New professional learning experiences debuting at NSTA ANA26 will support educators in using place-based phenomena and digital tools to deepen science learning

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and Tuva, an organization advancing real-world pedagogy and data literacy in STEM education, have teamed up to empower educators to bring data to the forefront of science learning by connecting local phenomena with powerful digital tools that deepen student understanding and engagement. As part of this partnership, NSTA and Tuva are co-developing a system of professional learning experiences—including a Professional Learning Institute and a Conference Course—set to launch at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Anaheim (NSTA ANA26) in April 2026.

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“Connecting lessons to students’ local environments increases engagement, deepens understanding, and helps them see the relevance of science in their own communities,” said Tuva CEO Harshil Parikh. “At Tuva, we are excited to partner with NSTA to bring high-quality professional learning experiences to science educators and instructional leaders nationwide.”

Combining the strengths of NSTA’s decades of experience in science education and Tuva’s expertise in data literacy and visualization tools that make complex, real-world data accessible and meaningful for students, this collaboration brings unique value to educators. Together, NSTA and Tuva will provide a cohesive system of professional learning designed to build teacher capacity in three key areas: cultivating students’ data skills, bridging science and engineering practices with the statistical reasoning emphasized in math instruction, and leveraging locally relevant data to foster deeper sensemaking and student engagement.

“We’re excited to partner with Tuva to provide educators with innovative tools and professional learning that put sensemaking and data literacy at the heart of science instruction,” said NSTA Interim CEO Bob Lay. “This collaboration empowers educators to confidently guide students in exploring local data, asking critical questions, and developing deeper scientific understanding that lasts beyond the classroom.”

The system of professional learning will debut at NSTA ANA26 with two offerings designed for middle and high school educators. The first, a full-day Professional Learning Institute (PLI) titled Sensemaking and Place-Based Data in the 6–12 Classroom, will engage participants in using Southern California data as an example of how place-based phenomena can drive sensemaking. The second, a four-part Conference Course titled Finding Phenomena Nearby — How to Use Local Data to Drive Student Learning, will guide educators in identifying and using instructionally productive phenomena and data from their own region. The PLI model will be repeated at future NSTA national conferences, with each session tailored to local phenomena and data.

Additional professional learning opportunities for educators and instructional leaders will be announced in the coming months. These may include webinars, professional learning units (PLUs), and district-level offerings.

Educators interested in learning more about Tuva prior to ANA26, can attend sessions facilitated by Tuva at NSTA’s National Conference in Minneapolis, November 12–15. These sessions will provide a preview of the kind of hands-on, data-centered professional learning that will continue to expand through Tuva’s growing partnership with NSTA.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit https://www.nsta.org/ or follow NSTA on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About Tuva

Tuva is transforming math and science education with its next-generation data, graphing, and statistical tools, used by teachers and students around the world. With over 100 million datasets, graphs, and charts uploaded and created, the Tuva tools have become the digital tool of choice for students to learn how to explore, visualize, and analyze data and learn important data literacy skills. Over 5 million teachers and students use the Tuva Content Library and Instructional Program to bring authentic, powerful learning to the classroom. To learn more, visit tuvalabs.com or follow Tuva on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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“Connecting lessons to students’ local environments increases engagement, deepens understanding, and helps them see the relevance of science in their own communities,” said Tuva CEO Harshil Parikh.