Elementary Resources

A solid foundation of science education in grades K-5 is essential. Instilling a wonder and enthusiasm for science, as well as addressing the critical need for a well-informed citizenry is crucial during this time.

Featured Resources

Activating Learning with Phenomena

Journal Article

Uncovering Earth’s History, One Sample at a Time

Teaching Through Trade Books...

Journal Article

Advocating for Science from Within the Classroom

Journal Article

Phenomena-driven Science Instruction

Editor's Note...

Journal Article

Journal and Lesson Plans

Elementary Journal

Lesson Plans

Bestselling Elementary books

NSTA Press Book

Activating Students' Ideas: Linking Formative Assessment Probes to Instructional Sequence, K-5

Science teachers face an incredible challenging task of combining research on how students learn best, the three-dimensions of the Science Education Frameworks that in themselves are complicated to understand, and instructional sequences that lead to...

NSTA Press Book

Universal Design for Learning Science: Reframing Elementary Instruction in Physical Science

New in 2020! Download and read a sample chapter from this book to learn more.Here’s good news: With this practical book, you can learn from experienced elementary school educators about how to make physical science both challenging and accessible f...

NSTA Press Book

The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions

New in 2020! Download and read a sample chapter from this book to learn more.A key aspect of learning in K–12 education is the idea that what students know and are able to do grows and evolves over time. Simple ideas learned in the early elementary...

NSTA Press Book

It's Still Debatable! Using Socioscientific Issues to Develop Scientific Literacy, K–5

It’s Still Debatable! encourages scientific literacy by showing you how to teach the content and thinking skills K–5 students need to explore real-world questions like these: • Is football too dangerous for kids? • Do we need zoos? �...

Latest Resources

Member Web Seminar

Instructional Routines to Support Sensemaking, March 11, 2026

Helping students make sense of complex scientific ideas requires more than just content delivery—it requires purposeful, consistent opportunities for thinking, talking, and connecting ideas. Instructional routines are structured, repeatable str...

Web Seminar

Learn and Lead: How to Support Teachers Making the Shift to 3D Teaching and Learning, January 21, 2026

As science education evolves, the shift toward three-dimensional (3D) teaching and learning—integrating disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices—represents a transformative opportunity for educ...

Web Seminar

Learn and Lead: What is 3D Learning? Practical Guidance for Leaders, October 29, 2025

Three-dimensional (3D) learning is at the heart of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and today’s science education reform—but what does it really look like in classrooms, and how can leaders support its implementation system wi...

Member Web Seminar

Building a Culture of Sensemaking: Creating Classrooms Where Student Thinking Drives Learning, August 27, 2025

What does it take to create a science classroom where students feel empowered to share their ideas, ask questions, and figure things out together?...

Member Web Seminar

What Are High-Quality Instructional Materials? Understanding the Essentials for Effective Science Teaching, August 12, 2025

What makes instructional materials high quality—and how can you tell the difference between a resource that simply covers content and one that truly supports deep, three-dimensional learning?...

Member Web Seminar

Why High-Quality Instructional Materials Are Not Enough: The Case for Curriculum-Based Professional Learning, November 20, 2025

Join us on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET, to learn how aligning professional learning with instructional materials creates the conditions for lasting instructional change—leading to more coherent, and engaging science ...

Member Web Seminar

Sensemaking in the Science Classroom: Building the Foundations for Deeper Learning, November 4, 2025

What does it really mean for students to make sense of science?...

Member Web Seminar

Elementary Classrooms: Demystifying the Practice of Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking, February 10, 2026

Join us on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET, to immerse yourself in a classroom-ready lesson that creates an authentic need for students to engage in Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking—a core science and engineer...

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, June 10, 2025

Blog Post

End-of-School-Year Science Instructional Space Cleanup

Member Web Seminar

NSTA Anaheim Conference Recap: What’s Next in Curriculum-Based Professional Learning: Insights from the Field, April 21, 2026

Couldn’t make it to the latest NSTA National Conference on Science Education? We have got you covered. Join us on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET, for a dynamic recap webinar designed for educators and school/district leader...

Member Web Seminar

NSTA Minneapolis Conference Recap: What’s Next in Curriculum-Based Professional Learning: Insights from the Field, December 2, 2025

Couldn’t make it to the latest NSTA National Conference on Science Education? We have got you covered. Join us on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET, for a dynamic recap webinar designed for educators and school/district lead...

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