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Young children love using a periscope. Maybe because when you look through one, the view is not what your brain expects, somewhat like using someone else’s glasses. (My sisters and I used to take turns running down a hallway wearing my mother’s g...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
How many of use chose careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics because of our experiences in school? Some topics or activities must have stimulated our interest and curiosity, and the authors in this month’s edition share som...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Whenever I start a new unit, some students consistently ask, “Why do we have to learn this?” How should I respond? —Kevin, District of Columbia...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Have you seen NASA eClips? This is a collection of video clips on a variety of topics (such as the earth, sun, universe, STEM, aeronautics, and living in space), organized by grade level (K-5, 6-8, 9-12). Some of the notes for the clips include link...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
What's good for the girls in STEM?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmiehomeschoolmom/ / CC BY 2.0...
By Debra Shapiro
Blog Post
ESP symposium: superpowers not required
Divining the keys to better science education doesn’t require extrasensory perception—just check out the ESP Symposium at the Phoenix Area Conference. Coordinated by Robert Yager, 1982-1983 NSTA president, NSTA’s Exemplary Science Program (ESP)...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
Our students may be used to using evidence to answer questions, but in Elk Habitat: A Case Study of Scientific Inquiry, the authors describe an activity in which students ask questions, examine evidence, ask new questions, and design potential resea...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I love books. Not only do they overflow the various bookshelves in my house, but they also fill boxes (and boxes!) tucked away in many of my closets. So naturally I spend most of my conference time in the Science Store....
By Jennifer Horak, NGSS@NSTA Project Manager
Blog Post
I’m trying to use more projects and open-ended assessments this year, but I’m getting bogged down with grading. I know I should use rubrics, but it’s hard to create them for every assignment. Any suggestions on how to streamline thi...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
NAEYC–early childhood and science!
Will I see you at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s national conference in Washington, D.C., this week? Come say “Hi” and tell me what great sessions you’ve attended. I’ll be in the Learning Galleria, Table 12, ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Did I tell you how happy I was to see the returning three-year old students use magnifiers appropriately? Because this half-day preschool for 2-5-year-olds had moved to a new space over the summer, the “usual place” for everything had to be deter...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Subtle differences in words can make a big difference: for example “arguing” and “argumentation.” Our students see TV shows where arguing is the most common activity. People shout at and interrupt each other, spout ideas that ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Astronomy resources (mostly free)
Judging by the large audience, teachers love teaching astronomy, and of course they love free resources, too....
By ManagingEditorSC
Blog Post
Looking for a little outdoors time in between sessions? If the beach doesn’t do it for you, a short trip up the coast to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park will. Smack dab in the city, this “oasis of tropical hammocks” features native and...
By ManagingEditorSC
Blog Post
Learning about science curriculum and meeting more early childhood teachers than I expected were the happy outcomes of the two days I spent at the really well-run Virginia Association of Science Teachers 2009 Professional Development Institute....
By Peggy Ashbrook