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Journal Article

After the Bell: Weekend home labs

Through a series of weekly homework assignments dubbed "Weekend Home Labs," families are enjoying learning science together. Students take home an assignment that asks them to use common household materials to demonstrate a scientific principle. They...

Journal Article

Build Your Own Motor

Most students perceive household appliances as "black boxes" that simply work when plugged in. In order to understand the science of electrical devices, students build simple electric motors for a hands-on investigation of what's going on inside the ...

Journal Article

National Science and Technology Week

The National Science Foundation (NSF) started the National Science and Technology Week because of the importance of nurturing children's natural interest in the wonders of science and technology....

Journal Article

Tech Trek: Fast-food fact finding

One of the goals of the Standards at the middle school age level is to develop a scientific understanding of health. This activity takes advantage of students' knowledge of popular culture and the Internet by examining a staple of most students' live...

Journal Article

Illustrating the Role of Latex Gloves as Barriers to Bacterial and Viral Pathogens: Teaching the Fundamental Concept of Infection Control in Future Health Care Workers

Adequate instruction in glove use is an essential component of medical and allied health education. Students are instructed in practical aspects of glove use during clinical training but laboratory demonstrations of latex as a barrier to disease tran...

Journal Article

Using Cooperative Learning to Introduce Undergraduates to Professional Literature: Assembling the "Jigsaw" Pieces in the Field of Environmental Communication

The field of environmental communication focuses on how multidisciplinary science, natural resource management, and environmental policy are communicated to different audiences. This activity uses the "jigsaw" approach as the form of cooperative lear...

Journal Article

Pressure, Pressure Everywhere: Using raps and hands-on activities to teach about air pressure

The activities in this article show how combining rap music with hands-on activities provides a valuable way to teach the concept of air pressure. It also allows a connection to content learning with students' everyday experiences and culture....

Journal Article

Dialogues as Case Studies—A Discussion on Human Cloning: Creating Drama and Controversy in the Science Classroom

Dialogues are recorded conversations between two or more people, and as an educational device the use of dialogues has been sporadic. This article, to illustrate the several uses of dialogues, includes a dialogue assignment the author gave to a gener...

Journal Article

Improving Science Education for Future Teachers: A Biology Lab Experience With a Teaching Component—Assumption College’s Science Programs for Education Majors

Faculty from Worchester's Assumption College education and natural sciences departments developed a science/education initiative to enhance the science preparation of future elementary teachers. The program included a team-taught special weekly lab e...

Journal Article

Shining Light on Photosynthesis: Teaching about photosynthesis and plant growth in the primary classroom

The purpose of this photosynthesis unit is to stimulate students' interest in the process and concepts of science in fun and educational ways. Engaging young students in real, hands-on experiences with photosynthesis helps them remember the elements ...

Journal Article

Teaching Teachers: Science is About Not Knowing, but Trying to Find Out

This article is about an experience that took place in an elementary science methods course at Hofstra University. It carries an important message about what science is, and how science might be treated by teachers....

Journal Article

Introductory Physics for Nonphysics Majors—A Case Study: Continuous Engagement and a Supportive Environment—Reversing Negative Trends at a Portuguese University

This case study describes materials and teaching strategies used in an introductory physics course at a Portuguese university. The study provides evidence of student success and offers insights and suggestions on how to influence students' knowledge,...

Journal Article

M&M Mystery

In this M&M Mystery unit, students use science process skills to tie data into a theoretical framework. This activity is a great hands-on assessment tool that integrates mathematics, writing, and critical thinking with science process skills....

Journal Article

Find out Why?

This year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) reaches out to families and asks them to discover the power of asking, "Why?" The mission of NSF's Find Out Why program is to engage all Americans in science, engineering, and technology so that the Un...

Journal Article

Research and Teaching: Promoting Attitude Adjustments in Science for Preserice Elementary Teachers—Linking Hands-on Experimentation in the Laboratory with Concept Development Strategies in the Lecture Hall

This article focuses on the restructuring of the science requirement for elementary education, early childhood education, and special education majors at Clemson University—a major producer of elementary teachers. ...

Journal Article

Point of View: Science at Scopes' School Today: Creationism 74 Years After the “Monkey Trial”—A Verdict

This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. In this month’s issue the author discusses the statute that banned the teaching of human evolution and the John Scope's trial....

Journal Article

Editorial: Time Will Tell

The Journal of College Science Teaching’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....