JoinIf you think of science as a puzzle, you’ll see that data is a key to unlocking it. Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Data touches on the world’s many riddles—from how we see to what’s at the bottom of the ocean. It shares how scientists have solved such puzzles by collecting measurements, taking notes, and even making sketches. The book also provides mini-bios of the nine featured scientists plus four steps to using data to tease out your own answers about how the world works
If you think of science as a puzzle, you’ll see that data is a key to unlocking it. Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Data touches on the world’s many riddles—from how we see to what’s at the bottom of the ocean. It shares how scientists have solved such puzzles by collecting measurements, taking notes, and even making sketches. The book also provides mini-bios of the nine featured scientists plus four steps to using data to tease out your own answers about how the world works
Teaching Teachers
Learning Science and Literacy Together
Professional learning that supports disciplinary literacy instruction for our youngest learners
Learning Science and Literacy Together
By Jacy Ippolito, Cami Condie, Jaclyn Blanchette, and Cleti Cervoni
Methods and Strategies
Draw a Scientist
Uncovering students’ thinking about science and scientists
By Laura Beth Kelly
Science 101
Q: Is It Really Caused by the Bernoulli Effect?
By Matt Bobrowsky
Formative Assessment Probes
Magnets in Water
Using a TLR scaffold to support productive talk and careful listening
By Page Keeley
Teaching Through Trade Books
From the Tip of a Beak to the End of a Tail
The Poetry of Science
Visual Poetry
By Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
Teacher's Toolkit
Using a Systems Thinking Approach to Figure Out Why a Ball Drops, Bounces, and Stops
This column provides how-to strategies and practical advice for the science teacher. In this issue, learn how to develop students’ systems thinking skills and have them apply these skills to discover and explain the energy conversions and transfers that take place in simple systems.
This column provides how-to strategies and practical advice for the science teacher. In this issue, learn how to develop students’ systems thinking skills and have them apply these skills to discover and explain the energy conversions and transfers that take place in simple systems.
This column provides how-to strategies and practical advice for the science teacher. In this issue, learn how to develop students’ systems thinking skills and have them apply these skills to discover and explain the energy conversions and transfers that take place in simple systems.
NSTA’s E-mail List Server: A Gold Mine of Help at Your Fingertips
By Carole Hayward
Posted on 2018-10-31
One of the most popular and accessible ways for members to get quick professional development advice and stay abreast of education trends is through the free NSTA’s E-Mail List Server.
Through the list server, thousands of NSTA members from teachers to administrators are able to reach out virtually for help from fellow members. Discussion topics range from middle school science competitions and model-based biology to kitchen chemistry and the Next Generation Science Standards. The list goes on and on.
Anytime Answers
With more than 20 categories of discussion, the list server allows members to sign up for specific topics such as early childhood education, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and pedagogy. No need to wait until regular working hours to pose a question or vet an idea.
For example, an NSTA member posted the following question a few weeks ago at 7:09 p.m.:
Hi Everyone,
My school is considering changing our current schedule and course offerings. At present, we offer ‘honors’ (advanced) courses for our high achievers/gifted. Can you tell me how your middle school addresses the needs of their high achievers/gifted? I’d like to be able to bring back the information to the scheduling committee.
Thanks!
A number of responses came in from members throughout that evening and during the next couple of days. Here’s an example of one of the responses:
Our district has an accelerated math science path for middle grades.
7th or 8th graders can take algebra 1 for high school credit. Ones who take it in 7th go on to geometry as 8th graders so they are able to enroll in algebra 2 as freshmen.
In science the students who are accelerated can take a class that covers 6th and half of 8th grade standards as 6th graders, then 7th and other half of 8th standards as 7th graders. They take an integrated physics and chemistry course as 8th graders.
There is a subset of this accelerated group that is even more accelerated. Those kids are in a STEM academy where they take geometry, physics, and a computer science course in 8th grade, all for high school credit.
Established Community
Because the list is exclusive to NSTA members, you can know that each voice on the lists is a member in the science education community. With each email, participants are instantly connected to expertise around the world.
Etiquette and Guidance
Like any professional community, NSTA asks for members to agree to rules for participation. Organic conversations are expected, yet topics should stay on topic. For example, last month a member posed a question about the different approaches to teaching metric conversions. The 12 responses that came in for that question led to valuable information on different approaches, but the topic didn’t stray from metric conversions.
“PD Gold Mine”
It’s not just participants who learn from these discussions. Did you know NSTA E-Mail threads have been considered the “PD gold mine” and have led to articles in NSTA publications such as NSTA Reports?
Connect with other educators, connect with members, and connect directly with NSTA through the E-mail List Server.
Not a member of NSTA? Learn more about how to join.
One of the most popular and accessible ways for members to get quick professional development advice and stay abreast of education trends is through the free NSTA’s E-Mail List Server.