SCL Ambassadors at NABT 2025

Our Ambassadors brought science to life through story-driven lessons that inspire curiosity and connection.

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!

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
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

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.

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!

SCL Ambassadors in Action: Highlights from NABT 2025
SCL Ambassadors in Action: Highlights from NABT 2025

Our Ambassadors brought science to life through story-driven lessons that inspire curiosity and connection.

The Science Communication Lab’s 2025 Ambassadors took center stage at NABT, leading dynamic sessions on using film and storytelling to engage students in science. Their free, classroom-ready lessons connect real scientists, big ideas, and discovery — helping teachers bring the nature of science to life.
Free OBSERVER Film Access for Educators
Free OBSERVER Film Access for Educators

Bring the power of observation to your classroom!

Give Students a Science Superpower!
Give Students a Science Superpower!

Science educator Elizabeth Coscia recaps her experience at our Observation as a Superpower PD workshop

Science educator Dr. Elizabeth Coscia recaps our Observation as a Superpower PD workshop, which offered multisensory observation tools to inspire student curiosity and inquiry.
Introducing the SCL Educator Ambassador Program
Introducing the SCL Educator Ambassador Program

A national initiative to enrich science teaching and learning through storytelling.

We’re proud to launch the SCL Educator Ambassador Program—connecting educators across the country to transform science classrooms through storytelling.
From Red Carpet to Red Squares: OBSERVER Film Premiere Wows Educators at NSTA
From Red Carpet to Red Squares: OBSERVER Film Premiere Wows Educators at NSTA

With its iconic red square and focus on the power of observation, the film offers a compelling new resource for NGSS-aligned science teaching.

Our new film, OBSERVER, made its North American debut at the 2025 NSTA Conference with a red carpet premiere that captivated science educators from across the country. With its iconic red square and focus on the power of observation, the film offers a compelling new resource for NGSS-aligned science teaching.
Celebrating Science Educators: A Night of Film, Conversation, and Community
Celebrating Science Educators: A Night of Film, Conversation, and Community

Recap of our East Bay Educator Event produced in partnership with Charity Frempomaa, a high school dean and science teacher at Head-Royce School

NABT Conference Recap, Plus Our New Ambassador Initiative and New Website!
NABT Conference Recap, Plus Our New Ambassador Initiative and New Website!

Introducing KinesinLMS!
Introducing KinesinLMS!

A free and nimble open source platform for online courses

New Research on Storytelling in Science Films
New Research on Storytelling in Science Films

Read our open access paper in Science Communication on narrative engagement with our films

The Science Communication Lab and iBiology Lectures
The Science Communication Lab and iBiology Lectures

A Letter from Executive Director, Sarah Goodwin

SABER 2024 Reflections
SABER 2024 Reflections

Finding Passion, Community, and Connection

Join us for the World Premiere of COMING HOME this Thursday!
Join us for the World Premiere of COMING HOME this Thursday!

Letter from Director & Producer Dr. Mónica Feliú Mójer

Interview with Adam Kleinschmit
Interview with Adam Kleinschmit

Creator of "The Most Beautiful Experiment" educator resources

Interview with Margaret Lee
Interview with Margaret Lee

Creator of "Electric Microbes" educator resources

Interview with Marina Ellefson
Interview with Marina Ellefson

Creator of "Good Chemistry" educator resources

From Bedside to Bench: A Training Collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub
From Bedside to Bench: A Training Collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub