education Archives

We’re back from the National Science Teaching Association Conference (NSTA) 2026 feeling energized and deeply inspired by the incredible educators we had the chance to meet.

Anaheim didn’t disappoint. The NSTA conference was full of energy from the beginning. In our intimate corner of the (very large!) exhibit hall, we shared our resources with hundreds of educators. One standout favorite was the genetics and evolution game developed by former SCL Ambassador Dan Vanden Heuvel as part of his How to Kill a Superbug lesson plan, an engaging and hands-on way for students to explore complex biological concepts.

Everywhere we turned, we encountered passionate educators, science organizations, and curriculum innovators exchanging ideas and reimagining what science learning can look like. Being surrounded by a community so committed to students and meaningful learning was truly energizing.

One of the highlights for us was supporting our workshop on Observation as a Superpower, led by the incredible educators Ariel Raymond (CA), Brittany Beck (NY), and Susan Bartol (NJ). Through their thoughtful engagement, they were able to capture their audience and inspire fellow educators in ways they can use multimedia and storytelling in their classrooms. The energy in the room was contagious! Educators shared their own ideas, asked questions, and left excited to bring new approaches back to their students.

Another favorite moment was gathering for dinner with an amazing group of former and current educator ambassadors, including Ariel Raymond, Brittany Beck, Cecelia Gillam, Rebecca Brewer, and Sarmistha Ghosh. It was a reminder that beyond the sessions and exhibits, it’s the relationships and shared purpose that make this community so special.

We left NSTA inspired by YOU, the educators. We’re excited to continue building with this community of educators and to create new, meaningful resources together.

We had an incredible time connecting with passionate educators from across the country at NABT 2025! This year was extra special — it marked the first in-person gathering of our 2025 Ambassador cohort!

Our Ambassadors truly shined as they shared their lesson plans and inspired others to bring storytelling and multimedia into their science teaching. Each Ambassador spent months creating and testing their materials in their classrooms—and you can explore them all here with a free educator account.

NABT 2025 Highlights:

Minu Basu, Rebecca Brewer, and Christine Girtain co-facilitated a hands-on session exploring how story-based multimedia enhances science learning.
Renee Haines and Dan Vanden Heuvel showcased their innovative lessons on using biotechnology in conservation and modeling evolutionary tradeoffs.
Shannon Behrman and Renee Haines led an interactive workshop on Observer, our newest feature-length documentary, exploring how observation can spark curiosity and a deeper connection to science. The film is FREE for educators to watch and use in the classroom.

Between sessions, we found time to enjoy beautiful St. Louis — from the Gateway Arch to its delicious BBQ.

We left NABT energized and grateful for this vibrant community of teacher leaders. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined a session, or shared your passion for science education—you continue to inspire us.

Click here to learn how you can join the next cohort — applications are open now through Dec 5!

Happy National STEM/STEAM Day! 🔬🎨✨

Today, we’re celebrating curiosity—the spark that fuels both science and art and we’re thrilled to announce that our new feature film, OBSERVER, is now available for free for your classroom!

The film explores observation through the eyes of scientists and artists, revealing how looking closely can transform the way we understand the world.

At our NABT workshop last week, one educator shared that the film reminded her why she fell in love with science in the first place.

In a world where teaching science can feel like a race to cover content, OBSERVER encourages students and teachers alike to slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the wonder that drives discovery and creativity.

Watch Now and Explore Classroom Resources

The North American premiere of OBSERVER, our newest feature documentary, took place during Movie Night at the 2025 NSTA National Conference in Philadelphia—and we’re still glowing from the experience!

We were deeply moved by the energy and passion of the thousands of educators who joined us. From laughter during the screening to heartfelt conversations at our booth, your enthusiasm reminded us of the powerful community committed to making science come alive in classrooms.

Photos by Durrell Hospedale

OBSERVER: The Power of Observation to Inspire Wonder in Science and Everyday Life

We created OBSERVER to spark curiosity in students, teachers, and lifelong learners. The film invites viewers to observe the world with fresh eyes and reflect on the hidden patterns life around us.

Premiering it in front of such a dedicated group of science educators was a full-circle moment. You are the storytellers who carry science into future generations—and we’re honored to support your work.

Red Carpet and Red Square Moments at NSTA

To mark the premiere, we rolled out a red carpet—and you brought the star power! 📸

If you posed for photos on the red carpet, you can view and download your pictures here.

Don’t forget to tag us when you share your photos! @scicommlab @wickeddelicate #observerfilm Please also credit the photographer: Durrell Hospedale.

Free Educator Screening Day + Resources

We’re excited to announce a free OBSERVER screening day for educators coming soon! Many of you asked how to share the film with your students and fellow teachers—this is your chance to watch it for free with anyone you’d like.

👉 Sign up for an educator account and subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on the free screening day.

You’ll also find free lesson-friendly videos and classroom resources to support your science teaching, including the educator guide for OBSERVER from NSTA.

