Champions of Discovery 2026-27

Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching & Learning

The goal of this challenge is to show how you and your students explore & discover throughout the year. Select prompts that fit with what you are doing in class and have your students respond (drawings, writing in a journal, or up to you).

Do the challenges anytime, in any order!
Complete 4 or more by February 12, 2027.

Fill out the teacher submission form with your reflections & examples of student work.

Just start. You are doing more than you think you are.
Take pictures of student work and see which categories that lesson fits into. I bet there will be more than one!

- Berkeley Elementary Teacher

Some ways I use science in my life are____________.

I see science when (person)____________ does/makes (activity)__________.

I see science in my school when __________. That makes me wonder about ____________.

We are learning about ___________, and it makes me wonder__________________.

Right now, I think ___________ might be because ___________.

It reminds me of ___________.

I met (or learned about) a scientist who studies ____________. It inspired me because ______________.

Something I have in common with the scientists is ______________.

This is what I look like when I am doing science (Draw or describe with words)

When we studied ____________ outside, I was surprised to find out ____________.

We learned about ____________.

We decided to help make our community/school better by ____________ because ____________.

We counted or measured _______________ and learned that ______________________.

We gathered data about ____________. I was surprised to learn ____________.

This is what my data looks like (Draw or show your graph)

One way science will be a part of my future is ___________.

My science hero is ___________ because ___________.

I can imagine becoming a scientist who studies ___________.

One way I will use science is ___________.

Printable Submission Form
Teacher Reflection & Student Examples

Online Submission Form
Teacher Reflection & Student Examples

Optional Resources:
Prompt Sheets in English & Spanish and Lesson Resources

The "Champion of Discovery fame" was a prize in itself!
A school board member sent me an email congratulating me. My principal gave me a shout out in her weekly newsletter and mentioned it at a PTA meeting.

- Oakland Elementary Teacher

Meet the
2025-26 Champions of Discovery

The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

Our goal is simple: help teachers give students more opportunities to “do science” – to ask questions, test ideas, get their hands on real science activities. We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, problem solvers, and leaders!

Champions of Discovery Challenge 2026-27