ADE Science and STEM Updates
Information - Professional Development - Resources
Disciplinary Literacy and Media Literacy Skills in Science
These documents are designed to illustrate the progression of disciplinary literacy skills in science and to offer practical strategies that educators can use to support students in deepening their understanding of scientific concepts and practices. Disciplinary literacy in science emphasizes how students use reading, writing, speaking, and listening to make sense of scientific phenomena. It highlights the specialized ways in which experts in science engage with content—drawing on their knowledge, experiences, and skills—to construct meaning, acquire new information, and generate new knowledge within the discipline.
'Look-Fors' for Administrators
Secondary ELA Professional Learning Webinar Series
Would you like to brush up on your adolescent literacy and English Language Arts content knowledge for grades 6-12? Then attend ADE's virtual Secondary ELA Professional Learning Webinar Series throughout the 2025-2026 School Year. Each month’s session will focus on a new topic that is timely and relevant to 6-12th grade literacy educators.
Fall Webinar Topics:
November 2025 - Literary Analyses in Secondary – Standards, Skills, and Routines
December 2025 - The Gist is This: Building Students’ Comprehension through Questioning and Gist Statements Register for one or register for all!
Each session will include access to a digital repository of related resources.
Flyer: ADE Secondary ELA Professional Learning Webinar Series
Seeking Advisory Board for Arizona Adolescent Literacy Network!
Over the last 5 years, ADE's ELA Academic Standards team has built an amazing network of secondary educators and leaders. They would love to create a network of support and learning for Arizona educators of adolescent students, inspired by the Nevada Adolescent Literacy Network. The team is seeking literacy educators and leaders to take part in planning for this important network. The goals would include creating partnerships, providing resources and guidance, and sustainability. Please fill out the application if you are interested - the application will close December 1st, and selected members will be notified by early January 2026. Please note, this is meant for Arizona-based educators only.
Arizona Science Teachers Association PD
Ignite your passion for teaching science with ASTA’s year-round lineup of dynamic professional development events—interactive workshops, cutting-edge webinars, immersive multi-day experiences, and so much more! Explore what’s next and elevate your classroom today!
ASTA's FREE Content Coaching
Back to Basics: Introduction to the Crosscutting Concepts: 1 of 3 Dimensions of the AzSS
• Date & Time: Nov 20, 2025, 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM Arizona
• Location: Virtual, Registration Link
Back to Basics: Introduction to the Science and Engineering Practices: 1 of 3 Dimensions of the
AzSS
• Date & Time: Dec 11, 2025, 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM Arizona
• Location: Virtual, Registration Link
Becoming a Next Gen Science Teacher: Phoenix 2026
Transform Your Science Teaching with NGSX in Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
Jan. 15-16 & Feb 5-6
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Limited seats available!
ASTA is thrilled to bring the Next Generation Science Exemplar Program (NGSX) to Arizona. NGSX equips educators with high leverage tools, tasks, and strategies to deepen three dimensional science learning no matter what curriculum you use.
This 4 day professional learning experience helps participants
✨ Engage as learners modeling and explaining complex phenomena
✨ Use classroom tools like productive talk and whole group discussion planning
✨ Foster a classroom culture where all students share reasoning and build on ideas
Details:
Cost 400 dollars
24 PD clock hours
NGSX Reunions throughout the year
One year subscription to NGSX web resources
Limited seating K 12 teachers coaches and curriculum specialists welcome
Administrative support matters invite your admin on Day 1 to learn how to support three dimensional instructional shifts
Secure your spot and bring three dimensional science learning to your classroom!
Annual STEM Unconference 2026
Theme: Exploring STEM Inquiry Lessons through AI Prompting
Join us for an Unconference by teachers, for teachers where you help shape the sessions! After a panel of inspiring keynote speakers, participants will collaborate to create session topics focused on using AI to design engaging, inquiry-based PBL lessons.
Location: Virtual Event
Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Cost: $20 per person
Sponsored by: STEM Arizona Education Collaborative
Register today: https://bit.ly/stemunconference26
On the Road Again with Arizona Agriculture Institute
Each year, natural resource partners in Arizona come together to host teacher institutes. This year, the teacher institutes has a new format! Instead of attending 4 consecutive days, the teacher institute will be 4 individual days featuring a different natural resource. This course of study appeals to so many subjects including - agribusiness, geography, history, career exploration. The next workshop will take place 1/28/2026. Registration opens on 10/30/25. https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/agricultural-literacy-stem-education/programs
AZ Math Professional Learning Calendar
You will find relevant mathematics professional development happening throughout the state. Curated by the ADE K-12 Math Standards Group, it serves as a valuable resource, offering a wealth of learning opportunities from multiple leadership groups. Click here to view.
