All Resources

Journal Article

Idea Bank: What's Up with Kudzu?

The abundance of Kudzu—a Japanese vine—in the state of Mississippi provides a natural pathway for discovery opportunities. All over the South in late spring and summer, Kudzu wreaks havoc; the vine can overtake buildings if left unchecked and oft...

Journal Article

Teaching Through Trade Books: May the Force Be with You!

Students’ fascination with moving objects—as well as with how they themselves move—can inspire numerous physical science investigations. This month's Teaching Through Trade Books column focuses on two books about motion: Go, Go, Go! Kids on the...

Journal Article

Learning How to Think

Enhancing students’ cognitive development is a priority—students must learn how to think. Inquiry instruction provides students with tools to make decisions based upon available evidence and an opportunity to develop and practice their thinking...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: No stress science fair

Teachers can combat two common pitfalls of science fairs—finding time and excessive parental involvement—by working the projects into the classroom curriculum. Students complete independent research projects early in the year and showcase their r...

Journal Article

Assessing Student Understanding

Science education has moved from the traditional lecture-and-demonstration model toward a student inquiry model. Although science teachers know that inquiry teaching is desirable, they are frequently at a loss when it comes time to assess students. T...

Journal Article

Ask the Experts—March 2004

The following question is addressed in this month’s column: An email debate among science teachers focused on the explosive nature of “superheated” microwaved water. Could someone address the real science that either debunks or supports this no...

Journal Article

Ever Fly a Tetrahedron?

Few things capture the spirit of spring like flying a kite. Watching a kite dance and sail across a cloud-spotted sky is not only a visually appealing experience, it also provides a foundation for studies in science and mathematics. In this kite-buil...

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

Models That Matter

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

P.H.Y.S.I.C.S. Can Be Done!

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

An Island of Stability

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

Nonfiction Know-How

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

Editor's Note (February 2004)

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

Circus of Light

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...