Back to School: Cool Decor for Your Science Classroom

It's back to school time already! Time to get the classroom and homeschool space ready. Here are some inexpensive and creative ideas for decorating your classroom walls. From classy science-themed gallery walls and  informative famous scientist posters to funny science puns, you'll find the goods here! 

You and your students log many hours in your classroom space, so it makes sense to make it a spot you enjoy spending time in! I'm sure you will find something inspiring here. Bonus, many of these are digital downloads so you can use them and print them out year after year.

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Posters for the Science Classroom

I love these colorful and funny science fact posters. For example, did you know a group of porcupines is called a prickle? I think kids will find them super engaging, too. 

Older students will get a kick out of these science pun posters. I love a horribly nerdy science pun, don't you? 

This classy set of science career posters includes intriguing STEM careers such as storm chasers, food chemists and theme park engineers. 

This stunning collection of 24 posters each features an inspirational quote from a famous scientist and watercolor portrait of the scientist.  

8 more engaging posters featuring motivational quotes by inspiring scientists. 

Great Decorating Ideas from Seasoned Science Teachers

Here are some great ideas for decorating the middle school science classroom from Captivate Science. Some of these creative ideas are pre-made, some are DIY and all are tried and true from a fellow science teacher.  

Check out this link for lots of aesthetically pleasing and functional science classroom decorating ideas from the Trendy Science Teacher. 

You'll find several great ideas for incorporating student work into your science classroom decor here. 

Bulletin Boards and Gallery Walls

Looking to set up a new bulletin board? 

I like these "Science Talk" ideas for a bulletin board, which are prompts for science discussion. For example, "A possible result of __________ is ___________." or "I can demonstrate this by __________." You'll find the digital download to print out here. 

Here is a quick and easy printable for Science Safety Rules, would be great for multiple locations in your science lab. 

This classy periodic table inspired "Be Kind" (Beryllium, Potassium, Iodine, Neodymium) sign can be framed for a wall of the room. 

Frame these gorgeous science images for a gallery wall that will really make the room pop! 

This "SCIENCE" decal would be awesome above the whiteboard or classroom door. 

Other Fun Science Classroom Decor

If you're looking for other unique science classroom decor you should check these out: 

DNA Double Helix Pencil Holder 

Quirky Science Squirrel Throw Pillow 

Periodic Table Elements Throw Pillows 

Good luck with your back to school prep! I hope you have a great year! 

Everything you need to track, juggle and thrive all school year. Shop Back to School at Etsy.com.

Freshen up and expand your fall science lessons with these must-have printable downloads. 

My Go-To Science Curriculum Resources

As I was recently putting together a list of science resources for developing curriculum, I began to think of my most useful and dog-eared science curriculum books. There are so many resources out there, sometimes it is difficult to weed through it all. Although having a seemingly endless supply of digital information available, it is sometimes really nice to have an actual, honest to goodness book to look at.

In this post I've put together the short-list of my most valuable elementary and early middle school science curriculum resources. If you are a beginning teacher, trying to revamp your curriculum, working on curriculum mapping or developing curriculum from the ground-up, you are sure to find these books useful!

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Science Curriculum: Scope, Sequence and Benchmarks

If you are unsure of the best way to progress through science concepts, what is age or grade-level appropriate you'll find the Atlas of Science Literacy and A Framework for K-12 Science Education  useful.




The Atlas of Science Literacy is a two volume set of concept maps that you can trace through various grade levels. You can see a sample of what I mean here.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education is basically the mother of the Next Generation Science Standards. It is written in a narrative form (rather than difficult to read standards form) and allows you to understand what to teach and when students should have mastered it. You can download a free version of the book here.

National Science Teacher's Association Books

The National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) has tons of great titles when it comes to science curriculum. I've used many, but by far my favorites are the Picture Perfect Science and STEM series, the Stop Faking It series, Everyday Science Mysteries series, and The Truth About Science: A Curriculum for Developing Young Scientists.

NSTA press books can be purchased directly from NSTA (at a discount for members) and are also available on Amazon.




The Picture-Perfect Science books pair inquiry based science activities with wonderful picture books. You can find a sample of a Picture Perfect lesson here.


Books in the Stop Faking It: Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It series give you a chance to brush up on your science knowledge in a fun and often humorous way to help you with your teaching practice.


Everyday Science Mysteries are great stories that lead into a quick science investigation or inquiry of everyday phenomena. These are wonderful to get student's creative juices flowing, and are also perfect for after-school science clubs or electives.



The Truth About Science: A Curriculum for Developing Young Scientists is a step by step curriculum to preparing students to develop their own science investigations. These lessons really set the stage for future work in the High School lab, or preparation for the science fair.

Science Picture Books to Read with Your Students

I've used a lot of picture books throughout the years to teach and help illustrate science concepts. Here are just a few of my favorites.

What is a Scientist? by Barbara Lehn and Scientists Ask Questions by Ginger Garrett are both excellent introductions to how we complete the scientific process. I particularly like that they show kids doing the investigating!


The Science Play series by Vicki Cobb illustrate science concepts in a really fun and digestible way for kids. There are several on topics you'll cover in early childhood and elementary education.


With an enormous list of titles and with concepts that are leveled for difficulty, the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-Science series can be used throughout elementary school. They are perfect for reading before or after a hands-on investigation. You can find lesson and activity ideas to accompany, the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out book, "Gravity is a Mystery" here.


If you're looking for books to help you with your Preschool Science Curriculum, check out my top 5 here.