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Washington Science Teachers Association Records, 1959-2004

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Washington Science Teachers Association
Title
Washington Science Teachers Association Records
Dates
1959-2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 Linear Feet., ( )
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0034wsta (collection)
Summary
The Washington Science Teachers Association collection contains historical information on the origins and activities of this educational association in Washington State. The materials date from the year of the association’s formation in 1959 to the last journal publication in 2004. The bulk of the contents are administrative records and publications. There are also conference and club activities materials that document the interactions of the WSTA among different communities in Washington.
Repository
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu
Languages
English.
Sponsor
Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding the finding aid was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Washington Science Teachers Association formed in 1959 at Jones Hall, College of Puget Sound (now U.P.S.) with the intent of promoting better science education programs in the state of Washington. The WSTA is governed by a written constitution and administered through an elected executive board. In 1961, the WSTA established a long standing collaboration with the National Science Teachers Association.

In 1961, the WSTA developed in-service days for teachers and administrators in the state of Washington to share their teaching innovations. In addition to hosting workshops for science teachers, the WSTA has also granted a number of outstanding science “teacher of the year” awards to recognize dedication and creativity in teachers for K-12 schools. The WSTA also hosts an annual Science and Engineering Contest in the state of Washington for K-12 students.

In 1972, the WSTA established a professional journal. The content and issue of the WSTA journal is strictly controlled by teachers, and serves as a venue for sharing experiments, teaching hints, and opinions. The journal also discusses relevant science issues, and announces up and coming conferences and other events for science teachers.

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Content Description

The Washington Science Teachers Association collection contains historical information on the origins and activities of this educational association in Washington State. The materials date from the year of the association’s formation in 1959 to the last journal publication in 2004. The bulk of the contents are administrative records and publications. There are also conference and club activities materials that document the interactions of the WSTA among different communities in Washington.

The WSTA administrative records contain correspondence from 1959 to 1989. Also included are constitutions and by-laws, membership lists, minutes of meetings, lists of officers and elections, and reports. Information on the WSTA's efforts to improve science education for K-12 schools is included in the reports and correspondence.

The publications include newsletters and journals that are focused on science and education in the state of Washington.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Washington Science Teachers Association Records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The Washington Science Teachers Association Records are organized in accordance with the following series and sub-series arrangement:

  • Series I: Administrative Records 1959-2004
    • 1. General, 1959-1989
    • 2. Minutes, 1959-1984
    • 3. Reports, 1959-1980
    • 4. Conference Materials, 1959-1989
    • 5. Club Activities, 1959-2004
  • Series II: Newsletters and Publications
    • 1. Newsletters, 1962-1972
    • 2. Journals, 1972-2004

Processing Note

About Harmful Language and Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content

Custodial History

Robert Christman donated the Washington Science Teachers Association Records to the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies in May 2004.

Related Materials

Editions of the Washington Science Teachers Association journal are available at the Western Washington University library.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Finding aid created by Caitlan Maxwell
September 2004

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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