Professional Learning Products & Services Overview
NSTA Overview
Mission
Transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships and advocacy.
Vision
Science literacy and education are recognized as vital to the future of our society, enabling us to make informed decisions about the collective challenges we face.
Why NSTA for Professional Learning?
Evidence-Based
Evidence-based strategies aligned with state standards.
Classroom-Ready
Practical tools and resources educators can implement immediately.
By partnering with NSTA, you will benefit from:
• A national network of science education expertise
• Evidence-based instructional strategies aligned with state standards
• Classroom-ready tools to enhance teaching and learning
• Ongoing support to sustain long-term professional growth
• NSTA follows all CSSS Science Professional Learning Standards
Proven Impact
92% of participants report improved instructional practice after NSTA programs.
The NSTA Impact
Why Districts Choose NSTA
For over 80 years, NSTA has been the trusted leader in science education—combining national expertise with local insight to deliver professional learning that drives real results at scale.
35K+
Educators Served
NSTA supports a nationwide network of over 35,000 science educators and district leaders.
85%
Implementation
Teachers report successfully applying new practices after participating in NSTA programs.
What You Can Expect with NSTA
Access to a national network of science education expertise
Flexible delivery (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)
94%
Satisfaction Rate
District partners report high satisfaction with the relevance and quality of NSTA professional learning.
78%
Student Engagement
Partner districts report increased student engagement following NSTA-supported implementation.
Professional learning aligned with NGSS and state standards
Ongoing coaching and support to ensure long-term growth
“Partnering with NSTA for OpenSciEd training has been a game-changer for our district. Their expertise and ongoing support have helped our teachers implement high-quality, research-based science instruction with ease. We’ve seen a significant shift in student engagement and critical thinking across grade levels.”
Dr. Michael R. K-12 Science Curriculum Supervisor
Classroom-ready strategies, tools, and teaching routines
Alignment with the Science Professional Learning Standards
Professional Learning Services
Making Sense of 3D Teaching and Learning
Sensemaking & 3D Learning Workshops
Explore three-dimensional teaching through immersive experiences using highquality instructional materials (HQIM). Participants will engage in classroom simulations, analyze student thinking, and learn strategies like questioning strategies and formative assessment tools to support student engagement, sensemaking, and productive discourse.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Engaging Young Learners in Science and Engineering Practice
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Designed for K-5 educators, this session unpacks the three dimensions—Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts— and models what they look like in K–5 classrooms. Educators will engage in lessons that integrate science and literacy, explore instructional strategies that support sensemaking, and learn how to nurture young learners as question-askers, meaningmakers, and effective communicators.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Implementing High-Quality Science Curriculum
This workshop supports the instructional shifts needed to implement HQIM effectively. Educators explore routines such as the anchoring phenomenon routine, investigation routines, and strategies for facilitating student discussions and formative assessments. Sessions are tailored by grade level and built around district- selected HQIM units.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Supporting Student-Led Scientific Argumentation
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Help students build and refine scientific claims using evidence and reasoning. Participants experience lessons from a student perspective and explore scaffolds like the CER (Claims-Evidence-Reasoning) framework to promote both oral and written scientific argumentation.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Reviewing Curriculum for 3D Design
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Ideal for districts that are designing or adapting curriculum, this workshop equips teams with tools and strategies to evaluate how well instructional materials support three-dimensional (3D) learning. Educators will learn how to identify and enhance opportunities for students to engage with disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices as they make sense of phenomena and design solutions to real-world problems.
Note: Not intended for use with existing HQIM. Consider the “Implementing HQIM” workshop instead
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Assessing 3D Learning in the Classroom
This workshop supports educators in evaluating assessment tasks and student work for alignment with three-dimensional (3D) science learning. Using tools and strategies, participants will examine whether assessments offer meaningful opportunities for students to engage with science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. Educators will also explore practical strategies for analyzing student artifacts—such as models, written explanations, and classroom discussions—and learn how to give targeted feedback and adjust instruction to deepen student sensemaking.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Coaching Teachers in 3D Instruction
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Support teacher growth with coaching strategies grounded in the principles of threedimensional learning. Participants will explore observation tools, facilitation protocols, and collaborative planning approaches to help build teacher confidence and capacity.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Leading for Learning: Supporting 3D Learning in Science Classrooms
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
Strengthen your role as an instructional leader by learning how to guide and support teachers in implementing three-dimensional learning. This professional learning experience equips administrators, coaches, and instructional leaders with tools, strategies, and protocols designed to promote effective science instruction aligned to the vision of A Framework for K–12 Science Education. Participants will engage in practical, leadership-focused learning using classroom observation tools and collaborative planning approaches to build teacher confidence, capacity, and coherence across classrooms.
