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Science of the Summer Olympics: the strength and flexibility of Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius attracted our attention in both the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. First, he fought long and hard to become the first amputee to run in Olympic events....
By admin
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The place of inquiry in the reform of science education
The National Science Education Standards use the word “inquiry” in two ways. It was to be a form of content while also being a way science must be taught....
By Robert Yager
Blog Post
You never know what you'll find…
Olivia Bouler at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Looking at NSTA's digital journals
If you subscribe to any of NSTA’s Journals, you probably received a note about NSTA’s Digital Journals. As NSTA members, we’ve had access to journal articles as PDF files, but now the journals are also in a digital format that can...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
The cameras on tablets work great for general picture taking, but they also can work as magnifiers and microscopes. A good place to start is by placing additional lenses directly on the camera to see how it preforms. Low power loupes f...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: measuring a champion
As Official Time-Keeper of the 2012 Olympic Games, Omega’s high-tech timing devices have come a long way since the 1932 games in L.A. where athletes were timed to the nearest one-tenth of a second. The company brought thirty “official” stopwatc...
By admin
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
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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
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Help for a struggling colleague
Last year, a new science teacher in our middle school really struggled with classroom management issues. My principal is trying to help him, and she asked me if I could also work with him this year. I have some ideas, but I’m not sure how to ap...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: the biomechanics of Usain Bolt
With the attention of educators across the country focused on STEM, the 2012 Summer Olympics provide a perfect opportunity to create new tools for science teachers. NBC Learn, NSF, and NSTA have partnered to create Science of the Summer Olympics vide...
By admin
Blog Post
A new vision for reform of science teaching: beyond mindless progressivism
–Occasional commentary by Robert E. Yager (NSTA President, 1982-1983)...
By Robert Yager
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NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part VII
Hiking Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve NSTA Costa Rica Trip Day 8 July 30th, 2012 (posted on behalf of Greg Neff) ...
By Rob McNeely
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: the impact of Jenny Simpson
London 2012. The Summer Olympics. A once-every-four-years phenomenon that attracts world-wide attention and participation. As we mentioned last time, the Summer Games are the focus of another team effort of NSTA, NBC Learn, and the National Science F...
By admin
Blog Post
NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part VI
Arenal to Monteverde NSTA Costa Rica Trip Day 7 July 29, 2012 (posted on behalf of Greg Neff)...
By Rob McNeely
Blog Post
NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part V
Bus tour/Tortuguera to La Fortunate NSTA Costa Rica Trip Day 5 July 27, 2012 (posted on behalf of Greg Neff) We first have to load into a water taxi and take the 1 1/2 hour trip up-river to meet up with our bus. Not raining yet but the boat is send...
By Rob McNeely
Blog Post
Perhaps our students don’t think so, but it’s unfortunate that the summer Olympics happen when most of the schools here in the U.S. are on break. There are many ways to show the connections between science concepts and sports that will ha...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science of the Summer Olympics: Missy Franklin & fluid dynamics
Let the Games begin! NSTA has teamed up once again with NBC Learn and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to bring you another exhilarating video series with connected lesson plans that will excite your students and add to your hands-on repertoire....
By admin
Blog Post
NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part IV
Exploring the Canals around Tortuguera NSTA Costa Rica Trip Day 3 July 26, 2012 (posted on behalf of Greg Neff)...
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
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NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part III
Night 2 (posted on behalf of Greg Neff) July 25, 8-12:00 pm...
By Rob McNeely
Blog Post
NSTA Professional Development Trip: Part II
Turtle Data Collection (posted on behalf of Greg Neff) July 24 PM On a very rainy afternoon, we visited the town of Tortuguero, being sure to equip ourselves with rain gear and take in some of the culture of this isolated community, yet dependent on ...
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
NSTA Professional Development Trip to Costa Rica
(Posted on behalf of Leisa Clark) July 24, 2012 We have arrived in Tortuguera! This is the view from one of our rooms. We are off to hear a lecture on sea turtles because tonight we will be assisting with sea turtle monitoring. It is nesting season! ...
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Blog Post
Students as part of school leadership for promoting reforms in science
–Occasional commentary by Robert E. Yager (NSTA President, 1982-1983)...
By Robert Yager
Blog Post
It is interesting teaching at the college level – the common phrase of “put your cell phones away during class” is still heard regularly. I actually have one colleague who will confiscate the cell phone until the end of class and ...
By Christine Royce
Blog Post
My colleagues and I have noticed many students entering middle school have had few experiences with science investigations. We’re considering doing a summer session before school starts to engage students in science and help them learn some bas...
By Mary Bigelow