TREC - Tucson Regional Educator Collaborative
TREC is a resource for professional learning opportunities for educators in Southern Arizona. With topics ranging from teacher leadership, math, science, ELA, and social emotional learning, TREC is a great site to find opportunities to learn and grow with your fellow educators. trecarizona.org
Student Agency in Science: Empower Students to Lead Investigations
Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST (12 noon Arizona)
Empowering students to lead their own investigations transforms classrooms into spaces of curiosity, exploration, and equity. This edWebinar will introduce the Driving Question Board (DQB), a tool that fosters student agency by encouraging learners to shape understanding through evidence-based questions.
Attendees will learn to use anchoring phenomena to launch the DQB, support diverse learners in sharing ideas beyond academic constraints, and guide students in building scientific models and explanations. This session emphasizes equity by honoring students’ backgrounds and voices, creating a collaborative environment where all contributions are valued. Educators will gain practical strategies for implementing the DQB, addressing early challenges, and cultivating a classroom culture that celebrates curiosity and diverse perspectives.
Join us to explore how the DQB can make science instruction more inclusive, relevant, and student driven—where learners ask questions, investigate ideas, and find their place in the scientific process. This edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 school leaders and district leaders.
Science Update: Space Weather: The Sun, Earth, and You
NSTA Web Seminar
Join us on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM Arizona), to learn about impending solar events and their potential impacts on Earth.
https://my.nsta.org/event/science-update-space-weather-the-sun-earth-and-you-december-4-2025
Michelle Landreville - Paradise Valley High School
This month we celebrate Michelle Landreville, an inspiring educator and 2025 Arizona Science PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science) Finalist whose passion for science has shaped generations of students in Arizona.
Michelle is in her 29th year as a public school educator, with a career spanning general biology, chemistry, Earth science, and five years of AP Biology. Sixteen years ago, she began teaching Biotechnology/Bioscience, and for the past 12 years, she has taught Bioscience full time at Paradise Valley High School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District.
Her love for science started early: “I was always curious about the natural world, even as a very young child. In high school, I took five science courses—just one shy of all that were offered.” Inspired by excellent teachers and a desire to help her peers, Michelle pursued a career that allows her to share that curiosity every day.
Michelle’s classroom is a hub of authentic scientific inquiry. She engages students through phenomena and driving questions, encouraging them to design experiments, test variables, and analyze results—even when experiments fail. “Students must process what happened and why. It’s a great opportunity that challenges them beyond a typical ‘cookie cutter’ lab experience.”
Michelle’s impact extends far beyond her classroom. She is a 2023–24 CDC Science Ambassador Fellow, serves as Vice President and Central Region Representative on the Arizona HOSA Board of Directors, and has advised AZ HOSA Future Health Professionals for 16 years. She also mentors educators as a Bio-Rad Explorers Fellow and Grand Canyon University educational expert, leading workshops locally, statewide, and nationally for HOSA and NABT.
Michelle was recently honored as a PAEMST finalist, a testament to her dedication and expertise. “PAEMST was especially challenging because I’m a CTE instructor and our Bioscience standards are skills-based. Through my knowledge of the AZSci Standards, I connected the rigorous content of my courses to biology standards. Being chosen as a finalist acknowledges years of commitment to improving my skill and effectiveness as a teacher and lifelong learner.”
Michelle lives by the belief: “Children do not learn by doing. They learn by thinking, discussing, and reflecting on what they have done.” Her ultimate goal? To create curious learners, critical thinkers, and scientifically literate citizens who are energized and excited about science.
A Path to Unlocking Deep Learning in Science
By Patrick Brown
Hands-on, minds-on learning experiences help ensure that students gain a deep understanding of science concepts. Brown’s article presents four essential elements that can transform science lessons “from just hands-on to encouraging minds-on learning,” a constructivist approach that helps students achieve deep learning while enabling the lessons to meet science standards.
