JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
Science 101: What Causes Water's Surface Tension?
The term “surface tension” is commonly used to explain phenomena like a paper clip resting on the surface of water or the “dome” of water that forms on a penny when water is carefully added to it drop-by-drop. You can also see surface tension...
Journal Article
Commentary: A Testable Prediction
An opinion piece about the definition of "hypothesis." ...
Journal Article
Mosquitoes on Maui: Students conduct research for an island-wide mosquito study
Science students participate in a year-long, school-based study involving the Maui Public Health Department to define mosquito behavior and distribution due to an outbreak of dengue fever, a disease spread by Mosquitoes. ...
Journal Article
High Schoolers in Motion: Imparting Newtonian knowledge to elementary students
As part of an initiative called "Partners in Education," students from a high school principles of engineering course instruct fifth graders in Newton's laws. ...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: A slice of solar cooking
Using the principles of scientific investigation, students design a solar cooker using materials supplied by the teacher. Students then spend individual time designing a solar cooker on their own. Afterward, students are placed in groups to coopera...
Journal Article
Tried and True: Egg-in-the-bottle demonstration
The Egg-in-the-bottle was the first demonstration performed by Don Herbert on his “Watch Mr. Wizard” television show, which premiered in 1951. This classic demonstration continues to delight students today and should be included in every middle s...
Journal Article
Students Teaching Students: Launching interest in astronomy
A group of educators and astronomers train high school students to teach astronomy to elementary students and their families. The main goal of the program is to promote careers in science and science education to elementary and high school students....
Journal Article
Meeting the MOON from a Global Perspective
The MOON Project (More Observations of Nature) engages middle school students and pre-service teachers in a long-term (16-week) investigation of the Moon. It provides an opportunity to share, via the Internet, their observations with other students ...
Journal Article
Teaming Up for Science and Reading Success
Intregrating science education with reading has become extremely important for elementary teachers. This article briefly discusses research results from three successful programs that integrated science and reading. Suggestions are provided for creat...
Journal Article
Scope on the Skies: The skies this summer
Summer 2003 celestial events included a last look at Jupiter as an evening planet, a close view of Mars, and the Perseid meteor shower. In addition, three spacecraft were launched, which provided many opportunities to stay invovled with space and ast...
Journal Article
Editor's Corner: Dismiss the Niche
The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue....
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Project
The Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project involved thousands of student scientists across the nation in the collection and analysis of astronomical data using a 34-meter radio telescope. These students contributed to the work of the ...
Journal Article
Marigolds for Montana: Students study the effect of marigolds on nematode management
Students join with university scientists on a yearlong agriculturally based research project to study the effect of marigolds on nematode management. ...
Journal Article
Teaching Science as Inquiry by Scaffolding Student Thinking
In construction, “scaffolding” means a temporary framework used to support workers and materials during construction. The analogy is consistent with contemporary analogies for learning that describe scaffolding as a construction of knowledge by ...
Journal Article
Scope on Safety: Space—The final frontier!
These are the voyages of laboratory science safety! The issue of science laboratory space and class size has been on a long safety trek. For example, the National Science Education Standards and subsequent science frameworks at the state level have e...
Journal Article
A Real Fish Story: Students raise salmon and ecological awareness
Students work to restore the salmon population in a local tributary. The project, partially funded by a TAPESTRY grant, and with the involvement of the local community, was successful. The salmon began to return in large numbers....
Journal Article
E-Portfolios: Documenting Student Progress
Electronic portfolios, digital collections of student work—are flexible, motivating, and extremely useful teacher tools that can address a range of needs from student assessment and professional development to creating connections between teachers,...
Journal Article
Backyard Ecology: High school students participate in urban ecological research
Urban ecological research through a university shows students that neighborhoods are dynamic ecosystems they can directly affect. In this independent research project, high school students conduct bird surveys and present a poster of the results. Thi...
Journal Article
Clear Creek Then and Now: An historical watershed analysis
Students worked collaboratively with a local council to conduct a watershed analysis of Clear Creek, a tributary to the Clackamas River in Oregon....
Journal Article
The Home Zone: Research Rolypolies
April is a good time to go outdoors and examine living things. Pill bugs are good to study because they are easy to find and care for and do not bite. You might know these organisms by one of their nicknames—potato bugs, wood lice, and rolypolies. ...
Journal Article
Scope on the Skies: Setting the Scale Straight
This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. In this month’s issue the modeling exploration gives students a more accurate view of the size ratios in our universe....
Journal Article
Science Sampler: A student-constructed product
In this activity, students participate in research assignments about a region of the Earth. The students can choose or be assigned a region to research, which will be presented to the class upon completion. ...
Journal Article
This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. In this month’s issue the author features ways to introduce cells to students that will grab their attention and bring this intangible topic to life....
Journal Article
Scope on Safety: Building safety into student models and projects
This column shares safety information for your classroom. In this month’s issue the author discusses the basic safety guidelines for students engaging in model building and other hands-on projects....
Journal Article
Abandoned mines and quarries can be extremely dangerous. In this month's insert, read up on the National Energy Foundation's (NEF) educational outreach program for mine safety....
Journal Article
Let the Dogs Out: Using Bobble Head Toys to Explore Force and Motion
Even the simplest of toys can be great tools for promoting interest in physical science principles. Test the basic physics, systems, and simple machines of bobble toys, then help students build their own versions....
Journal Article
This article includes multidisciplinary investigations based on the adventures and journals of Lewis and Clark. Science activities include plant collection and identification, nature observation assignments, sink/float explorations, and research into...
Journal Article
Team Science: Students from different disciplines come together for a science project
Science projects can be tailored to provide students with the experience to work as a “team of scientists,” where ideas are shared, discussed, and debated. The unique experience can be a way of better preparing students for entrance into the work...
Journal Article
Demonstrations to Save the World
Students develop a better understanding of concepts when they are introduced with a model, simulation, or demonstration. In this activity, students use bubbles to model environmental issues and increase collaboration between students and teachers....
Journal Article
This overnight camp for girls provided opportunity for outdoor adventures while building science process skills and interest in science careers. Students participated in activities relating to ecology....
Journal Article
This article contains the answers to these questions.Why does Venus rotate 'backwards' and slowly? How does the Coriolis effect explain toilets flushing in the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere?...
Journal Article
Science Sampler: Modeling the transmission of sound
Sound can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. This activity models how sound travels faster through solid materials than through gases....
Journal Article
Toothpick Chromosomes: Simple Manipulatives to Help Students Understand Genetics
Make sense of genetics terms while demonstrating the link between models and the biological processes they represent. Using toothpicks as simple models of chromosomes can promote student understanding of genetics concepts. A list of genetics definiti...
Journal Article
Predicting Population Curves: Using inquiry in the biology classroom to study populations
A study of gray wolf populations in Wisconsin sparks inquiry in the biology classroom. Students evaluated variables that would affect the wolves, and developed one graph and a defense statement that the students agreed was a good prediction of what t...
Journal Article
An aquarium, land trust, and fifth-grade class collaborate in an ongoing, multidisciplinary project combining fieldwork and research. Students create and observe eastern bluebird habitats, keeping detailed journals. A project schedule is included....
Journal Article
Assessing Performance Tasks: Guidelines for developing objective scoring rubrics
As educators incorporate additional performance tasks into instruction, they are faced with the challenge of evaluating student achievement related to those tasks. The key to evaluation is developing student- and teacher-friendly scoring rubrics. A w...