Council for Elementary Science International

Promoting excellence and equity in K-8 science education

The Council for Elementary Science International (CESI) is an international professional organization for elementary and middle school educators, and pre-service teachers who will become Pre-K - 8th grade teachers who have the responsibility to teach science to children. The mission of CESI is to promote excellence and equity in K-8 science education. The purposes of the Council for Elementary Science International, according to the CESI Constitution, are ". . . to stimulate, improve, and coordinate science teaching at preschool and elementary school levels and to engage in any and all activities in furtherance thereof; to promote the improvement of science progress which begins in preschool and develops in continuous and integrated fashion through grade 12 and beyond." CESI membership includes a professional journal, newsletters, and opportunities to learn and collaborate with colleagues at breakfasts, luncheons, make and take sessions, workshops and presentations, and mini conferences usually held at national and regional NSTA conventions. CESI is the elementary affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association.

Founded in 1920, the Council for Elementary Science International (CESI) is one of the oldest science-oriented organizations in the nation. The purpose of CESI is to promote excellence in the teaching of science in preschool through middle school classrooms. CESI has approximately 1,200 members, two organizational affiliates, and two states which share joint membership. Members of the organization include classroom teachers, resource teachers, specialists, principals, researchers, and college and university science instructors (methods and content area).