Skip to main content
 

All Resources

Methods and Strategies: Much Ado About Nothing

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: Much Ado About Nothing

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue discusses how children think about the small-particle model of matter....

Elementary General Science Physical Science Instructional Materials NGSS Pedagogy Phenomena Teaching Strategies

Beat the Heat! An Investigation Into Heat Transfer, Cooling Capacities, and Dilution

Journal Article

Beat the Heat! An Investigation Into Heat Transfer, Cooling Capacities, and Dilution

Explore claims that cold rocks can effectively chill a beverage without diluting it....

Constructing an Explanation of the Big Bang Theory

Book Chapter

Constructing an Explanation of the Big Bang Theory

This high school Earth and space science lesson has the following learning goals for students: identify appropriate and relevant information about the big bang theory; synthesize information to construct viable explanations of the formation of the un...

Stars and Constellations: Using a Planetarium

Book Chapter

Stars and Constellations: Using a Planetarium

This high school Earth and space science lesson has the following learning goals for students: locate and identify relevant information about a constellation and the stars within it; use a planetarium or a star finder to locate a specific constellati...

Making Paint With Minerals

Book Chapter

Making Paint With Minerals

This high school Earth and space science and physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: locate and identify relevant information about how to make paint from minerals; relate their knowledge about the physical properties o...

Making Asphalt

Book Chapter

Making Asphalt

This high school Earth and space science and engineering and technology lesson has the following learning goals for students: apply engineering and design principles to make a sample of asphalt and formulate a report summarizing the problem, methodol...

Exploring Biome Shifts With Climate Change

Book Chapter

Exploring Biome Shifts With Climate Change

This high school Earth and space science and life science lesson has the following learning goals for students: use quantitative methods to identify the two to three most abundant tree species in a forested field plot (Activity 1); investigate future...

Mars Soil

Book Chapter

Mars Soil

This high school life science lesson has the following learning goals for students: design and conduct an experiment that addresses the properties common to living things; use teamwork to solve a problem; and synthesize and interpret observations to ...

Something About Soil

Book Chapter

Something About Soil

This high school life science lesson has the following learning goals for students: develop research questions and experimental designs to explain soil properties; collect relevant data using appropriate methods; synthesize and interpret observations...

Designer Diffusion Lab

Book Chapter

Designer Diffusion Lab

This high school life science lesson has the following learning goals for students: plan a lab procedure to explain diffusion in and out of cells; collect and record relevant data using appropriate methods; and synthesize and interpret observations t...

How to Add the Science Practices to a Lecture: Experiencing the Equation for Cellular Respiration

Book Chapter

How to Add the Science Practices to a Lecture: Experiencing the Equation for Cellular Respiration

This high school life science lesson has the following learning goal: students will be able to develop a representative model to show the components of the formula for cellular respiration. A materials list, teacher background information, an assessm...

Apple Exercise

Book Chapter

Apple Exercise

This high school life science and engineering and technology lesson has the following learning goal: students will be able to design an investigation to test the impact of human activities on the environment. A materials list, teacher background info...

Long-Term Plant Growth Experiment

Book Chapter

Long-Term Plant Growth Experiment

This high school life science, physical science, and engineering and technology lesson has the following learning goals for students: plan an experiment to explain factors influencing plant growth; collect and record relevant data using appropriate m...

Indicators Lab

Book Chapter

Indicators Lab

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: develop and apply a procedure to determine the positive reactions for chemical indicator tests of organic compounds and apply their results to identify organic co...

Enzyme Action Learning Sequence

Book Chapter

Enzyme Action Learning Sequence

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: recognize that diastase is an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of starch into sugar; design a procedure for evaluating whether the amounts of the substrate a...

Speed of Sound Lab

Book Chapter

Speed of Sound Lab

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: design and conduct an investigation to determine the speed of sound in air; interpret their experimental results; and explain possible reasons for discrepancies (...

Wood Density Lab

Book Chapter

Wood Density Lab

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: develop a testable hypothesis based on their observations; design and conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis; and effectively communicate the results of t...

Metals Debate

Book Chapter

Metals Debate

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: design and perform an investigation to assess the physical and chemical properties of a set of metals; formulate the investigation design to determine the number ...

Film Canister Float Challenge

Book Chapter

Film Canister Float Challenge

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: apply previous science knowledge and skills to solve a stated problem and explain the concept of density using appropriate equations and a floating canister demon...

How Telescopes Work

Book Chapter

How Telescopes Work

This high school physical science lesson has the following learning goals for students: construct a telescope; explain how a refracting telescope works; collect and graph data; and recognize advances in technology by comparing their telescopes to one...

