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ISTA 2026 Conference:
Igniting Curiosity: Cultivating Science Learners for a Lifetime
October 5, 2026
Remember, your registration fee includes a free membership for inservice teachers. If you are currently a member, your renewal date will be revised by one year. If you are not an active member - congratulations, now you will be apart of ISTA joining others across the state who want the best in science education for all of Illinois youth.
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
This year's conference allows attendees to explore a broad array of topics so we can enhance our work to ignite students' curiosity as we cultivate science learners for a lifetime, including a special guest speaker - Dr. Christine Royce, NSTA Past President.
Conference Strands
Teaching Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
- Using A.I. to teach and design pedagogical approaches and to assess students in the science classroom.
- How to appropriately use A.I. and understanding the ethics of both student and teacher A.I. usage in the science classroom.
- Using A.I. to instill critical thinking skills in the student’s learning and reporting process.
Transformative Approaches to Cultivate Awe, Wonder, and Questions
- Using wonder, awe, and curiosity to spark deeper engagement and student sensemaking.
- Implementing three-dimensional instruction around real-world phenomena using routines and strategies.
- Making meaningful connections between classroom science, student’s everyday experiences and workforce readiness.
Innovation, Access, and Education for Diverse Learners
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Innovative, inclusive instructional strategies that leverage phenomena-based learning, language scaffolds, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and assistive technologies to increase access for ML students and students with IEPs and 504 plans without reducing rigor.
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Asset-based approaches to multilingual science education that position students’ home languages, cultural experiences, and diverse ways of knowing as strengths in scientific discourse, modeling, argumentation, and collaboration.
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Systems and classroom structures that promote equitable access, including co-teaching models, strategic accommodations and modifications, collaborative planning between general and special educators, and progress monitoring practices that ensure compliance while centering student identity, agency, and belonging.
Schedule
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 7:30 - 9:00
Sessions: 8:30 - 11:30
A general workshop session will be presented during each lunch hour on artificial intelligence. (same workshop repeated during both lunches)
Lunch A (provided): 11:30 - 12:20
Lunch B (provided): 12:30 - 1:20
Sessions: 1:30 - 3:30
Free Raffle: 3:30 - 4:00
Exhibits Open 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Benefits
- Professional Development Hours Provided Through ISTA
- Special Extended Learning Opportunities in Small Groups
- Numerous sessions covering a broad array of current topics
- Flea Market: This year the Flea Market is returning. This is a chance to gather free materials and supplies for your classrooms and labs and/or to clean out some materials and supplies you no longer need that others would love to have.
In addition, don't miss out on...
- District Group Discount Rate and Administrator's Discount- see information below
- Numerous Science education vendors featured in the exhibit spaces.
- Raffle at the end of conference with free prizes for those in attendance.
- Opportunities to network with colleagues and meet new people
- Continental Breakfast, Buffet Lunch and Afternoon Snacks provided
Special rate - only $60 for preservice teachers which includes an ISTA membership
Remember, your registration fee includes a free membership for inservice teachers. If you are currently a member, your renewal date will be revised by one year. If you are not an active member - congratulations, now you will be apart of ISTA joining others across the state who want the best in science education for all of Illinois youth.
Early Bird Pricing Ends September 21st
CLICK the "REGISTER" button to the left now
Once you have completed the registration form, you will be able to either pay immediately at our secure site with a credit card or at a later date via check/PO from you or your employer. The confirmation of registration you receive via email serves as either your receipt or bill. Check out the group discount program below before registering.
Registrations canceled after September 21st will incur a $50 fee regardless of whether payment has been received.
Special District Group Discount
With the hope of providing more teachers the opportunity to attend our joint conference, ISTA is offering a discount program for groups attending on Friday. If your district registers 5 or more teachers for the conference on Friday, the fee will be reduced by $10 dollars per in-person registrant. To take advantage of this special savings contact Bob Wolffe at finance@ilscience.org or 309-472-3118. He will send you the registration form to be used for groups. The same form will be used for all registrants regardless of discipline. DO NOT register on-line. Invoices provided upon request.
If your school or school district is paying for 4 or less people to attend, each person must be register individually on-line and a receipt or bill will be sent via email as each registration is completed. A single payment can then be sent for the entire group and each invoice will be recorded as paid upon receipt of payment.
Check Payable to: ISTA
Mail Payments to: Bob Wolffe, ISTA Finance Director
230 East Green Acres Ct.
East Peoria, IL 61611
Administrator Special Promotion
We believe it is important to promote the attendance of administrators at the conference. We know, with their support, teachers are better positioned to implement best practices. An administrator attending with a paid teacher registrant may come to the conference for only $50.
EXHIBITS
Come talk with many commercial and non-commercial exhibitors. There displays will be open from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The ISTA has a discounted hotel room block for ISTA Conference participants! Information will be coming soon.
There are also numerous hotels within 2-5 miles of the conference site. Search the Wheaton or Naperville areas for list including a range of prices and amenities.
COMPLETE PROGRAM
Closer to the date of the conference the program will be available online. You will be notified when this occurs.
NEW Chicago Public Schools Update
ISTA now has a CPS Vendor Number: 11488
Contact Bob Wolffe at finance@ilscience.org for information or questions.
Media Permission
By registering for this event I grant the Illinois Science Teachers Association (ISTA) the right to take photographs, videos, and/or other recordings of me at this event. I understand such media can be used for any lawful purpose, which may include publicity, marketing, illustration, advertising and Web content related to the work and responsibilities of ISTA. Published information may include names, school, city/state, and other identifying information.
If I do not wish to allow for above I will notify ISTA via email.
Cancellations
Registrations canceled after September 25th will incur a $50 fee regardless of whether payment has been received since food will have been ordered for you.
