All Resources

Journal Article

Society for College Science Teachers: Welcoming the Next Generation of College Science Teachers -- Connecting the Present to the Future

Fellows programs catering to graduate students in the sciences are changing the minds of many and encouraging them to seek roles as teachers. As a society dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of science at the college level, we should be...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Teaching cell anatomy with a fabric model

One of the most important, yet difficult, life science concepts for students to grasp is that “all life functions of humans and other organisms are carried out by cells” (Lang 1991). Specifically, the function of organelles must be taught so that...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Science newsletters

Having students write and publish their own newsletters is a great way to integrate reading and writing, infuse technology, and build home/school relationships. These newsletters can be used to keep parents informed of what is being taught in class, ...

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Summer skies

Planet viewing, a good meteor shower, space missions, and the biggest full Moon of the year will be a few of the highlights of this summer's astronomical offerings....

Journal Article

Mathematical Modeling in Science

Creating mathematical models using spreadsheets can help high school students learn at deep levels in both science and mathematics, and give teachers an excellent opportunity to integrate these two disciplines. The project described in this article i...

Journal Article

Post-Genome Era Pedagogy: How a BS Biotechnology Program Benefits the Liberal Arts Institution

Genomics profoundly affects society, because genome sequence information is widely used in such areas as genetic testing, genomic medicine/vaccine development, and so forth. Therefore, a responsibility to modernize science curricula exists for “pos...

Journal Article

Helping Graduate Teaching Assistants Lead Discussions with Undergraduate Students: A Few Simple Teaching Strategies

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are frequently asked to lead discussion groups. These groups generally take the form of tutorials, review sessions, or problem-based learning classes. In their preparation, what to teach is often emphasized over ho...

Journal Article

The Cell as a Candy Factory

Turn your classroom into a candy factory to help students gain an understanding of cell organelles in a meaningful context. Students compare the cell’s structures and functions to something that all students can relate to—food!...

Journal Article

Enhancing the Instructional Environment: Optimal Learning in Introductory Science Classes

A survey of 55 colleges showed that the learning environments in introductory science courses are not always as supportive as they should be. Furthermore, most innovative teaching techniques, as recommended by the National Science Education Standards...

Journal Article

Teaching Through Trade Books: Seasons by the Sun

Understanding the Sun has challenged people since ancient times. Mythology from the Greek, Inuit, and Inca cultures attempted to explain the daily appearance and nightly disappearance of the sun by relating it to a chariot racing across the sky. Wh...

Journal Article

From DNA to Disorder

The fact that one little letter out of three billion can really make a difference in the genetic makeup of an individual is often difficult for high school students to grasp. Molecular biology is a challenging topic to teach because students struggle...

Journal Article

Embracing Controversy in the Classroom

Controversial topics such as stem-cell research can help build scientific understanding, enhance communication skills, and develop an appreciation for civic decision making. This five-tiered approach allows students to delve into the gray areas that ...

Journal Article

Idea Bank: Forensics on a Shoestring Budget

In recent years, forensic science has gained popularity thanks in part to high-profile court cases and television programs. Although the cost of forensic equipment and supplies may initially seem too expensive for the typical high school classroom, t...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Cancer -- Mitosis run amok

Studying cancer can provide a real-life understanding of the normal cell cycle and what happens when it goes awry. In this activity, students research a type of cancer and create a brochure that could help someone who has just been diagnosed with a p...

Journal Article

Science 101: Do other planets have summer?

This articles tackles the question of whether other planets have a summer, what it consists of and how their summers relate and differ from our own on Earth....

Journal Article

Reading Refreshment

Teaching allows us to be lifelong learners and the summer months provide the window of opportunity to catch up, reflect, and refresh. Did you realize that one of your best professional development options may just be a beach chair and a good book? Th...

Journal Article

Summer by the Book

Are you looking for ways to log professional development hours without traveling too far away from home this summer? Through reading, a teacher can spend valuable hours updating content background and methods, or simply refreshing the spirit --at you...

Journal Article

They Dig It!

Sixth-grade students learn about the scientific processes of archaeology and paleontology when they participate in this activity. Students participate in integrated lessons based on the two disciplines, with language arts, social studies, and mathema...

Journal Article

Ask the Experts -- Summer 2005

The questions presented in this month's Ask the Experts section include, Can a chemical equation have two correct ways to balance it? and Why is the first electron shell in atomic structure designated with "K" (K, L, M, N...) rather than "A"?...

Journal Article

Tried and True: Presenting mitosis

Bring the stages of mitosis to life for your students with the use of technology. In this engaging lesson, students are introduced to the topic of cell division, and then students can showcase their interpretations of the stages of mitosis by creatin...

Journal Article

Editor's Corner: Reflection and Renewal

According to Field Editor, Steve Metz, science teachers know that the traditional time for reflection on the past year is more likely to come in July than in January. Since summer is the time for reflecting on past practices and planning in anticipat...

Journal Article

The Case Study: Using Novels as Bases for Case Studies -- Michael Crichton's State of Fear and Global Warming

Science teachers don't always have to write their own case studies; after all, there are plenty of books that feature science in their plots. This case study uses the book State of Fear as the basis for a discussion of global warming issues....

Journal Article

Issues in-depth: Setting FIRES to stem cell research

Stem cell research is constantly under "fire" in the media today. Use this effective strategy to present the basic scientific knowledge about stem cells, the promise of stem cell research to medicine, and the ethical considerations and arguments invo...

Journal Article

Science Shorts: Heating Up, Cooling Down

Have you ever stepped barefoot onto a sandy beach on a warm and sunny day? Chances are you started to move fast as the hot sand began to scorch your feet! When you return in the evening you'll find the sand has become cool and soothing. This artic...