Explore-Before-Explain Guidebook for Science Education
By Patrick Brown
This guidebook uses an Explore-before-Explain instructional sequence to help you facilitate the design of active meaning-making lessons in science. The author models and breaks down how an Explore-before-Explain approach ensures students' conceptual understandings are constructed primarily on evidence-based experiences in the classroom. From prompting students to ponder patterns, helping them identify cause-and-effect relationships, to focusing on development of their thinking rather than validating ideas, you can use Explore-before-Explain instruction to help your students feel confident in their thinking and become more self-directed learners.
Seeing Students Learn Science: Integrating Assessment and Instruction in the Classroom
National Academies Press
Science educators in the United States are adapting to a new vision of how students learn science. Children are natural explorers and their observations and intuitions about the world around them are the foundation for science learning. Unfortunately, the way science has been taught in the United States has not always taken advantage of those attributes. Some students who successfully complete their K–12 science classes have not really had the chance to "do" science for themselves in ways that harness their natural curiosity and understanding of the world around them.
Sounds Are High, Sounds Are Low: I Wonder Why
Here’s humorous proof of just how fun it is to observe with your ears. A whimsical introduction to pitch and volume, this book practically begs young scientists to read it aloud. And why not? It’s the best way to compare the differences among a telephone’s high ring, a cow’s low moo, a fire truck’s loud clang, and a flying string band’s plinkety plink plunk. Sounds Are High, Sounds Are Low is ideal for beginning readers and hilarious practice for future sound effects pros. Included is a Parent/Teacher Handbook with coordinating activities.
AI Meets Three-Dimensional Learning: Guiding Scientific Thinking With New Features of NotebookLM
NSTA Blog
This From Chalkboards to AI blog post illustrates how the latest features of NotebookLM can aid the process of guiding students’ scientific thinking. The authors say they “have chosen to focus on Google NotebookLM because many educators and students are familiar with Google products in the education setting.” In their blog post, the authors describe “the newly released features of NotebookLM that support three-dimensional learning even more, along with suggested strategies for use in the science classroom.”
Exploring the Afterschool STEM Educator Landscape: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities
The Afterschool STEM Hub published a new report, Exploring the Afterschool STEM Educator Landscape: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities. The report examines challenges in recruiting and retaining STEM educators, reveals innovative solutions that are already being tested in the field, and offers
recommendations for policymakers, afterschool leaders, and funders.
Young Children Need (More) Science Education
NSTA Blog By Megan Silander, Ph.D.
Young children are naturally curious, asking hundreds of questions each day about the world around them. Yet many early learners lack opportunities for meaningful science experiences, which can impact their long-term success—not just in science, but in reading and math as well. This NSTA blog explores why early science education is critical, how it boosts literacy, and what educators and families can do to nurture inquiry from the start.
The Perfect Planet
In The Perfect Planet, two young explorers travel through outer space and discover and visit incredible exoplanets—from scorching gas giants to mini-Neptunes—that exist beyond our solar system. During their journey, they learn what makes Earth unique and special. Written for students in grades 1–4, this new NSTA Kids book can help children grasp essential concepts such as orbit, atmosphere, and gravity.
Code.org's Hour of AI - Launches November 12th
What is the Hour of AI?
The Hour of AI is a new global initiative launching this fall to help learners take their first step into understanding and creating with AI. Through hands-on, accessible activities, students and adults around the world will demystify AI—and imagine what’s possible when they can harness it for good.
Why Now?
AI is reshaping the world. But for too many students, it still feels invisible and out of reach. The Hour of AI makes it accessible, creative, and human-centered.
Why It Matters:
- For every learner: Everyone deserves to understand how to create with the technology shaping their future.
- Teacher-friendly: Designed for anybody to teach. No AI expertise needed.
- Global reach: Builds on 100M+ Hour of Code participants.
- Partnership-driven: Built in collaboration with trusted education and tech partners.
Learn more: https://code.org/en-US/hour-of-ai
Authentic & Relevant Data Repositories
Finding Data for Teaching - Avoid the online search rabbit hole with our compiled list of reliable data sources compiled by the team at Dataspire. Authentic and Relevant Data Repositories
PIER Investigations: Phenomenon. Information Gathering. Explanation. Reasoning.
To meet the vision of A Framework for K-12 Science Education, shifts in teaching and assessment are needed. PIER investigations—phenomenon/problem, information gathering, explanation, and reasoning—support teachers in three-dimensional instruction and place students at the center of sensemaking. Created by Kenneth Huff, they span middle school physical, life, and Earth space sciences.
