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Journal Article
The 1988 fires at Yellowstone National Park burned 1.4 million acres in the tri-state areas of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho—encompassing the greater Yellowstone area—and burned some 800,000 acres within the park itself (Franke 2000). This article ...
Journal Article
Methods and Strategies: More Than a Human Endeavor
Helping young children avoid developing deeply held misconceptions and promoting developmentally appropriate Nature of Science (NOS) ideas will establish a foundation for students from which they will later develop more accurate and sophisticated NOS...
Journal Article
A wind vane is a tool for making observations of wind direction and initiating inquiries about the weather. Its construction and use continue to be mainstays of the science education of elementary students. By providing students with the opportunity ...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Designed by Nature—Exploring linear and circular life cycles
Designed by Nature is a series of six sequential lessons that help middle school students explore the environmental impacts of producing and disposing of everyday items, and the role of citizens, consumers, and businesses in promoting sustainable pro...
Journal Article
The Early Years: Observing With Magnifiers
Inspire your students to become detailed observers by encouraging the use of magnifiers. Magnification can make us see an object with new understanding. Rachel Carson said, “Some of nature’s most exquisite handiwork is on a miniature scale, as an...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Leaf litter—An urban schoolyard investigation
In the Leaf Litter investigation, students use the existing school campus to investigate the biodiversity of organisms present among various courtyard areas. The study engages students in an inquiry-based learning experience that addresses both curre...
Journal Article
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. This age-old advice is hard to argue with, but if you’re handed lemons in science class, it’s time to make observations. “A Lemon of a Lesson” provides valuable opportunities for students to hone their...
Journal Article
The Prepared Practitioner: Correlation and Causality
We are awash in data! Every week brings stories about scientific studies—especially those related to personal health. The news also brings stories about unscientific work that seems scientific, lending a veneer of importance to the work. Being scie...
Journal Article
Idea Bank: Knowing Without Seeing
In the following demonstration, students are asked to form a mental picture of an object hidden beneath a cardboard blind. Students must formulate hypotheses about the size, shape, and composition of the object while watching their teacher probe the ...
Journal Article
The “Under the Mistletoe” project was developed to capitalize on student curiosity about the American Christmas Mistletoe plant and draw learners into an engaging, inquiry-based exercise that incorporates numerous life science standards and colla...
Journal Article
Every Day Science: February 2008
This monthly feature contains facts and challenges for the science explorer. ...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Using art to get kids into and doing science
In the following lessons, students learn about the biology of birds and conservation issues by bird watching at museums, zoos, and outside in the park or schoolyard. They communicate their understanding of concepts in biology such as structure and fu...
Journal Article
Field studies are an excellent way for students to learn ecological concepts and practice doing science. This article presents an approach for the secondary science classroom that permits students to ask and answer their own questions, a prerequisite...