Share it! Science : NSTA resource

If you're not already back to school, you will be soon. I've polled STEM and science educator colleagues to generate this list of vetted resources that you need to check out this year! You'll definitely find something useful whether you are a classroom teacher, homeschooler or afterschool care provider.

Maybe you're looking specifically for resources that will help you align your teaching to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), or are trying to implement more STEM into the classroom. You'll find those ideas and the help you need here, as well as specific resources by science discipline and National Science Teacher's Association's (NSTA) picks for best trade books 2025. Read on for resources you'll put to use all year long!

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Resources for Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) Aligned Lessons

Working on aligning your curriculum to the NGSS? I was so excited to get these great suggestions because part of my work is consulting on NGSS alignment. I'm super excited about these excellent resources!

NGSS Pathfinder This is a fun way to find an NGSS aligned lesson. You select the core idea you are focused on, choose the science and engineering practices you wish to meet, then one or more crosscutting concepts you need to cover, and voila- it pops out some lesson ideas!

Phenomena for NGSS Using phenomena to engage students in their learning. Tons of stuff here!

Lesson Plans and Classroom Resources from the National Science Teacher's Association, NSTA is always an excellent resource.

JogNog has a collection of NGSS Vocabulary Quizzes, free for educators!

STEMScopes is NGSS aligned curriculum for K-12. This site includes free content.

Resources in the STEM Disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

DeSTEMber Month-long Virtual STEM curriculum from Girlstart. This was an awesome annual project, with tons of resources for educators, definitely worth a click!

HowToSTEM tons of STEM resources here. Check out the author's 15 min STEM activities for quick ways to get kids thinking!

For ideas that are easy to put into practice you'll want to take a look at the STEM Activities for Kids blog.

If you are looking for STEM at the preschool and early elementary level, The STEM Laboratory, and Preschool Powol Packets are two great resources for new ideas.

Here is a massive (70+) list of the best science education web sites that you'll definitely want to visit.

Nova Education has great videos, and free teacher content. You'll also want to subscribe to their newsletter for monthly STEM ideas.

Science, Engineering, Technology and Math Specific Subjects

70+ best science education web resources here on Share it! Science.

Be sure to check out our other back to school science resources list too!

Teaching Chemistry??

You'll find a wealth of Middle School chemistry lessons and activities from the American Chemical Society here.

You'll also want to check out Adventures in Chemistry, featuring fun experiments, games and classroom resources.

Engineering!

The Teach Engineering site offers engineering curriculum for K-12 educators.

If you are in the elementary classroom, you'll want to explore the curriculum available at Engineering is Elementary.

Inspire your students with some engineering for kids, by kids with resources from PBS's Design Squad.

Need help connecting classroom learning with real life STEM? Check out the great collection of resources on Get Caught Engineering.

You'll find some great engineering activities that are easy to put into practice at the From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom blog.

Want to get started coding?

Maybe you don't have experience but need to teach it, or just want to learn yourself. Check out my post on teaching kids of all ages how to code for tons of ideas.

Check out Code.org for lots of resources as well as these free computer science clubs from Google.

All sorts of fun coding and algorithm activities, like coding with LEGO and other games at J Daniel4's Mom Blog.

Marvelous math resources

Check out Illuminations for great math lessons and interactives.

Time and time again teacher's cite Phet simulations as a great resource. Check out all of the math simulations here. (They are also great for science simulations, it's on our best science education sites post!)

I also really like Teach Beside Me for their fun, creative math games.

Add some art! Make it STEAM

If you are looking for STEAM, STEAM Kids: 50+ Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math Hands-On Activities for Kids is a must-have resource.

For the early childhood crowd, check out Preschool STEAM.

Science Podcasts

Searching for something interesting for kids to listen to? Check out these great kid's science podcasts!

One of our favorites is Wow in the World! Funny and super engaging.

Brains On! and Tumble are two other very popular science podcasts geared for kids.

NSTA's Outstanding Trade Books for K-12

Each year, the National Science Association puts out their top picks for trade books (in other words, the books that you normally buy, versus curriculum books). This is an AWESOME list, especially if you teach elementary. You can find NSTA's Outstanding Trade Books of 2025 list here.

We love teaching with children's books! You can find curated lists of science inspired books in the Share it! Science Bookshop.

Hey! You can use Share it! Science as a resource too! Subscribe to our e-mail list to receive our newsletter full of science, STEM and STEAM activities and resources. Enter your e-mail below to sign up.

Holidays can be a great time to do some theme based learning. The activity ideas here are perfect for your unit on pumpkins. It is easy to turn observing a pumpkin into an engaging STEM lesson for your students or children at home.

There are so many opportunities for math and science when you study pumpkins. Not to mention, they are easy to find in the fall. You can even make a pumpkin unit interdisciplinary by thinking of the history and impact on culture pumpkins have had. Read on to find out how you can use them for more than decoration this fall!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission for purchases you make (at no additional cost to you). See disclosures for more details.

Studying Pumpkins

When I was a classroom science teacher I would study pumpkins with my 3rd grade class. During the fall we would investigate the pumpkins that they planted in the school's garden the previous spring when they were in 2nd grade. We would measure and draw, count seeds and end by making a recipe. You can find my lesson plan and student printables in their entirety here.

Pumpkins! (Jackie, Flickr.com)

Pumpkin STEM Investigations

Here are some ideas for including some STEM in your pumpkin learning this fall.

Observe

What is the color of your pumpkin? The shape? What can the outside of the pumpkin tell you about how this pumpkin might have grown?

Count

How many creases do you count on the outside? Why do you think some pumpkins have more or less than others? How many seeds are inside?

Mass

How much does the pumpkin weigh? How much do the pumpkin seeds weigh? Do heavier pumpkins have more seeds?

Does it Float?

Make a prediction of whether or not your pumpkin will float. (You'll have to try it and see for yourself!)

Want to do the complete Pumpkin STEM lesson in your classroom or homeschool? Grab the lesson plan and student printables here.

Using Pumpkins Across the Curriculum

Throughout the years I have found other resources and ideas for pumpkin science to tweak my lesson plan. I have put some of my favorites and those I think others would find most useful in the resource section below.

Pumpkins can be the springboard for teaching Ethnobotany, or the scientific study how how plants have been used historically and culturally. You can cook with your pumpkins. Roast their seeds, make pumpkin cookies or pie!

Save the seeds (raw) and plant them in the spring to learn about life cycles and pollination! You can even use a pumpkin for a lesson in decomposition, try this activity that accompanies the book Pumpkin Jack, or this one that accompanies the book Rotten Pumpkin.

The great thing about using a pumpkin as a teaching tool is that it does not have to be used exclusively for Halloween or in the fall, you can learn from it all year long!

Gardening pumpkins throughout the summer at home or at a summer camp can be an engaging activity. I am sure there are many, many other science and math investigations to be tried!