Why Leading Educators is Expanding Into Science

Science is the key to unlocking new futures. Emerging global challenges like climate change, crumbling infrastructure, disease prevention, and public health will require generations of scientists from all backgrounds who can prioritize the needs of people at the margins and find equitable solutions. Science education lays the groundwork for realizing that future, and we want to do our part.

That’s why Leading Educators is excited to announce new supports for excellent and equitable science instruction, beginning with the Next Generation Science Educators Network, which will launch this November.

The Need

Science gives students from all backgrounds the tools to explore, understand, and shape the world around them. But today, too few students have access to science experiences that spark their curiosity, build their confidence, and cultivate the skills and knowledge needed for burgeoning science careers.

Only 61% of high-poverty high schools offer physics (a proxy for more advanced courses), compared to 92% of low-poverty schools. This has real implications for who can pursue STEM careers, earn higher wages, and bring their lived experiences to solving new challenges.

“Less than 10 percent of the U.S. STEM workforce is Black or Hispanic,” according to a recent study by researchers at Penn State, even though the populations make up 32 percent of the population. They argue that this reduces the country’s scientific innovation and economic competitiveness, and it lessens the earning potential of these communities, as the career income of those who major in STEM is 26–40 percent higher than comparable peers in other fields.

Our Solution

Current efforts to strengthen science education have not gone far enough.

• While federal funding, NGSS adoption, and new curricular materials haver emerged as important levers for addressing disparities, course offerings are lagging.
• At the same time, teaching and learning that is NGSS-aligned requires science educators to make a significant pedagogical shift as well. Science educators require and expect professional development that surpasses basic introductions to curriculum materials and resources.

To meet this need, Leading Educators is offering a free cohort-based pilot for school teams to work toward nurturing high-quality, student-led science experiences across classrooms for up to 30 science leads, school leaders, and school system leaders.

With the support of the Hewlett Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, we will offer ongoing professional development opportunities that help instructional leaders hone their vision of effective science instruction in practice and develop the skills necessary to help others achieve it.

Dr. LaKimbre Brown, Leading Educators’ Chief of Networks, shares:

Every student deserves to discover the joy of science. As a chemistry major and former middle school science teacher, I know firsthand that too many students from the communities we serve disproportionately lack access to high-quality science courses. By helping educators provide lessons that encourage exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving, we hope to prepare a new generation of creators and scientific thinkers to pursue in-demand and high-earning STEM careers and take their communities forward.”

Solona Hollis, the Senior Director of Science Strategy who will be leading the network, adds:

This is an important moment to prepare students to build upon foundational skills in real-world application. Putting science into the context of lived experiences brings the content closer to home for students and can help the K-12 sector bridge the gap between education and workforce.”

Are you ready to bring three-dimensional, phenomena-driven science instruction to life in ways that reflect the strengths and cultural assets of your community?

Are you eager to work with others, find ways to maximize the use of your instructional materials, and work toward meaningful school goals with sustainability? 

We are ready to help. Learn more or apply.

Join an upcoming Webinar

Like you, we believe science education should give students from all backgrounds the tools to explore, understand, and shape the world around them. One key lever is access to “phenomena-based instruction.” So, what is it?

Phenomena-based science instruction centers around real-world events or observations that spark curiosity and inquiry. Instead of starting with abstract concepts or textbook definitions, students begin with a phenomenon—something they can observe, question, and investigate.

Unpacking the 3 Dimensions of Phenomena-Based Science
October 8, 4-5pm ET

This webinar will explore three dimensions of phenomena-based instruction, helping you know what to look for and how to work toward these elements in practice. Register today.