMAN SCHOLARSHIP.

2027 SPRING: Chemistry 1 for Teachers - Online Endorsement Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Course Description

Welcome to the university course Chemistry 1 for Teachers. This course will focus on atomic structure, compounds and their properties, reactions, and stoichiometric changes, states of matter, and end with energy changes. It's important to note that this is a college-level course and you will be expected to understand the material at a much higher level than you will likely incorporate in your classroom.

This college-level course meets the Utah State Science Endorsement requirements for:

Secondary Core Science: General Chemistry
Chemistry 1: Principles of Chemistry

The course integrates chemistry content with the Utah SEEd Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Participants will strengthen both their chemistry content knowledge and instructional practices through lesson plan development.

Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Note: This course does not satisfy Utah's separate Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge requirement.

Course Format

12-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 3 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Important Notice

The Utah State Endorsement Incentive Program is currently scheduled to end after Spring 2029. Beginning then, UtSTA endorsement courses will cost $1,500, with no reimbursement provided by the State or UtSTA.

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members: $50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants: $900 non-refundable course fee.

Participants seeking university credit must also register with Southern Utah University (SUU). The $69 SUU credit fee is reimbursed for eligible participants who successfully complete the course with a C (74%) or higher. Registration instructions will be emailed after enrollment.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $69 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance of $650.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

2027 SPRING: Genetics for Teachers - Online Endorsement Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Course Description

Genetics is the study of heredity and how traits are passed from one generation to another, how these traits are affected by environmental factors, and the molecular basis for these traits. It requires background knowledge from both Biology and Chemistry to fully understand the concepts presented. It's important to note that this is a college-level course and you will be expected to understand the material at a much higher level than you will likely incorporate in your classroom.

This college-level course meets the Utah State Science Endorsement requirements for:

Biology 1: Genetics

The course integrates genetics content with the Utah SEEd Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Participants will strengthen both their genetics content knowledge and instructional practices through lesson plan development.

Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Note: This course does not satisfy Utah's separate Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge requirement.

Course Format

12-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 3 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Important Notice

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members:$50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants:$900 non-refundable course fee.

Participants seeking university credit must also register with Southern Utah University (SUU). The $69 SUU credit fee is reimbursed for eligible participants who successfully complete the course with a C (74%) or higher. Registration instructions will be emailed after enrollment.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $69 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

2027 SPRING: Geology for Teachers - Online Endorsement Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

This is an introductory course on the materials that make up the Earth and the processes that modify them. It's important to note that this is a college-level course and you will be expected to understand the material at a much higher level than you will likely incorporate in your classroom.

This college-level course meets the Utah State Science Endorsement requirements for:

Core Science: Geology
Earth Science 1: Geology

The course integrates geology content with the Utah SEEd Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Participants will strengthen both their geology content knowledge and instructional practices through lesson plan development.

Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Note: This course does not satisfy Utah's separate Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge requirement.

Course Format

12-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 3 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Important Notice

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members:$50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants:$900 non-refundable course fee.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $69 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

2027 SPRING: Human Anatomy for Teachers - Online Endorsement Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Course Description

This human anatomy teaching course has three main objectives that will be the focus of the course:

Identify and understand the essential principles of human anatomy including basic chemistry, cell and tissue studies, and an overview of all the major body systems.
Discuss current events in human anatomy.
Develop lessons and activities, using the content information, that can be used in your classrooms to help students better grasp and relate to the information.

It's important to note that this is a college-level course and you will be expected to understand the material at a much higher level than you will likely incorporate in your classroom.

This college-level course meets the Utah State Science Endorsement requirements for:

Biology 1: Human Anatomy

The course integrates anatomy content with the Utah SEEd Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Participants will strengthen both their anatomy content knowledge and instructional practices through lesson plan development.

Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Note: This course does not satisfy Utah's separate Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge requirement.

Course Format

12-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 3 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Important Notice

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members:$50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants:$900 non-refundable course fee.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $69 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

2027 SPRING: Environmental Science for Teachers - Online Endorsement Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Course Description

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary science course that integrates principles from biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, and non-science disciplines. It involves the study of interactions between human activities and biological and physical environments on all scales, from the local to the global.

