How to access our course content in light of Canvas Free-for-Teacher being discontinued by Instructure
Dear Learners & Educators,
We’re saddened by the unexpected news that Canvas Free-for-Teacher, the Learning Management System (LMS) that hosted our courses, has been discontinued by Instructure. We are hopeful that we may be able to make the courses available through Canvas again in the future if a new platform becomes available.
In the meantime, individual learners and students can continue to access the course content through each course’s eBook and YouTube playlist. Educators who have access to Canvas through their institutions are welcome to upload the free Canvas cartridge and provide the course directly to their students. The Canvas cartridge, along with additional instructional materials and resources, can be found in the Educator Resources section of each course. Login or sign up for a free account to access.
We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your understanding. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance accessing the course materials.
For those who have seen our latest feature doc, OBSERVER, one image likely lingers in your mind: the red square. It’s a striking symbol for observation, utilized in the film as a framing device to focus one’s gaze and highlight the hidden wonders all around us. It’s also a great classroom tool to use in conjunction with our free K-12 activity guide or lesson plans.
Today, we’re thrilled to announce the 3D printer file for the OBSERVER Red Square is available to download for free!
3D Printer Specs
We recommend using the settings below for a lightweight and sturdy red square:
Nozzle Size: 0.4mm
Wall Count: 2 or 3 walls
Infill: 10%
Filament Suggestion: A vibrant red PLA to match the iconic look from the film.
Dimensions: 4.33 inches (outside) and 3.5 inches (inside)
Once you’ve printed your square, we want to see where it takes you! Take your square into the field, use it to frame your own world, or keep it on your desk as a reminder of the curiosity that drives scientific discovery. Tag us @scicommlab on social media and use the hashtag #ObserverRedSquare.
Happy printing and keep observing!
At our Observation as a Superpower PD workshop in August, Dr. Elizabeth Coscia—a science educator and curriculum designer—found fresh inspiration for helping students see science with all their senses. Her reflections below remind us how powerful observation can be in sparking wonder and inquiry.
Participating in the Observation as a Superpower PD event was a deeply enriching experience that invited me to embrace the joy and power of multisensory exploration both as an educator and as a lifelong learner. Scientists are well aware that observation extends far beyond the visual; it engages all the senses and invites us to notice with intention. Yet for many students, observation is often narrowly interpreted as “looking.” This workshop offered powerful tools to expand that understanding, helping students recognize that what they hear, touch, and even smell can be just as vital to inquiry. It was a beautiful reminder that observation is not only foundational to scientific methodology, but also a channel to curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Dr. Elizabeth Coscia during a group brainstorm at our PD workshop.
The workshop brought together local educators from elementary school and beyond, and despite our varied teaching contexts, we shared a common desire: to design curriculum that reflects the needs, values, and voices of this generation of students. The enthusiasm and engagement among participants underscored the educational impact of Science Communication Lab’s new documentary, OBSERVER, an engaging and thought-provoking film that opens rich possibilities for science curriculum design and student-centered inquiry. The chaptered format makes it easy to pair specific segments with science topics and follow up with Think/Pair/Share discussions and other forms of inquiry-based learning strategies.
I am excited to design a two-part lesson that begins with students engaging in a selected film excerpt and guided discussion. This first class will introduce the question “What does it mean to make an observation?” and then explore its essential role in the scientific method. In the following class, students will head outdoors in small groups, each equipped with a “red frame”—a simple, fun, yet powerful tool introduced in the film that encourages observers to focus on a personally meaningful view. Using an activity from the Observer Activities Guide, tailored to our classroom context, students will explore and record their surroundings through intentional, multisensory observation. The goal is to deepen their understanding of observation as a scientific practice while honoring individual perspective and sensory engagement. As the guide astutely notes, “There’s no single way to observe, and what each student notices is shaped by their individual perspective.”
This was my second workshop with the Science Communication Lab, and I continue to be impressed by the team’s warmth, creativity, and collaborative spirit. I look forward to continuing to guide students in exploring science through art, story, and sensory engagement, while honoring the Science Communication Lab’s mission of inspiring science learning through personal storytelling.
About the Educator:
Dr. Elizabeth Coscia is a biologist, science educator, and communicator with a passion for engaging students through hands-on experiments, nature-inspired projects, and immersive learning experiences. Her background includes research on wolves and hyenas, 17 years of high school teaching, and a deep commitment to experiential, interdisciplinary science education that integrates art and adventure. Now based in the Sierra Nevada region, she designs programs that make science personal, creative, and accessible to diverse learners.
OBSERVER will be available for all educators to watch this Fall. Sign up for a free account to be notified of its release.
On January 23rd, the Science Communication Lab partnered with Charity Frempomaa, a high school dean and science teacher at Head-Royce School, to host a free educator event in Oakland. Teachers from across the Bay Area—representing middle schools, high schools, and colleges—gathered to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new ways to bring science to life in their classrooms.
The night opened with a screening of Decoding Ancestral Knowledge, an award-winning short film that follows Dr. Kiana Frank’s research into the microbial communities of Hawaiian fish ponds and the deep interplay between traditional knowledge and modern science. Following the screening, Charity led an engaging series of interactive discussions, prompting educators to reflect on how they could integrate the film into their own teaching. What followed was a burst of creativity and conversations—teachers shared ideas that ranged from inquiry-based science lessons to cross-disciplinary projects incorporating their students’ personal histories and culture. The energy in the room was electric, and the exchange of insights reaffirmed just how innovative and dedicated science educators truly are.
For us at the Science Communication Lab, the event was a delightful and eye-opening experience that reinforced our appreciation for the teachers who work tirelessly to make science meaningful, accessible, and relevant to their students. A huge thank you to Charity and the Head-Royce School for helping make this gathering such a success!
If you couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry—there will be more opportunities ahead. We hope to see you at the next event!
~ Shannon
Charity Frempomaa
Meet the Educator: Charity Frempomaa
Charity Frempomaa is an equity-driven educator and leader dedicated to making science accessible and engaging for all students. As a Dean and Upper School teacher at Head-Royce School, she has championed culturally responsive teaching, student-centered approach to the classroom, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and real-world applications of science to foster student belonging and achievement.
With a background in biology and psychology from Brandeis University and a Master’s in Teaching, Charity has led professional development for educators and played a pivotal role as an AP Biology Development Committee Member for the College Board. In this capacity, she collaborated with experts to refine and enhance exam content, while upholding clarity, rigor, and equity for students worldwide.
Passionate about bridging research and pedagogy, Charity is committed to creating meaningful and inclusive learning experiences that inspire the next generation of scientists and problem-solvers.
