Fiftieth Anniversary History

Prologue

The Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The organization's 2003 annual conference in Grand Rapids, March 13-15 will reflect this celebration with the theme, 50 Years of Change: A Legacy for the Future."

The MSTA as a formal group was born out of the need to fill a void in providing guidance for the improvement of science education in the state. An organizational meeting was held on April 26, 1953, at St. Mary's Lake, under the direction of Dr. George Mallinson. From this simple beginning of concerned educators, MSTA, as a State Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association and its 15-affiliate and associate members, has grown to one of the largest science organizations of its kind in the United States.

Since that first meeting, MSTA's mission has been to stimulate, support, and provide leadership for the improvement of science education throughout Michigan. In this roll MSTA's Board of Directors and membership have been long time supporters of the Michigan Department of Education's efforts to improve the ways teachers teach and students learn. From the original Michigan Science Standards to the support and development of the Michigan Education Assessment Program, throughout the years MSTA and its membership have served as willing partners. MSTA's involvement in long-range planning to improve science education in the 1980's has led to many of the statewide initiatives of today, including the Building a Presence for Science program that highlights teacher leadership and the improvement of science achievement for all students.

Specific purposes of the Association include:

• To disseminate knowledge and materials related to science and science education programs.
• To encourage scientific thinking and the use of scientific inquiry through the teaching of science.
• To cooperate with other organizations, in working for the professional growth of all of those engaged in science education.
• To provide publications and activities dedicated to its mission.
• To organize a yearly state conference to promote the vision of professional development and science advocacy in the state.

This year's conference theme, "50 Years of Change: A Legacy for the Future" reflects the Michigan Science Teachers Association's vision which in part states, "... to help the students of Michigan to become scientifically literate caring citizens now, and in the future."

The information complied in this commemorative booklet was researched and written by Mozell Lange, David Lawra, Jackie Mallinson, Nancy Mincemoyer, LaMoine Motz, Burton Voss, Walt Rathkamp