The Living Earth
In this collection of digital resources developed by educators at Infiniscope, a collaborative effort between NASA and Arizona State University, learners from middle level to college investigate the central question: How are Earth’s living and non-living systems interrelated and interdependent and what does it tell us about the search for life? The lessons—Search for Life (grades 6–8); Dino Doom (grades 9–12); and Nitrogen Tales (grades 9–12 and college)—help students connect biological concepts like natural selection, evolution, and mass extinction with Earth's systems and explore how this interdependence relates to the search for life beyond our planet. Each lesson includes a lesson plan with relevant links and learning standards, a Teacher Guide, and a Student Guide. The Living Earth
National Geographic Education
Bring the world into your classroom to spark inquiry, curiosity and real-world data thinking. Engage with National Geographic Explorers and transform learning experiences through live events, free maps, videos, interactives, and other resources. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/
Teacher Strategies for Data Sensemaking
Curated by the team at Data Puzzles, this document articulates the purpose and intentionality behind various strategies that support student data sensemaking. Teacher Strategies for Data Sensemaking
STEMonstrations: Friction
STEMonstrations is a NASA video series that presents videos of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) demonstrations created and filmed by astronauts living and working on the International Space Station. In this episode, Friction, students in grades 5–8 learn about shooting stars and friction from NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli. Moghbeli describes the three main types of friction and discusses how static, kinetic, and fluid friction are used in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. An accompanying lesson plan guides learners through a related classroom exploration investigating the differences between static and kinetic friction. The lesson plan includes a link to the STEMonstrations video episode and transcript, information for facilitating the activity in the classroom, extension ideas for further learning, student worksheets, and connections to relevant learning standards. https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/stemonstrations-friction/
Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking
Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking (SSfCT) is a set of freely available instructional units developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which integrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computational thinking (CT). Using an phenomenon- and problem-driven pedagogy, elementary school students work to define and solve real-world problems and/or explain phenomena in a high-touch to high-tech environment. Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking promotes transdisciplinary learning and convergence education and is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, the Computer Science Teachers Association K–12 Computer Science Standards, the ISTE Standards, the Common Core Mathematics Standards, and includes a literacy component. By taking a high-touch to high-tech approach to teaching computational thinking in a science classroom, all students can improve their digital literacy—with and without access to computers and other high-tech devices. https://ssec.si.edu/computational-thinking
WWF’s Green Club Guide
World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Green Club Guide is a comprehensive handbook with tips and more than 50 project ideas for educators organizing and leading environmental clubs in their schools or communities. Users can download the entire guide or individual chapters. The sections are organized around WWF conservation goals and contain information about global sustainability efforts, along with ways for kids to connect those efforts to their own projects, within their local spaces. WWF’s Green Club Guide
Why Is School Employee Laboratory Safety Training Required?
By Ken Roy
NSTA Safety Blog
Chemical Hygiene Plan–required training helps science laboratory teachers (and their students) to be safer because teachers are aware of what hazardous chemicals they’re working with, the potential hazards or risks, and the appropriate safety actions to be taken, if needed. Teachers are prepared to respond to spills, exposures, or equipment failures, and everyone follows the same documented procedures for purchase, storage, handling, and disposal. Teachers feel safer leading hands-on teaching/learning activities with students because the teachers know that protective measures are in place. Learn what this training should include and when it should be held by reading this month’s Safety Blog post. Why Is School Employee Laboratory Safety Training Required?
2026 Gerhard Salinger Award for Enhancing STEM Education Through Technological/Engineering Design-Based Instruction
This prestigious science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educator award honors Dr. Gerhard Salinger, program officer at the National Science Foundation from 1989 to 2014, whose work to promote the use of engineering design activity and whose advocacy for technology and engineering education has widely influenced STEM education. The award is presented annually to an individual or team of collaborators whose work has exemplified, promoted, investigated, and/or enhanced teaching and learning in STEM through the effective application of technological/engineering design activity. The award is open to classroom teachers, university educators, school administrators, and others whose contributions are consistent with the selection criteria.
