Elementary School Science

High-quality elementary science education is essential for building a strong foundation, sparking lifelong curiosity, and preparing informed citizens. Our future depends on a public that can use science for personal decision-making and to participate in civic, political, and cultural discussions related to science. There are multiple reasons for science to be a core part of elementary school learning, since it can support development of a knowledgeable citizenry, meaningful learning of language and mathematics, wonderment about how the natural world works, and preparation for STEM-related careers. 

Despite this, elementary science often gets less focus than math and reading, and many teachers lack adequate training (Horizon Research 2013; McClure et al. 2017). The Framework for K–12 Science Education (NRC 2012) offers a new vision emphasizing three-dimensional teaching, which NSTA supports and encourages educators to apply through the SC CCR Science Standards for improved science instruction.