JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
Viral Investigation: Students learn to isolate a common, nonpathogenic virus
Few laboratory experiments focus on viruses that are safe and involve minimal equipment. Because of this, they are generally not appropriate for high school or university students. To address this problem, this activity uses a lab experiment to demo...
Journal Article
Connecting Middle School, Oceanography, and the Real World
The Sierra Oceanic Institute curriculum is an excellent way to channel students’ energy into completing tasks and learning about the ocean. Students are employees of this fictitious organization that places ownership of learning with each and every...
Journal Article
Student Symposia on Primary Research Articles
This article describes how conducting in-class symposia in which students present primary research articles can provide a window into the process of scientific research and communication, broaden students’ exposure to research, and improve their re...
Journal Article
Sci-Fi Science: Using science fiction to set context for learning science
Keeping students motivated is one of the greatest challenges for science teachers. One way to stimulate and maintain interest in science is to set a contextual framework for learning, This article uses an approach entited "The Science of Science Fict...
Journal Article
Teaching Teachers: STEPS into Learning
Prospective elementary teachers explore the use of classroom technologies in a university setting. Bringing "real" elementary students to the science methods classes helped them see how technology can be used effectively....
Journal Article
Using lamps directed at black, gray, and white cans to show the impact of color on heat absorption is a classic experiment, one that the author came to think of as a “sure thing.” So, imagine her surprise when this “sure thing” turned into a ...
Journal Article
Making Waves: A constructivist method for teaching the properties of waves
Constructivist teachers involve students in learning and challenge them with questions that help them understand relationships and concepts. This article features an activity, "Living Waves," which enables students to act out certain characteristics ...
Journal Article
Analyzing Children’s Science Journals
By creating their own journal pages, children are able to depict their ways of seeing and understanding the science phenomena, constructing or reconstructing the phenomena through their own lens of experience (Shepardson, 1997). In this article, the ...
Journal Article
After careful self-examination, the author revamped her soils unit to include a connection to the real world. As a result, students began to understand the importance of what they were learning, used higher-order thinking skills, and made connections...
Journal Article
Applying Ecological Principles on the Job
The authors developed a course that requires students to work in groups to address a local ecological problem of interest to a client external to the university. Students learn the skills needed to apply their knowledge and gain the satisfaction of a...
Journal Article
Let GIS Be Your Guide: Combining technology with content
The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) is emerging as an educational technology for developing contextually rich student learning. GIS are advanced computer applications designed for collecting, storing, manipulating, and displaying data with...
Journal Article
Earth scientists gather and analyze evidence of change on Earth through time to increase our understanding of the geologic past and the history of life. Students can experience the excitement and challenges of the geosciences by investigating the mat...
Journal Article
Tech Trek: Getting students charged up about batteries
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC) lesson plan entitled Charge Up to Recycle! is a nonprofit organization that recycles Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries in Canada and the United States. Recommended for grades three...
Journal Article
Turning Bread into Rocks: A Multisensory Unit Opener
How can we engage middle school students and pique their interest in rocks? How can we better demonstrate the vital links between minerals and rocks? How can we help students fine tune their observation and recognition skills? Turning Bread into Rock...
Journal Article
After the Bell: Amoebas and euglenas and paramecia ... Oh, My!
How can teachers develop lessons that maximize students’ science experiences outside of the classroom to better prepare them for the future work force? This question was top priority when Aurora University and Freeman Elementary School created a pa...