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Multicultural Equity at NSTA16
Earlier today I attended the Equity Through STEM session presented by Jerry Valadez and Retiring NSTA President Juliana Texley. The discussion was intriguing—not only did they share the history of multicultural initiatives within NSTA, they talked ...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
The True Story of #LilHil: How Social Media Helped Me Write My #NSTA16 Nashville Story
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By Patricia Hillyer
Blog Post
Bill Nye's Rising Star Wants to Talk to Science Teachers
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By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
Apprehensive about teaching science
I’m nervous about teaching science. It was not my favorite subject in high school and I took only the required courses in college (mostly lecture). My elementary math-science methods course included science inquiry, but I had very few opportunities...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Early Childhood at the NSTA 2016 national conference: Elementary Extravaganza and more!
When I search any conference schedule to choose sessions to attend I am always suspicious of those that are listed as for PreK-12....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
There has been a lot of activity on Capitol Hill with FY2017 appropriations, the new federal education law ESSA, and at the Department of Education....
By Jodi Peterson
Blog Post
What Can Science Teachers Learn about Special Needs at the #NSTA16 Nashville Conference?
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By Guest Blogger
Blog Post
Are children wondering about dirt (soil)?
When children work with soil (or dirt as they most often call it), they rarely question where it comes from. Soil, sky, water…they just are....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Gardening: with limitations and some success
When the preschool moved, the new location presented many obstacles to gardening with children: Sloping ground. Mature trees shading much of the area. English ivy covered portions of the available area. The play area had not yet been constructed so ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Ideas and information from NSTA's March K-12 journals
This month, all three K-12 journals include What We Call Misconceptions May Be Necessary Stepping-Stones Toward Making Sense of the World (a must-read) and Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 (a must-share)....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
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By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
Supercharge Your Elementary Science Program in 4 Days at #NSTA16 Nashville
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By Korei Martin
Blog Post
I teach middle school, and I’m looking for ways to interest girls in science. I seem to get a lot of “It’s too hard” and “I don’t like science.” What strategies could I use to overcome these attitudes? —C., Texas...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Mastering Scientific Practices with Technology, Part 2
In this video, columnist Ben Smith shares information from the Science 2.0 column, “Mastering Scientific Practices With Technology, Part 2,” that appeared in a recent issue of The Science Teacher. Read the article here: http://bit.ly/1QBrwyV &nbs...
By sstuckey
Blog Post
Top Twitter Conversations Among Science Teachers in the Last 48 Hours
What were science teachers talking about on Twitter this weekend? Here are the top 12 stories we saw blowing up our network. Enjoy, and let us know what stories you’re following....
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
Our new principal, who used to be a language arts teacher, doesn’t seem to understand what it’s like to be a science teacher. He’s a good guy, but what can we do to “educate” him on what we do? –L., Massachusetts...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
First Time at an NSTA Conference? Up Your Game With These Insider Tips
Are you attending the 2016 NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Nashville in March 31-April 3? If this is the first time you’ve attended the national conference, it can be overwhelming! Here are some suggestions to consider before you...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Teaching Energy Across the Sciences, K–12
Students’ experiences with hearing and using the term energy to describe everyday events give them a very intuitive sense of what energy is and how it behaves. Those feelings, however, are often at odds with school science instruction....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
“Engineering Habits of Mind” Empower Performance: Featured Presentation at #NSTA16 Nashville
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By Guest Blogger
Blog Post
My mentor wants to video my middle school science class. I’m not having specific problems with students and I think my lessons are good, but this still makes me nervous. Why would she want to do this? —G., Minnesota...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Reading aloud, asking questions and engaging in discussion
“Do you remember Moomintroll?” my sister asked me recently....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
To prepare children to be close observers of the small animals that will be more easily seen in spring, I bring a container-habitat of beetles into the classroom during winter months. These Tenebrio beetles and larvae (widely known as “mealworms�...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
First Look: Hands on with the Pasco Wireless Temperature Sensor
The humble electronic thermometer is often the gateway technology into the world of digital data collection, and Pasco Scientific just made that tech much more affordable. And Bluetooth to boot!...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Ideas and information from NSTA's February K-12 journals
This month, all three journals include Planning NGSS-Based Instruction: Where Do You Start? This article is another must-read for teachers who are looking for ideas to incorporate student questions and interests with the Next Generation Science Stand...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I write a weekly note home to the families to accompany some photos for families to look at together and reflect on the week’s explorations with their preschool child. Sending a note home to families is part of an early childhood program’s way to...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Teacher Professional Learning: Transforming Teacher Practice
Several weeks ago the National Academies on Science (NAS) released a report that the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) believes should be required reading for every school administrator....
By Guest Blogger
Blog Post
Survey Reveals Challenges with Teaching Climate Change
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By David Evans, NSTA Executive Director