All Resources

Journal Article

Explanation and Argumentation: How Middle School Students Make Sense of the Phenomenon of Niagara Falls

The Framework and NGSS emphasize using lines of evidence to construct explanations and develop arguments that demonstrate understanding about scientific phenomena. For this vision to be actualized in science classrooms, students must engage in invest...

By Kenneth Huff

Middle School 5E Phenomena Sensemaking

Journal Article

Loud and Clear Project: An Introduction to Geospatial Tools for Project-Based Learning

Project-based and student-driven learning continue to be at the forefront of school reform efforts. Technology is a significant bridge and tool used empower and leverage student projects. Geospatial technologies continue to be underutilised in the mi...

By Kurtz Miller

Middle School Instructional Materials STEM Technology

Journal Article

Using Local Phenomena to Support Student Learning

Research on science teaching and learning supports instructional sequences that are driven by phenomenon, provide student-agency, and are made relevant to students. The use of locally-based, phenomenon-driven instruction that creates opportunities fo...

By Martha Inouye, Clare Gunshenan, Amanda Lopez

Phenomena Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Sparking students’ curiosity: Embedding strategies to promote curiosity alongside teaching static electricity

In this article, we use the strategies listed above to engage students in a 5E lesson on static electricity (partially addressing MS-PS2-3). We start the engage phase by using a “magic trick” as a hook to engage students about static electricity....

By Jesse Wilcox, Stephanie Zavalza Flores, MacKenzie Bruns, Sarah Nolting

Middle School 5E Inquiry STEM Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Ecology in Urban Spaces: Contributions of Urban Green Spaces to Ecological and Community Health

Our program seeks to introduce middle school students to a range of STEM topics and careers. We planned and enacted a five-lesson unit themed around the contributions of trees/green spaces to ecological and community health. Humans thrive in ecologic...

By Yelena Janumyan, Zachary Conley, Heidi Carlone, Hannah Ziegler, Tessaly Jen, Liwei Zhang, Jingyi Chen

Middle School Earth & Space Science Environmental Science STEM

Journal Article

Summer Science with the Secchi Dip-In Project

Secchi Dip-In citizen science project for Science Scope...

By Jill Nugent

Middle School Citizen Science

Journal Article

Communicating With Data Around Phenomena (Data Literacy 101)

Helping our students make sense of data while they are working with phenomenon can be an excellent way for students to build critical 21st-century data skills in engaging and authentic ways. Here I outline an instructional strategy we can use when in...

By Kristin Hunter-Thomson

Middle School Literacy News Phenomena

Journal Article

Some Physics of Wheels and Tires

Focus on Physics...

By Paul G. Hewitt

High School Physics Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Exploring the Favorites in Science Education Issue

Editor's Corner...

By Ann Haley Mackenzie

High School Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Teaching about the Critical Role of Key Scientific Institutions

Fact or Faux?...

By Andy Zucker, Jocelyn Miller

High School Literacy News

Journal Article

Geology from a Beaker: Student Activities in Earth Science

Student activities based on deposition in a beaker introduce Walther’s Law, which states that, if uninterrupted, vertical deposition is duplicated in the horizontal. When gravel, sand, and clay (mud) are stirred in a beaker of water, they settle ou...

By Jr. Miller

High School Earth & Space Science Labs

Journal Article

Coral Diseases: Incorporating Scientific Research and Authentic Learning into the High School Science Classroom

This article discusses an innovative approach to science education focused on engaging students through authentic learning experiences and hands-on activities. It emphasizes the importance of linking classroom instruction with real-world science rese...

By Ashley Booker, Katherine Eaton

High School Earth & Space Science Interdisciplinary Pedagogy Research

Journal Article

Blockbuster Science: Checking our positions

Media has always played a significant role in shaping education. Visual cues and observable phenomena brought to life on screens or through vivid and engrossing sound effects make science accessible to people in ways that textbooks, journals and tech...

By Joy Barnes-Johnson

High School Advocacy Literacy

Journal Article

Finding Zero: Exploring Mathematical Models with Pendulum Paintings

Pendulum paintings are fun to make and fascinating to observe in process, but they can be used to model real scientific analysis using messy data. In this activity, students create pendulum paintings and develop an analysis using measurements of mult...

By Daniel McKinney

High School Interdisciplinary Mathematics Phenomena

Journal Article

Going Beneath the Surface: Using Socioscientific Issues to Explore Human Impacts on Soil

Socioscientific issues (SSIs) can help students think about the moral and ethical issues related to science. When SSI issues are based on local phenomena and issues within students’ communities, they can also resonate more with students....

By Jesse Wilcox, William Lange, Shane Breheny

High School Earth & Space Science Equity Inquiry Interdisciplinary Social Justice