All Resources

Journal Article

Interpretation and Closure in the Historical Geology Laboratory: "Reading" Nature's Geological Evidence Overcomes Students' Skepticism

This article features a "reading the rocks" lab activity and an earth history essay both of which are important interpretive and creative elements of the historical geology course. The lab allows the students to begin the course with confidence that ...

Journal Article

DNA Sequencing in Undergraduate Laboratory Courses: Duplicating Current Research Protocols Using Biochemical Methods of Analysis

The basic goal in designing the molecular biology lab was to provide students with exercises that were as representative as possible of current research protocols. This goal was easy for some exercises but the DNA sequencing can be expensive and diff...

Journal Article

Favorite Demonstration: The Brine Shrimp as a Model Organism for Biology—Arthropods Useful in Demonstrating Properties of Organisms

Biology lectures expounding the properties of organisms can easily be enhanced with a living demonstration model organism—the large brine shrimp is one that students find interesting. This article features demonstrations using brine shrimp in the c...

Journal Article

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum: Encouraging Student Debate on the Social Implications of Biotechnology

In recent years, ethical questions that require thoughtful deliberation and the making of decisions by all elements of society have been fast emerging from reserch in biology and biotechnology. The main objective of this course is to ensure that stud...

Journal Article

Crossing Disciplinary Lines—Bar Codes and DNA Codes: Students Crack the Codes of Digital Technology

In this course, students study bar codes used by the U.S, Postal Service. Once students have a basic understanding of these codes, they compare their features with that of DNA codes. When students are introduced to the notion of breaking codes, some ...

Journal Article

Undergraduate Geology Education—The Carleton College Experience

At Carleton, students who discover geology as sophomores can start majoring by selecting from several courses in the second level and continuing on in a track that works. It also means that students who do not major in geology have an opportunity to ...

Journal Article

Computer Use in the Science Classroom: Proceed with Caution! What Educators Still Need to Learn About Computer Exploitation

Compared with books, black boards, calculators, and overhead projectors, the computer is a very new entity in the classroom. Despite its newness, this field must mature quickly to keep pace with the rapidly increasing use and potential misuse of comp...

Journal Article

Taking Biology Through Creative Writing: Integrating Abstract Biological Concepts into Narrative Contexts Makes Science Come Alive for Apprehensive Nonmajors

In this article, the author developed entertaining creative writing assignments that require all students to provide the story context for their own learning. Simple and creative methods of conveying information reduce the abstractness of the materia...

Journal Article

Teaching General Biology for Nonmajors Through Community Service Projects

In this article, the teacher reevaluated her teaching techniques and objectives for the general biology course for the nonscience major. In doing so, she felt a change in content, format, and emphasis was necessary. To inspire students to be open to ...

Journal Article

Research and Teaching: Where do Ideas for Students Come From? Applying Constructivism and Textbook Problems in the Laboratory Experience

When students are regimented by lab manuals that dictate what to think, how to think, and when to think, lab activities essentially lose impact for learning. A constructivist approach (as opposed to the constructivist approach) could help make lab ex...

Journal Article

Favorite Demonstration: The Thermit Reaction—A Dazzling Thermochemical Demonstration

This demonstration provides a dazzling introduction to such fundamental chemistry topics as oxidation-reduction, metallurgy, spontaneity of reactions, thermochemistry, and the application of chemical reactions to industrial processes....

Journal Article

Homestudy Assignments: An Experiment in Promoting Active Learning in Introductory Chemistry—Preparing Students for Today’s Cooperative Work Environment

In this article, students are given "Homestudy Assignments." These are written assignments completed by teams of two or three students both inside and outside of class. The assignments had several benefits in addition to the group activity experience...

Journal Article

The State of the Society: The Society for College Science Teachers—Revisiting its Mission, Goals, and Value to You in Becoming A Member

In this column the leadership of SCST shares its views with JCST readers. This month’s issue shares the many opportunities offered with membership....

Journal Article

Statistics and Hypothesis Testing in Biology: Teaching Students the Relationship Between Statistical Tests and Scientific Hypotheses

The typical biometry course emphasizes statistical theory and methods, with little opportunity for students to apply statistics in testing scientific hypotheses. Early in education, students should be taught to use basic statistical tests as a rigoro...

Journal Article

Point of View: The Many Paths to Success—Biology Education is Flourishing at Many Campuses as New Approaches to Teaching and Learning Take Hold

This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. This month’s issue highlights the new approaches to teaching and learning biology. ...

Journal Article

Computer-Assisted Microscopy in Science Teaching and Research: A Technological Approach to Teaching the Relationships Between Biological Form and Function

Microscopes have been the main tool for analyzing tissue form in both university and research laboratories for decades. However, biological microscopy has entered a new era with the advent of desktop computers and software to analyze images. Students...

NSTA Press Book

Global Environmental Change: Biodiversity

This book uses Costa Rica as a case study because the country's tropical forests contain four percent of Earth's total biological species diversity. Biodiversity's activities and readings help students explore efforts to balance economic expansion wi...

By NSTA Press, Environmental Protection Agency

High School Informal Education Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Inquiry NGSS New Science Teachers Professional Learning old Research Teacher Preparation

NSTA Press Book

Global Environmental Change: Carrying Capacity

Carrying Capacity addresses the ability of the Earth to sustain healthy populations of different species. Earth's human population, now past six billion, is expected to reach 10 billion by 2030. This growth will place an even greater strain on the p...

By NSTA Press, Environmental Protection Agency

High School Informal Education General Science Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Inquiry Teaching Strategies Interdisciplinary New Science Teachers Professional Learning old Research Teacher Preparation

NSTA Press Book

Global Environmental Change: Deforestation

Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula contains some of America’s only old-growth forest. Its timber supports local, regional, and even global economies. It also supports many biological species and provides a link in biogeochemical cycling. How ca...

By NSTA Press, Environmental Protection Agency

High School General Science Assessment Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Teaching Strategies Interdisciplinary New Science Teachers Professional Learning old Research Teacher Preparation

Journal Article

Use of Customized Digital Images for Teaching Human Anatomy: A Technological Supplement to Traditional Anatomy Instruction

Teaching in the human anatomy field is evolving rapidly with the introduction of innovative instructional methods. This article features more efficient teaching techniques using digital images....

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: NSTA Science Update: Exploring Earth's Final Frontier: The Deep Sea, October 17, 2019

Join us on Thursday, October 17, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern time to learn about the Deep Sea....

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for the Shell Science Teaching Award, October 29, 2019

Join us on Tuesday, October 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET to learn how you can win $10,000 for your outstanding work as a science educator. The presenter will discuss the application process for the 2019–2020 academic year, share insight into com...

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: Leaders for Science Education: Preparing an Application for the NSTA Board and Council, September 17, 2019

Join us on Tuesday, September 17, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET to learn all about the application process for the NSTA Board and Council.  NSTA relies on its membership of dedicated science educators to serve in leadership positions and help ad...

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for the Shell Science Lab Challenge, November 21, 2019

Join us on Thursday, November 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET to learn how you can win a $20,000 lab makeover for your school. The presenter will discuss the application process for 2019-20, share insight into completing your application, and provid...

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: Developing a Competitive Teacher Award Application, November 6, 2019

Join us on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET, to learn how you can win up to $10,000 for your outstanding work as a science educator. The presenter will discuss the application process for 2019–20 academic year, share insight...

Web Seminar

Web Seminar: NSTA Science Update: Professional Learning Opportunities at NSTA, August 27, 2019

Join us on Tuesday, August 27, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern time and learn about upcoming onsite/online professional learning opportunities available via NSTA....