The Journal of College Science Teaching (JCST), an award-winning peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary periodical published by the National Science Teachers Association, invites the submission of original manuscripts reporting innovations or investigations in the teaching of science at the college level. Successful manuscripts may report interdisciplinary efforts or be of a sufficiently broad nature to be of interest to those centered in related disciplines. Manuscripts reporting innovations or collaborations leading to enhancements in college science learning and teaching are of particular interest to JCST.
Other topics of interest include, but are by no means limited to, the following:
- Innovative use of technology in the classroom or laboratory
- Undergraduate research experiences and learning outcomes
- New approaches to the assessment of student learning
- Informal education activities (for example, museum or library activities)
- Professional development for college science faculty
- Aspects of teaching and learning in community colleges
- Productive collaborations between schools or departments
- Collaborations with those beyond the college environment
- Gender and diversity issues in the college science classroom
- Unique programs or departmental structures
- Online course development, implementation, and assessment
All articles judged suitable for consideration will be peer-reviewed in a double-blind process by members of JCST’s Review Board. Manuscript length is limited to 3,000 words, exclusive of tables, figures, and references. Full author guidelines can be found at the NSTA website. Further information can be obtained from Ken Roberts, Managing Editor, at kroberts@nsta.org.
Column Submissions
In addition to our featured articles, JCST regularly publishes a series of columns which focus upon specific aspects of college science teaching.
Case Studies Column: Dr. Clyde Freeman Herreid, Director of the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, edits the Case Studies column published in the Journal of College Science Teaching. The column publishes original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies themselves along with teaching notes for classroom instruction. All material is peer-reviewed in a double-blind process. Submissions should be limited to 2,500 words and submitted directly to herreid@buffalo.edu.
Favorite Demonstrations Column: This column promotes the use of classroom demonstrations in college science instruction. Demonstrations are evaluated based on their contribution to the reinforcement of the learning of scientific principles. The
ideas presented in the column do not have to be original, but should add some innovative enhancements that facilitate
learning. Accuracy and safety are critical in demonstrations published in the column. All submissions deemed suitable are
peer-reviewed.
Manuscripts should be limited to 1,000 words and may be submitted directly to the NSTA electronic submission system with an indication that the manuscript is to be considered for the JCST Favorite Demonstrations Column. Manuscripts may also be sent to brian.shmaefsky@nhmccd.edu. Digital format photographs or illustrations of the demonstration are encouraged.
Research and Teaching Column: The Research and Teaching column features reports of exemplary systematic research in teaching and learning of science at the college level. Manuscripts suitable for this column typically emphasize student learning outcomes. As a part of JCST, the research reported should be interdisciplinary in nature or be broadly applicable to more than one area of science. Manuscripts should be 3,000 words or less in length, exclusive of tables, figures, and references.
All manuscripts deemed suitable for consideration will be double-blind peer-reviewed by members of the Research and Teaching Review Board. Each of these reviewers is an expert in the area of science education research. Contact the editor
of the Research and Teaching Column for further information. Currently, Dr. Ann Cutler is serving as the interim editor for
the Research and Teaching column (acutler@uindy.edu).
Point of View Column: JCST serves as a point of professional contact and community discussion for instructors of college level science. The Point of View column published in most issues of JCST presents considered reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community.
Unlike other columns and feature articles in each issue, submissions to Point of View are not peer-reviewed. The Field Editor
chooses to publish submissions based upon their relevancy, and upon the level of potential contribution to the conversation
on teaching and learning in college-level science. Submissions should be limited to 900 words and submitted directly to our
electronic submission system with an indication that the manuscript is to be considered for the Point of View column.
SCST Column: The Society of College Science Teachers is an affiliate organization of NSTA with a long history of support for JCST. JCST is proud to host the SCST column in which the leadership of SCST can share their views with our readers. Responses and submissions (under 1,500 words) should be sent directly to the column editor, the current President of the Society for College Teaching. Contact information can be found at the Society’s website.