NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Medical Metaphor Mixer: Modeling Infectious Diseases By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Average User Rating: This model-building activity helps learners visualize SI’s base-ten relationships; the connections between the meter, liter, and gram; the real-world relevance of mathematics to science; and the somewhat abstract concept of powers of ten that is so central...  [view full summary] This model-building activity helps learners visualize SI’s base-ten relationships; the connections between the meter, liter, and gram; the real-world relevance of mathematics to science; and the somewhat abstract concept of powers of ten that is so central to science and society. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Measurements and Molecules Matter: Less Is More and Curriculum "Survival of the Fittest" By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Average User Rating: Many famous scientific discoveries have been made when an experimenter noticed something unusual or a mistake and followed up on the serendipitous discrepancy rather than ignoring it as others had done. This free activity serves as an engaging introduction...  [view full summary] Many famous scientific discoveries have been made when an experimenter noticed something unusual or a mistake and followed up on the serendipitous discrepancy rather than ignoring it as others had done. This free activity serves as an engaging introduction to significant digits and the need for careful measurements as a means of making interesting discoveries. This approach stands in contrast to skills-only labs where students practice for future, potentially more interesting uses. Finally, the activity is one of many that can be used to convince students that the atomic and kinetic molecular theory really is a sensible (i.e., its effects can be experienced through the senses and are logical) and powerful explanatory and predictive model for a wide variety of macroscopic events. This free selection includes the Table of Contents, Introduction, a Science Education Topics section, and the Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Comeback Cans: Potentially Energize “You CAN Do” Science Attitudes By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Average User Rating: Learners predict-observe-explain the rolling behavior of the two cans in terms of kinetic and potential energy conversions and friction. Two seemingly identical opaque cans are set against each other in a race on a flat surface. Initially, both cans...  [view full summary] Learners predict-observe-explain the rolling behavior of the two cans in terms of kinetic and potential energy conversions and friction. Two seemingly identical opaque cans are set against each other in a race on a flat surface. Initially, both cans behave as expected as they roll in the direction in which they were pushed. However, the Comeback Can slows down more quickly than the other and then, most surprisingly, rather than coming to rest, it stops, reverses direction, and returns to the instructor. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Bottle Band Basics: A Pitch for Sound Science By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events In this activity, three identical-size glass soft drink bottles with varying amounts of water are used to make sounds of various pitches. Upon initial consideration, the pattern established when using the bottles as wind instruments seems to suggest a...  [view full summary] In this activity, three identical-size glass soft drink bottles with varying amounts of water are used to make sounds of various pitches. Upon initial consideration, the pattern established when using the bottles as wind instruments seems to suggest a different rule than when they are used to produce different pitches as percussion instruments. In fact, the same underlying scientific principles explain the pitch patterns produced in all musical instruments. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Verifying Vexing Volumes: “Can Be as Easy as Pi” Mathematics By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Mathematics is both a key to unlocking the secrets of nature and, for many students, a stumbling block to conceptual understanding in science. In this activity, two sheets of 8.5 in. × 11 in. paper are used to construct two cylinders with surprisingly...  [view full summary] Mathematics is both a key to unlocking the secrets of nature and, for many students, a stumbling block to conceptual understanding in science. In this activity, two sheets of 8.5 in. × 11 in. paper are used to construct two cylinders with surprisingly different volumes (as related to the diameter differences between the unmentioned, missing bases). Extensions include the empirical discovery of pi and a volume illusion with two cone-shaped glasses. These activities feature the mathematical formula for the volume of a cylinder, the importance of quantitative measurements versus simple “eyeball” estimates, and the advantages of measuring in metric versus English units. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Metric Measurements, Magnitudes, and Mathematics: Connections Matter in Science By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events This model-building activity helps learners visualize SI’s base-ten relationships; the connections between the meter, liter, and gram; the real-world relevance of mathematics to science; and the somewhat abstract concept of powers of ten that is so central...  [view full summary] This model-building activity helps learners visualize SI’s base-ten relationships; the connections between the meter, liter, and gram; the real-world relevance of mathematics to science; and the somewhat abstract concept of powers of ten that is so central to science and society. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Archimedes, the Syracuse (Sicily) Scientist: Science Rules Balance and Bathtub Basics By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Learners, in this activity, are guided to discover simple, quantitative relationships that support their qualitative observations of playing on seesaws (with different-size children) and taking baths. Learners, in this activity, are guided to discover simple, quantitative relationships that support their qualitative observations of playing on seesaws (with different-size children) and taking baths. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

“Horsing Around”: Curriculum-Instruction-Assessment Problems By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events The nature of science (NOS) involves actively seeking (rather than avoiding) challenging problems that may require looking at situations differently and thinking outside of artificially imposed constraints. Science, like art, is a creative endeavor...  [view full summary] The nature of science (NOS) involves actively seeking (rather than avoiding) challenging problems that may require looking at situations differently and thinking outside of artificially imposed constraints. Science, like art, is a creative endeavor that involves a sense of purpose, passion, planning, and persistence. Science involves both systematic and serendipitous horsing around with nature’s unending puzzles. In this activity, a manipulative puzzle and a verbal logic challenge (both involving horses) with unexpected-twist-type answers are used to help learners think about the importance of how we define problems and the need to develop a playful, inquisitive orientation to problem solving. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Follow That Star: National Science Education Standards and True North By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events Earth’s magnetic field and its effect on compasses can help people find their bearings relative to a fixed target or direction. In this activity, many learners will have difficulty locating their compass bearings if they are inside a room (especially...  [view full summary] Earth’s magnetic field and its effect on compasses can help people find their bearings relative to a fixed target or direction. In this activity, many learners will have difficulty locating their compass bearings if they are inside a room (especially one that lacks windows that look out on familiar landmarks). The activity also highlights the nature of science (NOS; i.e., reliance on empirical evidence, logical argument, and skeptical review versus simple majority rule). [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Cookie Mining: A Food-for-Thought Simulation By: Thomas O'Brien A chapter from More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events In this activity, various brands, sizes, and textures of chocolate chip cookies are “mined” as an edible analogy for natural resource management and conservation. In this activity, various brands, sizes, and textures of chocolate chip cookies are “mined” as an edible analogy for natural resource management and conservation. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School