Middle School Resources

Grades 6-8, is a time of tremendous physical, emotional, and cognitive changes for students. It is also a pivotal time for understanding and gaining enthusiasm for science.

Featured Resources

Social-Emotional Learning in the Science Classroom

From the Editor's Desk...

Journal Article

Fieldwork Fridays: Connecting Scientific Learning to Nature

Building routines around place-based learning allows students to apply their scientific learning to nature and form a connection with their local environment and the species in it over the course of a school year. Each Friday, in what are referred to...

Journal Article

Unlocking the Power of Emotional Connections: Strategies for Teaching Climate Change in Middle School

In the face of the escalating climate crisis, effective climate education is imperative, not only for imparting knowledge, but also for inspiring action. This paper explores innovative strategies for teaching climate change in middle school, recogniz...

Journal Article

Dyeing to Last: Using Natural Dyes to Create an Ideal Fabric

In this project-based lesson, students explore how chemistry concepts relate to creative expression by investigating a variety of dyeing conditions. Through sequenced discussions and investigations, students arrive at a dyed cotton product that optim...

Journal Article

Journal and Lesson Plans

Middle School Journal

Lesson Plans

NSTA Competitions

Shell Science Lab Challenge

For teachers

eCYBERMISSION

For teachers and students, grades 6-9

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision

For students, grades K-12

Bestselling Middle School Books

NSTA Press Book

Supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners in Science, Grades 7–12

Many middle and high school teachers are educated to teach science content—they don’t anticipate that one day they may be teaching it to students who need to learn both content and English. If the day has come when you’re facing that two-pronge...

NSTA Press Book

Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12

Get help teaching one of the hottest topics in science with Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12. This nine-session module is written to be practical and accessible. It provides both extensive background and step-by-step instructions for using...

NSTA Press Book

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 1, Second Edition: 25 Formative Assessment Probes

This is the new updated edition of the first book in the bestselling Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series. Like the first edition of volume 1, this book helps pinpoint what your students know (or think they know) so you can monitor their learni...

NSTA Press Book

Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers in Middle School: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy

REVERE Award Winner, PreK-12 Learning Group, Association of American Publishers!...

Latest Resources

Web Seminar

2025 Arctic Report Card Headlines, January 29, 2026

Join us on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about the state of the Arctic environment....

Blog Post

PFAS Hazards and Safety Protocols for Science and STEM Instructional Spaces

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers: September 9, 2025

Web Seminar

Strategies on Applying for a Science Teaching Position, November 17, 2025

Join us on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about strategies educators can use when applying for a science teaching position....

Web Seminar

Mineral Resources for our Future, October 16, 2025

Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to celebrate Earth Week with NSTA by learning about mineral resources....

Web Seminar

Navigating NSTA 2025 Fall Conference: A Guide for First-Time Attendees, October 23, 2025

Are you a first-time NSTA conference attendee? Join us on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, as we guide you through what the NSTA National Conference in Minneapolis has to offer. This seminar is a great opportunity for first-ti...

Web Seminar

Making the Most of Attending an NSTA Conference - Minneapolis 2025, October 21, 2025

Join us on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn how to make the most of attending the NSTA National Conference taking place in Minneapolis, MN, from November 12 - 15, 2025.  In this web seminar participants will ...

Web Seminar

Reviewing Proposals for NSTA Conference in Anaheim, September 23, 2025

Are you interested in helping NSTA reviewing proposals for the National Conference in Anaheim? Join us on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET, to learn the process that NSTA follows to review conference proposals.  During th...

Web Seminar

Hubble's 36th Anniversary and Recent Science Highlights, April 23, 2026

Join us on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope’s launch into space.Max Mutchler from the Space Telescope Science Institute will present new images and recent science ...

Web Seminar

The Power of Partnership: Mentoring, Coaching, and Institutional Support for New Teachers, November 5, 2025

Join us on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET, at the intersection of research and practice as we engage in a conversation about mentoring, coaching, and institutional support for new teachers....

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, September 2, 2025

Web Seminar Series

The Power of eCYBERMISSION: A Student-Driven Approach to Community-Focused, Problem-Based Learning

Join us for The Power of eCYBERMISSION: A Student-Driven Approach to Community-Focused, Problem-Based Learning, a collection of five free web seminars designed to help you, and your students have a blast with STEM!...

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