Elementary students need opportunities to learn science, as it is fundamental to their future livelihoods and to the U.S. economy, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine. 

Yet, this is a challenge, say leaders from MSU’s CREATE for STEM Institute. 

Across dozens of research efforts and partnerships (and building on the research of others), CREATE has found that science instruction receives less focus in K-12 schools, and especially in lower grades in low socioeconomic schools. This instruction lapse further widens the achievement gap between low-income schools and more affluent communities. 

That’s why Michigan State University scholars are rising to the challenge by scaling their innovative elementary science curriculum, called Collaborate Science (ColSci), formerly known as Multiple-Literacies in Project-based Learning, to enhance science and literacy learning and promote students' interest and engagement in science.