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Advancing Science and Engineering Education 

Improving teaching and learning through research, evidence-informed resources, and professional learning

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At WestEd, we understand the importance of high-quality, authentic science and engineering instruction in preparing all learners for college and career. Our work improves education through research-based professional learning for teachers, technical assistance, innovative curricula and use of technology and tools for learning, rigorous research, and actionable program evaluation.  

Through our collaborations with a broad range of partners—including educators, leaders in industry, higher education institutions, and foundations—we help expand opportunities for students in science and engineering education. We support effective implementation of standards and instructional practices grounded in real-world applications and strengthen literacy and mathematics skills through integrated and engaged learning. 

Our Capacities

We offer tailored support for K–12 schools, districts, and state education agencies to implement leadership and instructional practices that help every student experience rigorous, engaging, and standards-aligned science and engineering learning. 

Featured Project

Making Sense of SCIENCE

Making Sense of SCIENCE delivers resources and supports for leaders, along with proven professional learning for teachers, that are shown to strengthen classroom practices and improve student understanding. Topics include core science content, data fluency, engineering, disciplinary literacy, and supports for Multilingual Learners. 

Featured Project

Pennsylvania Science Education Leaders Network and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Environment Literacy and Sustainability standards

WestEd is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide leadership development and technical assistance to 29 regional teams as they update their curriculum and professional learning systems to support educators as they transition to new science standards.

We conduct classroom-based research, develop and test instructional tools, and explore new technologies to better support educators and improve science and engineering instruction. 

Featured Project

Next Generation Science Assessment Collaborative

Our team develops classroom-ready assessment tasks that support instructional practice and students’ three-dimensional learning. A key aim of the collaborative is to equip teachers with technology-enhanced tasks that can guide students to use their knowledge as called for by today’s vision for science education.

Featured Project

Motivation – Planning Lessons to Activate Engagement in Science

This National Science Foundation-funded project aims to develop a research-based professional learning approach—in partnership with a multi‑institutional team of experts in science education, student motivation, and teacher learning—that will equip science teachers to support and sustain students’ motivation and engagement during NGSS instruction. 

We work with educators, administrators, developers, and state education leaders to review and develop instructional materials, assessments, and standards to support improvements to teaching and learning. 

Featured Project

SCALE Science at WestEd

Our experts are working to enhance the design and implementation of performance-based assessments that are practical and instructionally supportive. A key outcome of our work is supporting science learning for all students by cultivating learner-centered science classrooms.  

Featured Project

NextGenScience Reviews of Instructional Materials

NextGenScience works alongside educators and curriculum developers to create a shared vision and common understanding about what will lead to meaningful and standards-aligned learning experiences for students. As part of this work, we support reviews of lessons and units using the Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products (EQuIP) Rubric for Science.

We offer rigorous and practical evaluations that inform decisions at all levels. Our work is tailored to community needs, and it honors participant voices. Our evaluation services build evidence about programs and tools to improve practices, implementation, and support the scaling of effective STEM programs.

Featured Project

Next Generation Science Standards Early Implementers Initiative

WestEd served as the external evaluator on a statewide initiative representing school districts and charter organizations in California with diverse needs and that underwent a multiyear program to implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). We produced a series of reports that capture lessons learned from the efforts of the initiative districts. 

Featured Project

Supporting Teachers in Rural Communities for the Next Generation 

WestEd evaluates STEM STRONG—a professional learning approach designed for rural educators—to understand the program’s impact on science and engineering education teaching and learning outcomes.  

Our team works with education leaders, researchers, and communities to understand challenges, define solutions, and support policies that improve science education systems. 

Featured Project

Building Science Leaders Model

States and districts often cite lack of adequate time and resources to provide the professional learning needed to meet the vision of the Next Generation Science Standards. The Building Science Leaders model, developed by WestEd’s SCALE Science and K–12 Alliance teams, addressed these needs by creating a statewide community of practice made up of district teams, including school and district administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders.

Featured Project

NAEP Science Framework

Over the past several decades, WestEd has led NAEP Assessment Framework updates in science, mathematics, and reading. This work provides educators, policymakers, elected officials, and parents with invaluable information regarding student progress across the nation.

