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Are we in the midst of a STEM movement?
NSTA Executive Director Francis Eberle...
By Francis Eberle
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This week we are featuring a post from guest blogger, Chuck Hempstead, MPA, CAE. Chuck is the Executive Director of the Science Teachers Association of Texas (an NSTA Chapter). Chuck also serves as President of Hempstead and Associates, a full-serv...
By Teshia Birts, CAE
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LabQuest 2: The new iPad is not the only new "tablet" on the block
While much of the tablet-interested world was waiting for the latest iteration of the iPad to be announced today, there was another launch of a great looking “tablet” device yesterday. Vernier.com announced the next version of their LabQu...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
TED.com provides “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world,” as videos (streaming, downloadable, podcasts, etc.) captured during the conferences. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Here are some of my favorite...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
I’m starting a long-term substitute position teaching high school chemistry until the end of the year. I’ve subbed for this teacher before, so I’m somewhat familiar with the school. But do you have any suggestions for starting in th...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m a new teacher with six classes: four biology and two ecology. The teacher’s manual for my textbooks in these subjects have many interesting lab activities, but I am having difficulty selecting and organizing them. I feel like I live a...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
February's most-popular resources in the NSTA Science Store
Most Popular NSTA Press Books...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
Where does science learning occur in your daily routine?
Science learning can occur whenever children have the opportunity to pursue an answer to a question. If you wait until it’s your turn in the science lab, the questions that can be asked may be limited to the materials available there and the length...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Chapters and Associated Groups: Are Formal Committees Still Relevant?
Over the past few days, I have been keeping an eye on an interesting thread on an association discussion forum – the topic: whether committees are still relevant especially for smaller organizations like chapters and special-interest groups....
By Teshia Birts, CAE
Blog Post
To allow more time for test preparation in reading and math, the principal at our elementary school is requiring that teachers cut back on (or even eliminate) science activities. She says it’s just as effective to integrate more nonfiction book...
By Mary Bigelow
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Connecting science lessons to real life
Rather than rolling your eyes at the common student query, “Why do I need to know this?”, use it to your advantage!...
By Claire Reinburg
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When early childhood activities integrate math, science and engineering
Sometimes activities engage children in overlappings mathematics, science, and engineering learning....
By Peggy Ashbrook
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I’m looking out at a snowy scene today, but I’m thinking ahead to spring (although I hope I can get a few snowshoe walks in before then)....
By Mary Bigelow
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Looking at and counting birds, Friday–Monday, Feb 17–20, 2012
Please join in the 15th annual count!...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Student self-evaluation: How am I doing?
My middle school students frequently ask me “Is this right?” or “What should I do now?” How can I help them become more self-reliant? Jocelyn, Georgia...
By Mary Bigelow
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Involving families in early childhood science education
An elementary school PTA veteran observed to me, “If you want families to come to school, serve food or have their child take part in a performance.” This advice goes for preschool too! Serving food makes it easier for families to participate t...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
The digital textbooks have landed!
The launch of a formal, deliberate, across the board attempt to produce digital textbooks has arrived. Not just digital version of paper texts. Not just .pdf pages mimicking textbooks. Not just webpages trying to walk like a textbook. No, this is a s...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Chapters and Associated Groups: Know your corporate status!
I want to remind chapter and associated group leaders about the importance of a corporate status. This may be a no-brainer to some, but many organization leaders confuse this with the tax-exempt status (i.e., 501(c)3, 501(c)6, etc.) There is real...
By Teshia Birts, CAE
Blog Post
This month’s Leaders Letter provides several resources that list the top science stories of 2011—ranging from monthly highlights to high tech inventions. What was your favorite topic? What story caught your attention and made you go hmmmm...
By Christine Royce
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NSTA conference—your first one?
Are you attending the NSTA conference in Indianapolis this spring? At this point, you should be registering, making arrangements for ...
By Mary Bigelow
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Anticipating conference joy, 2012
I am so looking forward to the NSTA national conference in Indianapolis in March 2012! It’s not that I’m tired of my everyday life and teaching work—it’s that I’m eager to be back from the conference with fresh ideas and new connections to ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Our school is facing a budget crunch. Each department was asked for suggestions for cost-saving measures. Do you have any suggestions the science department can add to the list? — Brenda, New York...
By Mary Bigelow
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Google's Online Science Fair winners
One year ago, this blog highlighted the unique opportunity of the Google’s Global Online Science Fair. Well, the fair was a success and the winners have been announced. According to a Google website, Over 10,000 students from 91 countries submitt...
By Martin Horejsi
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When understanding science concepts becomes especially important
There is nothing like a family illness for making the point that it is important for the average person to have a basic understanding of science concepts. Several recent hospitalizations among family and friends have made me aware of how much there i...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
During class, students seem to understand the concepts. However, they don’t do well on the tests. I offer extra help before and after school and at lunch, but few students take advantage of it. I’m a first-year biology teacher, so I’d a...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
To our Chapter and Associated Group Leaders: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So, another year, another set of goals (or resolutions) made. That goes for us at NSTA as well. Over the past few months, we’ve discussed lots of new ideas and projects to support our members and other constituents....
By Teshia Birts, CAE
Blog Post
Moon and the Earth and the Sun, and more
Happy New Year! This year I look forward to more conversation in the early childhood community about science education....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
My students are asking for “extra credit” work. I’m having second thoughts about doing this, especially since it seems that students wait until the end of the marking period to ask. Is there a good rationale for giving (or not givin...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I recently talked with a high school senior who wants to become an elementary teacher. “Working with younger students, one thing I won’t have to think about is technology,” she said. She certainly has some misconceptions about eleme...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Technology integration in science
As a principal, I’d like to work with the teachers to develop some indicators to use during walkthroughs and classroom visits to assess how instructional practices in our science classes are changing as a result of the technology we’re us...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science notebooks: Archive or learning tool?
In my Earth science classes, I require the students to keep notebooks. I give them directions as to what pages to put in the notebook and in what order. I thought this would be an easy grade for the students, but many of the students don’t foll...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Earth science topics that grab students' interest
From news that scientists have discovered the biggest black holes yet to dramatic video footage of volcanic eruptions, ...
By Claire Reinburg