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Journal Article

Teaching Through Trade Books: Sharpening Your Senses

Students’ fascination with the world around them can inspire numerous investigations about the five senses. This month's Teaching Through Trade Books column focuses on two books about the senses: My Five Senses and Knots on a Counting Rope. Activit...

Journal Article

Survivor Science

Can you imagine yourself in the outback or on a tropical island, using your scientific smarts to outwit all the others? Why not challenge students to use what you've taught them in a setting that tests their skills of science and survival? This weekl...

Journal Article

Saving the Salmon

In November 2000, wild Atlantic salmon were placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Washington Academy (WA) in Maine has played an integral role in the education and restoration of this species. Students participate in the ...

Journal Article

Idea Bank: Pipe Cleaner DNA

The pipe cleaner DNA model uses simple materials, but offers limitless opportunities for realistic manipulation, including DNA replication, mutation, and protein synthesis. The activity is also appropriate for students at many levels. ...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Picture this-- Your students can't wait to review for a test!

Getting students to enjoy reviewing for a unit test was a challenge for this author, who developed Picture Review Pages. A Picture Review Page is a paper with illustrations representing each of the main concepts in a unit. There are also lines for st...

Journal Article

S'COOL Science

This article details the experiences of a fifth-grade class taking part in a NASA project in which students make observations of clouds and other weather data in order to reinforce satellite data and scientific research....

Journal Article

Spiderrific Learning Tools

The Spiderrific curriculum unit is a great way to capitalize on student interest in spiders. This unit meets several national science standards, including characteristics of organisms, life cycles, and diversity and adaptations of organisms. In one a...

Journal Article

"Hoeked" on Science

Students at one school first encounter Anton Von Leeuwenhoek in the first half of fourth grade when they begin a major study of microscopy. This article describes some successful microscope activities for students and a culminating celebration during...

Journal Article

Wetlands Work

With the help of coordinators from Louisiana State University—Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, this cross-curricular project in science, math, history, and environmental science resulted in an ongoing stewardship project at a historically impor...

Journal Article

Finding Science Past and Present: Universiteitsmuseum and Oude Hortus

Although the Universiteitsmuseum, Utrecht University Museum, was founded in 1936, its roots reach much deeper. The museum showcases the University of Utrecht from its beginning in 1636. Collections contain artifacts from education and research accomp...

Journal Article

Outdoor Ecology School

On a bright spring day last year, high school environmental science students led third graders on a dynamic learning adventure as part of an annual Outdoor Ecology School. At a water-monitoring site in a nearby national forest, the elementary student...

Journal Article

Bennett's Millpond

In a rural Eastern North Carolina county, a team of students and teachers came together to explore the scientific dynamics of a historic millpond. The Bennett’s Millpond Environmental Learning Project immerses students and teachers in sustained con...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Games that teach

Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to capture student interest because motivation is the beginning of learning. One effective way to do this is through the use of games in the classroom. Games can be used to introduce various presentation for...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Making Connections Fun

Games are a great way to help students make meaningful connections between abstract science concepts and vocabulary. This article describes three games—Secrets, Connections, and Pairs of Opposites—that help students reinforce concepts, formulate ...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: The Octet Rules-- A dating game for atoms

To develop student interest in the periodic table, try incorporating this simple, but fun, role-playing activity that follows a game-show format into your science curriculum. This play is used after students have learned the basic structure of atoms ...