JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
In this discussion, Field Editor Beth Murphy, NSTA Executive Director David Evans, and ASTC President and CEO Cristin Dorgelo discuss the origins of Connected Science Learning, and what’s next for the journal. The conversation has been edited for...
By Beth Murphy, David L. Evans, and Cristin Dorgelo
Journal Article
“It was a perfect day. I was impressed with the students’ curiosity, questions, and seriousness about volcanic rocks and how engaged and focused they were for the entire day,” said American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) scientist and curator...
By Cristina Trowbridge
Journal Article
Students with special needs traditionally have fewer opportunities to engage in hands-on learning during science class (Melber and Brown 2008). The reasons for this vary, but typically stem from teacher misconceptions about the types of activities ...
By Brent Gilles, Tim Hawig, Ashley Sutton, and Stacey Britton
Journal Article
Bold innovations in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Brilliant hacks for the digital divide. Breakthroughs in maternal health care to reduce infant mortality....
By Linda Kekelis
NSTA Press Book
Discovery Engineering in Physical Science: Case Studies for Grades 6–12
Who knew that gecko feet inspired scientists to develop a stickier adhesive or that cockleburs in dog fur led to the invention of Velcro? Discovery Engineering in Physical Science uses these and other surprising cases of innovations sparked by accide...
By M. Gail Jones, Elysa Corin, Megan Ennes, Emily Cayton, Gina Childers
Book Chapter
This case study deals with how advancements in science and engineering are often unexpected yet lead to valuable applications. In this lesson, students explore a metal that can be bent and, when lightly heated, “remembers” and springs back into i...
Book Chapter
Harnessing the Color of Nature
In this lesson, students explore how certain organisms, including some plant and animal species, display beautiful iridescent colors when light interacts with nanoscale structures on their surfaces. The activity on structural color and iridescence w...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of the history of artificial dye. In this lesson, students learn how artificial dye was accidentally discovered and subsequently used in new applications. They examine indicators as a way to test pH levels and a...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of how new products were made to mimic shark skin. In this lesson, students will learn about shark skin and bacteria and a product developed to mimic shark skin. They will focus on how this material was developed ...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of an adhesive developed using the same principles as those used by gecko feet. In this lesson, students explore Gecko Feet Adhesives. Geckos are able to hang by one toe from a smooth surface and researchers have ...
Book Chapter
This case study contains a summary of a study on seahorse tails. In this lesson, students consider how researchers studied seahorse tails and then they work together to think of new ways in which the structure can be used to solve real-life problem...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the history of Corn Flakes. In the lesson, students explore the history of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and the applications of corn-based products that can provide food and energy sources for human consumption. The d...
Book Chapter
Get Fired Up With Friction Lights
This case study provides a summary of the history and science of matches. In the lesson, students consider how matches were discovered and work together to think about new applications for matches to solve real-life problems. Matches, also called f...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the discovery and history of plastics. Students consider how plastic was discovered and work together to think about new applications for plastic to solve real-life problems. They explore plastics that are not ...