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Argumentation–respectfully disagreeing when making a scientific claim
Is there an age at which we can expect children to understand that disagreement can be about an idea—not a personal statement of dislike—that they can have a different opinion and still “be friends?” Dr. Amelia Church, Lecturer in Master of T...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Professional development for science teachers
With budget issues facing many of the schools I’ve worked with, district-sponsored professional development (PD) has been scaled back. But teachers have a professional obligation to stay current with new findings about student learning, teachin...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
What to do on the first day of school
I’m looking for suggestions on what to do with students on the first day of school. I’m starting my first year teaching science at a middle school. —Shelly, Illinois...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
This month I was able to spend unstructured time with a 2.5 year old and her family. In my position as an observer, not teacher, care-giver or parent, I could enjoy only observing—observing without a purpose outside my own interest....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Although golf is a game that is often thought of as elitist, it has many egalitarian aspects, such as the handicapping system! Find out more about it in Science of Golf: Handicap Index. Haven’t been golfing long? Or, like me, enjoy walking the cour...
By admin
Blog Post
Science of golf: evolution of golf club
The United States Golf Association (USGA) took the 2013 U.S. Open to the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, just outside Philly. It was the fifth Open Championship to be held there in the 101 years since the East Course opened. Here, on this ...
By admin
Blog Post
“Engaging in argument from evidence” is one of eight practices described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the NGSS. Teachers may be wondering what this might look like in a middle school classroom, where students seem to have...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science of golf: volume and displacement
Further your STEM efforts with the Science of Golf video series from the partnership of NBC Learn, the United States Golf Association (USGA), Chevron, and NSTA. As the governing body for the sport, one aspect of the USGA’s role is to regulate and t...
By admin
Blog Post
Science of golf: work, energy, power
Welcome to the Science of Golf! NBC Learn has partnered with the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Chevron to bring you this video series highlighting the science, technology, engineering, and math behind the sport. And once again, NSTA has d...
By admin
Blog Post
I’ve been reading NSTA’s K-12 journals for many years. This is the first time I can remember that all three have the same theme at the same time. The summer issue for each—Science & Children, Science Scope, and The Science Teacher h...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m trying to incorporate more inquiry activities into my fourth and fifth grade science classes. The students seem to enjoy them, and I can tell from talking to them and reviewing their notebook entries that they are learning content and skill...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Summertime science investigations and International Mud Day
Many children investigate the natural world more fully in summer, building their understanding of natural materials and phenomena through small moments and large. Jumping into water...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Duncan Will Consider State Requests for Flexibility Around Teacher Evaluation and Testing
In this edition:...
By Jodi Peterson
Blog Post
Today’s news features Voyager 1 as it appears to be reaching the edge of the solar system. It’s hard to believe that Voyager 1 and 2 were launched in 1977—36 years ago—and they’re still sending data (although it takes 17 hours f...
By Mary Bigelow