It's important to note that this is a college-level course and you will be expected to understand the material at a much higher level than you will likely incorporate in your classroom.

This college-level course meets the Utah State Science Endorsement requirements for:

Earth Science 1

The course integrates environmental science content with the Utah SEEd Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Participants will strengthen both their environmental science content knowledge and instructional practices through lesson plan development.

Time Commitment: Approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Note: This course does not satisfy Utah's separate Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge requirement.

Course Format

12-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 3 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Important Notice

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members:$50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants:$900 non-refundable course fee.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $69 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

2027 SPRING: Lab Safety Certification Online Course (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Course Description

This course fulfills the laboratory safety certification requirement for all Utah secondary science endorsements. Participants will explore laboratory safety practices, risk management, chemical handling and storage, emergency procedures, and strategies for creating safe and effective learning environments.

This college-level course prepares science teachers to implement current safety standards and best practices in secondary science classrooms and laboratories.

Time Commitment: Approximately 3–5 hours per week.

Course Format

4-week online course
Fixed schedule (not self-paced)
Weekly modules must be completed on time
Earn 0.5 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU) upon successful completion

Registration, Costs & Reimbursement

Course Cost

Contracted Utah public school educators who are current UtSTA members: $50 registration fee (refundable upon successful completion).
All other participants: $150 non-refundable course fee.

All participants seeking university credit must also register for 0.5 semester credits through Southern Utah University (SUU). The $11.50 SUU credit fee is reimbursed for eligible participants who successfully complete the course with a C (74%) or higher. Registration instructions will be emailed after enrollment.

Reimbursement

Contracted Utah public school educators who earn a C (74%) or higher will receive reimbursement for:

The $50 UtSTA registration fee
The $11.50 SUU credit fee

Participants who are not contracted Utah public school educators are not eligible for reimbursement.

Membership Requirement

Current membership in the Utah Science Teachers Association (UtSTA) is required to enroll.

Grading

A minimum grade of C (74%) is required to successfully complete the course and qualify for reimbursement (if eligible).

Cancellation & Withdrawal

If you cancel or withdraw 14 days or more after the course begins:

You are responsible for the remaining course balance.
Registration and university credit fees are non-refundable.
A Withdrawal (W) will appear on your SUU transcript.

Please refer to the Refund Policy for complete details.

Meet the Scientist Virtual Event: Dr. Sam St. Clair (14 Jan 2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Join UtSTA for a one hour event with Dr. Perry Ridge of BYU

How increasing fire in Utah is changing ecosystem and human health.

Understanding the the causes and effects of fire in forests and deserts and their implications for society. My presentations use story-based narratives grounded in the scientific method to engage students, spark curiosity, and develop their inquiry skills. Fire is an emerging and highly relevant topic that affects us all, and its importance will only continue to grow. Research Interests community ecology, plant physiological ecology; plant invasions; herbivory and plant defense; plant and ecosystem responses to climate change; fire ecology; pollination

UtSTA Members - FREE - If you would like to donate to the Richard Tolman Scholarship do so under the donations button at the bottom of the home page.

Nonmembers will be $40.00. (become a member and attend for free). All proceeds go to the Richard Tolman Scholarship

This will be a one hour virtual event where Perry will share his passion of the discovery of patterns and unexpected genetics

When you register, please enter your CACTUS number if you would like to receive one relicensure point.

NOTE: If you are not a current member of UtSTA you can renew your membership or join the Utah Science Teachers Association today ($20-35/year) and save money on your registration costs. To join today, CLICK HERE.

