New NSTA Kids™ Book Inspires Students to Ask Questions and Make Discoveries

Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions’ Lively Stories and Colorful Pictures Spark Young Readers to Explore What it Means to be a Scientist While Enhancing Their Literacy Skills

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced the release of a new NSTA Kids™ book from best-selling, award-winning author Jessica Fries-Gaither. Developed to help teach early learners how to ask questions like scientists, Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions seamlessly blends science concepts and literary learning for young students in grades 3-5. The book is available for purchase through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through bookstores and libraries via distributors like Ingram and Baker & Taylor.

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Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions Book Cover (Photo: Business Wire)

“Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions is an exciting new resource that aims to make science exploration fun for kids by combining the power of inquiry with the joy of discovery,” said Cathy Iammartino, Chief Product Officer at NSTA. "Jessica Fries-Gaither has crafted a book that inspires young learners to approach the world with the mindset of a scientist, cultivating wonder and encouraging them to ask meaningful questions. Invaluable to all, it not only nurtures a passion for science but also enhances reading skills in an engaging and accessible way.”

Fries-Gaither is a seasoned science educator well known for her other popular NSTA Kids™ titles, Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings and Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Data. Her latest addition to the NSTA Kids™ collection, Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions brings science to life with fun, rhyming text and playful illustrations. The book highlights world-changing scientific discoveries that were sparked by somebody asking the right questions. Readers will explore mini biographies of nine influential scientists including Stephen Hawking and Margaret Nice and learn a four-step process to help kids frame their own thought-provoking questions.

“Asking questions is at the heart of science whether you're investigating in your backyard or in a laboratory,” said Fries-Gaither. “Helping kids connect their own activities to the work of professional scientists helps them see themselves in the discipline. I also want kids to be inspired by the diverse group of women and men who have advanced our understanding of the natural world.”

Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions is available to order online at $15.99 for NSTA members and $19.99 for nonmembers. It will also be available to purchase at NSTA’s Spring National Conference in Philadelphia (March 26-29, 2025), where Fries-Gaither will be leading two sessions. “Sensemaking with Student-Centered Science Notebooks” will take place pre-conference as a Professional Learning Institute on Wednesday, March 26, and “What Do Scientists Do? Making the Nature of Science Come Alive with NSTA Kids Books” will take place as a regular session during the conference.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators can grow professionally and excel in their careers. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit https://www.nsta.org/, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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Check out the newest title from NSTA Kids, Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions! From award-winning author Jessica Fries-Gaither, this book inspires students to ask questions and make discoveries. #Science #STEM #KidLit #Education #Teaching