Making Sense of Science: How Six Red Marbles Supports the Future of K–12 STEM Learning

Apr 7, 2025

The 2025 NSTA National Conference reaffirmed what we at Six Red Marbles have long believed: Science education is transforming rapidly. From evolving instructional standards to the growing role of AI and real-world relevance, today’s science classrooms need more than just content. They need dynamic, interdisciplinary, and purpose-built learning experiences. Read on to learn how we’re making an impact.

We collaborate with the publishers, edtech companies, and nonprofits that make a difference in science classrooms every day. Organizations like Core Knowledge Foundation, Discovery Education, and Cambium Assessment trust us to deliver high-quality, scalable content solutions. After attending NSTA, our team walked away energized and ready to help our clients meet the moment.

💬 “Sensemaking, NGSS alignment, and real-world application were the biggest themes at NSTA this year. Teachers want content that activates curiosity and mirrors the complexity of students’ lives.”
—Kelly Rexroat, Senior Editor, Science

Designing for Depth: The New Demands of Science Classrooms

The science classroom of 2025 is a far cry from the textbook-driven model of the past. At NSTA, several key instructional shifts were front and center:

NGSS Implementation: Teachers need support unpacking performance expectations and designing meaningful assessments aligned with three-dimensional learning.
Sensemaking & Phenomenon-Based Instruction: Content must go beyond rote facts, encouraging students to engage in inquiry, apply their knowledge, and connect it to lived experiences.
Instructional Routines: “See, Think, Wonder” and other thinking strategies are being woven into daily science instruction to scaffold student reasoning.
AI Tools for Inquiry & Critical Thinking: From simulations to formative feedback tools, AI is being used to support both students and teachers in scientific exploration.

At Six Red Marbles, we’re uniquely positioned to support this shift. We blend instructional design expertise, tech fluency, and creative media development to help clients build the science programs that educators are asking for.

💬 “Teachers want aligned content, accessible assessments, and instructional supports that work in real classrooms. We help our clients deliver all three at scale.”
—Joyce Spangler, Director of Science

Science That Connects: Our Work Across K–12

Science learning today is more interdisciplinary, inclusive, and career-connected than ever before. Here’s how we’re helping our clients lead:

Building Science and Beyond

Developed K–5 Student Readers and Teacher Guides incorporating factual fiction and grounded in real-world science topics.
Created a K–5 Computer Science expansion aligned to CSTA standards—designed to be implemented in math or science or as enrichment without needing 1:1 devices.
Built Grades 6–8 Science Literacy materials to accompany OpenSciEd units, integrating reading, writing, and critical thinking into NGSS-based programs.

Digital & Print Integration

Authored 19+ digital Texas Into Science lessons in the Habitat platform, including hands-on investigations and interactive assessments.
Developed Teacher Edition content for Grades 3–6 across 83 lessons—totaling nearly 2,000 pages—in just three months.

Career-Aligned STEM Learning

Created 40 lessons across Principles of Technology, Cybersecurity, and Medical Assisting for high school CTE programs.
Developed student materials, teacher supports, assessments, and video scripts to meet Texas standards and support hybrid learning environments.

💬 “What excites me most is that we’re not just delivering content. We’re helping students build science literacy, ask better questions, and think critically about the world.”
—Bill Scroggie, EVP Learning Solutions

Assessment Aligned with Instructional Integrity

Assessment was a hot topic at NSTA, especially the challenge of aligning with NGSS while keeping questions instructionally useful and age appropriate. That’s where SRM shines.

For Cambium Assessment, we:

Delivered 100 new science assessment items in just one month.
Aligned content with Ohio Learning Standards for Grades 5 and 8 and Biology.
Created multiple item types (e.g., multiple choice, table match, inline edits) and accompanying art mockups.
Focused on clarity, cognitive rigor, and accessibility—every item built to truly measure learning.

Meeting the Moment with Innovation and Scale

From platform-specific authoring to full-service program development, we help clients adapt to state standards, tight timelines, and shifting classroom needs. Many publishers still don’t know what Six Red Marbles offers, and when they find out, they’re surprised (and relieved!).

Whether you need to:

Translate vision into scalable instructional materials,
Expand existing programs to meet new standards,
Build new science content from the ground up, or
Leverage AI and digital interactivity in meaningful ways . . .

We’re the partner you want in your corner.

💬 “NSTA showed that the science education market is ready for transformation. We’re already helping our clients lead it.”
—Robin Zaccardo, Chief Experience Officer

Always a Student, Always Ready

Science education is evolving—and so are we. Our team of scientists, instructional designers, educators, and creatives is committed to helping our partners bring better science learning to classrooms across the country.

Let’s build what’s next in science education. Reach out to see how Six Red Marbles can support your next big idea.