JoinAll Blog Posts
Blog Post
Focus on Physics: The Equilibrium Rule—A Personal Discovery
Building an Understanding of Physical Principles Figure 1. Burl and Paul on a scaffold....
By sstuckey
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Ideas and information from NSTA's Summer K-12 journals
These issues are great additions to your summer reading list! Most of the lessons in these journals include a detailed chart connecting the lesson to the NGSS. Science and Children – From Molecules to Organisms...
By Mary Bigelow
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Soaring in a Digital Ecosystem
This column regularly describes digital tools to help teachers make learning more personal and effective for all students. When these tools converge, they create a sort of digital ecosystem designed to make students more collaborative and innovative,...
By sstuckey
Blog Post
Place-Based Learning in Middle School: Putting Scientific Principles to Work in your Community
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” -John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra, 1911....
By Guest Blogger
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Next year there will be an opening in the high school science department. Although I love teaching middle school, I’m tempted by the opportunity to try something different and use more of what I majored in (chemistry). What advantages and disad...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Middle school children are inquisitive and enjoy classroom opportunities to learn visually. Subsequently, an option worth consideration is an application of technology known as 3D. It’s similar to the 3D technology that is used in movie theaters an...
By Edwin P. Christmann
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Write Grant Proposals That Win
A successful grant application can provide you with the funding you need to do exciting new activities with your students. The only problem is that grant writing is an art form of its own. There’s a new NSTA Press book that can help....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Water play…exploration…science inquiry
Water explorations are a popular in early childhood programs during the summer. Exuberant water explorations can happen outdoors. The experience of wetness is enjoyable and clothes that get wet accidentally can dry on the child rather than having to ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Managing Communication Channels
Last year, I tried improving my communications with students and parents via electronic media. I had lots of responses, but I was being texted, tweeted, emailed, and called on the phone at all times of the day and night. While I want to encourage the...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
How Can Science Teachers Use Examples of Dishonest Science?
NSTA members ask and answer one anothers’ questions about science teaching every day via the listserv, and the topics are fascinating. The latest question, trending on our NGSS list, focuses on dishonest science. The answers and comments are e...
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
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What goes into a small science starter kit?
A colleague asked me, “If you were going to provide a small starter set of science materials for family child care providers, what would you buy?” This group will be participating in some science education professional development. Most of these ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Teaching more than one subject
I’m a recent graduate. A school district where I would really like to teach has an opening for a secondary science teacher. But when I read the job description, the position requires teaching five classes of two different subjects (general biol...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Bringing STEM to the Elementary Classroom
National initiatives, such as A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), call for an increase in both the quality and quantity of engineering content. With the addition of engineering to science classroom...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
As a K-12 science department chair, I’m looking for professional development (PD) opportunities for our teachers. It’s hard to find speakers and programs for a small group. We have a very small budget, so traveling for conferences is not ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Attend a conference, virtually
I remember the first time I attended a professional association conference when I was a child care provider beginning my career and was thrilled to be among so many educators who were passionate about improving themselves professionally. If you can�...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Each month in NSTA’s Science and Children journal, Bill Robertson* writes an informational article on a science concept. These “background boosters” present content information in an easy-to-read format with many illustrations and a...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Senate Passes Bill to Fund FY2017 ED Programs
Senate Passes Bill to Fund FY2017 ED Programs...
By Jodi Peterson
Blog Post
Welcome to the NSTA Safety Blog
As NSTA’s chief science safety compliance adviser, I look forward to sharing the latest safety compliance information, while helping teachers solve safety-related problems and issues in the classroom, lab, and maker space. I’m also looking forwar...
By Kenneth Roy
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There’s a lot of talk about using data to drive teaching and learning, but what data and how should these numbers be used?...
By Carole Hayward
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I recently read an article about having students “reflect” on their work. I’m not sure what the value would be. What would this look like in a science class? –G., Ohio...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Beginning-of-the-year explorations: get them ready for fall
If you have not yet packed up for the summer break, consider picking out two or three lessons to begin the next school year. Choose the resources that will guide you, scan or read them, and pack them up along with the materials students will need so ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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10 Sessions a High School Educator Needs to Attend at the STEM Forum & Expo
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By Korei Martin
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10 Sessions at the STEM Forum & Expo for Every Middle School Teacher
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By Korei Martin
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Foster STEM in Young Children with these 10 Sessions at the STEM Forum & Expo
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By Korei Martin
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10 Sessions at the STEM Forum & Expo that show the Importance of Partnerships
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By Korei Martin
Blog Post
10 Upper Elementary Sessions at the 2016 STEM Forum and Expo
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
Establishing close communication with families is an objective for early childhood educators and the programs they work in (NAEYC, ECERS-R, Head Start). You might be connecting with family members when greeting children at the door...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Are You and Your Students Ready for the Astronomical Event of the Decade?
On August 21, 2017, the United States will be treated to the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the country in almost 40 years. ...
By Guest Blogger
Blog Post
Sound inquiry–open exploration and direct teaching?
As early childhood educators, no matter what program we teach in or administer, we want to help children build knowledge of the world through experiences, teacher-supported investigations, and direct teaching. A conversation I had recently with a tea...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Calls for Papers for NSTA Journals
Do you have a great science teaching idea you want to share with peers? If so, consider writing for NSTA’s journals. Calls for papers for NSTA’s science education journals are online. The NSTA journals cover all grade levels, so no matte...
By Korei Martin
Blog Post
Should I present at a conference?
My colleagues and I recently attended an NSTA conference. On the way home as we discussed what we learned, they suggested I share some of the successful activities I do in the classroom, but I’m not sure that others would be interested. Plus, I’d...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
NSTA President Carolyn Hayes Says Thank You to Our Volunteers
On behalf of the staff of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and our leadership team, I would like to thank the following members of our Board, Council, Standing Committees, Advisory Boards, and Panels whose terms of appointment end on ...
By Guest Blogger