JoinAll Blog Posts
Blog Post
Many of you are getting ready to start (or have already started) your first teaching assignment. Welcome to the profession! Now that you’re on your own, you may have lots of questions in your first month or two. During the last few years, the M...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: engineering for mobility
A record 4200+ Paralympians will compete in 20 sports at the London 2012 Games that begin August 29. Of the 20 sports included, 17 are Paralympic versions of sports played in the Olympic Games. Wheelchair rugby is one of the unique ones....
By admin
Blog Post
How professional development programs can model science
No one is against Professional Development (PD) for science teachers. But, how it is typically structured remains a major problem. Not many Professional Development efforts outline how the PD can be structured as an example of science itself....
By Robert Yager
Blog Post
I’m looking for project ideas or activities that fifth grade students can do to connect what they learn in science with the “real world” outside of the classroom. Do you have any suggestions? –Frank, Delaware...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Does “hands-on” indicate real reforms of science teaching?
Too often the reform of science for K-12 students is described as being “hands-on.” Analyses of the “Hands-On” ideas for classrooms seem to miss how and why hands-on actually does not define needed reforms adequately. Hands-on often become me...
By Robert Yager
Blog Post
Is science literacy an appropriate major goal for science education?
–Occasional commentary by Robert E. Yager (NSTA President, 1982-1983)...
By Robert Yager
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: Sarah Robles and the mechanics of weight lifting
Sarah Robles punctuates the opening of every Science of the Summer Olympics video—with good reason. She’s a “super heavyweight” lifter. Sarah’s strong for sure, but her abilities rely as much on finesse as on strength. See how her technique...
By admin
Blog Post
If you focus science explorations in your classroom on a yearly theme, consider water play/study. Carol M....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: designing a fast pool
We already knew Michael Phelps was good. Now Missy Franklin is a household name. But how much of their achievement might be attributed to the pool? Find out about the design and engineering of the London Aquatics Center in this installment of Science...
By admin
Blog Post
Are you thinking of supplementing traditional textbooks with digital media? If you’re looking for websites and other resources for your curriculum topics, take a look at SciLinks, NSTA’s collection of vetted websites. Access to the site is free, ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Notebooks as "dinosaurs"?
With the College Board’s increased emphasis on student inquiry as part of the AP Biology curriculum revision, I am struggling with whether to require my students to keep a written and bound laboratory notebook, as is the practice in industry. The b...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Choosing plants for fall school garden lessons
What should, or can, a teacher plant during the early days of school to support children’s adjustment to school and deepen their understanding of living organisms?...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: designing safety helmets
The 2012 Summer Olympics provides an exciting backdrop for STEM opportunities. Help students apply both the concepts of science and engineering design with Science of the Summer Olympics videos and connected lesson plans created by the partnership of...
By admin
Blog Post
Mission to Mars, or, Where does this gravel come from?
08.06.2012 Curiosity’s Surroundings, NASA/JPL-Caltech...
By Peggy Ashbrook