NSTA 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.

From a NSTA Screening to a District-Wide Movement

We first met Susan Bartol, a science teacher at Hillside Elementary and a Weston Award winner, at our NSTA (National Science Teaching Association) screening of OBSERVER in Philadelphia last year. Susan was so moved by the film’s message—how the simple act of paying attention can reframe our entire understanding of the world—that she didn’t just take the ideas home; she designed an entire day of rich, interdisciplinary programming around them for her students and faculty.

With support from the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), Susan produced the 9th annual Hillside Science Day centered on OBSERVER in November. Along with Susan’s colleagues, 425 elementary students, 17 high school students, and 25 university students participated in this district-wide celebration of observation.

Building a Foundation for Educators

Before the students ever picked up their tools, Susan ensured her fellow teachers were equipped to lead. She enlisted the help of Montclair High School industrial arts teacher Robert Haas to organize a professional development session in June. Together, they:

Built physical frames similar to those used in the film for teachers to use as instructional tools.
Created a Google Classroom filled with tips and resources for educators across the district to integrate observation into their own classrooms.

How Susan Brought OBSERVER to Life for Students:

Science on the Big Screen: In the morning, Susan arranged for the students to take a field trip to a local theater to watch a chapter of OBSERVER, providing the cinematic foundation for the day’s theme.
Framing the World: To make the film’s concepts tangible, students used DIY wood squares to focus their gaze and isolate details in their environment.
Peer-to-Peer Mentorship: 17 students from Montclair High School joined the day, helping younger students build their frames and assisting at various “observation stations”.
Guided Discovery: Susan developed specially designed workbooks that prompted students to record their reflections, bridging the gap between visual observation and scientific thinking.
University Mentorship: The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students were also mentored by 25 students from Montclair State University’s College of Science and Mathematics (CSAM). These university mentors—specializing in fields like biology, chemistry, and marine biology—led “fireside chats” to show how these skills apply to real-world research.

The impact of the science mentorship was felt deeply by the students and faculty alike:

“Representation matters. Today, our CSAM students weren’t just talking about science, they were real life scientists showing young children that the future of science can look like them”. ~Dr. Scott Kight, Professor of Biology and Director of Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University

Building a Community of Observers

While the movement began in the sciences, its impact quickly spread to other departments. Suzanne Baptist, an English teacher at Montclair High School, was thrilled her students got to take part in the event. Seeing the profound engagement from the students, Suzanne was inspired to create a mini-elective for her 10th through 12th graders to engage with the film’s concepts through the lens of civics.

Susan Bartol’s incredible Science Day was a huge hit at Hillside and proves that when an educator is inspired to action, their impact can ripple through the entire community. By teaching her students to be “Observers,” she is helping them build a safe space for curiosity and a deeper connection to the world around them. As Susan puts it: “If you can give away your vulnerability, maybe you can be gentler with someone else’s ideas and feelings.”

Interested in hosting your own OBSERVER inspired event?

Check out our free resources for educators:

Watch and screen OBSERVER in your classroom for free with an SCL educator account
K-12 OBSERVER Activity Guide: Hands on activities to pair with each chapter of the film
Play the trailer below 👇

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