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Journal Article

Science Sampler: The Science and Art of Proportionality

The following activities ask students to compare the proportions of their own bodies with each other and with historical models, specifically with Polycleitus’ statue of Doryphorus (fifth century B.C.). The statue was created as an example of what ...

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Saturn, ringed jewel of the night sky

During the next few months, opportunities abound to view four evening planets--Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. For early risers, Venus and Jupiter, will also be visible. Despite the variety, probably no planet can come close to "knocking your sock...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Periodic Table

Teaching the periodic table can be a mundane task filled with repetition and rote memorization. The techniques for engaging activities outlined in this article will help students become familiar with the periodic table in fun and exciting ways throug...

Journal Article

Learning with Inquiring Minds: Students are introduced to the unit on gas laws and properties of gases using the 5E model

In this article, the teacher moves from a lecture-oriented classroom to a student-centered classroom by redesigning the unit on gas laws based on the five phases of the 5E instructional model—engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration or ext...

Journal Article

Idea Bank: Bird Beak Lab

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, the teacher introduces the “Bird Beak Lab.” This lab incorporates graphing, data collection, manipulation, interpretation, presen...

Journal Article

The Science and Mathematics of Building Structures

Everyday activities—like building with blocks—can be the basis for meaningful learning that meets national educational standards in science and mathematics. Preschool students played with different kinds of building blocks and were encouraged to ...

Journal Article

Corn Snake Genetics: Students learn about the fundamentals of Mendelism by studying corn snakes

On a visit to a local pet store, one teacher learned that corn snakes can be interesting models for Mendelian genetics. Corn snakes became the focus of a genetics unit that included making observations of classroom corn snakes with different phenotyp...

Journal Article

Teaching through Trade Books: Rock Wonderings

Rocks, as part of the Earth science curriculum, are an integral part of the National Science Education Standards. These trade book-inspired investigations for students in grades K-3 and 4-6 encourage readers to investigate the world around them....

Journal Article

Hypothesis-Based Learning

In an effort to improve inquiry learning in the classroom, the authors modified a standard, inquiry-based curricula to provide opportunities for students to discuss discrepant events. The tool, called Hypothesis-Based Learning (HBL), requires student...