Ultimately, professional growth is a result of the teacher identifying his/her own needs and then finding opportunities to address those needs.
The following recommended activities will contribute to the professional development of science teachers:
Enroll in a Masters in Science Education program: Middle School Science or Secondary Science (CCNY)
Continually reflect on your teaching practices and look for ways to address the needs of students. Keep a personal instructional log for self-reflection or an online Instructional Weblog to share with others.
Apply for a grant or take part in a summer institute.
Network with other teachers, science or otherwise, and talk about teaching practices.
Subscribe to (and read, of course) a science journal or magazine such as Scientific American, Discover Magazine, Science News, American Scientist, etc.
Join a professional organization such as the National Science Teachers Association, or a local institution such as the American Museum of Natural History.
Take courses or attend seminars at American Museum of Natural History, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo, or other area institutions.
Read Science Times in the Tuesday New York Times.
Tune in to Science Fridays, a science talk show on WNYC (93.9 FM or 820 AM), which which has unfortunately been changed to 3:00AM on 820AM only. (That would be Thursday Night/Friday Morning 3:00AM -- you could always tape it!)
Contribute summaries of science current events/trends/research related to the standards from one of the above sources to the Discussion Forum.