Includes:
• 1 or 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
OpenSciEd Pilot
OpenSciEd Workshops
Give your teachers the opportunity to explore OpenSciEd in action. The Pilot provides the essential resources to test an OpenSciEd unit in the classroom, offering an immersive introduction to its instructional approach. Designed for schools and districts in the early adoption phase, this streamlined package makes it easy to evaluate OpenSciEd’s impact before full implementation.
Includes:
• 1 day workshop
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Kit & materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
OpenSciEd Curriculum Launch
Prepare your teachers to implement OpenSciEd with confidence. The Curriculum Launch equips educators with the skills to navigate NGSS and three-dimensional state standards while exploring anchoring phenomena, student discussions, and formative assessments in the context of a unit. This launch is designed for schools and districts preparing to implement OpenSciEd.
Includes:
• 4 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
OpenSciEd Unit Launch
Strengthen teachers’ understanding of OpenSciEd with an in-depth exploration of a specific unit. The Unit Launch provides a deep dive into a unit of choice, focusing on its anchoring phenomenon, key lessons, and assessments. Educators also explore a key instructional area—such as student sensemaking, assessments, or discussions—to strengthen their practice and maximize student learning.
Includes:
• 2 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Kit & materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
OpenSciEd Elevate
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
The Elevate package provides targeted professional learning to refine and enhance OpenSciEd instruction. Designed for schools, districts, and states already implementing OpenSciEd, these workshops focus on key instructional shifts—such as establishing classroom culture, facilitating student discussions, engaging students in science and engineering practices, and leveraging formative assessments.
Includes:
• 1 - 3 day workshop options
• Onboarding session to tailor the workshop to your district needs
• Certified professional learning facilitator
• Kit & materials (for workshop duration)
• NSTA certificate of participation
• Up to 50 participants
Format: Synchronous; Virtual, In-Person, Hybrid Options
NSTA Mentoring
Ongoing Support & Additional Services
On-demand, expert support for teachers and leadership teams. These interactive 60-minute virtual sessions provide personalized guidance on instructional challenges, implementation of HQIM, and best practices in science teaching and learning. Flexible scheduling allows teams to access mentoring support when and how they need it.
Includes:
• One-hour live virtual session
• Collaborative planning and instructional guidance
• Curated resource sharing and follow-up notes
• Up to 15 participants per session
Note: Requires a minimum of four sessions
Format: Synchronous; Virtual
PL On-Demand: Support Pack
Kick off your professional learning journey with a self-paced professional learning bundle designed for individual educators. Whether you’re new to science education or seeking to strengthen your practice, this annual subscription allows you to select 3 mini-courses that align with your goals and schedule.
Includes:
• Annual subscription with your choice of 3 self-paced, asynchronous learning modules (Topics include 3D Learning & Sensemaking, Phenomena, HQIM, SEPs, supporting MLL in Sensemaking & STEM)
• Eligible for PD clock hours/CEUs in most states
• Personalized course feedback from NSTA professionals
Format: Asynchronous; Virtual
PL On-Demand: Classroom Collection
Empower your science teaching team with a full year of access to NSTA’s growing library of over 30 self-paced mini-courses. Designed for flexible, bite-sized learning, this subscription allows educators to engage in professional learning on their own schedule—perfect for schools looking to build capacity without pulling teachers from the classroom.
Includes:
• One-year subscription with full access to 30+ asynchronous learning modules (Topics include 3D Learning & Sensemaking, Phenomena, HQIM, SEPs, supporting MLL in Sensemaking & STEM)
• Eligible for PD clock hours/CEUs in most states
Note: This subscription does not include personalized course feedback from NSTA professionals.