Public & Institutional Screening Options

Want to host a screening for your class, community, or school? We want to make this film as accessible as possible for anyone to screen and offer heavily discounted public screening and institutional licenses for purchase here. If budget is a barrier, please reach out. We’re here to help.

What’s Next?

We’ve selected the winners of our NSTA free screening giveaway (congratulations!), and we’ll be holding more soon. Plus, we’re continually expanding our library of educator resources—including the highly requested red square templates, coming soon.

At the heart of OBSERVER is a simple idea: that wonder begins with looking closely. Sharing this film with you—the educators who inspire that wonder every day—was a privilege. We can’t wait to see how you bring it into your classrooms and communities.

With appreciation,
Sarah Goodwin, Executive Director
Elliot Kirschner, Executive Producer

NABT Conference Recap

Rosa and I had a fantastic time at the 2024 National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Professional Development conference in Anaheim from November 14–16. The meeting was brimming with energy and warmth! Educators shared innovative teaching strategies through engaging discussions and hands-on sessions. The focus on student-centered learning emphasized inclusivity and preparing students for real-world challenges. Videos emerged as powerful tools by fostering deep inquiry and engagement.

*Shannon Behrman presenting at NABT 2024, Photo by Rosa Veguilla*

I was honored to present during a well-attended session. There I screened Decoding Ancestral Knowledge and highlighted its impact on content knowledge, science identity, and the nature of science learning in a Fall 2023 study. The audience’s enthusiasm reinforced the value of using film as a tool to make complex scientific concepts accessible and inspiring.

During my presentation, I also introduced the SCL’s new High School Educator Ambassador Pilot Program for high school biology and environmental science teachers. In addition, I demoed the SCL’s newly revamped website, which offers a sleek design and a library of films, some with accompanying educator resources. You will need an educator account in order to apply to the Ambassador Program and to access educator resources. Read below for more information about both.

To sum it all up, I learned so much and met so many wonderful K-16 science educators doing incredible work at NABT. Thank you to the NABT community for creating such a thriving and inclusive space for sharing innovative science education!

With gratitude,

Shannon

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Introducing the 2025 High School Educator Ambassador Pilot Program

Ignite your students’ curiosity with our science films and become part of our inaugural High School Educator Ambassador Program! We’re seeking passionate high-school biology and environmental science teachers to help adapt our engaging content for classroom use and share it with fellow educators. As an ambassador, you’ll help us spread the word about our content and play a pivotal role in shaping resources that align with science practices and standards, making complex concepts fun and accessible for students. This pilot program runs for one year, and participants will each receive a $2,000 honorarium for their contributions. Learn more here.

As we expand our repertoire to include high school-targeted resources, we’re excited to collaborate with ambassador teachers to shape content that meets classroom needs. This is a pivotal step in our mission to make science accessible and engaging for students at all levels.

To apply, educators must have an existing account or create an account on our website and complete a short application by Sunday, December 8th. Selected candidates will be invited to interviews before the end of the year. Questions about the program? Please contact us.

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Revamped Website: A Hub for Science Educators

Our website got a new look! We redesigned it to better match our org’s focus on creating science films for K-16 education and to better serve science educators interested in using our content.

The website’s live search and filter options make it easy to explore films by topic, title, or keyword. Educators can access resources with a free account, which is required even if they previously registered on our older iBiology platform.

Please check out our website to explore content and join our growing community of educators!

I am back from the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) meeting feeling energized and excited! Over 500 educators and education research professionals descended on the University of Minnesota campus July 11-14 to share knowledge about biology education research and connect with other like-minded professionals.

With such an impressive array of talks, posters, roundtables, and panels, I found this conference to be a great way to learn the general trends in undergraduate biology education today. The biggest theme that emerged for me was bringing inclusivity and equity into all aspects of teaching to support a student-centered approach.

I had a great time meeting many passionate educators at my poster and beyond. We shared interests and a vision for using films with personal storytelling to support students’ science identity and nature of science learning. If you’re interested in viewing my poster, as well as the two films featured in the study, check them out below:

Click to Download: Science Communication Lab – Shannon Behrman – SABER 2024 Poster

Watch films from the study:

Kiana Frank, Native Hawaiian microbiologist, intertwines traditional wisdom with molecular techniques to reveal the role of nitrogen cycling in fish ponds.

From ancient fermentation to gene editing revolution. Learn how Rodolphe Barrangou’s work at Danisco unveiled CRISPR’s potential.

Also feel free to check out our other short films that incorporate different aspects of personal storytelling:

I want to close out with something that the SABER President Kelsey Metzger said at the meeting that really resonated with me: “SABER is my professional family.” It certainly feels that way. I am so grateful to have been so welcomed into this community and to continue to stay connected! My hope is that I can return next year, and I hope that for many of you, as well.

Warmly,
Shannon

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