NSTA

• The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced the recipients of its 2024 NSTA Awards program, which honors K–12 teachers, principals, professors, and other science education professionals for their outstanding work and achievement in science education.
• “I look forward to attending the NSTA Awards ceremony each year,” said NSTA President Julie A. Luft.
• This year, we will recognize exceptional science teachers and an extraordinary student.
• Each day they work to ensure we have a diverse, talented, and knowledgeable citizenry and workforce that successfully navigates the 21st century.

• The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), in conjunction with the Children’s Book Council, has released its annual list of “ Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2024 .” The list represents the best science trade books published in 2023 for kindergarten through 12th grade students.
• “This year’s list of Outstanding Science Trade Books provides a treasure trove of resources for educators and parents looking for quality books that can reinforce literacy skills while supporting science learning,” said Erika Shugart, Ph.D., CEO and Executive Director of NSTA.
• “These books inspire students to read.
• NSTA and CBC have collaborated on the list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students since 1973 in an effort to help science educators and family members access quality books that support learning in science.

• Little discussed is the climate footprint of producing oil and gas in the first place.
• With what little scope it has to reduce the industry’s emissions, the NSTA is keen for oil and gas platforms to be electrified.
• In essence, converting these offshore production sites from running on gas turbines to imported electricity from renewable sources like wind turbines.

It’s clear that, by pursuing platform electrification, the NSTA is focusing on the wrong emissions source.

Open heart surgery at sea

• Shell’s UK chief Steve Phimister has compared the complicated process of converting oil and gas platforms to renewable electricity to open heart surgery.
• The configuration and location of some of the older installations mean that electrification will prove to be prohibitively expensive.
• Future North Sea oil and gas production would be a mix of electrified platforms and those which continue to burn gas.
• The authority estimates that around 35% of platform emissions come from activities unrelated to energy generation, mainly flaring and venting gas.

The NSTA does estimate that an electrification campaign could save 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ a year. That might sound like a big number, but the UK emits greenhouse gases equivalent to around 420 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. The climate benefit of the UK oil and gas industry shedding 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ from its offshore operations amounts to just 0.3% of the country’s yearly emissions.

Cut fossil fuel use instead

• The UK would cut far more CO₂ per pound spent if the billions earmarked for offshore electrification were directed at reducing the much larger carbon footprint from fossil fuel use instead.
• But shifting money from offshore electrification to abating fossil fuel use will not be straightforward.
• This would not cut emissions as much as electrification, but it would free up money for more effective decarbonisation elsewhere.

Tom Baxter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• WALL, N.J., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Student Transportation of America (STA) announced today that Gene Kowalczewski has been appointed to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Student Transportation of America, Inc. Kowalczewski most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for North American Operations at STA.
• "I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Gene to President and Chief Operating Officer for Student Transportation of America, Inc.," said Patrick Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of STA.
• Kowalczewski began his successful career in the student transportation industry more than 30 years ago and has progressed with roles in finance, business development, and operations.
• During his tenure as Senior Vice President and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer for North American Operations, Gene was instrumental in leading the organization's growth from 3,500 to 22,000 route vehicles.