Rescuing a Lab That Isn’t Working by Integrating the Science Practices

Book Chapter

Rescuing a Lab That Isn’t Working by Integrating the Science Practices

This high school lesson for any science discipline has the following learning goals for students: develop a testable hypothesis based on their observations; design and conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis; and effectively communicate the re...

Perspectives on Science Education. A Leadership Seminar (e-book)

eBook

Perspectives on Science Education. A Leadership Seminar (e-book)

This book delivers what the title promises: perspectives on leadership and science education, presented in the form of a stimulating seminar. Authors Rodger Bybee and Stephen Pruitt are two of science educator's most prominent thought leaders. Writi...

Why Is Investigating a Powerful Teaching Tool?

Book Chapter

Why Is Investigating a Powerful Teaching Tool?

Through investigations, teachers can allow students to explore concepts and develop understanding while maintaining the integrity of the curriculum. Hands-on, meaningful investigations give life to learning, inspire questions, and engage students and...

How Do Investigations Prepare Students for Purposeful Learning?

Book Chapter

How Do Investigations Prepare Students for Purposeful Learning?

Reading, writing, and technology become not only tools to enhance learning but also investigations in and of themselves. Investigations create three-dimensional learning experiences that include a variety of access points. This Part 2 covers how inv...

How Do I Integrate Investigations?

Book Chapter

How Do I Integrate Investigations?

When investigations are integrated thoughtfully, a dynamic learning environment is created and is visible in the classroom. This Part 3 provides ways to connect investigations within a unit of study, explains how investigations support depth of knowl...

Perspectives on Science Education: A Leadership Seminar (Book Sample)

Book Chapter

Perspectives on Science Education: A Leadership Seminar (Book Sample)

This book delivers what the title promises: perspectives on leadership and science education, presented in the form of a simulating seminar. Authors Rodger Bybee and Stephen Pruitt are two of science educator's most prominent thought leaders. Writin...

Dive In! Immersion in Science Practices for High School Students (Book Sample)

Book Chapter

Dive In! Immersion in Science Practices for High School Students (Book Sample)

What is it really like to plunge into the world of science learning and teaching? Find out in this unique book. Dive In! grew out of a teacher–scientist project at the University of New Hampshire that promoted active learning and using science prac...

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K–2: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning (e-book)

eBook

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K–2: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning (e-book)

New in 2017!"Teachers in our district have been fans of Picture-Perfect Science for years, and it’s made a huge impact on how they fit science into their school day. We are so excited to do more of the same with these Picture-Perfect STEM books!"�...

Online Courses: MSU Master of Science in Science Education: Computer Science in the Classroom: Computational Thinking for Teachers

Workshop

Online Courses: MSU Master of Science in Science Education: Computer Science in the Classroom: Computational Thinking for Teachers

Computer Science in the Classroom: Computational Thinking for Teachers is a 2 credit course which examines the computing field and how it impacts the human condition. Exciting ideas and influential people are introduced. A gentle introduction to co...

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K–2: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning (Book Sample)

Book Chapter

Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, K–2: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning (Book Sample)

"Teachers in our district have been fans of Picture-Perfect Science for years, and it’s made a huge impact on how they fit science into their school day. We are so excited to do more of the same with these Picture-Perfect STEM books!"—Chris Gible...

When The Sun Goes Dark (Book Sample)

Book Chapter

When The Sun Goes Dark (Book Sample)

This richly illustrated book is a fun way to help young astronomers understand all the excitement during a solar eclipse. The book tells how two curious children and their grandparents re-create eclipses in their living room using a lamp, a tennis ba...

The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments (Book sample chapter)

Book Chapter

The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments (Book sample chapter)

Children want to explore, dig, build, play, and wonder. To do this they need to touch, feel, see, observe, listen, manipulate, plan, and create. How does a teacher build and maintain a learning environment that will help students investigate meaningf...

The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments (e-book)

eBook

The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments (e-book)

New in 2017!Children want to explore, dig, build, play, and wonder. To do this they need to touch, feel, see, observe, listen, manipulate, plan, and create. How does a teacher build and maintain a learning environment that will help students investig...

NSTA Press Book

Problem-Based Learning in the Earth and Space Science Classroom, K–12

Implementing PBL is difficult for teachers, and few curriculum guides are available to support their efforts. This book fills that gap by providing the kinds of strategies and examples teachers need to facilitate open-ended inquiry in their science c...

By Tom J. McConnell, Joyce Parker, Janet Eberhardt

Elementary High School Informal Education Middle School Earth & Space Science Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Lesson Plans Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Asset 2