All Resources

Journal Article

Science Sampler - Eggheads: Pioneers of genetics

Today, scientific discoveries can feel anonymous to students. We take many breakthrough discoveries for granted. This timeline activity was created to renew the notion that individual actions make a difference in the progress of scientific thought. S...

Journal Article

Teaching Science to Students with Learning Disabilities

Due to increasingly widespread inclusion practices and more thorough identification procedures, students with documented learning disabilities (LD) are becoming a larger percentage of the science classroom. Because many practicing science teachers ha...

Journal Article

The Art & Science of Mask Making

Art, particularly observational drawing, plays an important role in science. By creating representational artwork, students develop observation skills and appreciation of the diverse ways organisms have adapted to life on Earth. This interdisciplinar...

Journal Article

Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations are in the midst of a Type 2 diabetes epidemic. To address this crisis, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) began funding a national initiative titled "Diabete...

Journal Article

From Garden to Table

The sight of young children eagerly reaching for and eating string beans, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and even raw beets and onions is an incredibly satisfying one for a science teacher. The experience of growing food is a natural motivation for get...

Journal Article

Take a Tumble: Weathering and Erosion Using a Rock Tumbler

The subtle effects of weathering and erosion are difficult to convey to students. However, through this activity, students can use a rock tumbler to gain a personal and scientific perspective on weather and erosion. Students have the opportunity to d...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Phasing in lunar observations

Increase students' understanding of the phases of the Moon through this interdisciplinary unit which includes a pre-test to gauge students' prior knowledge and a post-test to assess their increased understanding of the taught concepts upon completion...

Journal Article

Society for College Science Teachers: Should We Allow Disclaimers in Textbooks? Maybe the Right Ones.

Many scientists are concerned about efforts to place disclaimers in textooks concerning the controversial nature of certain theories. The issues raised in such disclaimers are that a particular explanation for a set of observations may not be correc...

Journal Article

Brewing Science: Using Beer and the Brewing Process to Stimulate Interest in Science and the Science Laboratory

Following the brewing process from grain to glass, this course uses the biological and chemical principles of brewing to teach science to the nonscience major. Discussion of the scientific aspects of malting, mashing, fermentation, and the making of...

Journal Article

Lighten up your Lesson: Matter, optics, and bubbles

Your students will burst with excitement as they study soap bubbles to understand the phases of matter and the reflection of light. The study of soap bubbles addresses the national Science Education Standards for grades 5-8 related to the properties ...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Girls, robots, and science education

Diversity in most environments is critical to success. Science instruction with the implementation of robotics could provide girls with the needed impetus to consider fields in engineering and computer science, which are traditionally dominated by ma...

Journal Article

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (2005)

The annual list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for K-12 students was selected by a committee of National Science Teacher Association members. This comprehensive list of selected books were all published in 2005....

Journal Article

Moving Research Into the Classroom: Successful Adaptations at a Service Academy

To promote research exposure for biology students, a team developed a successful classroom-based research program in two elective courses. Students work in small groups mentored by faculty and allotted class time to conduct highly focused research p...

Journal Article

Is There Room for Reflection in a Science Course for Nonscience Majors? A New Way to Look at Assessment

The Diagnostic Learning Log (Angelo and Cross 1993) is a focused journal entry where students indicate what they have learned from a particular unit, pose those questions, indicate aspects of classroom practice they found helpful, and provide suggest...

Journal Article

Favorite Demonstration: Demonstrating Translation With a Student-Centered Activity

The process of protein synthesis translation is difficult for many students to understand. The reasons for this include the fact that it is difficult to visualize the process since the components involved in the process are not observable. Also, th...

Journal Article

Fat Finders

Everyday the media bombards us with concern over childhood obesity. More American children than ever before are developing health problems related to their eating habits and lack of exercise. The classroom is the perfect place to deal with this natio...

Journal Article

Attitudes in Education

More than half of all students with learning disabilities (LD) receive science instruction in regular education classes. Because LD student numbers are increasing, the ability of classroom teachers to accommodate these students is being challenged. T...

Journal Article

Light on Trial: Using a Courtroom Drama to Compare Scientific Hypotheses

A narrative in the form of a courtroom trial is used to compare evidence on the nature of light as part of an introductory college physics course. Prosecuting and defense attorneys present evidence for and against competing wave and particle hypothe...

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: The Art and Science of Building a Classroom Library

Building a classroom library isn't simply a matter of accumulating as many interesting-looking books on science as possible. Here we will find suggestions as a guide to building a purposeful classroom library that supports successful student learnin...

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: The Science Beliefs Quiz

Science misconceptions--we all have them. It doesn't matter whether you are a science teacher, an elementary student, a parent, or someone earning an advanced degree in science. This article counters those common misconceptions with science belief ...

Journal Article

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Books Published in 2005)

The annual list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 is selected by a committee of NSTA members. The selected titles on this list were all published in 2005....

Journal Article

Establishing Problem-Solving Habits in Introductory Science Courses

Students crave porblem-solving strategies that promise increased achievement on tests. Student ambitions seem to align with teacher goals, yet students resist using these strategies for various reasons. This article focuses on a study that seeks to...

Journal Article

Giant Ants and Walking Plants: Using Science Fiction to Teach a Writing-Intensive, Lab-Based Biology Class for Nonmajors

This writing-intensive, lab-based, nonmajor biology course explores scientific inquiry and biological concepts through specific topics illustrated or inaccurately depicted in works of science fiction. The laboratory emphasizes the scientific method ...