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Featured Services and Projects

K–12 Alliance for Transformative Science Teaching and Learning

The K–12 Alliance works to customize transformative professional learning experiences in science and mathematics to help educators expand their understanding of NGSS so each student can reach their highest potential. 
Service

Making Sense of SCIENCE

MSS offers professional learning and technical assistance that is proven to positively impact teaching and learning in science classrooms across districts and states.
Service

NextGenScience

Empowering educators to transform science teaching, learning, and leadership through research-based professional learning, technical assistance, and curriculum review services.
Service

SCALE Science at WestEd

SCALE Science at WestEd provides targeted support in designing and using performance-based assessments to cultivate fair, learner-centered science classrooms.
Service

STEMworks at WestEd

Partnering with state education leaders to bring the most effective STEM education programs to hundreds of thousands of students every year.
Project

Next Generation Science Assessment Collaborative

Developing classroom-ready assessment tasks that support instructional practice and students’ three-dimensional learning.
Project
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Insights & Impact

Two 8th grade students standing in a garden, each holding potted plants

BlogArticles

Navigating Justice-Centered Science Teaching and Learning

Literacy at WestEd Blog Series - Misty Sailors

BlogArticles

Reading, Writing, and Communicating in STEMM: Preparing Students for the Future

A student doing math on a dry-erase board

BlogArticles

New Math and Science Education Resources to Elevate Instruction and Student Learning 

High school teacher with two students in biology class

BlogArticles

Leveraging District Leadership to Improve Science Education Outcomes

Students learning in classroom

BlogArticles

Spotlight on Helping All Students Succeed in Literacy, Math, and Science 

WestEd News

BlogNews Releases

National Academies Recognize ‘Making Sense of SCIENCE’ and ‘Pre-K Mathematics’ as Promising Innovations in Education

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Resources

Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.

WestEd's Leading Together 30-Minute Webinar Series: What Leaders Need to Know About Science Assessments

What Leaders Need to Know About Science Assessments

Strengthening Literacy Routines in Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts
Cover image for the Science is Coming to the California Dashboard resource.

Science Is Coming to the California Dashboard: What Administrators, School Leaders, Assessment Coordinators, and Data Analysts Need to Know 

Centering Students in Science Learning: A Professional Learning Success Story

Supporting Science Learning and Literacy Development Together: Initial Results From a Curriculum Study in 1st Grade Classrooms
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Featured Experts

Jenny Sarna

Jenny Sarna

Jenny Sarna is a nationally recognized leader in science education, with a focus on bridging the gap between research and practice to support educators and leaders with creating the conditions for meaningful and impactful learning. She serves as the Project Director of NextGenScience.
Expert
Photo of Christopher Harris

Christopher Harris

Christopher Harris works as a Senior Project Director with the Science and Engineering team.
Expert
Cathy Ringstaff

Cathy Ringstaff

Cathy Ringstaff is a Senior Project Director with the Science and Engineering team. She conducts research and evaluation designed to improve teacher professional learning experiences, innovative instructional approaches using technology, informal education, career education, and teaching and learning in STEM.
Expert
Andrew Grillo Hill

Andrew Grillo-Hill

Andrew Grillo-Hill is a nationally known STEM program evaluator and applied educational researcher. As a Senior Research Associate with the Science and Engineering team, he helps program and educational product developers improve the effectiveness of their work.
Expert
Jill Grace

Jill Grace

Jill Grace leads the K–12 Alliance, a WestEd Science and Engineering Project, and directs the design and coordination of programs for science educators throughout all levels of the education system.
Expert
Taunya Nesin

Taunya Nesin 

Taunya Nesin is the Director of STEM Networking and Partnerships with the Science and Engineering team. She conducts studies to support the development of high-quality instructional materials and edtech solutions for K–12 math and science teachers and students.
Expert
Ashley Iveland

Ashley Iveland

Ashley Iveland is a Senior Research Associate with the Science and Engineering team. She serves as principal investigator (PI) and co-PI on large-scale projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences, focusing on developing professional learning programs for teachers in grades 3–8.
Expert
Kirsten Daehler

Kirsten Daehler

Kirsten Daehler leads the Science and Engineering Content Area Team, and is the founder and director of Making Sense of SCIENCE. Daehler provides technical assistance around teacher professional learning, equitable educational practices, data fluency, integration of science and literacy, standards implementation, leadership development, formative assessment, and program evaluation. 
Expert

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