After the Bell: Creating junior ethologists

Journal Article | August 2004

Did you ever think that observing your dog, cat, fish, bird, or reptile could prepare you for long-term science investigations? Indeed it can! The basis for developing scientific thinking is improving observation skills…

Communities, Cameras, and Conservation

Journal Article | November 2012

This article describes how students in a citizen science project in Colorado collect data on mountain lions.

Closing the Gap

Journal Article | March 2013

Laboratory experiences, and not just textbooks, are the best way to provide equal learning opportunities for all.

Health Wise: January 2009

Journal Article | December 2008

I have a lot of competitive athletes in my classes. If they decide to use steroids, what effect will this have on their health?

Sky Observations by the Book

Journal Article | August 2008

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) state that students in grades K—4 are expected to understand that astronomical objects in the sky, including the Sun, Moon, and stars—have properties, locations, and…

Science 101: How Do We Figure Out What Happened to the Earth in the Past?

Journal Article | March 2013

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue discusses the layers of the Earth.

The Tablecloth Trick, Take II

Journal Article | August 2003

Through a pedagogical sequence, students learn the physics behind a popular magic trick. After students have the opportunity to try the sequence of activities the grand finale begins—pulling the tablecloth out from…

One Foot = One Cenxocpalli: Measuring in the Pre-Hispanic World

Journal Article | March 2002

Discover measuring systems used by ancient civilizations while incorporating multicultural issues into your classroom. Students learn about ethnomathmatics, the study of math and science as they arise within a culture.

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

Journal Article | February 1997

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…

Science Sampler: Engineering—Adventures in teaching

Journal Article | March 2008

The Adventure Engineering Academy provides teacher participants with a model of inquiry-based instruction that integrates the engineering design process as used in authentic science environments. Participants were…

When Wrong Answers Receive Top Grades

Journal Article | October 2011

This article discusses whether the education community shares a collective understanding about how students should be evaluated.

Reading Aloud: A Springboard to Inquiry

Journal Article | June 2009

We may assume that high school students are too “old” to enjoy simple, juvenile reading. But reading these simple books with students not only captures their attention, but also allows them to focus on larger science…

Idea Bank: Sticky Slime

Journal Article | September 2002

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank learn about other potential uses for slime, in addition to polymer chemistry and materials engineering.

Career of the Month: Scientific Illustrator

Journal Article | February 2005

If your students' have an eye for nature's details--such as the way some petals of a flower catch sunlight or how its stem is covered in tiny hairs--then they may be a good candidate for a career in Scientific…

Adventures With Arthropods: Eco-Friendly Lessons for Middle School (e-book)

eBook | November 2017

If you’ve ever wished you could teach with tarantulas—or roly polys, or Madagascar hissing cockroaches—this is the resource for you. It tells how to help middle schoolers get up close and personal with amazing…