NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Chow Down! Using Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches to Explore Basic Nutrition Concepts By: Ron Wagler Science Scope, Mar 09 Average User Rating: The Madagascar hissing cockroach gromphadorhina portentosa) is one of the most exciting and enjoyable animals to incorporate into your science curriculum. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MHCs) do not bite, are easy to handle, produce little odor...  [view full summary] The Madagascar hissing cockroach gromphadorhina portentosa) is one of the most exciting and enjoyable animals to incorporate into your science curriculum. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MHCs) do not bite, are easy to handle, produce little odor compared to many terrarium animals, have a fascinating social structure, are easy to breed, teach students how to properly care for animals, and are very cool looking! This article describes an inquiry-based MHC activity and further questions for your students to explore. The activity and questions address basic concepts of nutrition. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School

Libros de Ciencias en Español (2008) By: Isabel Schon Science and Children, Mar 08 Average User Rating: From well-designed series with colorful illustrations and easy-to-read Spanish texts for the very young, to exquisite publishers’ series with eye-catching, close-up photos about the world of animals, to clear explanations about basic concepts of energy...  [view full summary] From well-designed series with colorful illustrations and easy-to-read Spanish texts for the very young, to exquisite publishers’ series with eye-catching, close-up photos about the world of animals, to clear explanations about basic concepts of energy and matter and more, these recently published science books in Spanish will encourage young Spanish-speaking scientists-to-be to observe, identify, describe, investigate, and perhaps even to explain phenomena. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K—12 (Books Published in 2007: Science Scope) By: Juliana Texley Science Scope, Mar 08 Average User Rating: Each of these outstanding selections defies the traditional image of a child “curling up with a good book.” Yes, they can be a source of great personal reading, encouraging students of all ages to stretch their skills and their imagination as they interact...  [view full summary] Each of these outstanding selections defies the traditional image of a child “curling up with a good book.” Yes, they can be a source of great personal reading, encouraging students of all ages to stretch their skills and their imagination as they interact with the printed page. But these journeys of the scientific imagination seldom end with the final chapter. They have the capacity to draw the reader out from that cozy seat and into the natural world—to observe, investigate, and continue the process of discovery that has characterized scientists from Aristotle to Hawking. The adventures begin here. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School

Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists During Cooperative Investigations By: Tracy Voreis, Frank Crawley, Karla Tucker, Shannon Blanton, and Heidi Adams Science Scope, Apr 08 Average User Rating: To help students think like scientists during cooperative science investigations, the author developed the “thinking roles” strategy described in this article. Thinking roles make students responsible for asking certain types of questions during cooperative...  [view full summary] To help students think like scientists during cooperative science investigations, the author developed the “thinking roles” strategy described in this article. Thinking roles make students responsible for asking certain types of questions during cooperative investigations. The roles include the following: Prediction manager, Evidence collector, Researcher, and Skeptic. They promote student discussion about scientific investigations, engage students in scientific reasoning with peers, and keep group members mentally and physically involved. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $0.99 Grade Level: Middle School

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: Books Published in 2006 Science and Children, Mar 07 Average User Rating: Apples and oranges… and lychees and loquats—how can one compare? That’s the challenge when a team of NSTA’s best science educators attempt to select the best of each year’s science trade books. It’s been 34 years since NSTA joined forces with the Children’s...  [view full summary] Apples and oranges… and lychees and loquats—how can one compare? That’s the challenge when a team of NSTA’s best science educators attempt to select the best of each year’s science trade books. It’s been 34 years since NSTA joined forces with the Children’s Book Council to select the best trade books each year. Publishers submit hundreds of books for evaluation, and the judges have a daunting task. First, they need to determine if the books are truly “trade books” that would normally be found in a bookstore, and they must always represent the best of the National Science Education Standards. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Informal Education

Science Sampler: A “handy” way to teach classification By: James Hewitt Science Scope, Feb 07 Average User Rating: When teaching the five kingdoms to middle school students, use this “handy” mnemonic device that helps students recall kingdom names, as well as a fact or two about each one. Simple and obvious analogies are used to captivate and retain students’ attention....  [view full summary] When teaching the five kingdoms to middle school students, use this “handy” mnemonic device that helps students recall kingdom names, as well as a fact or two about each one. Simple and obvious analogies are used to captivate and retain students’ attention. To close the lesson, remind the class that as long as they bring their hands with them, they will have the tool they need to recall this classification scheme. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $0.99 Grade Level: Middle School

What’s in a Word? How Word Choice Can Develop (Mis)conceptions About the Nature of Science By: Renee Schwartz Science Scope, Oct 07 Average User Rating: Despite over 10 years of reform efforts, research still shows that students typically have inadequate conceptions of what science is and what scientists do (McComas 2004; Lederman 2007). Many science students, as well as some teachers, use a single “scientific...  [view full summary] Despite over 10 years of reform efforts, research still shows that students typically have inadequate conceptions of what science is and what scientists do (McComas 2004; Lederman 2007). Many science students, as well as some teachers, use a single “scientific method” that, “proves a hypothesis” by systematic data collection. This view does not acknowledge creativity, inference, or tentativeness as characteristics of science. It not only misrepresents the nature of science, but likely makes science inaccessible to many students. The techniques included here raise awareness of common terminology and the image of the nature of science in general. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $0.99 Grade Level: Middle School

Methods and Strategies: The Teaching-With-Analogies Model By: Shawn Glynn Science and Children, Apr 07 Average User Rating: Teachers often use analogies and are unaware of it—they are using them automatically. Whenever they begin an explanation with “It’s just like…,” “It’s similar to…,” or “Think of it this way…,” they are using an analogy to explain a concept to their students....  [view full summary] Teachers often use analogies and are unaware of it—they are using them automatically. Whenever they begin an explanation with “It’s just like…,” “It’s similar to…,” or “Think of it this way…,” they are using an analogy to explain a concept to their students. An analogy is a similarity between concepts. Analogies can help students build conceptual bridges between what is familiar and what is new. Often, new concepts represent complex, hard-to-visualize systems with interacting parts (e.g., a cell, an ecosystem, photosynthesis). [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $0.99 Grade Level: Middle School

Adapting to the Deep Sea: A Fun Activity with Bioluminescence By: Gwynne Rife Science Scope, Jul 06 Average User Rating: The deepest parts of the oceans are currently the focus of many new discoveries in both the physical and biological sciences. Middle school students find the deep sea fascinating and especially seem to enjoy its mysterious and "spooky" side. Bring the...  [view full summary] The deepest parts of the oceans are currently the focus of many new discoveries in both the physical and biological sciences. Middle school students find the deep sea fascinating and especially seem to enjoy its mysterious and "spooky" side. Bring the deep sea into your landlocked classroom with this with bioluminescence, or "living light" activity. This inquiry-based activity is sure to generate waves of enthusiasm among your students. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School

Timing is Everything By: Debra Drury Science and Children, Jul 06 Average User Rating: Kids today are growing up with televisions, movies, videos, and DVDs, so it's logical to assume that this type of media could be motivating and used to great effect in the classroom. But at what point should film and other visual media be used? Are...  [view full summary] Kids today are growing up with televisions, movies, videos, and DVDs, so it's logical to assume that this type of media could be motivating and used to great effect in the classroom. But at what point should film and other visual media be used? Are there times in the inquiry process when showing a film or incorporating other visual media is more effective? One teacher tackles these questions by assessing video use among her upper-elementary students in a small rural Northeastern Missouri school district. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: $0.99 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School