JoinAll Resources
Book Chapter
Give a child a hand lens or a microscope and they quickly become fascinated with the hidden worlds these tools reveal. The lessons in this chapter provide opportunities for students to take a closer look at the properties of objects and organisms and...
Book Chapter
“You’ve got cooties!” is a traditional taunt between children on the playground. Although children’s avoidance of “boy or girl” germs is not scientifically based, students have an innate understanding that transmission of germs can happen...
Book Chapter
Children are naturally curious about the world around them, including the rocks beneath their feet. By observing, describing, and sorting a variety of rocks, students can discover that rocks have certain physical properties by which they can be class...
Book Chapter
“What type of rock is this?” is a common question spoken by all children at some point in their young lives. Many students have rocks of all shapes and sizes in their “collections.” In this chapter, young students will have the opportunity to...
Book Chapter
Have you ever played in the dirt? Repotted a plant? Planted a garden? In each and every one of these activities, you touched something that is a valuable resource in our lives—dirt! This chapter has students investigating different aspects of somet...
Book Chapter
Dinosaurs and the prehistoric age captivate children. At a young age, children can often cite facts and information about various dinosaurs, even if they do not yet understand the connection between dinosaurs and the way scientists gather information...
Book Chapter
Paleontologists, scientists who study the history of life on Earth, work in a dynamic area of science. Think of putting together a jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces missing—that’s what creating the fossil record is like. Each time a new piece...
Book Chapter
Believe it or not, there is a 100% chance that an earthquake will happen somewhere in the world today. Although many of us think of Earth as solid ground, the crust is always moving. Most earthquakes are too small to feel, but we know they happen bec...
Book Chapter
The topic of natural disasters provided many avenues for students to delve into existing data and conduct research. The activities described in this chapter involve students in uncovering information about previous natural disasters or events to cons...
Book Chapter
Weather is a topic in science that is applicable to our lives on an everyday basis. The weather often determines what we wear, where we go, and what we do. The activities here focus on clouds and the part they play in determining our weather. In the...
Book Chapter
Students probably have heard weather-based sayings, such as “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” or “April showers bring May flowers.” Throughout the ages, people have developed these and other sayings to try to predict what ...
Book Chapter
Can you measure a dog’s tail in dog biscuits? Can you measure a desk without a ruler? Which is better: measuring a room in paces or meters? Which system of measurement do scientists use? This chapter explores these questions and more to help learne...
Book Chapter
The next time you watch the Sun rise; take a minute to think about what’s really going on. You are standing on a giant ball of rock that is hurtling through space, and the spot where you are standing is rotating in the direction of a star 93 millio...
Book Chapter
From the time they are very young, children are naturally curious about the Moon. They may wonder about the different shapes of the Moon when they look up at the night sky. In this chapter's primary lesson, students discover through direct observatio...
Book Chapter
The winter months are a great time to make observations of several familiar constellations. While there’s no scientific reason to “know” the constellations—they are simply imaginative pictures imposed on stars—studying constellations can he...
Book Chapter
Just as words can tell a story, so can graphs. Pick up a newspaper or magazine and you will probably see several articles accompanied by graphs. Graphs are useful because they communicate information visually and can usually be read more quickly than...
Book Chapter
Taking Note of Natural Resources
The idea of “going green” or being aware of and reducing our impact on natural resources is receiving a lot of attention these days. Schools are starting to employ “green” practices and are soliciting help from the students to be aware of and...
Book Chapter
A notebook is perhaps the single most important piece of equipment a naturalist takes into the field. But notebooks are not only for use by field scientists: They are also excellent tools for helping students record observations outdoors, develop com...
NSTA Press Book
“This sourcebook was created because science should be memorable, not memorizable.” — from the Introduction to The Everyday Science Sourcebook, Revised 2nd Edition...
By Lawrence F. Lowery
Book Chapter
Many children have seen circus performers walk a tightrope, and they gaze with awe at their skill and ability to keep their balance and not fall from great heights. The allure of walking a tightrope and the science of balance behind it is the focus o...
Journal Article
This article describes solar activities in detail and provides a model for teachers who wish to replicate these activities in their classroom....
Journal Article
More Than Just Guessing: The Difference Between Prediction and Hypothesis
The author discusses the different meanings of the words prediction and hypothesis. Recognizing the difference can help students approach the inquiry experience in a way that teaches them to communicate their reasoning and rationales. Better understa...
Journal Article
Career of the Month: Isotope Geochemist
This column shares interviews with professionals using science in the workplace. This month’s issue highlights the work of an isotope geochemist....
Journal Article
Las Rocas Nos Cuentan (Rocks Tell Their Stories)
Through inquiry learning, students understand the Earth processes that form rocks and minerals....
Journal Article
Engaging Students in the Scientific Practices of Explanation and Argumentation
This article examines the sixth and seventh practices concerning explanation and argumentation, found in A Framework for K–12 Science Education....
Journal Article
The New Teacher's Toolbox: Accommodating Differences
This column shares tips for teachers just beginning their career. This month’s issue discusses teaching a class of students with varying levels of ability and motivation....
Journal Article
Recognizing Excellence: Bayou-tiful Data
This column features profiles of award-winning science programs and teachers. This month’s issue discusses a summertime teacher research experience on the bayou that gives way to a water-quality-monitoring lesson for fifth graders....
Journal Article
An Integrated Instructional Approach to Facilitate Inquiry in the Classroom
In this article we provide an approach that integrates the Know-Learn-Evidcence-Wonder (KLEW) instructional teaching strategy within the 7E learning-cycle model to help teachers immerse students in a range of inquiry-based science experiences—parti...
Journal Article
Editor's Note: Learning Doesn't Take a Vacation
Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....
Journal Article
Just Me and You ... and a Whole Community Down by the Stream
A science club teaches students about their local environment while instilling positive ideas about science....
Journal Article
A classroom bungee jump activity helps students understand physics concepts....
Journal Article
Editor's Roundtable: Puzzled by Assessment?
Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....
Journal Article
Scope on Safety: OSHA's Newest Lab Resources
This column shares safety information for your classroom. This month’s issue discusses OSHA's new publication Laboratory Safety Guidance....
Journal Article
Science 2.0: The NSTA Learning Center
This column shares web tools that support learning. This month’s issue focuses on the electronic portal: The NSTA Learning Center....
Journal Article
Editor's Corner: Science for All
The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue....
Journal Article
The Green Room: Tap Local Resources for Environmental Education
This column focuses on making your teaching more environmentally friendly. This month’s issue discusses local, state, and regional resources available for sustainability education inside the classroom....