All Elementary resources
Journal Article
The Early Years: Introducing Children to Phenology
This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This issue shares an activity meant to provide children with the experiences of collecting data by making observations in nature over time and connecting with...
Journal Article
Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Students’ Ideas About Watersheds
This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. Water-quality monitoring engages students in learning about watersheds and watershed stewardship. Before introducing the concept of a watershed, find out whether your students have formed...
Journal Article
Teaching Through Trade Books: Beneath Our Feet
This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. Through the activities in this month’s column, younger students can understand how changes on Earth occur over time and that humans have an impact on Earth systems. Older students...
Journal Article
Teaching Teachers: Learning From Failure
This column enhances the repertoire of preservice and inservice teachers. This month's article includes insights from a university and STARBASE ONE partnership program....
Journal Article
Science 101: How Does a Thermos “Know” to Keep Hot Liquids Hot and Cold Liquids Cold?
This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This issue discusses heat transfer....
Journal Article
This column shares exercises to challenge content knowledge. This issue presents a new challenge and answers the A Faucet Phenomenon challenge from last month....
Journal Article
Engineering Encounters: The Giant Problem
This column presents ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This issue shares information about using design thinking to explore thermal conductivity....
Journal Article
Methods and Strategies: Reading With a Purpose
This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. Young students learn science and literacy through the Strategic Research Cycle....
Interactive E-book Kids
Bobby and Carmen are at summer engineering camp. They have been challenged to design and build a useful project for their fellow campers. Time is short, and most of the materials have been used! Will Bobby and Carmen succeed in using science and engi...
Interactive E-book Kids
In Kristel Pushes and Pulls, a bed mysteriously ends up hanging in a tree in Kristel’s front yard. Kristel is determined to figure out how it got there and e-book readers will help her figure it out. As Kristel progresses through the day, she explo...
Interactive E-book Kids
The Sunlight Science e-book engages readers through an interactive story that features a family outing at the beach. Learners investigate, along with the characters, the phenomenon of sunlight heating sand, rocks, water, and other surfaces. Readers a...
Book Chapter
The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about conservation of matter. The probe is designed to reveal whether students think weight is conserved when a whole object is broken up into small pieces. The probe is provided in ...
NSTA Press Book
A Head Start on Life Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder
Nurture curiosity and even joy in the youngest scientists. The 24 inquiry-based lessons in this lively collection show you how. The activities are organized into sections on animals, plants, and nature walks. Rather than merely presenting science fac...
By William Straits





