JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
Scope on the Skies: And now there are five
This month opens with four of the five brightest planets (Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter) very visible as they line up across the evening skies after sunset, stretching from the western horizon to the southeastern horizon. The month closes with the...
Journal Article
Chemistry is a difficult subject for students to understand because its core concepts—atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds—cannot be directly observed. Students primarily learn chemistry through their senses and do not distinguish between explana...
Journal Article
With some creative integration, this teacher increased student interest in physical science and received a 2002 NSTA Toyota TAPESTRY Grant. Her project, a physics trail on school grounds, included stations devoted to glacial history, animals, Nati...
Journal Article
Reverse Your Science Fair with Educational Partnerships
Do your students roll their eyes and groan at the idea of another science fair? If so, try implementing a different twist on science fairs, where teachers can arrange for adults to present projects to students. This non-traditional fair solicits facu...
Journal Article
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Student K-13 (Books Published in 2003)
The Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 are selected every fall by an NSTA committee. These are the books selected for the publishing year 2003. Texts are cited for having substantial science content, clear, accurate, up-to-date inform...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Multiple intelligences and lab groups
Science teachers who are committed to excellence in the classroom continually seek ways to improve teaching and learning, and the concept of multiple intelligences holds promise as a method for accomplishing this. Acknowledging these intelligences of...
Journal Article
Multidisciplinary Explorations
A course integrating the fields of engineering and biology was developed to teach students to solve real-world problems that included aspects from both disciplines. Computer simulations were developed and carried out, and findings were presented in a...
Journal Article
Editor's Corner: Modeling Clay, Whiteboards, and Poster Sessions
As classroom teachers, we develop great expertise with sticky notes, whiteout, and highlighters. They are the staples of our daily survival along with the trusty stapler and scotch tape dispenser (usually empty) found on our desks. This month’s col...
Journal Article
The Force of Multimedia Slideshows
In this project, fourth-grade students researched physical science concepts and then shared their knowledge with multimedia presentations. Students used the Internet, digital cameras, and Hyperstudio software to create presentations on the meaning...
Journal Article
The concept of energy arises in all disciplines of science, from ecosystems and species niches to gravity and motion. However, most students have difficulty understanding the relative sense of energy. To help students grasp this difficult concept, t...
Journal Article
Non-Traditional Characteristics of a Successful Science Fair Project
Although science fairs are designed to help students develop inquiry skills, including writing research proposals, working with peers, and sharing experimental findings, simply holding a science fair is no guarantee that students will actually acquir...
Journal Article
These surefire strategies will help teachers effectively use nonfiction trade books in the science classroom. Tips are provided for using the K-W-L organizational format, building a nonfiction library, and giving "book talks."...
Journal Article
Home Connections: Objects in Motion
These activities, which are designed for students to try at home, focus on Newton's First Law of Motion. A simple explanation of the law is provided along with two demonstrations of inertia....
Journal Article
Science Sampler: The In-Class Science Exhibition
One of the easiest ways to capture students’ sense of wonder is to provide them an opportunity to participate in scientific research and display their findings in a science exhibition. Giving students the freedom to follow their own interests and d...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Integrating science with local experiences
Science is all around us in many forms, but an appreciation of science as an integral part of every day does not occur in the vacuum of laboratory experience or through classroom activities. Throughout our communities, a plethora of places exist to s...
Journal Article
Tech Trek: The latest in handheld microscopes
Microscopes have come a long way since their invention in 1590. New technologies in handheld microscopes encourage interactivity, exploration, and observation of specimens in real time, very often allowing students to see living microcosms that are d...
Journal Article
As a consumer and producer of professional development, the current field editor reflects on the types of professional development that she has experienced over the years. From very valuable workshops to being subjected to inservices that were a was...
Journal Article
Tech Trek: Up-to-the-minute meteorology
Up-to-the-minute weather information that is easily available on the Internet can be a great tool for complementing a traditional study of meteorology.Of course, students should still be taught how to gather their own data using hands-on instruments ...
Journal Article
Research and Teaching: Helping Students Succeed in Introductory Science Courses
The author measured the reliability of introductory biology students’ claims regarding lecture attendance, help session attendance, and reading assignment compliance. In all areas, students’ reported behaviors were different than their actual beh...
Journal Article
In a "science circus," small groups of students engage in various science activities at a series of stations, then participate in a class discussion that builds understanding about the topic. Examples of the activities in a science circus that focuse...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Blast off to Space Academy for Educators
For teachers who are interested in an exciting professional development opportunity, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center conducts a Space Academy for Educators. This six-day program allows teachers to experience real-life simulations and participate in ...
Journal Article
Science in the Toilet: The Flush of Learning
Of the many possible technologies available to highlight the uses of science in everyday activities, few are more ubiquitous or more humble than the toilet. However, this much-used and much-overlooked appliance incorporates a number of interesting sc...
Journal Article
Capitalizing on Literacy Connections
Literacy is a critical component of science inquiry, but educators often need help incorporating literacy skills in school science programs. The authors describe a five-session professional development institute that first engages inservice teachers ...
Journal Article
Journeying "Down the Rabbit Hole"
As part of a science methods course, a group of preservice teachers was challenged to develop an understanding of science as inquiry. By selecting an object and conducting a series of seasonal observations of how that object changes over time, these ...
Journal Article
Flexible Professional Development
Among the major challenges for teachers is finding time to translate what they learned during professional development programs into materials they can use in the classrooms. To address this and other concerns, the authors designed a middle-school te...
Journal Article
Science Enrichment for African-American Students
The author administered a survey to African-American students enrolled in elective science classes in four public high schools in a Middle Atlantic state during the 1998-1999 school year. These students were surveyed because according to research lit...
Journal Article
At Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York, a pilot program was designed to incorporate and test the efficacy of integrating Peer-Led Team Learning and the Case Study Method of teaching into three different curricular areas. Program d...
Journal Article
Career of the Month: Roller Coaster Designer
Thrill rides, scream machines, loop-de-loops, colossal peaks, and heart-stopping drops—roller coasters may seem to defy all laws of physics, but don’t let that sense of danger fool you. A coaster has potential energy as it is pulled to the top of...
Journal Article
Idea Bank: <em>In</em>disposable Diapers
To enhance and develop technical, science process, and critical thinking skills, the following activity provides students with the opportunity to determine the water-holding capacity of disposable diapers. In addition, they are encouraged to be scien...
Journal Article
Collaboratively Examining Student Work
How do we get our students to meet science standards? What is impossible working alone is made possible by collaborating with colleagues. Through the Schools Around the World (SAW) program, teachers have the opportunity to meet both in-person and onl...
Journal Article
Forensics can serve as the perfect vehicle for science exploration and learning. As part of a professional development workshop, teachers participated in a simulated archeological dig in which they had to make observations about the site, plan an exc...
Journal Article
Favorite Demonstration: An Illuminating Catalysis Demonstration
The catalase demonstration presented here is a variation of a traditional experiment that is normally run to demonstrate enzyme activity in basic undergraduate biology classes. It is one of the easiest laboratory activities to demonstrate organic cat...
Journal Article
Idea Bank: Mixing Proverbs and Chemistry
Learning symbols for elements is a chore few students enjoy. Even though many students become confused along the way, this knowledge is essential in the study of chemistry. To help students with this learning process, elements and their symbols can b...