Are you connected? This used to mean, do you have an email address and use it? These days, connecting with others and the science education community means listservs, podcasts and social networks. Below are some tools that are required for connected science educators.

Listservs

NCSciTeach was started by Dr. John Park at NCSU. If you only belong to one listserv, make this that listserv. Learn about professional development opportunities, cool resources, lesson plans and other news relevent to NC science teachers. To join the list visit http://lists.ncsu.edu/cgi-bin/mj_wwwusr and type ncsciteach in the mailing list box. Enter your email address on the next page and click subscribe. To send to the list just email NCSciTeach@lists.ncsu.edu.

Building a Presence for Science is sponsored by NSTA. This "email tree" is meant to connect every science teacher in every school. Each LEA and school should have a contact. If you are interested in being the contact for your school or LEA contact Linda James Woolard.

New E-mail List For Earth Science Teachers
An e-mail distribution list is being developed for earth science teachers. Members of the list will receive periodic postings of news and web reference sites of value to them in the classroom. If you are interested in keeping up-to-date on the latest news and educational sites related to the earth sciences you will want to be a member of this list. To subscribe simply send your name, e-mail address, school name and county to Fred Beyer at fbeyer@nc.rr.com. This is simply an email list that will soon be converted to a listserv becuase of its large size - stay tuned for details.

What is a Listserv anyway?
Check out the article in the National Science Education Leadership Association's newsletter "Reaching out through Listservs" for a discussion of listservs and their uses.

Web 2.0

Move past email with these tools for adding your own content to the Internet.

Facebook is a free, social networking site that lets you create a profile and hook up with friends and others with similar interests. NCSTA, in partnership with NCSLA and The Science House have created a Facebook group just for NC Science Educators. On the group page you are welcome to discuss issues, share resources, post photos and video and connect with other educators.

NCSTA Discuss is an online discussion forum. This site is similar to Facebook in that it allows you to post and discuss but without the social networking aspect. A current forum is now opne related to the upcoming NSTA meeting in Charlotte. Are you looking for a roommate? Wondering what sessions to attend? Check it out!

NCSTA Photos is now online. Share photos of your class projects or an innovative professional opportunity. To add a photo album, contact your district director.

YouTube and iTunes are even more resources for sharing video and audio. Check out The Science House's YouTube channel and iTunesUniversity.

Do you still want more? If there is an Internet resource you can't find, contact the NCSTA Web Master for help.