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August 27, 2026: Beyond 100K Field Note Session

The ASCEND K-5 project team was invited to present to the Beyond 100K Network with a session titled: Co-Designing Messages that Move Elementary Science Forward. In this session, participants explored how storytelling and strategic messaging strengthens advocacy for equitable elementary science.

Spring 2026: NSTA, NSELA, and CSSS Conferences, Anaheim, CA

The ASCEND K-5 project team will facilitate several sessions at the national science conferences in Anaheim. We’d love to connect with you!

  • NSELA – April 15: Advocacy and Leadership: Resources to Accelerate K–5 Science Education Through Networks and Design (ASCEND K-5)
  • NSTA – April 16: It’s a Win-Win: Spending Time on Elementary Science Supports Achievement Across Subject Areas
  • NSTA – April 16: Three Transformative Leadership Practices for Prioritizing Elementary Science

January 27-28, 2026: Regional Convening, Chicago Area

This convening brought together educators, education leaders and researchers with the primary goal of informing the development of an ASCEND K-5 Advocacy and Implementation Toolkit. This toolkit builds on our working Action Model, and brings additional critical friends into the national ASCEND K-5 network.

Spring 2025: NSTA, NSELA, and CSSS Conferences, Philadelphia, PA

The ASCEND K-5 project team facilitated three sessions at the national science conferences in Philadelphia. Science educators and education leaders collaborated with colleagues to identify and analyze key challenges and potential solutions that helped to shape the strategic direction of this initiative.

October 28-29, 2024: Advisory Board Meeting, Berkeley, CA

Experts from the nationwide elementary science community convened for a two-day summit aimed at providing a broad range of insights and constructive feedback at the early stage of the ASCEND K–5 project launch. The primary goal was to pinpoint and articulate the most critical challenges in elementary science education, prioritize them based on their potential impact, and identify and prioritize key stakeholder groups. Through collaborative discussions, participants envisioned actionable strategies for ASCEND K–5 to build and sustain a dedicated network to address these challenges effectively.