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I’m incorporating several strategies this year to help my life science students understand written information. I provide study guides with questions to answer, graphic organizers, and quizzes on the information, but they still don’t seem...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Get what you need at conferences, big and small, national and local
I think of conferences as meetings with multiple science coaches, each of whom help me improve my teaching in some way—if I implement the updates or changes once I’m back at school. That may be a big if....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Science of Innovation: fuel cell efficiency
Innovation rarely occurs in a vacuum, and this installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series emphasizes that. Neither scientist involved in the research highlighted would have succeeded as quickly without the knowledge and input of the ...
By admin
Blog Post
How many of us in the K-12 science environment use word puzzles to help students review concepts and learn vocabulary? I haven’t been convinced of the value of find-a-words or jumble puzzles are effective learning tools, but crossword puzzles a...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Are my tests "unfair"?
When I return tests, the students look at their grades, complain the test was unfair, and don’t pay much attention when we go over it. How can I deal with this? I teach ninth grade earth science. —Ava, Lexington, Kentucky...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Incorporating the History of Science
In the most recent issue of the Leaders Letter, one of the features includes a discussion about the new NOVA Series which is appearing on PBS. The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers which is developed and produced by PBS as part of the NOVA Seri...
By Christine Royce
Blog Post
Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy
I’m already a fan of the Uncovering Student Ideas series, but authors Page Keeley and Cary Sneider piqued my interest with the 45 new formative assessment probes in this latest volume, ...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science of Innovation: biofuels
It’s widely reported that the first “flex fuel” automobile able to run on either gasoline or ethanol was Henry Ford’s Model T. With hemp and other types of cellulosic biomass as the source instead of corn, Ford is quoted as saying that ethyl ...
By admin
Blog Post
Teaching that uses the Project Approach is one way for children to learn deeply about a topic or concept. Early Childhood Investigations Webinars hosted Dr. Sylvia C....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
When I was little, I had an “electric” map of the U.S. There were two wired probes, and the object of the game was to use them to connect the name of the state capital from a list in the margin with a state on the map. (This was long befo...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m student teaching now at an elementary school, and I want to emphasize science. In the classrooms I observe, I see many different layouts and arrangements, but what is the best way to organize a classroom? When I get my own classroom, where ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
What Are the Best Practices in Professional Development?
Budget dollars for teacher professional development can be scarce, particularly in these economic times. Evaluating the quality of the professional development options available is more critical than ever....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science and students' interests
Middle school students typically have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Channeling these into learning opportunities is the challenge for teachers....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
A Little Perspective Goes a Long Way
Elementary teachers can experience a sense of isolation when their schedules don’t allow a lot of interaction with their colleagues. I remember those days well....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
The Next Generation Science Standards are scheduled to be released this spring (after several drafts and comment periods)....
By Mary Bigelow