Commentary: Let Fossils Make the Case

Journal Article | September 2000

An opinion piece about how to teach evolution to students who already have misconceptions.

No Child Left Inside

Journal Article | August 2008

Earth Science Week (ESW) 2008 encourages people around the globe to open doors and investigate new opportunities. This year’s theme, “No Child Left Inside,” is a call to explore our natural environments. The celebration…

Connecting to Your Community Through Birds and Citizen Science

Journal Article | October 2012

Use BirdSleuth to engage students in a variety of community-based birding activities.

Push-ups and Propulsion

Journal Article | February 1999

In this activity, students build and experiment with a balloon car for a hands-on investigation of action and reaction in a jet propulsion simulation, with the help of a few plastic plungers from Push-Up ice cream…

Science Sampler: A slice of solar cooking

Journal Article | April 2003

Using the principles of scientific investigation, students design a solar cooker using materials supplied by the teacher. Students then spend individual time designing a solar cooker on their own. Afterward, students…

The Polar Insulation Investigation

Journal Article | September 2006

In this article an oceanographer discusses her development of an activity to help students explore polar-related questions more fully. "The Polar Insulation Investigation" builds on students' natural interest in "…

Putting Public Television to Work for You

Journal Article | February 2002

Public television programs such as ZOOM, A Science Odyssey, and NOVA can be a great way to enhance the science curriculum. Suggestions for using these programs in the classroom and accessing supplemental materials,…

Tried and True: Whatever floats your boat

Journal Article | February 2003

Ever since Archimedes ran down the streets of ancient Greece shouting, “Eureka!,” scientists have understood that a submerged body displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume. Scientists also came to realize…

The Home Zone: Flying Together

Journal Article | January 2003

Airplanes, like kites and other flying objects, are of great interest to elementary children. Like the Wright brothers and countless other aviation pioneers, children seem to enjoy the process of designing, making, and…

The Case of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker: The Scientific Process and How it Relates to Everyday Life

Journal Article | August 2007

In this case study, based on the reported rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in April 2005, students examine a real-world example of the scientific process and explore the practical implications of their…

Learning by Doing: Teaching the Process of Inquiry

Journal Article | August 2003

Through this "blind" observation exercise, you can bring science alive using inquiry to link the needs, interest, and experiences of your students. The authors provide a general model for inquiry lessons as well as…

Scope on the Skies: Comet Watch

Journal Article | September 2011

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses comets.

Grassroots Environmentalism: Promoting inquiry-based learning through an outdoor education program

Journal Article | April 2001

Students of the Riverside Military Academy (RMA) came up with the idea of starting a grassroots environmental club and within a year had 50 members. This article explains how they began their focus and misson by…

Scope on the Skies: March Mars Madness

Journal Article | February 2012

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses myths surrounding Mars and how it appears in the sky when it reaches opposition.

Powering the Future

Journal Article | November 2011

This activity introduces students to the pros and cons of a renewable energy source, allowing them to experience how energy can change form from mechanical to electrical. Pairs of students are challenged to build a set…