All Resources

Journal Article

Right to the Source: An Early Attempt At Flight

Exploring science and history with the Library of Congress. This issue discusses Jacob Degen’s 1807 drawing of the “Flugmaschine.”...

Journal Article

Real Science in the Palm of Your Hand

A framework for designing and facilitating citizen science in the classroom...

Elementary Teaching Strategies Citizen Science

Journal Article

Tracking Nature With Technology

First and fourth graders collaborate on a citizen science project to locate and research animals found in their school yard....

Elementary General Science Technology Citizen Science Literacy

Journal Article

Nurturing Local-to-Global Thinking

Third graders explore the world with technology and citizen science, plus an engaging reading and exercise component!...

Elementary Earth & Space Science Technology Citizen Science

Journal Article

A Global Perspective

Fifth graders practice data collection as they examine soil....

Elementary Earth & Space Science Science and Engineering Practices Citizen Science

Journal Article

Water Warriors

Students act as stewards of the environment and learn valuable skills in the process....

Elementary Middle School Environmental Science STEM Citizen Science

Journal Article

Editor’s Note: Citizen Science

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....

Elementary Informal Education Environmental Science Advocacy Citizen Science

Journal Article

The Poetry of Science: Science Is Us!

Building literacy in playful, meaningful ways. This month discusses a poem in relation to citizen science....

Elementary General Science Lesson Plans Teaching Strategies Literacy

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...

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Environmental Science General Science Life Science Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Inquiry NGSS Pedagogy Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Citizen Science

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...

Elementary Earth & Space Science Environmental Science Assessment

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...

Early Childhood Elementary Instructional Materials

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....

Elementary General Science Pedagogy Teaching Strategies Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

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....

Elementary Middle School Engineering Physical Science Professional Learning old

Journal Article

Science 102: Frozen Coke

This column shares exercises to challenge content knowledge. This issue presents a new challenge and answers the A Faucet Phenomenon challenge from last month....

Elementary Middle School Physical Science Inquiry Phenomena

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....

Elementary Engineering Physical Science STEM

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....

Elementary General Science Assessment Curriculum Pedagogy Teaching Strategies Equity Literacy

Journal Article

Engineering Partnerships

Partner with a scientist to tackle a classic engineering challenge with a twist....

Journal Article

The Evolution of a Partnership

Collaborate with a scientist and researcher and use authentic data to clarify evolutionary concepts....

Journal Article

Bridging the Gap Between “Rocks for Jocks" and the Mars Sample Return Program

Increase student interest in science with a multidisciplinary project and NASA’s Curiosity rover....

Journal Article

An Ecosystem Experience

Gather authentic data on a nesting coastal seabird....

Journal Article

Integrating Technology: Web Conferencing for Student Engagement

This column shares how teachers use technology for assessment, student learning, or classroom management. Many classrooms are not located close to universities or research facilities, which reduces the available number of possible guest speakers from...

Middle School General Science Technology Careers

Journal Article

Classic Lessons 2.0: What kind of person becomes a scientist?

This column shares updated perennial classroom favorites. This article describes an activity called “What Kind of Person Becomes a Scientist?” that teachers can use to help students confront their biases about scientists....

Journal Article

Teacher’s Toolkit: Communicate Effectively With Parents and Family Members Through a STEM Newsletter

This column provides how-to strategies and practical advice for the science teacher. This issue discusses newsletters, which are an eye-catching way to keep family members updated on student activities, guest speakers, STEM content, career connection...

Journal Article

From the Editor’s Desk: Real-World Connections for Your Student Scientists

Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....

Journal Article

Disequilibrium: Inseparable Magazines

This column shows how to use discrepant events to confront misconceptions. Reinforcing the importance of friction through the inseparable magazines discrepant event will help students better understand the world around them. While friction is not a m...

Journal Article

Listserv Roundup: Guest Speakers and Mentors for Career Exploration in the Science Classroom

This column shares recent conversations taken from the NSTA listserv community about current science education topics. In this three-week “Code Blue” human body systems simulation project students worked in small groups and learned about the bod...

Journal Article

Science For All: Be Our Guest!

This column shares strategies for increasing student engagement. Using research and experience, the authors have compiled a list of go-to strategies for preparing all of your students—and your speaker—for a memorable guest presentation that is su...

Journal Article

Teacher To Teacher: Using Models to Explain Their Thinking

This column provides practical advice from your peers. This column focuses on implementing the science and engineering practice of Developing and Using Models....

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Gaining Insight Into Mars

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This issue discusses the Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (In-Sight) mission to explore the “inner space” of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core....

Journal Article

Citizen Science: Prepare an Ant Picnic for Science

This column highlights formal and informal science research projects that students can join and contribute to by gathering and sharing data. Ant Picnic is a global citizen science project that invites teachers and students to engage in myrmecology, ...

Interactive E-book Kids

Properties Matter

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...

Elementary Chemistry Physical Science STEM Technology 5E Assessment Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Inquiry Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Performance Expectations Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Literacy

Interactive E-book Kids

Kristel Pushes and Pulls

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...

Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Physical Science STEM Technology 5E Assessment Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Inquiry Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Performance Expectations Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Literacy

Interactive E-book Kids

Sunlight Science

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...

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Earth & Space Science Physical Science STEM Technology 5E Assessment Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Inquiry Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Performance Expectations Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Literacy

Book Chapter

Can It Reflect Light?

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about reflection. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that all objects we can see reflect some light. The probe is provided in English and Spanish. This book sele...

Book Chapter

Making Sound

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about sound. The probe is designed to reveal whether students recognize that sound is produced by vibrating matter. The probe is provided in English and Spanish. This book selection ...

Book Chapter

Ice Cubes in a Bag

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about conservation of matter (or mass). The probe is designed to reveal whether students think matter (or mass) is conserved during a change in state. The probe is provided in Englis...

Book Chapter

Is It Melting?

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the physical process of melting. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize melting as a change in state from solid to liquid that involves an interaction between ...