Elementary Book Chat 1/21/27 Brittny Amott (21 Jan 2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Join UtSTA for a one hour virtual event with Brittny Amott

How People Learned to Fly by Fran Hodgkins

Grade K - Strand K.3: Forces, Motion, and Interactions K.3.1: Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or directions of forces on the motion of an object. Early flight attempts explored push and pull forces. Grade 2 - Strand 2.2: Living Things and Their Habitats 2.2.4: Design a solution to a human problem by mimicking the structure and function of plants and/or animals. People literally tried to mimic bird wings to fly! Grade 3 - Strand 3.3: Force Affects Motion 3.3.1: Plan and carry out investigations that provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. The book describes how people tried different forces to achieve flight. 3.3.2: Analyze and interpret data from observations and measurements of an object's motion to identify patterns that can be used to predict future motion. Early inventors observed birds and gliding patterns. 3.3.5: Design a solution to a problem in which a device functions by using scientific ideas about magnets (engineering design process parallel—flight engineers used similar iterative design approaches). Grade 4 - Strand 4.2: Energy Transfer 4.2.1: Construct an explanation to describe the cause and effect relationship between the speed of an object and the energy of that object. The book covers how speed relates to flight capability. 4.2.2: Ask questions and make observations about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide. Early flight attempts involved understanding air resistance and collisions with air particles. 4.2.4: Design a device that converts energy from one form to another. The entire history of flight is about converting energy into lift and forward motion. Grade 7 - Strand 7.1: Forces Are Interactions Between Matter This is the strongest alignment—the book directly illustrates Newton's Laws: 7.1.1: Carry out an investigation which provides evidence that a change in an object's motion is dependent on the mass of the object and the sum of the forces acting on it. The book shows how heavier objects needed more force to fly. 7.1.2: Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects in a system. Flight relies on action-reaction principles (thrust). 7.1.3: Construct a model using observational evidence to describe the nature of fields existing between objects that exert forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. Air pressure differences create lift. 7.1.5: Engage in argument from evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions within a system are attractive and dependent upon the masses of interacting objects. Understanding gravity was essential to flight. Grade 8 - Strand 8.2: Energy Is Stored and Transferred in Physical Systems 8.2.1: Use computational thinking to analyze data about the relationship between the mass and speed of objects and the relative amount of kinetic energy. Flight requires balancing mass, speed, and energy. 8.2.3: Engage in argument to identify the strongest evidence that supports the claim that the kinetic energy of an object changes as energy is transferred to or from the object. The book shows how engines transfer energy to create motion. Crosscutting Concepts Throughout the Book Cause and Effect: How forces cause motion and flight Systems and System Models: Airplanes as systems of interacting parts Energy and Matter: How energy flows through flight systems Structure and Function: How wing structure enables flight function

Objective: Our goal is to demonstrate how literature can be used as a catalyst for developing analytical writing skills within the context of scientific inquiry. By using selected books as mentor texts, this session will guide teachers in initiating and enhancing students' analytical writing abilities, intertwined with scientific practices. The focus will be on leveraging inquiry-based writing exercises to achieve proficiency in the writing standards.

When you register, please enter your CACTUS number if you would like to receive one relicensure point.

Attendees will receive a free copy of one book! FREE

Nonmembers cost is $40.00 to register.

NOTE: If you are not a current member of UtSTA you can renew your membership or join the Utah Science Teachers Association today ($20-25/year) To join today, CLICK HERE.

Meet the Scientist Virtual Event: Dr. Perry Ridge (11 Feb 2027)

Thu, 11 Feb 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Join UtSTA for a one hour event with Dr. Perry Ridge of BYU

Bioinformatics/Alzheimer's disease genetics

I research Alzheimer's with a significant component of my effort focused on Pacific Islander populations. Additionally, I develop computational approaches to understanding how genetic variation leads to differences in traits. I work at the intersection of science and technology. Science is moving this direction-towards being a data-rich, data-driven discipline, rather than one focused on experimental work in a laboratory setting, or generating data. The bottleneck in scientific progress has largely shifted to what to do with the vast amounts of data available, rather than generating the data. Additionally, this has potentially broader benefits. We live in a time of unlimited information. Some true. Some false. Some a mix of the two. Developing numeric literacy, an ability to evaluate information presented to us is imperative.

UtSTA Members - FREE - If you would like to donate to the Richard Tolman Scholarship do so under the donations button at the bottom of the home page.

Nonmembers will be $40.00. (become a member and attend for free). All proceeds go to the Richard Tolman Scholarship

This will be a one hour virtual event where Perry will share his passion of the discovery of patterns and unexpected genetics

When you register, please enter your CACTUS number if you would like to receive one relicensure point.