All Resources

Book Chapter

“What’s Your Angle?”

In this chapter, the qualities of a good topic, how to “pitch” stories in the classroom (slow and fast), and a list of dos and don’ts for teachers when helping students refine topics and angles are discussed....

Book Chapter

Original Reporting: Interviews And Surveys

In this chapter, the authors discuss interviews and surveys from a science literacy standpoint; provides hints for how to conduct both and what to do with the results....

Book Chapter

Channeling Your Inner Science Teacher: Considering Context and Accuracy

This chapter includes ideas for helping students put information into context (Standard IV) and fact-checking their own and classmates’ articles (Standard V). Up to this point, as we discussed the creation of a news story, you as a science teacher ...

Journal Article

Getting Past "Just Because": Teaching Writing in Science Class

Over the past two years this seventh-grade team of teachers has taught writing across the curriculum, used common terminology, and assessed writing using a shared rubric, providing students with a basic writing structure that helps support writing ac...

Journal Article

Is a Mealworm Really a Worm?

The IMSCI model for scaffolding writing in language arts can be used with a science notebook. To illustrate how this model can be used in an early elementary classroom, the authors descirbe a six-week unit for first graders on insect life cycles....

Journal Article

Idea Bank: Reading, Writing, and Physics

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s Idea Bank discusses an assignment in which students read, write, and study current physics topics without diverting class time from the curriculum....

Journal Article

Looking Back to Move Ahead: How Students Learn Geologic Time by Predicting Future Environmental Impacts

This Scholarship of Teaching and Learning project discusses the effectiveness of using distance metaphor-building activities along with a case study exam to help undergraduate nonscience majors understand and apply geologic time....

Journal Article

Core Ideas of Engineering and Technology

This article addresses Chapter 8 of A Framework for K–12 Science Education, which presents core ideas in technology and engineering at the same level as core ideas in the traditional science fields....

Journal Article

Long-Term Impact of Service Learning in Environmental Studies

Long-term impacts from a senior course in Environmental Studies were evaluated by a survey of program graduates who had participated in the course over an eight-year period. Survey respondents indicated that the course had stewardship, fostering the ...

Journal Article

Safer Science: Safety in Uncharted Waters

This column provides best safety practices for the science classroom and laboratory. This month’s issue discusses the safety of on- and off-campus independent study programs....

Journal Article

Collegiality and Better Science Teaching

Teachers strengthen content knowledge and share teaching strategies in a professional learning community to improve their science teaching. This article describes how the collaborative works, including its use of the environmental education program P...

Journal Article

Reading to Learn

This article provides three practical approaches to increase reading-to-learn competencies and student science achievement. These approaches also provide valuable information about student understanding of content....

Journal Article

Transforming a Field Trip Into an Expedition: Supporting Active Research and Science Content Through a Museum Visit

The author developed a museum field trip into a short-term, active research project assignment. This approach has transformed the field trip from a casual museum visit into a focused and productive learning experience....

Journal Article

NOT Another Lab Report

To encourage critical thinking and improve scientific literacy, the author created an open-inquiry lab experience that students work on three to four times a year based on major content shifts that students explore (ecology, physics, chemistry)....

Journal Article

Guest Editorial: From the Framework to the Next Generation Science Standards: What Will It Mean for STEM Faculty?

The author examines important issues related to A Framework for K–12 Science Education, the Standards, and college teachers....

Journal Article

Tried and True: Using "Brags and Whines" as a Creative Writing Technique

This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. This month’s issue examines using brags and whines as an example of creative writing and provides steps for and the benefits of implementing these activities in the scien...

Journal Article

Science 2.0: Using Online Data

This column shares web tools that support learning. This month’s issue discusses using online scientific data....

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: It's Child's Play

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue discusses a novel way to use play to teach shadows....

Journal Article

Landing Safely on Mars

While designing and building "Mars Landers," fourth-grade students engage in important engineering practices such as making models, testing designs, and comparing the effectiveness of different models. Students also create nonfiction books as they le...

Journal Article

Shadow Play

Students observe shadows through various activities and at the same time, learn about seasonal change....

Journal Article

Scope on Safety: Slipping on Safety

This column shares safety information for your classroom. This month’s issue discusses how to help prevent slips, trips, and falls....

Journal Article

Engaging Undergraduates Through Interdisciplinary Research in Nanotechnology

A small public university recruits and retains more students in all science disciplines by implementing an interdisciplinary strategy focusing on nanotechnology and enhanced undergraduate research....

Journal Article

The Green Room: Environmental Science Lab Reports

This column focuses on making your teaching more environmentally friendly. This month’s issue discusses the importance of keeping clear, concise, and informative lab reports....

Journal Article

Shake It Up With Reading

The author created a lesson in which students successfully practiced reading comprehension skills while developing an understanding of earthquakes....

Journal Article

Improving Active Learning by Integrating Scientific Abstracts Into Biological Science Courses

The author discusses using scientific abstracts in a genetics course. Students are introduced to topics via abstracts within lectures, as quiz material, and as homework to develop their understanding of how and why research is performed, what informa...

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Welcome to Mars

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses Mars exploration....

Journal Article

Jump-Start Your Middle School Students' Background Knowledge and Vocabulary Skills

The authors share a favorite method for incorporating and reinforcing science vocabulary instruction in the classroom: jump pages....

Journal Article

Case Study: Stereochemistry of Drug Action: Case Studies With Enantiomers

This column provides original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies with teaching notes. This month’s case study exercise with optical isomers reinforces newly learned material on stereoch...

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: The Daytime Moon

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses misconceptions about when you can see the moon....

Journal Article

The Early Years: Seeing the Moon

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue explores the formation of impact craters....

Journal Article

Writing and Science Literacy

Students' science literacy can be assessed and enhanced by using writing activities in the science classroom. Students can use technical writing to communicate their lab experiences and creative writing to make connections to the topics they're learn...