Okhee Lee Publishes E-Book with National Science Teaching Association

The e-book incorporates a decade of research and tools from Lee and her team’s work to advance equity in STEM and language education.

Okhee Lee, professor of childhood education in NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Teaching and Learning, has published an e-book for K–12 teachers on contemporary approaches in science, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and language education with a focus on multilingual learners.

Science and STEM Education for Equity and Justice with Multilingual Learners in Elementary School stemmed from Lee’s long-standing record of advancing equity in science education. She led the Diversity and Equity team for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as well as served on the writing team for the P-12 Science Learning Standards, which New York State adopted in 2016. She also received a $3 million grant in 2023 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a framework for justice-centered STEM education for multilingual learners in middle school.

As part of this work to develop science education standards that support English language learners, Lee’s team worked with the New York State Department of Education and science teachers to develop teaching resources for K–12 educators that were then shared on the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) website.

Book cover with the title, Science and STEM Education for Equity and Justice with Multilingual Learners in Elementary School

This new e-book compiles 10 years of journal articles, blog posts, and science units and lessons published through the NSTA into one convenient resource. The e-book connects research, policy, and practice to enhance curriculum development, teaching strategies, and professional learning for educators.

“We decided to create Science and STEM Education for Equity and Justice with Multilingual Learners in Elementary School because it’s tremendously helpful for teachers to have all these resources in one place,” says Lee. “It’s also my way of saying to scholars and researchers that it’s important to reach out and share our work with practitioners. I am really committed to supporting our teachers in their professional practice because that’s where the real change happens.”

Lee’s co-authors are Alison Haas, director of development and implementation at NYU SAIL (Science And Integrated Language) Research Lab, and Scott Grapin, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami. Both are 2020 PhD graduates of NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

Science and STEM Education for Equity and Justice with Multilingual Learners in Elementary School is available for purchase online. All royalties go to the NSTA.