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Call for Papers

The Science Teacher

 

Write for our award-winning journal

The Science Teacher (TST) is seeking manuscripts that describe new and creative ideas for the secondary science classroom.

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Upcoming Themes

Manuscripts should provide worthwhile ideas and practical help for teachers as they relate to the themes listed below. Don’t see a theme that fits your idea? Don’t let that stop you from writing! We always make room for good manuscripts on any high school science topic.

2026

  • Jan/Feb 2026 - Data Science in the Classroom Special Issue (submissions closed)
  • March/April 2026 – Outdoor & Place-Based Science  (submissions closed)
  • May/June 2026 – Rigorous Science Learning for Students with Disabilities (submissions closed)
  • July/August 2026 – Science in Rural Spaces Deadline: December 1, 2025
  • Sept/Oct 2026 – Utilizing Discourse in the Science Classroom Deadline: February 1, 2026
  • Nov/Dec 2026 – Reaching our Multilingual Learners Deadline: April 1, 2026
  • Jan/Feb 2027 – Social Justice and Advocacy in the Science Classroom Deadline: June 1, 2026


 

Call for Papers & Reviewers: NSTA Leadership Matters Column

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) invites submissions for its Leadership Matters column, featured across NSTA’s three peer-reviewed journals: Science & Children, Science Scope, and The Science Teacher. Science education leadership takes many forms—both formal and informal—and emerges across diverse roles. Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school or district administrator, professor, researcher, or professional learning facilitator, your leadership experiences matter. This column highlights voices from across the field who are shaping the future of science education for grades PK-12.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome articles (up to 1,500 words) that illustrate how educators lead efforts to improve science teaching and learning at the classroom, school, district, or broader system level. Submissions should provide insights and strategies that demonstrate leadership in action and contribute to a more equitable, innovative, and effective science education landscape. We are especially interested in manuscripts aligned with A Framework for K–12 Science Education that showcase inclusive and forward-thinking practices supporting K-12 science learners.

Topics May Include (Not Limited):

  • Expanding access to high-quality, inclusive science instruction
  • Leading from the classroom, school, district, university, or organization
  • Mentoring, coaching, or collaborating with colleagues or preservice teachers
  • Improving science programs and instruction
  • Designing meaningful and engaging science learning experiences

Call for Reviewers

NSTA is also seeking reviewers with expertise in science education leadership, equity, and systemic change. Reviewers will support the peer-review process and help maintain the quality and relevance of this thought leadership space. We encourage reviewers who:

  • Are experienced in K–12 science education and/or leadership
  • Bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences
  • Are committed to equitable and inclusive practices in research and publishing
Ready to Contribute?

If you have an idea and would like to discuss it before submitting, please reach out to one of our column editors. We’re happy to support you in developing your manuscript.

Column Editors

Science & Children (Elementary)
Susan Cooper, EdD

Science Scope (Middle School)
Lizette Navarrete-Burks, EdD

The Science Teacher (High School)
Shannon Wachowski, MA

Submission & Reviewer Interest Form

Please indicate your interest in contributing as an author or reviewer using the form below. The form also includes author guidelines to help you prepare your manuscript.

👉  Click Here to Submit or Volunteer as a Reviewer

Deadlines: Rolling submissions accepted
 


 

Submit Your Manuscript

Please read our manuscript guidelines before submitting your manuscript. Manuscripts should be submitted electronically; once online, follow the steps for New Author Registration.

  

Your 2000-word manuscript should describe a set of connected lessons or investigations that build an idea or content area

  

Include assessments (pre-, post- and formative) as well as enough detail that another teacher could replicate the lessons in the classroom

  

Examples of student work are encouraged

Questions?

Contact Journals Director Peter Linderman at plindeman@nsta.org.

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Not ready to pen a feature article? 

Consider writing a column. These shorter, focused pieces are the perfect way to share your experiences with the wider high school school science community.

Activities and Investigations

Submission deadline: Ongoing

Activities and investigations play a central role in all science courses. Do you have a new activity that promotes inquiry and allows students to better understand important science content? Have you found ways to improve on an old favorite or to integrate technology? What about low-cost alternatives? Have you modified an activity to align it with the new Framework for K–12 Science Education or the Next Generation Science Standards or created a new investigation with these new standards in mind? TST is looking for manuscripts describing interesting, practical investigations that can be incorporated into science classrooms and laboratories.

General Topics

Submission deadline: Ongoing

Do you have an article idea in mind that does not fit with one of TST’s themes? Write about it and submit it for review! General articles, not targeted to a requested theme, are published in every issue. If you have written a manuscript on a secondary education topic, please submit it at any time.

Leadership Matters

We welcome articles (up to 1,500 words) that illustrate how educators lead efforts to improve science teaching and learning at the classroom, school, district, or broader system level. Submissions should provide insights and strategies that demonstrate leadership in action and contribute to a more equitable, innovative, and effective science education landscape.

We are especially interested in manuscripts aligned with A Framework for K–12 Science Education that showcase inclusive and forward-thinking practices supporting K-12 science learners.

Idea Banks

Submission deadline: Ongoing

TST is always seeking Idea Banks—short articles of about 1,000 words. If you want to share an experience, activity, or classroom tip but do not think it will work as a feature-length article, consider submitting an Idea Bank!

Commentaries

Submission deadline: Ongoing

Commentaries of approximately 750 words on any secondary education topic are accepted at any time. Do you have thoughts on science education that you would like to share with your peers? Write up a Commentary and submit it to TST for review.

Letters to the Editor

Submission deadline: Ongoing

Have you used an activity published in TST in the last year, or liked—or disliked—something you read? Send us an e-mail at drannmackenzie@gmail.com. We welcome your comments and feedback at any time.

The Fine Print

In addition to submitting articles specifically targeted to the focus of each issue, authors are always encouraged to submit original manuscripts, Idea Bank articles, or commentaries on any secondary science education topic at any time for further consideration by the peer-review panel and the field editor. Manuscripts should describe successful lessons implemented in secondary classrooms, as well as provide specific details for educators who might wish to use the activities with their own students. The manuscripts should include appropriate assessment tools and specifically reference the Next Generation Science Standards where appropriate. Examples of student work to illustrate results of a successful lesson are encouraged, as are figures, sidebars, and accompanying photos. Author Guidelines can be found here.

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