All Resources

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Orbits and distances

In this article, learn how astronomers determine a planet's orbit and its distance from its sun....

Journal Article

Favorite Demonstration: Differential Weathering

In this inquiry-based demonstration, the consumption of a Baby Ruth candy bar is used to nurture students’ interest in chemical and physical weathering. In addition, two other concepts can be illustrated: the difference between weathering and erosi...

Journal Article

Let’s Go Fly a Kite!

Adults and children of all ages and cultures have either seen a kite or have flown one. Why not use this common pastime to teach some of the simple laws of aerodynamics? Making kites and then flying them can motivate children—especially urban child...

Journal Article

Surveying Science Safety: NSTA analyzes safety in the classroom

Results of a yearlong safety project prompted the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to conduct a web-based study of its membership examining the potential need for a national safety indexing system with respect to science safety. The findi...

Journal Article

Idea Bank: Shedding Light on White

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, a simple demonstration shows students the concept of mixing colored light to create white light....

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Canals in the curriculum—A model of integration and inquiry

Approaches to science education through integrated studies are ideal ways to meet the diverse needs of students, as well as the spirit of science reform. This article presents a canal study as a great way to accomplish this....

Journal Article

Patching the Leaky Pipeline

The United States faces the critical task of graduating large numbers of individuals in mathematics, science, technical, and engineering fields. The first-year orientation course described uses female-friendly practices to provide support, promote ac...

Journal Article

Envision: Inquiry-Based Environmental Science

Team up with scientists and other teachers to develop inquiry-based research projects. This article describes the Envision program, which allows teachers to design and conduct their own environmental investigations. Teachers become students of the in...

Journal Article

Reading, Writing, and Comprehending: Encouraging active reading in the science classroom

A wide variety of before-, during-, and after-reading methods stimulate students to become better readers. The author shares strategies acquired from professional development courses that teachers can use to improve reading comprehension and incorpor...

Journal Article

Turf Protecting Toxins

Allelopathy is a naturally occurring process by which chemicals produced by a plant have a detrimental effect on competing plants. This activity explores how trees protect their limited resource through chemical warfare....