All Resources

Journal Article

Classifying Microorganisms

Students sample air at their school and generate ideas about how to classify the microorganisms they observe. This investigative, hands-on laboratory activity allows students to gain an awareness of science from a personal perspective and share their...

Journal Article

Intelligent Teaching: Using the theory of multiple intelligences in the inquiry classroom

Incorporating the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) into the science classroom can create a better learning environment for all students. In this article the authors discuss the MI theory and offer suggestions for incorporating it into inquiry-ba...

Journal Article

Pulse Rate Research: Students follow the steps of inquiry to compare carotid and artery pulse rates

This pulse rate study was inspired by observations about how people take their pulses. It exemplifies how the scientific inquiry process can be demonstrated in the classroom. ...

Journal Article

Do Standards Matter? How the quality of state standards relate to evolution instruction

Although most states include evolution instruction in their standards, the teaching of evolution in public schools remains problematic. To create successful science education programs, we must recruit and reward educators who effectively teach this b...

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Peeking at the planets

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. In this month’s issue learn more about the exciting things happening in our solar system....

Journal Article

Taking Science Dialogue by Storm

One teacher examines classroom discourse through a unit on tornadoes and natural catastrophes....

Journal Article

Science Survivors

Educators in Mexico respond to the need for integrating science into other disciplines with a guided-inquiry curriculum module called Adventures on a Deserted Island. The program engages elementary students in an imaginary trip to a deserted island w...

Journal Article

Particle Physics Primer: Explaining the Standard Model of matter

For the past 35 years, scientists have developed a more basic model of the universe—the Standard Model—that specifically addresses the age-old question, "What is the world made of?" The Standard Model of matter provides the most current understan...

Journal Article

Imagine the Possibilities!

For the classroom teacher, the potato can be an affordable "root of endless possibilities." Therefore, when helping students prepare for yearly participation in the Invent America program (an annual nationwide invention competition for K-12 students)...

Journal Article

Commentary: Toxins and Society

An opinion piece about the presence of chemicals in society and the safety and health concens. Learning about biological or chemical agents should educate students on the effects of these materials. This lesson leads students through the risk-assessm...

Journal Article

What Students Think: College students describe their high school chemistry class

A college chemistry professor teaching first-year students was curious whether there was a link between student attitudes about chemistry and experiences they had in their high school chemistry classes. The survey results are presented in this articl...

Journal Article

Solving Authentic Science Problems

Problem-based learning (PBL) connects science to the world beyond school. This article describes the benefits of using PBL problems as a center of science curriculum. The authors offer suggestions and resources for problem design, data acquisition, a...

Journal Article

Bartering for Minerals

In this activity students are assigned occupations that rely on specific minerals. To obtain the minerals they need, each student must trade a service or mineral to another worker. Teachers can show students real-world applications of Earth science u...

Journal Article

Rocketing into Adaptive Inquiry

To ensure that each student achieves success, teachers can tailor activities with students’ strengths and weaknesses in mind using the process of adaptive inquiry. Adaptive inquiry is the product of the synergistic relationship between what a stu...

Journal Article

After the Bell: Science of the symphony: Part I

When do we consider the science of music? When do we connect what we do in music with what we teach in science? As listeners, we often ignore the scientific bases of sound. Yet, modern composers often use the science of pitch to create entertaining p...

Journal Article

First Flight

This article describes how one teacher incorporated bird watching into her kindergarten classroom to help children develop a heightened awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. Children use reference guides, make drawings and diag...

Journal Article

Editor's Note (January 2002)

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts about how one person can make a difference. Follow the reading and math curriculum, but balance it with elementary science that promotes questioning, exploration, investigation, experimentation, and pro...

Journal Article

Research and Teaching: Factors Affecting Participation in Traditional and Inquiry-Based Laboratories

The authors studied participation, achievement, and attitude in cookbook and inquiry-based, introductory biology laboratories through observations, interviews, and attitude/knowledge surveys. A positive relationship, stronger in inquiry-based than co...

Journal Article

Science Literates or Science Experts? The results of science achievement studies for New Zealand highlights a common teaching dilemma

Science teachers often seem to serve two masters—the drive for producing science specialists and the drive for general science education. So, what is the goal of science education? In this article, the issue is debated as the results and implicat...

Journal Article

Recrafting the General Chemistry Laboratory Report

Shifting students’ attitudes from a procedural approach in writing laboratory reports to a more engaged learning experience is difficult. This paper describes how to adopt a Science Writing Heuristic in an introductory college chemistry laboratory ...

Journal Article

Applying Age-Old Physics: Using ancient inventions to teach modern physics concepts

Despite daily use of computers, cell phones, and sound systems, students are fascinated by the technology that our ancestors once used to survive. Ancient inventions are great tools for fostering understanding of physics content and real-world appli...

Journal Article

"Fossil" Forecasting: Students measure the density of simulated rock samples to predict the presence of fossils

An inquiry-based Earth science activity applies the concepts of density using real-life investigations that take advantage of students’ interest in dinosaurs. The teacher creates simulated rock and fossil samples from which students collect data, c...

Journal Article

Searching for the Perfect Lesson: Teaching evolution to a diverse biology class

In a heterogeneous class, where students have different experiences and abilities, many activities can involve students at various levels. In this article, a high school biology teacher constantly seeks to improve the way she educates this type of cl...

Journal Article

Commentary: Getting Students to Tune In

An opinion piece about finding substantive material and delivery that engages students, so they will want to "tune in" and learn....

Journal Article

The Case Study: The Language of Chemistry

To offer an alternative to the survey and foundation frameworks, the authors designed The Language of Chemistry course to use only three to four case studies over the entire semester. In direct contrast to both the traditional concept exposition of f...

Journal Article

Editor's Corner: Reaching All Students

The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue....

Journal Article

Favorite Demonstration: Demonstrating Allotropic Modifications of Sulfur

This demonstration closely simulates Io’s surface and validates scientists’ conclusions about this satellite of Jupiter. It illustrates the importance of teaching descriptive chemistry and is suitable for a general science class as well as introd...

Journal Article

Kettlewell’s Missing Evidence

The standard textbook account of Kettlewell and the peppered moths omits significant information. While instructors might merely amend the details, this classic case serves as an ideal occasion to reflect on the role of simplification in science teac...

Journal Article

Reinforcing Science with Web-Based Exercises

Little is known about the academic effectiveness of online instruction. To research this area, the authors created web-based exercises to support an existing course and tested their effectiveness. Students’ academic performance on course topics ass...