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

Teacher Tip Tuesday: Making the Shift: How Schools Successfully Implemented OpenSciEd, August 5, 2025

Join us on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET, for another installment of NSTA’s Teacher Tip Tuesday web seminar. Shifting to a new science curriculum is no small feat, but schools across the country are doing it successfully ...

Web Seminar

Learn and Lead – Lunch Edition: The Future of Science Instruction: Why OpenSciEd is Leading the Way, July 21, 2025

Join us on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM ET, to learn about OpenSciEd. Science education is evolving—and OpenSciEd is leading the way. Join us for Learn and Lead: The Future of Science Instruction, a powerful web seminar desi...

Web Seminar

Learn and Lead: The Future of Science Instruction: Why OpenSciEd is Leading the Way, July 21, 2025

Join us on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about OpenSciEd. Science education is evolving—and OpenSciEd is leading the way. Join us for Learn and Lead: The Future of Science Instruction, a powerful web seminar desig...

Web Seminar

Science Update: The Dynamic Atmosphere: Extreme Weather, June 26, 2025

Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about the science behind extreme weather....

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 29, 2025

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 22, 2025

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 15, 2025

Web Seminar

Science Update: Amazing Monarch Butterflies, August 21, 2025

Join us on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about why we refer to the monarch butterflies as "amazing."From their miraculous multi-generation annual migration to their role as pollinators to their importance as an indic...

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: NSTA Membership 101: December 1, 2025

Join us on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM ET, for this installment of NSTA’s bimonthly Membership Orientation Series, NSTA Membership 101, where we’ll dive into the variety of benefits available to NSTA members....

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: NSTA Membership 101: October 6, 2025

Join us on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM ET, for this installment of NSTA’s bimonthly Membership Orientation Series, NSTA Membership 101, where we’ll dive into the variety of benefits available to NSTA members....

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: NSTA Membership 101: August 4, 2025

Join us on Monday, August 4, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM ET, for this installment of NSTA’s bimonthly Membership Orientation Series, NSTA Membership 101, where we’ll dive into the variety of benefits available to NSTA members....

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 8, 2025

View All