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Exploring form and function with hats: books about firefighters
In the February 2010 Early Years column (Science and Children) I wrote about exploring form and function using hats, and testing them for how water flows off of them. Children might think, “Of course a firefighter’s hat works well to keep drippin...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
I’m looking for suggestions for formative assessments. Do you have some unique ideas to assess students quickly and adjust instruction accordingly? —Karen, Arizona...
By Mary Bigelow
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Latest from NSTA's online outposts
What’s New, 2/1/2010 Here’s a quick look (with lots of links!) at what’s going on at NSTA’s online outposts: In the NSTA online professional learning communities, we have new groups created on a variety of topics…...
By Howard Wahlberg
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Seeking inventive college students
A new series for a major cable network is searching for college students who are always inventing things and building things. If you know any smart, creative, and talented students who have a flair for science and engineering, please share this anno...
By Debra Shapiro
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Science activities: quantity vs. quality
My ninth grade students enjoy labs, but my colleagues say I do too many and the students aren’t learning anything. How many labs should I do each week? —Carolyn, Billings, Montana...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Two-year-olds explore transparent, translucent, and opaque materials
Science activities with two-year-olds may not last very long but sometimes the children surprise me. One group of four children spent about 15 minutes exploring a set of cardboard tubes with ends covered with either clear plastic wrap, wax paper, or ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
NSTA Press author Richard Konicek-Moran has always been challenged and inspired by what he calls Everyday Science Mysteries, those events you stumble on that make you ponder “why on...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
To help students understand this month’s earthquake in Haiti, the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology has compiled a set of resources called Recent Earthquake ...
By Mary Bigelow
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More science in the early years—a reoccurring theme from high school teachers and researchers
So it’s not just me, or you…An elementary school science specialist wrote to National Science Teacher Association colleagues asking middle and high school teachers which science skills and knowledge are typically seen lacking in students as they ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Science-related nonfiction books
I teach science at the elementary level. I’d like to improve our nonfiction science collection for students to read outside of class or for teachers to use during read-alouds. I want to be sure what we purchase is appropriate; do you have any s...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Latest from NSTA's online outposts
Lots going on across the spectrum of NSTA’s online outposts. Here’s a quick list of what buzz is happening where: On our “core site” (www.nsta.org): everyone’s gearing up for our National Conference on Science Education ...
By Howard Wahlberg
Blog Post
Introducing the NSTA Press Books blog
So much happens behind the scenes and behind the books at NSTA Press when we develop new resources for science teachers. I have the enviable job of talking with authors who have ideas for terrific new books, and I have the privilege of hearing from...
By Claire Reinburg
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The article What’s behind the biological classification system in use today? goes beyond memorization and the mnemonic devices ...
By Mary Bigelow
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Educated Opinions: What's Next in Education Reform?
Response to “What’s Next in Education Reform?” From the December 2009 issue of NSTA Reports:...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
My colleague and I are hoping to attend NSTA’s national conference this year, our first. The school has funds to cover some of the costs, but one of the school board members says conferences are just excuses to lounge around and play golf! What...
By Mary Bigelow