2025 PDI

Virginia Association of Science Teachers

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Annual PDI
2025 PDI

2025 ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (PDI)

"Elevating Science Education: Empowering Minds, Shaping Futures"

November 13-15, 2025

Hilton-Alexandria Mark Center

5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria VA 22311

Ignite your passion for teaching and join us at the 2025 Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST) Professional Development Institute in Alexandria, VA, as we Elevate Science Education: Empowering Minds, Shaping Futures. This is your opportunity to be inspired, re-energized, and equipped with powerful strategies to engage students and foster a love for science. Through dynamic sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful connections with fellow educators, you’ll discover innovative ways to empower minds and shape the future of science learning. Let’s inspire curiosity, spark innovation, and elevate the impact of science education together. Your journey to transform learning starts here! Eric Rhoades, VAST President

The PDI features:

Presentations related to our theme, as well as concurrent session presentations in all science areas for grades K-12;
General sessions featuring speakers who will challenge you with up-to-date scientific discoveries and instructional strategies;
Interact with vendors in the Exhibit Hall as you collect samples of new instructional materials and explore cutting-edge technologies;
Interact and network with science colleagues from across Virginia in-person and using the PDI WHOVA App to keep your conversations going after you leave the PDI; and
All attendees receive a one year regular VAST Membership with their PDI Registration!

Check back frequently for updates to this page for the 2025 PDI!

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2025 Thursday Pre-conference Workshop

Presenter: Dr. John Almarode, Professor, Author, Science Educator

Title: Leveraging High-Impact Strategies and Science Practices to Empower Learners

9:30 AM Check in opens, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM Workshop Sessions, Box Lunch, and Materials

Workshop fee: $100.00

CLICK HERE: Information about the Workshop

CLICK HERE: Registration for the Workshop (Workshop registration does NOT include registration for the PDI.)

2025 PDI Information for Attendees & Presenters

CLICK HERE: 2025 PDI Fees and Ticket Prices for Attendees, Presenters, and Exhibitors

CLICK HERE 2025 PDI Registration Link for attendees and attendee-presenters (now open)

Attendees registered by September 30 receive the discounted "early bird" registration fee.

Attendee-presenters must register by September 15 to be included in the final program.

Registration includes Friday continental breakfast and box lunch.

Are you registering a group? Contact Pdi.registrar@vast.org for a Group Code and registration information.

VAST W-9 Form

CLICK HERE: LATE SUBMISSION 2025 PDI Concurrent Session Presentation Proposal Form

(NOW OPEN, questions? Contact John Kowalski, PDI@VAST.org)

All presenters must register and pay by September 15, 2025 to be included in the final program.

Commercial and non-profit entities must purchase an exhibit booth to be eligible to do a concurrent session presentation.

Presentation fee for commercial and non-profit entities is $150.00 per presentation.

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2025 PDI Hotel Information

CLICK HERE: 2025 Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel Reservation Form (now available)

Hotel Floorplan (shows blank and opens in a few seconds)

Hotel Cost: Hotel Room Rate: $169.00 per night, Additional Fees: 15.50% tax + $1.25 occupancy fee per night, Total per Night: $196.45.

Hotel Parking: $18.00 per day discounted for VAST. Normal price is $33.00 per day.

Hotel WiFi information: Complimentary WiFi in the sleeping rooms and meeting space.

Hotel menus: Friday continental breakfast and Friday box lunch

Nearby the hotel information

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2025 PDI Exhibitor and Sponsorship Information, Prices, Advertising and Forms

CLICK HERE: 2025 PDI Sponsorship and Exhibitor Information

CLICK HERE: 2025 PDI Registration link for exhibitors and sponsors

2025 Exhibitor Kit

Digital Advertising Contract

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2025 PDI PROGRAM

CLICK HERE: PDI Schedule at a Glance (draft as of Aug. 8)

General Session Speakers

General Session I, Thursday

Speaker: Dr. John Almarode, Professor, Author, Science Educator

Title: Elevating Struggle in Science: Empowering Learners for Productive Science Learning

General Session II, Friday

Speaker: Dr. Heidi Schweingruber, Director for the Board on Science Education

National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine

Title: Elevating Science Education: Research, Practice, and the Future of STEM Learning

Lunch Hour Presentation, Friday (noon-1:00PM)
A Behind the Scenes Look at How a Virginia Dairy Farm is Transforming Waste into Renewable Energy
The Dairy Alliance
Bring your box lunch and enjoy complimentary milk and cookies.

General Session III, Saturday

Speaker: Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut, scientist, author, STEM advocate

Title: Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances

PDI Concurrent Session Presentations (draft as of August 26)

Friday Morning Presentations (coming in late September)

Friday Afternoon Presentations (coming in late September)

Saturday Morning Presentations (coming in late September)

Alphabetical List of Presenters (coming in late September)

PDI Printed Program, with exhibitor and sponsor lists (PDF copy, printed programs are available at the PDI)