Houston A+ Challenge's 2012-13 Chevron Speaker Series on Public Education In a world fueled by innovations in science and technology, our nation is counting on the students of today to solve the global dilemmas of tomorrow. Yet the content and practice found in most science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classrooms remain woefully out-of-step with 21st century careers, and U.S. student performance on international STEM benchmarks is lagging.For these reasons, science-related K-12 education is being re-envisioned by a national collective of STEM educators, business leaders and policy experts. But in Texas, where science curriculum scored a “C” average in a 2012 Fordham Foundation study, the state board of education chair has said there’s a “zero percent chance” that Texas will adopt the new national standards.Can the movement’s vision for the next generation science classroom catch fire in Texas, nonetheless? What do Texas students need to know and be able to do, to be well-positioned and prepared for the STEM careers of tomorrow? Featured Speaker: DR. ELEANOR SMALLEY will provide both a practical analysis of the new standards, which will be released in draft form in January 2013, and also a vision for how hands-on, industry-connected teaching and learning can ignite students’ passion and aptitude for STEM careers.Expert Panelists: DR. SANDRA WEST, associate professor of biology at Texas State University, was on the writing team when Texas last updated its science curriculum in 2009. DR. RAMON LOPEZ, professor of physics at the University of Texas at Arlington, is one of nine Next Generation Science Standards writing team Leaders, contributing writer to the College Board Standards for College Success, and a member of the STAAR physics content validation committee. Houston A+ Challenge invites you to join us for an engaging conversation regarding the Next Generation Science Standards movement in Texas.  Breakfast and registration begins at 8:00 a.m. in the main foyer of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the main event starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Museum's Brown Auditorium. This event is FREE and open to the public. DR. ELEANOR SMALLEY is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the JASON Project, an independent 501(c)(3), operated in partnership with National Geographic Society and Sea Research Foundation, Inc. The JASON Project's standards-based curriculum and staff development raises expectations and student outcomes in science, technology, and mathematics. Previously she served as Senior Project Director at the University of Virginia for the Darden Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education, aligning leadership and business practices between state and district superintendents. Dr. Smalley also has served 30 years in the public schools, including twelve as a superintendent where she promoted a zero dropout rate, an accelerated learning model, a co-collegiate learning model with James Madison University, and was recognized by Newsweek as a national leader in The Challenge Index.  DR. SANDRA WEST  is an Associate Professor of Biology and Science Education at Texas State University and winner of the National and Texas Science Education Leadership awards.  She serves as the policy and legislative liaison for the Science Teachers Association of Texas and Texas Academy of Science and sits on numerous TEA committees: School Facilities Standards, TAKS Review and TEKS writing team and SBEC certification.  Dr. West co-authored the NSTA Guide to Planning School Science Facilities (1999 & 2007) and consults with architects and school districts on science facilities design and the U.S. Department of Defense on chemical hygiene in Europe and Pacific.  She is a graduate of HISD Milby HS and holds a B.S. in General Science/Secondary Education and M.S. in Biology from University of Houston and a Ph.D. in Science Education from Texas A&M University.  DR. RAMON LOPEZ is a Professor of Physics at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Ramon is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  He has received awards for his work both in space physics and education from organizations including NASA, APS, and SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science).  Ramon’s work in precollege science education includes being a member of the writing team for Active Physics, a High School curriculum project, he was one of the authors of the College Board's Standards for College Success, and he serves on the STAAR physics content validation committee.  Currently he is part of the Leadership Team writing the Next Generation Science Standards.  Ramon earned a B.S. in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Ph.D. in space physics from Rice University. We hope to see you on JANUARY 24th for breakfast and conversation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston!Thanks to CHEVRON for providing generous funding for Houston A+ Challenge's 2012-13 Speaker Series on Public Education The Next Generation Science Standards: Will Texas Students Be Left Behind? 0.00