ECP Showcases Free Environmental Science Resources at NSTA 2025
- Maddison Chaffin
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
After a successful showing at NSTA 2024 in New Orleans, the Educated Choices Program (ECP) was excited to attend the 2025 National Conference on Science Education, hosted by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) in Philadelphia!
Gerard Martinez, Customer Relations Manager, and Dan Taylor, Senior Manager of Curriculum Development, represented ECP at the event. Together, they connected with hundreds of passionate science and STEM professionals ready to discover engaging, standards-aligned resources for their classrooms!
Some of our most popular food and science education packages were shared, including:
The Planet and Our Plates (Created in collaboration with EARTHDAY.ORG)
Our Carbon Foodprint (Created in collaboration with the Environmental Working Group)
What is Cultivated Meat? (Created in collaboration with the Good Food Institute)
Educators Ready to Implement Food and Science Education
This year’s conference brought together a dynamic mix of science educators across the United States. Many were already weaving food and sustainability themes into their lessons and were ready to discover new student-centered ways to deepen that engagement. Our free digital library stood out as a flexible, accessible solution, earning positive responses from educators seeking ready-to-use resources.
One especially memorable exchange was with a representative from St. Jude’s STEM Education and Outreach Program, who attends national conferences like NSTA to find high-quality tools she can bring back to her community in Memphis. She was passionate about food education in preventative care, considering it an opportunity to avoid risk before complications arise. Her story was a powerful reminder that ECP’s resources extend beyond traditional classrooms. Because our materials are available online 24/7, they’re also a valuable tool for community education programs and nontraditional learning environments.
Educators Applaud Free, Evidence-Based Tools
Throughout the event, educators were most excited to learn that every resource ECP offers is 100% free, from video presentations to lesson plans and classroom activities. Many were especially drawn to our recent endorsement by We Are Teachers as a 2025 “Teacher Pick” for “Rethinking Food Waste.”
This milestone earned nods of recognition from many who were already familiar with the platform. Hearing and seeing how this education package was used in the classroom resonated deeply with attendees, who could now envision achieving similar results in their own classrooms.
FAQ's From The Conference Floor
Educators and exhibitors had plenty of thoughtful questions about our resources. Here are a few of the most commonly asked, along with our answers:
“Are your materials really free?”
Yes! We believe education is a right, which is why ECP’s entire digital library is 100% free.
“How are you funded?”
“Where is your organization located?”
Exploring New Partnerships and Possibilities
Beyond classroom educators, we also had meaningful conversations with fellow exhibitors who were curious about our mission and offerings. These included organizations that, like ECP, are committed to advancing science education and inspiring the next generation of critical thinkers:
NASA – A trusted leader in science and space exploration, often cited in our environmental packages for their research on climate change and sustainability.
NOVA and LEGO Education – Both were showcasing new STEM curriculum tools designed to spark curiosity and hands-on learning, aligning closely with our goal of making science engaging and accessible.
EARTHDAY.ORG (An ECP partner) – A global environmental nonprofit dedicated to driving positive action for the planet. We were thrilled to connect in person!
iSchool for the Future – A science-forward company that helps younger learners reach their full potential through STEM, Arts, and social-emotional learning skills. The founder was very impressed by our organization's impact and resources, and excited to work together to create positive change.
Continuing the Conversation
Each conference we attend brings us closer to our goal to educate students and communities worldwide! We’re grateful for the opportunity to meet so many dedicated educators, hear their stories, and share our vision for accessible, unbiased food and environmental science education.
Ready to bring ECP resources to your classroom? Explore our free video library today. We have everything you need to start a conversation about food and the environment. Each education package includes a video presentation, lesson plans, discussion prompts, homework, activities, quizzes, and follow-up resources.
The Educated Choices Program Video Library: learnecprogram.org
Conference Info: 2025 National Conference on Science Education
About Educated Choices Program
The Educated Choices Program is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free food literacy education to equip students and community members with critical knowledge to improve human and planetary health. Its educational packages have been viewed by more than 3.6 million people across sixty-two countries and territories. Learn more at www.ecprogram.org.
Media Inquiries: Beth Champion, beth.champion@ecprogram.org
More information: www.ecprogram.org