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Ontario ExploraVision winners honored
More than 30 student teams from across Ontario were honored at a reception in April. The teams received honorable mention awards in the 2010 Toshiba ExploraVision competition. Ralph Hyatt, president and CEO of Toshiba of Canada, presented each tea...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
The Frugal Science Teacher, 6–9: Strategies and Activities
School budget challenges coupled with the general state of the national economy has resulted in the need for teachers to not only be prudent but also imaginative....
By Amy America
Blog Post
Jean May-Brett of the Louisiana Department of Education has passed on several websites that teachers may find useful in discussing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico:...
By NSTA Web Director
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Once Upon a Life Science Book: 12 Interdisciplinary Activities to Create Confident Readers
As the great Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know....
By Amy America
Blog Post
Clickers in the science classroom
We are applying for a grant to upgrade the technology in our science department, and we’re thinking of buying “clickers.” Do you have any advice?...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Maple tree seed toss makes a good gross motor activity
The seeds of maple trees are shaped like single wings and rotate around the heavy seed end when tossed into the air....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
When young children use magnifiers
click on the image to view it in another window...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
I’ve been teaching biology for the past three years. Next year, based on student interest, the science department wants to add a biology elective in human anatomy/physiology. I’d love to teach this, but I would have three sections of biol...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
This semester, a group of students from a nearby college are participating in a study abroad program in the UK. Last week they set out to learn more about sustainable energy—in Iceland. So they are right on the scene of the current events there...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
We’re pleased to announce a new resource for science teachers: NSTA’s Book Beat, a monthly e-newsletter designed to quickly connect you with lesson and activity ideas, new resource books, free chapters, and special offers from NSTA Press. Visit...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
Recognizing excellence—The Lawrence Scadden Teacher of the Year Award
I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Dr. Peter Veronesi. Dr. Veronesi is the Lawrence Scadden Teacher of the Year Award Chair for the Science Education for Students with Disabilities (SESD). SESD promotes science teaching and instructional...
By Howard Wahlberg
Blog Post
The United States has long been called a “melting pot,” a place where diverse people mixing and mingling. Learning the dominate language is a challenging part of the process, particularly when a student is trying to learn a new language a...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
Evaporation—children need to know the word and concept
Is it surprising that there are no books for children titled “Evaporation”? Why this exciting subject doesn’t have it’s own title is beyond me—ha! But there are many good books that do touch on the subject in interesting ways....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
At a recent workshop, the presenter used the term “teachable moment.” What does this mean? —Todd, Tacoma, Washington...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Citizen scientist action begins at a young age—by extending a helping hand to toads
See more of Doug Wechsler's work at http://www.dougwechsler.com/...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Spring is rapidly approaching, as indicated by the recent “springing forward” of our clocks. The arrival of Spring not only means longer days but also warmer weather, beautiful blooms, and…restless students....
By Amy America
Blog Post
Our school recently received grant funds to upgrade the technology in our science labs next year, and the funding organization requires an annual report. This is a new endeavor for us. Do you have some suggestions on what to include in the report? &#...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Are you part of the NSTA Communities?
One of Chapter Leaders called me this morning to ask about the NSTA Communities. I wanted to share the highlights of our conversation with the CAG Blog....
By Howard Wahlberg
Blog Post
As an NSTA member, did you know that you have electronic access to each of the journals, in addition to the print copy you receive? In the monthly SciLinks blog for each issue (and on the NSTA home page, there are links to browse the table of content...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
As the dust settles from NSTA’s Annual Conference, my thoughts return to a conversation I had with a new NSTA member during the conference. I was grateful to have the opportunity to say “thanks!” for being a member of NSTA and “thanks” fo...
By Howard Wahlberg
Blog Post
More Chemistry Basics in the Stop Faking It! Series
Thermodynamics and atomic bonding and quantum mechanics, oh my! Bill Robertson tackles these, and other chemistry themes, in More Chemistry Basics, the ninth book in the bestselling Stop Faking It! series....
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
Lab instructions: Finding the right mix
I’m looking for information regarding student comprehension and/or performance when given basic, succinct instructions versus long, detailed lab instructions. I have heard convincing arguments for both, but I’d like to find out what the r...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Governor Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania addressed the “Science Matters” Town Hall Meeting in Philadelphia on Friday, March 19. In addition to describing the success of Pennsylvania’s STEM education programs and reeling off some f...
By NSTA Web Director
Blog Post
Thanks to the children who attended the conference
Thanks go to all the children who made it possible for their parents to attend the NSTA national conference by coming along with them!...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Ideas sparkle at Intel Science Talent Search
NY Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently attended the 2010 Intel Science Talent Search Awards in Washington, DC. He listened to student presentations (including one which he freely admits was out of his scope) and talked with science teachers. He...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
I didn’t get a chance to post on Saturday all the conversations with educators in Philadelphia, so I’m catching up a bit now....
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
I’m at the 30th Street Station (with free wireless), waiting for the train to go home....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Sunday morning is a tough time for a presenter. Early departures, church services, brunch dates, last minute sightseeing/souvenir gathering, or too much Saturday evening make it difficult for some to attend sessions at this time. But those die-hards ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Ted Koehn with his arsenal of inexpensive/free materials...
By Debra Shapiro
Blog Post
After the last session today was over at 6:00 PM, I went out for dinner. I didn’t try to eavesdrop on the nearby table, but when I heard science notebook, nature study, and rubric, I knew I was sitting near some teachers....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Bridging the Outdoors with Science Education, ELA, Art, and Historical Perspectives...
By Mary Bigelow