All Resources

eBook

Using Physical Science Gadgets and Gizmos, Grades 3-5: Phenomenon-Based Learning (e-book)

The authors say there are three good reasons to buy this book: 1. To improve your students’ thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. 2. To get easy-to-perform experiments that engage students in the topic. 3. To make your physics lessons w...

eBook

Dark as a Shadow: I Wonder Why (e-book)

Time for shadow play! After reading about how light and objects interact to create shadows, young children won’t be able to resist twisting, wiggling, bending, and shaking to see the phenomenon for themselves. To add to the enjoyment, Dark as a Sha...

eBook

Michael's Racing Machine: I Wonder Why (e-book)

While building a soapbox racing car, a pair of friends provide an easy-to-understand lesson in how simple machines are all around us, making our work more efficient. Michael and Luci show readers that a broom is a lever, nails are wedges, and a screw...

eBook

Light and Color: I Wonder Why (e-book)

This book unfolds as a series of observations about light, including where it comes from, how it bounces off of people and objects, and what we mean when we say the colors of a rainbow are the colors in light. Throughout the text, informal experiment...

eBook

Rubber vs. Glass: I Wonder Why (e-book)

A friendly debate leads twins Bill and Mary to compare rubber balls, rafts, and gloves with glass marbles, greenhouses, and jars, objects that at first seem very different. A field trip teaches them that both rubber and glass can bend, bounce, stretc...

NSTA Press Book

Dark as a Shadow: I Wonder Why

Time for shadow play! After reading about how light and objects interact to create shadows, young children won’t be able to resist twisting, wiggling, bending, and shaking to see the phenomenon for themselves. To add to the enjoyment, Dark as a Sha...

By Lawrence F. Lowery

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Physical Science Instructional Materials

Journal Article

Channeling Your Inner Entomologist

A partnership between a teacher and an entomologist engages second graders in a study of insect locomotion....

Journal Article

Inspire Day

Fifth graders take an interdisciplinary field trip to a farm and learn science and local history in the process....

Journal Article

Family Science Day

A family science event engages a community in STEAM exploration....

Journal Article

Big Project, Small Leaders

A creek restoration project led by fifth-grade students affects the whole community....

Journal Article

Informal Science Learning in the Formal Classroom

Creating a quality partnership with informal science institutions....

Journal Article

It's a Zoo Out There!

A school collaborates with community partners to support authentic inquiry....

Journal Article

Editor's Note: Outside Resources

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....

General Science Curriculum Lesson Plans Pedagogy Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Guest Editorial: Embracing Informal Science Resources

An opinion piece about the value of informal science learning experiences....

Journal Article

Teaching Through Trade Books: Will It Sink or Will It Float?

This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. This month’s trade books and accompanying activities help students investigate the concept of sinking and floating in more depth....

Early Childhood Elementary

Journal Article

The Early Years: Inviting Parents to School

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue discusses ways to help parents get involved in preschool science end engineering programs....

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool General Science Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Science 101: Why Are Hippos Unguligrades?

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue discusses the difference between plantigrades, digitigrades, and unguligrades....

Journal Article

Research Roundup: 2014 Summer Reading Suggestions

These reading suggestions are compiled by ASTE, NARST, and NSELA....

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: Extending the Classroom

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue discusses tips for planning successful field trips....

Journal Article

Engineering Encounters: Can a Student Really Do What Engineers Do?

Teaching second graders about properties using filter design within a 5E learning cycle....

Elementary

Journal Article

Astrobiology: Explorations in Earth and Life Science

Explore the fundamental conditions that make life possible on Earth and the creatures that inhabit its most extreme environments as you consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life....

Journal Article

Letters! We Get Letters

Correspond with a scientist to strengthen students' writing and questioning skills while humanizing the people behind the profession....