National Science Education Leadership Association upcoming events

Partner Webinar: Creating Classrooms Where Students Think and Act Like Scientists (October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Gold Level Partner: ExploreK12

Webinar Description:

What does it take to create classrooms where students think, investigate, and communicate like scientists? Join us for a session where we explore how sensemaking practices can transform science learning by helping students make meaningful connections between scientific concepts and real-world phenomena. Participants will learn how to foster meaningful scientific discourse, use phenomena to drive inquiry and engagement, and create learning experiences that support deeper understanding for all students. Aligned to the K-12 Framework for Science Education, NGSS, and other state standards, this session will provide actionable strategies that science leaders and educators can apply immediately to support equitable, student-centered science learning and help students develop the habits of real scientists.

Key Takeaways from Webinar:

Recognize what authentic sensemaking practices look like in K-12 science classrooms
Use phenomena effectively to spark curiosity, inquiry, and student engagement
Support productive struggle while building student confidence and ownership of learning
Facilitate scientific discourse that promotes collaboration, reasoning, and deeper understanding
Help students gather evidence, construct explanations, and defend their thinking
Apply practical, classroom-ready strategies aligned to NGSS and state science standards
Strengthen equitable, student-centered science instruction that supports all learners

Presenter Bio:

Desire Kirchofer is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreK12 and has been supporting educators through high-quality professional learning for the past four years. Before joining ExploreK12, Desire spent 10 years as an educator, teaching science at the middle school, high school, and community college levels. Her classroom experience fuels her passion for helping teachers implement engaging, research-based instructional practices that inspire student learning. Outside of work, Desire enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy novels, exploring the outdoors through hiking and adventure, and spending quality time with her family.

Ambitious Science Teaching: A Workshop Series (October 15, 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Ambitious Science Teaching Workshop Series is designed for science leaders, instructional coaches, department chairs, curriculum specialists, and teacher leaders who support the implementation of high-quality, student-centered science instruction. Grounded in the framework of Ambitious Science Teaching, this series will help leaders develop a deeper understanding of the instructional practices that promote meaningful student sensemaking and three-dimensional learning.

Rather than focusing solely on reading and discussion, participants will explore how to use the Ambitious Science Teaching framework as a tool for coaching, professional learning, lesson design, and collaborative teacher support. Leaders will examine classroom examples, analyze student work, and identify practical ways to help teachers implement these practices in their own classrooms.

The series consists of four collaborative sessions organized around the four core teaching practices of Ambitious Science Teaching. Leaders will build expertise in the content and reflect on how to implement the practices with their teachers. For those planning to attend, you are encouraged to be best prepared to get the most out of this series through your own reading of Ambitious Science Teaching prior to our first session.

Between sessions, participants will use a reading and implementation guide to prepare for discussions and identify strategies they can use to support teachers. By the end of the series, leaders will have a practical framework for coaching and supporting science instruction, along with tools and strategies they can use to strengthen teaching and learning across their schools or districts.

NOTE: Registration extended, it will now close Tuesday, September 10th at 5pm EST.

Ambitious Science Teaching: A Workshop Series (November 19, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

NOTE: Registration extended, it will now close Tuesday, September 10th at 5pm EST.

Ambitious Science Teaching: A Workshop Series (December 17, 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

NOTE: Registration extended, it will now close Tuesday, September 10th at 5pm EST.