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.
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.