Awardees will be announced at the annual International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) conference and receive individual plaques and recognition at the Council on Technology and Engineering Teacher Education Business Meeting. Nominations and applications are due by December 31. 2026 Gerhard Salinger Award for Enhancing STEM Education Through Technological/Engineering Design-Based Instruction
Toshiba America Foundation Grants
Teachers of grades 6–12 can apply online for a Toshiba America Foundation grant of less than $5,000 to help bring an innovative project into their own classroom. If you have a unique idea for improving STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning in your classroom, and if your idea involves project-based learning with measurable outcomes, apply by December 1. Grant decisions will be made by January 15, 2026. Toshiba America Foundation Grants
Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) Educator Grants
The Educator Grant program promotes aerospace education activities in K–12 classrooms. AFA awards $20,000 in grants to 40 educators. The program encourages development of innovative aerospace activities within the prescribed curriculum. AFA selects projects that best serve our nation’s students and support their mission. (Deadline December 15). Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) Educator Grants
Discover How You Can Win a School Science Lab Makeover Support Package
Have you been providing engaging, creative science lessons and labs to your students while dealing with limited school and laboratory resources? If you’re a K–12 teacher working in a targeted area near a Shell asset, you can enter the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. In this November 3 web seminar, you’ll learn all about the Challenge, including the prizes: school science lab makeover support packages valued at $15,000 for elementary level and $20,000 for middle and high school levels. https://www.nsta.org/shell-science-lab-regional-challenge
Powering Our Future Grants
Powering Our Future Grants are for classroom teachers of grades K–12 who have attended an SRP Powering Our Future professional development workshop. Each grant is $250; teachers may apply once per school year. Grant funds may be used to purchase supplementary classroom materials and supplies. Powering Our Future workshops are offered on Saturdays during the school year. Registration is required.
How to apply
Applications are accepted year-round from any educator who has completed a Powering Our Future workshop. Teachers must attend a workshop before applying for the grant. Applications will be accepted up to one month after completing the POF workshop. Apply Now
STEM Classroom Grants
Apply November through mid-February
Classroom grants allow schools, teachers and students to develop projects and programs geared toward state-mandated competencies. Up to $5,000 is awarded per school. Funds can be used to support innovative teaching strategies that improve student performance in math and science.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2025, through Feb. 15, 2026. All educators in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Pinal County, Gila County, Yavapai County, Page, St. Johns and NGS community chapters are eligible. Grant applications must be completed by a certified teacher. Only teachers from traditional public and charter schools are eligible to apply.
Apply here: SRP STEM Classroom Grants
EngineerGirl/EngineerTeen Writing Contest
This annual contest from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is now accepting submissions. This year’s theme is “The Art of Engineering,” and students will use the engineering design process to create a work of art and a written statement to express how engineers create a better world. The contest is open to all students in grades 3–12, and the prize for first place in each of three grade categories is $1,000.
The contest website has a note for educators and tips for using the contest in a classroom. The contest deadline is February 1, 2026. The 2026 Writing Contest is co-hosted by the NAE’s EngineerGirl and EngineerTeen programs.
ASTA - Arizona Science Teachers Association
Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) is a non-profit organization committed to supporting science educators by providing resources, professional development, and networking opportunities. All ASTA memberships include:
- free or discounted professional learning opportunities
- bi-monthly E-News
- semi-annual circular
- networking
- support
NSTA - National Science Teaching Association
Access professional teaching and learning resources that empower and inspire, share ideas, and connect with a continuously growing community of educators that share your passion. What are you waiting for? Join NSTA today!
Learn More About the Benefits of NSTA Membership
Gift an NSTA Membership to a Fellow Educator. Purchase a Gift Card Today.
CSTA - Computer Science Teachers Association
CTSA's mission is to support K-12 Computer Science teachers in Arizona by providing a community of colleagues to share resources and classroom strategies, connect teachers with regional and statewide supports, and provide opportunities for professional growth around classroom resources, CS content, and CS-specific pedagogy.
AzTEA - Arizona Technology in Education Association
Mission: AZTEA aligns its educational technology work with industry standards to cultivate collaborative educational communities, empowering all who impact student learning to prepare future-ready individuals.
Vision: As a statewide organization, AzTEA is committed to supporting a seamless educational learning ecosystem that thoughtfully and effectively deploys technology, pedagogy, and instruction.
AATM - Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics
The Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM) supports and advances a comprehensive and collaborative math education community while serving as the state’s leading voice in mathematics education. We support and partner with the mathematics community to ensure that all Arizona PreK-20 students have an equitable opportunity to thrive as mathematicians and realize their potential as problem solvers. AATM Membership is available at no charge to all persons and institutions who support mathematics in Arizona. aatm.org
International Society for Technology in Education
Both basic membership and premium memberships are available. For more information, check out the ISTE website.