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It’s too time-consuming… We haven’t been properly trained… Assessment is too difficult… Subject integrity may be relaxed… There are many reasons teachers find it challenging to make cross-curricular connections. But the benefits far outwe...
By Carole Hayward
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Merriam-Webster has several definitions for phenomenon—among them are “an observable fact or event” and “an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition.” And just as they find varied ways to look at the wor...
By Carole Hayward
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Explorers Lewis and Clark began their westward trip from the St. Louis area in 1804, trying to find a better way to the west coast; as they made their way to the Pacific Ocean, they mapped the area and cataloged its natural resources. If you’re fee...
By Carole Hayward
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Books Your Young Readers Will Want to Open and Explore
Engaging students in crosscutting STEM concepts is made so much easier when talented storytellers and gifted illustrators produce the kinds of books that young readers immediately want to open up and explore. The Beaks of Birds...
By Carole Hayward
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I consistently see a variety of forms of plagiarism occurring in the classroom. How can I combat this? – O., Ohio...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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The Vernier Go Direct SpectroVis Plus Spectrophotometer: A picture is worth 570 wavelengths (Part 1)
Of all the cool things invented by the universe, light is one of the most amazing. It solves all kinds of problems, can travel great distances with little effort, and its very existence has become possibly the greatest metaphor ever. And on the sci...
By Martin Horejsi
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I am struggling with the students being on their cell phones. I was hoping that I could get some advice or tips to handle the situation. – E., Ohio In my 27-year career, the worst incident I ever had with a student was over a phone....
By Gabe Kraljevic
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Rolling from Inquiry into Engineering Design
Guest blogger Jill Jensen began her 24th year as a science educator this fall. For the past twelve years she has been an Inquiry, Design, Engineering, Art & Science (IDEAS) Coach at Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts and Science in Eagan, MN...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Laboratory Evacuation Training for Science Teachers
School science labs need to be evacuated in the event of a fire, chemical spill, gas leak, the release of chemical toxins, or other laboratory incident or building issue. The top priority in an emergency evacuation is to ensure all laboratory occupan...
By Kenneth Roy
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It seems the same students answer my questions and I wonder if they are answering so fast that maybe the other students just need a little more time to think. Any suggestions on how to not deter these types of students from answering while allowing o...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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Science Teachers and the Course Forward for STEM Education
Science teachers’ voices do count—and are being heard—in Washington, D.C. On December 4, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) published Charting a Course for STEM Education, which presents a five-year strategic plan for how fed...
By David Evans, NSTA Executive Director
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English Learners in STEM Subjects
Conducting a review of the research literature on science education with English learners (ELs) would be a demanding task. Reimaging what is possible for ELs in science education would be an even more demanding task. Consider the enormity of the task...
By Kate Falk
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Engaging English Learners in K-12 Engineering
Engineering is now part of the Next Generation Science Standards as well as many state standards. As schools and teachers begin to think about how to introduce engineering in their classrooms, they should do so in ways that support all students, incl...
By Christine M. Cunningham
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Ideas and inspiration from NSTA’s January 2019 K-12 journals
Happy 2019! This is a milestone year for science teachers: Message From the President: NSTA’s 75th Regardless of what grade level or subject you teach, check out all three K-12 journals. As you skim through titles and descriptions of the articl...
By Mary Bigelow
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How Are Car Crashes, Packaging Design, and Bridge Design Related? (Hint: Integrated STEM)
Imagine a nationwide team of STEM education experts creating a GPS system of sorts for educators who want to chart a course toward an integrated STEM approach—one that’s aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State St...
By Carole Hayward
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Ed News: Meeting New Science Standards Requires Greater Emphasis on Teacher Practice
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By Kate Falk
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At the New York Botanical Gardens, students and parents play Biome Builder, a game from New York City–based learning games company Killer Snails. Photo courtesy of Killer Snails...
By Debra Shapiro
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What makes you believe a student teacher is going to make an excellent teacher one day? – J., Ohio I looked for several things in student teachers to indicate they were on the right track:...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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What’s Ahead for Federal Education Policy (and Funding) in 2019?
Welcome to 2019. As of January 3, Congressional leaders and President Trump are still working on a final agreement on FY2019 spending and the federal government remains closed for business. As you will recall, federal education funding, including pro...
By Jodi Peterson
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Supportive communities for teaching science in the early childhood years
There are times when educators miss opportunities to support young children’s interest in exploring and learning about natural phenomena. We might be otherwise engaged, too focused on the next activity, or uncomfortable with what is happening....
By Peggy Ashbrook
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NSTA’s 75th: A Beginning and Future Forged with a Need for Science Education
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By Korei Martin
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This student is too loud. This student is too quiet. This student is…
I have a few students who chatter excessively and need advice on methods that have worked to quiet the disruption. I also need to involve students who are reluctant to participate in a group setting. —H., Arizona...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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When you have a moment to plan for teaching in January, reach for the 2018 November/December issue of Science and Children for inspiration....
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Light, shadow, and literacy: Stories inspired by shadow play
Materials thoughtfully provided or set up by teachers often inspires children’s open exploration of a phenomenon. Much learning happens during this period of using their senses and tools to make observations of what intrigues them as they try thing...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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There are many safety hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools, and teachers and students should be trained to recognize them and understand what safety precautions should be taken to avoid them. Safety Precautions For hand tool ...
By Kenneth Roy
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I understand that confidence comes with experience, but I was wondering if you have any tricks or tips that helped you become more confident as a teacher? – J., Ohio To calm my own nerves, I would remind myself:...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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NSTA’s Discussion Forums and List Server groups often have questions from teachers looking for lesson ideas. Whether they are student teachers or beginning teachers looking to begin their library of science lessons, or experienced teachers look...
By Mary Bigelow
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Understanding the Intermingling of Engineering and Life Sciences (and How Best to Teach It)
For engineers to design and make the systems and devices all of us depend on in our daily lives, they need scientific and mathematical knowledge. Simultaneously, scientists benefit from engineering advances evident in the devices, instruments, and pr...
By Carole Hayward
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Investigation and Design: Aligning Secondary Science to What is Best
Take a look at this short video from my high school chemistry class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNHmVEJLAvI&feature=youtu.be...
By Kate Falk
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Engineering in early childhood
In early childhood settings both educators and young children solve problems using available materials and an engineering design process. The process is not step-by-step because it looks different depending on the age of the children, the time availa...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Tackling Misconceptions and Personal Beliefs
How do you overcome misconceptions that many students will have coming into your classrooms? What is the best way to handle and approach situations when personal beliefs are involved? — M., Arkansas ...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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America’s Strategy for STEM Education
On December 4, 2018 the Trump Administration released a five year strategic plan for STEM education that calls for expanding the nation’s capacity for STEM education and preparing workers for jobs in the these fields, and charts out a strategy whic...
By Jodi Peterson