JoinAll Resources
Journal Article
In this discussion, Field Editor Beth Murphy, NSTA Executive Director David Evans, and ASTC President and CEO Cristin Dorgelo discuss the origins of Connected Science Learning, and what’s next for the journal. The conversation has been edited for...
By Beth Murphy, David L. Evans, and Cristin Dorgelo
Journal Article
“It was a perfect day. I was impressed with the students’ curiosity, questions, and seriousness about volcanic rocks and how engaged and focused they were for the entire day,” said American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) scientist and curator...
By Cristina Trowbridge
Journal Article
Students with special needs traditionally have fewer opportunities to engage in hands-on learning during science class (Melber and Brown 2008). The reasons for this vary, but typically stem from teacher misconceptions about the types of activities ...
By Brent Gilles, Tim Hawig, Ashley Sutton, and Stacey Britton
Journal Article
Bold innovations in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Brilliant hacks for the digital divide. Breakthroughs in maternal health care to reduce infant mortality....
By Linda Kekelis
NSTA Press Book
Discovery Engineering in Physical Science: Case Studies for Grades 6–12
Who knew that gecko feet inspired scientists to develop a stickier adhesive or that cockleburs in dog fur led to the invention of Velcro? Discovery Engineering in Physical Science uses these and other surprising cases of innovations sparked by accide...
By M. Gail Jones, Elysa Corin, Megan Ennes, Emily Cayton, Gina Childers
Book Chapter
This case study deals with how advancements in science and engineering are often unexpected yet lead to valuable applications. In this lesson, students explore a metal that can be bent and, when lightly heated, “remembers” and springs back into i...
Book Chapter
Harnessing the Color of Nature
In this lesson, students explore how certain organisms, including some plant and animal species, display beautiful iridescent colors when light interacts with nanoscale structures on their surfaces. The activity on structural color and iridescence w...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of the history of artificial dye. In this lesson, students learn how artificial dye was accidentally discovered and subsequently used in new applications. They examine indicators as a way to test pH levels and a...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of how new products were made to mimic shark skin. In this lesson, students will learn about shark skin and bacteria and a product developed to mimic shark skin. They will focus on how this material was developed ...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary of an adhesive developed using the same principles as those used by gecko feet. In this lesson, students explore Gecko Feet Adhesives. Geckos are able to hang by one toe from a smooth surface and researchers have ...
Book Chapter
This case study contains a summary of a study on seahorse tails. In this lesson, students consider how researchers studied seahorse tails and then they work together to think of new ways in which the structure can be used to solve real-life problem...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the history of Corn Flakes. In the lesson, students explore the history of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and the applications of corn-based products that can provide food and energy sources for human consumption. The d...
Book Chapter
Get Fired Up With Friction Lights
This case study provides a summary of the history and science of matches. In the lesson, students consider how matches were discovered and work together to think about new applications for matches to solve real-life problems. Matches, also called f...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the discovery and history of plastics. Students consider how plastic was discovered and work together to think about new applications for plastic to solve real-life problems. They explore plastics that are not ...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the invention of Post-It Notes. In this lesson, students learn about the invention which resulted from an accidental discovery that has led to them being a household item. Students also learn about the properti...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the invention of Silly Putty, along with recipes for students to make toy putty. In this lesson, students explore the unintended discovery of silly putty, as well as non-Newtonian fluids. Students consider how ...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary about the discovery of saccharin. In this lesson, students learn about the accidental discovery and the chemistry behind this innovation. They learn about redox reactions and how to identify the oxidizing and reduc...
Book Chapter
Saving Lives Through an Accident
This case study provides a summary and history on the discovery of glass. In this lesson, students learn about ordinary glass and two types of glass—laminated and tempered—that have unique safety characteristics. After reading about the accidenta...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary and history of a study on cholera. In this lesson, students explore how researchers developed a new solution to cholera outbreaks in some regions of the world. After watching women use their sari to filter insects...
Book Chapter
This case study features a summary about the history of the Slinky. In this lesson, students learn about the accidental invention of the slinky which is a coil spring (also called a helical spring). Students review different uses for coil springs a...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a section that describes the discovery of stainless steel. The creation of a new kind of alloy was an accidental discovery that reshaped the world. In this lesson, students will learn about the discovery and analyze microsc...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the accidental discovery of super glue and explains how the product emerged as one of the most popular glues for many different applications. In this lesson, students explore the history of super glue and the app...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of the accidental discovery of Teflon and explains how Teflon has been transformed into one of the most popular nonstick coatings for commercial use. In this lesson, students explore the accidental discovery of Tefl...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a story about the invention of Vaseline. Petroleum jelly, often sold under the brand Vaseline, is an inexpensive product that has been available to consumers for over a century. In this lesson, students will explore the insu...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a summary of an article on vulcanized rubber. Rubber is one of the most commonly used products in the world today. In this lesson, students explore vulcanized rubber and consider how it was discovered and then work together...
Book Chapter
This case study summarizes the accidental Discovery of X-Rays at the end of the 19th century and shares early reactions to the new, unexpected technology. In this lesson, students explore what x-rays are and how they were discovered. They also lear...
Book Chapter
This case study provides a description of how Velcro was discovered. In this lesson, students explore Velcro and similar products that can be used to keep clothes and other objects fastened together. They consider how Velcro was discovered and work t...
Journal Article
Serving Youth With Special Needs
In the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education community, we are well aware that “the representation of certain groups of people in science and engineering education and employment differs from their representation in the U.S....
By Beth Murphy
NSTA Press Book
Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12
Get help teaching one of the hottest topics in science with Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12. This nine-session module is written to be practical and accessible. It provides both extensive background and step-by-step instructions for using...
By Laura Tucker, Lois Sherwood
NSTA Kids
Click here to view video of Never Stop Wondering Celebrate imagination! This NSTA Kids book has been selected for the Children’s Book Council #ImaginationCelebration Showcase! Full book list: Imagination Celebration Showcase Never stop won...
NSTA Kids
Never Stop Wondering (Library binding)
Never stop wondering, never stop questioning. Never stop trying to figure things out. Always keep searching, always keep asking. That’s what science is all about....
eBook
Available for Pre-order. This publication will be released in MARCH 2019Never stop wondering, never stop questioning. Never stop trying to figure things out. Always keep searching, always keep asking. That’s what science is all about....
eBook
Next Time You See a Bee (e-book)
This book will get young readers buzzing about bees! Next Time You See a Bee reveals the big impact these little insects have on the world. It shows how the physical features of bees make them pros at collecting and spreading pollen. It explains how ...
Journal Article
This issue of The Science Teacher marks our 24th consecutive annual issue devoted to the theme, “Science for All.” Each year this special issue presents ideas and teaching strategies for helping all learners find success in their science classes....
By Steve Metz
Journal Article
Journal Article
Understanding students, adapting instruction, and addressing equity ...
By Kelsie Fowler, Mark Windschitl, and Jennifer Richards