JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
Learning and Applying Systems Thinking When Studying a Local Creek System
Help students see the big picture as they attempt to identify the boundary and parts of a local creek system....
Journal Article
From Fish Tank to Fuel Tank: Engineering Photobioreactors in the Classroom
Grow algae in the classroom to explore bioenergy and related concepts....
Journal Article
Build on students’ prior knowledge of watersheds to solve the problem of how to clean water....
Journal Article
An Inquiry Lesson on Stream Ecosystems
Determine the ecosystem attributes of a stream by studying its biological and physical relationships....
Journal Article
From the Editor's Desk: The Essential Substance
Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....
Journal Article
Science on a Shoestring: Testing the Waters
Low-cost labs, lessons, and equipment. Students use Secchi disks to measure water turbidity....
Journal Article
Citizen Science: Citizen Science for a Rainy (or Snowy) Day
This column highlights formal and informal science research projects that students can join and contribute to by gathering and sharing data. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network....
Journal Article
Disequilibrium: Sticking Together
This column shows how to use discrepant events to confront misconceptions. This month's issue discusses the cohesive properties of water....
Journal Article
Teacher to Teacher: Designing the Water Treatment Process
This column provides practical advice from your peers. The ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, served as the inspiration for a design brief the author created that asked students to explore the process of water treatment....
Journal Article
Science for All: Using Technology to Unlock Content for Students
This column shares strategies for increasing student engagement. Although there is an incredible number of technological tools that make content-area reading and writing easier for students who struggle with grade-level text, some are better than ot...
Journal Article
Listserv Roundup: Teaching the Water Cycle
This column shares recent conversations taken from the NSTA listserv community about current science education topics. The water, or hydraulic, cycle is a popular topic on the NSTA listservs. This month’s column discusses several excellent resource...
Journal Article
Scope on the Skies: In the Midst of an Eclipse Season
This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses lunar and solar eclipses happening in 2017....
Journal Article
Bridging philosophical and religious conflicts through reflective writing....
Journal Article
A multi-disciplinary investigation into ancient cat extinctions....
Journal Article
Best STEM Books for Students K–12
Books published in 2016. Selected by the National Science Teachers Association/Children’s Book Council Review Panel....
Journal Article
Editor's Corner: This View of Life
The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue....
Journal Article
Commentary: It’s About Time to Teach Evolution Forthrightly
An opinion piece about teaching evolution....
Journal Article
Science 2.0: Developing the Computational Thinker
This column shares web tools that support learning. This month the authors look at the Computational Thinker standard. Its performance indicators require students to use technology-assisted methods to explore and find solutions; collect data, use dig...
Journal Article
Focus on Physics: Newton’s (Often Misunderstood) Third Law of Motion
This column helps teachers build an understanding of physical principles. The author discusses misconceptions about Newton’s third law....
Journal Article
Health Wise: The Tragic Truth About Smokeless Tobacco
This Q&A style column provides up-to-date information on current health topics—helping students (and teachers) make healthy choices. This month’s issue discusses the negative effects of smokeless tobacco....
Journal Article
Career of the Month: Evolutionary Psychologist
This column shares interviews with professionals using science in the workplace. This month’s issue describes Peter Gray's career path to becoming an evolutionary psychologist....
Journal Article
The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s Idea Bank rethinks how students can learn about cells....
Journal Article
Right to the Source: Don’t Skip the Title Page
Exploring science and history with the Library of Congress. This month's issue discusses title pages using On the Origin of Species as an example....
Journal Article
Science 102: Triple-Dog Dare Ya
This column shares exercises to challenge content knowledge. This month's issue presents a new challenge about why skin will stick to ice....
Journal Article
Best STEM Books for Students K–12
Recently published books selected by the Children’s Book Council and the National Science Teachers Association....
eBook
When it’s time for a game change, you need a guide to the new rules. Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides a play-by-play understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K...
NSTA Press Book
Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices
When it’s time for a game change, you need a guide to the new rules. Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides a play-by-play understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K...
By Christina V. Schwarz, Cynthia Passmore, Brian J. Reiser
eBook
Big Data, Small Devices: Investigating the Natural World Using Real-Time Data (e-book)
Now your students can transform their mobile phones and tablets into tools for learning about everything from weather to water quality. Big Data, Small Devices shows you how. This book is designed for Earth and environmental science teachers who want...
Book Chapter
Moving Beyond “Knowing” About Science to Making Sense of the World
This chapter introduces the book and explores the fundamental shifts implied by engaging students in science and engineering practices. We have many opportunities to make significant and lasting change in the ways we teach science at the K-12 level. ...
Book Chapter
The Framework, the NGSS, and the Practices of Science
This chapter explicates the rationale for focusing on science and engineering practices and traces the development of this idea from earlier notions of inquiry in science. In going from the Framework to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), t...
Book Chapter
Toward More Equitable Learning in Science
This chapter examines some important questions about equity in the science classroom. It explores how a focus on practices is in line with goals we have to make science accessible, intelligible, and meaningful for all learners. The chapter shares and...
Book Chapter
The Role of Practices in Scientific Literacy
This chapter takes up the question of our broader societal goals for science literacy and explains the connections between these goals and the focus on engaging students in science and engineering practices. All of the activities featured afford stud...
Book Chapter
Asking questions might seem like a practice that is already in widespread use in today’s science classrooms. But the practice of “Asking Questions” as envisioned in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is not at all common. In this chap...
Book Chapter
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
In this chapter, we share how different parts of investigations can be designed so that they work together and help students answer questions. In particular, we describe several ways to design effective investigations using examples from elementary c...