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Journal Article
By introducing the Hands-On Science Program at Hanson Park Elementary School in Chicago, performance improved and the fear of teaching science turned into excitement. The message is clear—develop a passion and it can become the centerpiece of learn...
Journal Article
The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, find out how writing physics poems can be fun and helpful, how a simple cookie can illustrate percent composition and introduce basic...
Journal Article
Class activities and independent projects for high school students using household plastic wraps can help students understand more about the chemistry of everyday objects. The activities described in this article reinforce one of the fundamental prin...
Journal Article
Earth science students are expected to master the travel-time curves of the seismic waves generated at the focus of an earthquake and recorded at seismograph stations. Commonly, students are required to calculate the distance to the epicenter and the...
Journal Article
As science teachers, we must provide feedback on both the science content and quality of writing demonstrated in their assignments. Unfortunately, our schedules do not always allow us to hold individual writing conferences or ask for extensive rewrit...
Journal Article
As an extra credit activity, teachers can let students take turns teaching class using the “each one teach one” approach. Student groups select an activity, write a lesson plan, create a worksheet, and then present their inquiry-based activity. T...
Journal Article
White light is composed of the entire visible light spectrum, but how do you teach this to students in a hands-on way? The answer is simple: by using a spectroscope. This easy-to-make tool allows students to dissect light and in the process, develop ...
Journal Article
Commentary: Starry Starry Night
An opinion piece about what a truly dark sky looks like—the magic, the infinity, the glorious majesty, and the overwhelming feeling of being a part of something far greater than everyday life....
Journal Article
In recent years, the scientific community has emphasized the importance of making science content more meaningful to high school students. One effective technique that helps teachers facilitate student learning is role-playing. By participating in ro...
Journal Article
The lessons many students learn in traditional school curricula are too removed from the problems they encounter in daily life to be useful. One tool that can be used in the classroom to help students analyze and understand the consequences of events...
Journal Article
After participating in a professional development class entitled “Energy and the Environment,” sponsored by the American Electric Power Company, the author studied coal as an energy source and its effect on the environment. The final assignment w...
Journal Article
Today, federal and state laws in the United States prohibit the killing of birds for their feathers, and similar legislation regulates the hunting of game birds. But despite these efforts, the relationship between birds and humans is strained, partic...
Journal Article
Commentary: The Case for Integrated Science
An opinion piece about the increasing interest in high school integrated science courses throughout the United States....
Journal Article
Spatial Thinking Strategies: Promoting cognitive processes in the elementary classroom
While some people consider spatial thinking a “gift” that only some individuals have, many others view spatial thinking as a cognitive process that can be developed. Much research supports the developmental view of spatial thinking as a cognitive...
Journal Article
Nature in the City: Outdoor projects for urban schools
This article provides three, inquiry-based activities that help urban students learn about nature—observing coloration patterns of pigeons, measuring local rainfall and comparing it to other areas, and conducting a biodiversity study by observing ...