Science literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and use scientific information to make decisions in everyday life. A critical component of science literacy is understanding the scientific method — the process scientists follow to learn new information and make discoveries.
You can use the resources on this page to cultivate science literacy in your community.
Learn more about how to use the resources on literacy topic pages like this one.
Science touches nearly every aspect of our lives, including the technologies we use and our relationship to the environment. Science literacy skills can help people make informed decisions and engage in conversations about critical issues facing our society — like climate change. Plus, when people understand how scientific research works, they’re more likely to trust and follow guidance based on scientific evidence.
Use these lesson plans and programs to teach key science literacy skills.
Created by SciStarter
A program that teaches people to contribute and interpret data through community and citizen science projects
Created by Annenberg Learner
Series of lessons and videos for teaching science literacy skills
Share these resources with community members — or use them as inspiration to plan science literacy programming.
Created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Superhero-themed educational materials to help students learn about measurement units
Created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
An interactive game that teaches students about energy generation
Created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Nationwide network with education and learning activities for farmers, ranchers, communities, youth, and families
Created by the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM)
Events, trainings, funding opportunities and more to help community organizations like libraries
Created by DOGOnews
News site with kid-friendly articles on science-related current events
Created by the Pew Research Center
Quiz on basic scientific facts and principles
Use these resources to build your own knowledge of science literacy and learn how to teach science literacy skills in your community.
Created by WebJunction
A recorded webinar and resources on library programming to make science learning fun for adults
Created by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Framework of professional competencies for informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) educators
Created by Reimagining Equity and Values in Informal STEM Education (REVISE)
Website for REVISE: a collaborative effort to advance equity in informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education
Created by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Results of a museum-sponsored survey on science literacy
Learn how to communicate science information in a way that’s easy for people to understand.
Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Online course about communicating scientific information
Use these tools to evaluate the impact of science-related programs in your community.
Created by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Recommended benchmarks to assess students’ progress in science literacy learning
Check out these funding opportunities for science literacy initiatives.
Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program is the longest standing and most comprehensive national funding opportunity focused on environmental literacy
Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
TEAM II provides funding for non-profit museums, planetariums, libraries, and other youth-serving institutions to implement NASA mission-inspired STEM projects for K-12 students
Find out how libraries, museums, and educational institutions across the country are promoting science literacy.
Created by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Access NASA science literacy resources to educators — and consider joining their community of practice (membership is free)
Created by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Get evidence-based resources for science centers and museums looking to support community members in taking action on the environmental issues they're concerned about — and consider joining their network (membership is free)
Created by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)
Find out how the STEM Literacy Project provided Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) first grade students with books to enhance their reading skills and understanding of science
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