All Resources

Journal Article

Modeling Natural Selection

In their research, scientists generate, test, and modify scientific models. These models can be shared with others and demonstrate a scientist’s understanding of how the natural world works. Similarly, students can generate and modify models to gai...

Journal Article

Every Day Science Calendar: February 2011

This monthly feature contains facts and challenges for the science explorer. ...

Journal Article

Antigenic Shift and Drift

It’s that time of year again, when avoiding the flu is on everyone’s mind. As we brace ourselves for possible flu outbreaks, the need to understand biological issues related to this virus becomes clear. Through modeling, the lesson presented in t...

Journal Article

Career of the Month: An Interview With Yoga Therapist J. J. Gormley-Etchells

In recent years, many individuals have looked to yoga to improve their well-being and many health care practitioners have encouraged it to complement healing. Recent studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of yoga for health (Chacko et al. 2005; C...

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Needs of Seeds

The “Needs of Seeds” formative assessment probe can be used to find out whether students recognize that seeds have needs both similar to and different from plants and other living organisms (Keeley, Eberle, and Tugel 2007). The probe reveals whet...

Journal Article

Teacher’s Toolkit: Processing the curriculum through quality questioning

In this inquiry-based project, student-generated questions became the basis for student-directed individual and group projects that provided practice with problem solving, critical thinking, and research skills while digging deeper into the Earth sci...

Journal Article

Guest Editorial: Pathways to Inquiry

Inquiry-based science can be a powerful approach to learning scientific concepts and keeping wonder and curiosity alive in the classroom. As stated by Hubert Dyasi, Professor Emeritus, City College New York, “Inquiry aligns with children’s natura...

Journal Article

The Early Years: Ongoing Inquiry

An in-depth science inquiry is an ongoing investigation in which children are introduced to materials through hands-on experiences and, with teacher guidance, begin to investigate a question that they can answer through their own actions, observation...

Journal Article

Science 2.0: “Flipping” Your Classroom

Aaron Sams and Jonathan Bergmann’s flipped classroom model allows them to provide direct instruction, but not during class. Students watch online lectures at night and teachers spend class time connecting individually with students—through hands-...

Journal Article

Science Shorts: Creature Connections

Most children want to help wildlife and save the planet. The following “Spot It! Scavenger Hunt” allows students to connect with nature by exploring the outdoor environment. Students are encouraged to explore their local environment and learn mor...

Journal Article

Inquiry Into the Heart of a Comet

Real science means wrangling with peers over real ideas. Wouldn’t it be thrilling to emulate a real life model of science in action in classrooms? How?...

Journal Article

Editor’s Corner: Model Biology

Models are at the core of the scientific enterprise. They help us make predictions, understand complex systems, generate new ideas, and visualize both the very large and the very small. The generation of models is the creative engine that drives scie...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Fossil sharks—Learning from and about the past

In this article, the authors describe a series of science activities for middle school students that focuses on the study of fossil sharks through an examination of the morphological characteristics of their teeth by using models, drawings, and websi...

Journal Article

The Green Room: Student Sustainability Conferences

A day-long conference can be a perfect student-centered sustainability project. Not only is it a great way to get students together to discuss their ideas for sustainability in schools, but it also creates an alternative format that appeals to studen...

Journal Article

Concept-Based Learning

A major part of developing concept-based instruction is the use of an overarching idea to provide a conceptual lens through which students view the content of a particular subject. By using a conceptual lens to focus learning, students think at a muc...