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Journal Article
Mole Mapping: Using a graphing calculator as a tool for solving mole problems
A mole map is a concept map that outlines the process for solving mole problems. In these activities the approach to using a mole map is by having students individually create and develop a map based on data analysis using a graphing calculator. The ...
Journal Article
A Peer-Reviewed Research Assignment for Large Classes
One way science educators can integrate writing, critical-thinking and team-building skills into their curriculum is by incorporating a collaborative, peer-evaluated research paper assignment. This type of exercise reduces an instructor’s heavy gra...
Journal Article
Commentary: Let Fossils Make the Case
An opinion piece about how to teach evolution to students who already have misconceptions....
Journal Article
The Case Study: The Wolf, the Moose, and the Fir Tree
This analysis case study is based on an article that appeared in Science entitled “Wolves, Moose, and Tree Rings on Isle Royal,” by B. E. McLaren and R. O. Peterson (1994). Although developed for a sophomore ecology class, this case has been taug...
Journal Article
Editor's Corner: An Urgent Need
The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue....
Journal Article
Cell Structure Study: Students use microscopes and digital images to examine <i>Elodea</i>
A common lab exercise in biology involves an examination of the fresh water plant Elodea. This article presents a modification to the traditional exercise using microscopes and digital images. This is particularly good in provoking student discussion...
Journal Article
Research and Teaching: Undergraduate Success—and Failure—in Completing a Simple Circuit
This research study was motivated by physics educators’ ubiquitous citing of the batteries and bulbs study (Thiberghien and Delacote, 1976) even though the literature has not reported on surveys of a large population using real equipment. The autho...
Journal Article
Creating a Student-Centered Physical Chemistry Class
Using guided reading materials in an upper-division college chemistry course, students assumed more responsibility for their learning. This paper describes the guided reading materials and explains how the authors implemented the material and assesse...
Journal Article
Favorite Demonstration: Seasonal Size Variations of Martian Polar Caps
This demonstration vividly illustrates seasonal size variations of Martian polar caps. It is particularly useful during the astronomy section of a physical science course that follows the chemistry and physics sections. Several questions accompanying...
Journal Article
Most educators realize that copyright law could potentially impact their classroom activities but are confused by the underlying legal principles. This article clarifies important copyright issues, including ones involving the Internet, and presents ...
Journal Article
“Creative” does not adequately describe the 2,800 entries in the 2000 Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program. Second- through eighth-grade student inventions were reviewed by panels (regional and national) of distinguished science educator...
Journal Article
Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding communication and believes that educators need to communicate continuously with each other. In this issue, the Science and Children staff announce an avenue for elementary science educators to...
Journal Article
Allergic reactions to latex are becoming increasingly common. The reactions occur within a few minutes to an hour of exposure and usually disappear within 24 hours. In this article, a student informed the teacher that she had an allergy to latex. Tog...
Journal Article
Field Surveys of Amphibian Populations
Amphibian Research, a course offered at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, introduces freshmen- and sophomore-level biology and environmental science majors to investigative field research. Students learn to identify species and use sta...
Journal Article
When teaching the scientific principles of flight, the author has students create design prototypes, engineering projects that are initial attempts to solve a problem. As a result, students apply their knowledge of science in order to construct a wor...
Journal Article
The students involved in this project attended an urban school in the Anchorage School District. The 52 students in the K, 1, 2 multi-age inclusive classroom (21 kindergarten students, 20 first-grade students, and 11 second-grade students) spent the ...
Journal Article
In this article, an extended lab activity from a common cookbook approach is modified to determine the percent mass of water in copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate crystals. This modified approach significantly enhances students' understanding of matter...
Journal Article
Float It Down the River: The great water transport contest
Float it Down the River is an exciting design activity that involves students in a hands-on, creative project in which they use higher order thinking skills in a motivating setting. Students working in groups of four to six are challenged to design a...
Journal Article
Blind Students: Facing Challenges in a College Physics Course
Visually impaired students with different educational backgrounds may differ in their analytical and mathematical preparedness, which presents unique obstacles for those who wish to successfully complete a college physics course. This article relates...
Journal Article
How <em>Not</em> to Teach Historical Cases in Science
Not all methods of applying history to teaching science are valid. Rational reconstructions, in particular, present idealized and misleading models. Short vignettes or anecdotes can oversimplify science. Recovering historical context, however, is cri...
Journal Article
As part of NASA’s Learning Technologies Project, NASA Quest has been connecting students to the people of NASA through the various pages at the website—Learning Technology Channel, Space Team Online, Aerospace Team Online, and Women of NASA. The ...
Journal Article
Three-dimensional illusions offer an ideal and motivating arena for computer technology applications, visual processing investigations, art and science connections, and fun. By offering experience in optical illusions, the author presents an arena in...
Journal Article
The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) explored integrated science at the high school level through a study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Although successful programs were developed for elementary and middle school levels,...
Journal Article
Using problem-based learning and role-playing, students analyze the geological origins of the Galapagos Islands, their colonization, species formation, and threats to their biodiversity in this story of a student caught between local fishermen and go...