Resources
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Illinois Science Teaching Association
The Illinois Science Teaching Association (ISTA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to providing Illinois science teachers with learning tools, conferences, and professional development opportunities to hone their craft and use best practices when teaching the Next Generation Science Standards.
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National Science Teaching Association
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is the national professional organization for science educators. NSTA provides resources to preservice teachers as well as veteran teachers through instructional materials, professional learning units and courses, and as well as national conferences for networking.
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OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd is an organization that provides free NGSS-aligned science materials and PD for educators to foster authentic learning and inquiry in their classrooms.
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DoIT STEAM Resources
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) offers resources that pertain to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). It is an educational approach that breaks the traditional barriers between subjects and promotes a more integrated learning experience. It helps students to see the interconnectedness of a topic and apply knowledge from multiple areas to solve problems. Including the arts enables STEAM education to emphasize creativity and design thinking more than the traditional STEM approach. This encourages students to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and express their ideas visually or through other creative means.
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IL Climate Education Hub
The IL Climate Education hub originated in 2023 as a partnership between SubjectToClimate and IL organizations. In 2024, Illinois passed HB 4895, requiring public schools to teach climate change by 2026-2027 - a milestone driven by student advocates but left unfunded. To fill this gap, these partners created the Hub as a central space to equip teachers and students with the tools they need. Guided by a teacher-led committee, the Hub reflects the diverse needs of Illinois educators and supports bringing climate learning into classrooms statewide.
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Department of Natural Resources
Mandates
PA 91-771 and PA 90-566: Dissection Alternatives
In 2000, the Illinois General Assembly recognized both the educational value of dissection and the advances in technology that can offer effective — or, in some cases, better — alternatives to animal dissection. As a result, the General Assembly enacted the Dissection Alternatives Act to support the use of these modern instructional approaches.
PA 101-0654: Guidance on Laboratory Science
Illinois updated its high school graduation requirements to two laboratory science courses rather than two science courses. This change, which took effect in the 2024-25 school year, is intended to align Illinois high school graduates with postsecondary expectations.
PA 104-0391
: Commemorative Holidays – Jan. 28, Christa McAuliffe Day
Established in honor of teacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe, Jan. 28 commemorates her historic mission as the first teacher in space and recognizes the importance of space exploration. The date marks the Challenger mission, which ended shortly after liftoff, killing McAuliffe and her fellow crew members.
PA 104-0391: Commemorative Holidays – Oct. 1, Recycling Day
Recycling Day raises awareness of recycling and educates youth about their impact on the environment.
Visit the Illinois Inclusive Calendar for more commemorative holidays and related information.
PA 104-0391: Conservation of Natural Resources and Climate Education
Public schools are required to teach students about conserving natural resources, including topics such as pollution, recycling, pesticide use, wilderness preservation, forest management, wildlife protection, and humane treatment of animals. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, schools must also provide instruction on climate change, covering its impacts on people and communities and ways to address and reduce those impacts, aligned with state learning standards.
PA 104-0391: Commemorative Holidays – Last Friday in April, Arbor and Bird Day
The last Friday in April is recognized as Arbor Day and Bird Day in Illinois, seizing the opportunity to teach Illinois students about trees and birds found native in our state!
