JoinAll Resources
Book Chapter
Seeing the Earth Glow From Space
This chapter presents a case study on Plants That Glow using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore the process of fluorescence and learn how this light can be used to monitor the health of large numbers of plants. They ...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on Algal Biofuels using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students learn about the discovery of algae as a biofuel. They build algae skimmers to capture algae and analyze it under a microscope. Aft...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on Using Sensors for Monitoring and Communication using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students learn about the accidental discovery of microsensors and also read about contemporary research on ...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on The Discovery of Taq Polymerase using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore the discovery and subsequent use of Taq polymerase, an enzyme from the bacteria Thermus aquaticus. After ...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on The Discovery of Vaccines using a discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students read about Dr. Edward Jenner’s use of cowpox to vaccinate people against smallpox. Students review different viral dise...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on “Y” Should Mixed-Sex Test Subjects Be Used in Medical Research? In this lesson, students explore the importance of mixed-sex animal models in preclinical research. After reading the case study, students will...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on The Accidental Discovery of DNA Fingerprinting using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students read about the accidental discovery of DNA fingerprinting and explore how the process has been use...
Book Chapter
Mr. Antibiotic, Tear Down This (Cell) Wall
This chapter presents a case study on The Prokaryotic Resistance of Penicillin using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore the history and discovery of penicillin which revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infectio...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on Darwin’s Observations in the Galápagos Islands using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore the observations Charles Darwin made in the Galápagos Islands. They learn about cladist...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on Using Bioprospecting to Find Cures for Disease using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore paclitaxel, a chemical in the bark of Pacific yew trees that was discovered through biopro...
Book Chapter
This chapter presents a case study on Using CRISPR to Microedit the Genome using the discovery engineering process. In this lesson, students explore the process of CRISPR, a gene-editing tool used to insert beneficial genes or delete damaging genes ...
NSTA Press Book
Physics in Motion, Grade K: STEM Road Map for Elementary School
What if you could challenge your kindergartners to create a mini roller coaster as an entry point to understanding the physics of motion? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can!...
Book Chapter
Let’s Explore Motion Through Play!
In this lesson, students are introduced to the module challenge and begin to explore the concept of physics in motion through everyday play experiences. They make predictions about the motion of toys and participate in Physics in Motion Game Days, du...
Book Chapter
In this lesson, students explore the concept of physics in motion by exploring roller coasters and working in teams to create virtual roller coasters. The focus is on forces that act on roller coasters. We recommend reading Chapter 3, which is includ...
Book Chapter
Roller Coaster Design Challenge
In this lesson, students work in teams to use the engineering design process (EDP). They apply their learning from previous lessons to design, build, and test various marble track roller coasters. We recommend reading Chapter 3, which is included in...
NSTA Press Book
Influence of Waves, Grade 1: STEM Road Map for Elementary School
What if you could challenge your first graders to create instruments they can play in their own “Show Me the Waves” musical show? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can!...
Book Chapter
This lesson introduces waves as traveling disturbances that move through space and substances to transfer energy. Students explore the concept of waves through interactive read-alouds, a video, and an inquiry activity in which they explore waves in w...
Book Chapter
In this lesson, students explore the concept of sound through interactive read-alouds, videos, and inquiry activities. They create a simple communication device to investigate the role of sound in communicating over distances. Students also learn the...
Book Chapter
In this lesson, students explore the concept of light through interactive read-alouds, viewing videos, and an inquiry activity in which they investigate how light interacts with various materials. We recommend reading Chapter 3, which is included in ...
Book Chapter
In this lesson, students synthesize their learning from the previous lessons to address the module challenge. They demonstrate their learning about light and sound waves by creating a musical performance that incorporates light. Students also use the...
Journal Article
Teen science café programs are a free, fun way for high school teens to explore advances in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through lively conversations and hands-on activities with STEM professionals, teen science café ...
By Michelle Hall, and Michael Mayhew
Journal Article
Where Should Learners Struggle?
"I’ve had one cohort of kids…They were with me last year and then they came back and did a more advanced maker club this year, and so the way that they approached these challenges is so different. They have this mindset where they need to pla...
By Alice Anderson, Megan Goeke, Amber M. Simpson, and Adam V. Maltese
Journal Article
Defining and Measuring STEM Identity and Interest in STEM Learning
A growing number of educators are focused on increasing students’ interest in and developing their identity in relation to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as an intended outcome of their out-of-school activities and programs. ...
By Jamie Bell, Kevin Crowley, Martin Storksdieck, John Besley, Matthew A. Cannady, Amy Grack Nelson, Tina Phillips, Kelly Riedinger, and Melissa Ballard
Virtual Conference
Shifting to the NGSS: Professional Book Study for Elementary School Teachers
Are you an elementary school teacher working to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? Register to participate in the Shifting to the NGSS: Professional Book Study, taking place in April/May, 2020!...
eBook
Influence of Waves, Grade 1: STEM Road Map for Elementary School (e-book)
What if you could challenge your first graders to create instruments they can play in their own “Show Me the Waves” musical show? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can!...
eBook
Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity, Student Edition (e-book)
How do our bodies manage to heal wounds, build the stamina to run marathons, and give us the energy—even while we’re sleeping—to keep us alive and functioning? Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity prompts high school students to explore fa...
NSTA Press Book
Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 3–5: Explore Before Explain
Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 3–5 is a one-stop resource that will inspire you to reimagine how you teach science in elementary school. The book discusses two popular approaches for structuring your lessons: POE (Predict, Observe, and Expl...
By Patrick Brown
eBook
Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity, Teacher Edition (e-book)
How do our bodies manage to heal wounds, build the stamina to run marathons, and give us the energy—even while we’re sleeping—to keep us alive and functioning? Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity prompts high school students to explore fa...
eBook
Making Sense of Science and Religion: Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond (e-book)
“I have been hoping for a volume like this for a long time. Making Sense of Science and Religion marshals the best scholarship on science and religion toward the deeply practical aim of helping science teachers understand what is at stake for both ...
Journal Article
Student-engaged talk stems from teachers’ epistemological messages....
Journal Article
Sparking Discussion through Visual Thinking
Strategies for adapting Visual Thinking Strategies for use in the science classroom...