Format: Asynchronous; Virtual
Built for district-wide implementation, this comprehensive subscription provides full access to NSTA’s growing library of 30+ asynchronous mini-courses—offering flexible, self-paced professional learning for educators across your system. In addition to earning PD hours, teachers benefit from personalized feedback and a private community forum to collaborate with peers. District leaders receive access to a centralized dashboard to monitor usage, track progress, and support strategic implementation.
Includes:
PL On-Demand: District Pro
Webinar Series
• One-year subscription with full access to 30+ asynchronous learning modules (Topics include 3D Learning & Sensemaking, Phenomena, HQIM, SEPs, supporting MLL in Sensemaking & STEM)
• Eligible for PD clock hours/CEUs in most states
• Personalized course feedback from NSTA professionals
• Community forum and curated resource collections
• Custom administrator reporting dashboard
Format: Asynchronous; Virtual
Join a multi-session virtual series exploring high-impact science education topics such as sensemaking, equitable instruction, assessment, instructional coaching, or NSTA book studies. Each 90-minute session builds on the last, featuring expert facilitation, curated resources, and peer collaboration—all designed to deepen threedimensional teaching and learning.
Includes:
• Four-part series of 1.5-hour webinars (Topics include 3D Learning & Sensemaking, Phenomena, HQIM, SEPs, supporting MLL in Sensemaking & STEM)
• Eligible for PD clock hours/CEUs in most states
• Permanent access to session recordings, curated resource collections, and a private community forum on the NSTA website
Format: Synchronous; Virtual
Instructional Coaching
Support your educators with personalized, expert-led coaching designed to strengthen three-dimensional, student-centered science instruction. Each coaching cycle provides targeted feedback and practical strategies through a combination of planning, observation, and reflection. Available in multi-session packages for schools and districts.
Includes:
• One complete coaching cycle with an NSTA instructional coach
• 60-minute pre-lesson collaborative planning session
• Recorded classroom observation
• Asynchronous feedback and discussion on the recorded lesson
• 60-minute post-lesson reflection and next steps session
Format: Hybrid. Optional onsite observations available at an additional cost
Give your educators full access to NSTA’s trusted resources through a customized district dashboard. This program provides annual memberships for participating teachers—unlocking tools to support high-quality instruction and sustained professional learning. Ideal for districts looking to scale impact with a communitydriven approach.
Includes:
District Partner Program
• One-year NSTA Digital Membership for each participating educator
• Exclusive access to lesson plans, webinars, NSTA Journals, eBooks, member discounts, and more
• Custom administrator dashboard for reporting and usage tracking
• Community forum and curated collections of professional learning resources
Format: Varies by resource (digital, asynchronous, and live components)
Join thousands of educators, leaders, and innovators at NSTA’s premier national conferences. Hosted in major cities across the country, these multi-day events feature hands-on workshops, inspiring keynotes, dynamic sessions, and an interactive exhibit hall—designed to spark new ideas, build professional connections, and elevate science teaching and learning.
Includes:
• Registration for one NSTA national conference (fall or spring)
• Certificate of participation for PD hours
• Post-event access to select session materials
Format: In-person
NSTA National Conferences
NSTA Annual Membership
Join a nationwide community of science educators and gain year-round access to high-quality teaching resources, professional learning opportunities, and memberonly benefits. Membership includes lesson plans, eBooks, journal subscriptions, discounts on events and publications, and tools to support three-dimensional teaching and learning in every classroom.
Includes:
• One-year NSTA Digital Membership and associated benefits
NSTA Case Studies
Format: Varies by resource (digital, asynchronous, and live components)
Access the NCCSTS Case Collection—over 1,000 peer-reviewed, classroom-tested case studies spanning all areas of science. These narrative-based lessons are designed to support critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application, making them ideal for deepening student engagement and scientific understanding.
Includes:
• One-year subscription to the full NCCSTS Case Collection
• Access to 1,000+ case studies with teacher notes and answer keys
• Flexible use across grade levels and science disciplines
Format: Asynchronous; Virtual
Discover NSTA’s expansive collection of science education resources—including best-selling NSTA Press books, interactive eBooks+, and engaging titles from NSTA Kids. Available for individual purchase or as part of custom bundles, these researchbased publications support science teaching and learning across all grade levels.
NSTA Press