Summary: Shawn and Troy talk about conference skills/tips, NCSS, and more. Dave persists. Jokes: What is the difference between Black-eyed peas, and chick peas? Black-eyed peas can sing to us, chick peas can only Hummus Why is Santa’s sleigh pulled by reindeer and not cows? Having problems trying to organize a hide and seek game. It’s hard to find good players… The CDC is about to ban laughter because they heard it’s the best medicine. My Strava app is probably checking the obituaries for my name I view passkeys as an exciting opportunity to find new ways to lock myself out of my own accounts.  Gary Numan is 13 days older than Gary Oldman.  A man walks into a bar with a newt on his shoulder. The bartender says, ‘What an interesting pet, what’s his name?’ ‘Tiny,’ the man replies. ‘What an odd name, why do you call him Tiny?’ ‘Because…he’s my newt.’ Just bought a suit made from cactus. I look pretty sharp in it. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it… Some make such a big deal about farewells it’s always much adieu about nothing. Somebody left an unlabeled box of random parts from IKEA at my door, with no instructions. I’m not quite sure what to make of it. Middle School Science Minute   by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) Why We Persist I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Editor’s Corner written by Brooke A. Whitworth. She wrote an article entitled, “The Enduring Impact of Science Education: Why We Persist.” Despite the challenges of teaching, science teaching is not just important work, but essential work. Our students, our communities, and our future need dedicated science educators now more than ever.  That is why  we continue to teach and why we persist.  https://k12science.net/why-we-persist/ Reports from the Front Lines NCSS 2025 iPad Notes Street Cred Resources Mophie Juice Pack:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYF8Q42Q?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1   Upcoming break Eileen Award Shane McReavy, Calgary