The Alien Lab: A Study in Genetics

Journal Article | September 2002

Integrate language arts, mathematics, and art with this creature-building activity. Students reinforce their understanding of basic principles of heredity by creating alien creatures with specific traits.

Using a Desktop Explosive Volcano Model to Explore Eruptions

Journal Article | November 2012

This article describes how to build a model that simulates the volcanic eruptions on the Hawaiian Islands.

Observing the Sky Through the Eyes of the Ancient Mayans

Journal Article | December 2003

Throughout history, most cultures paid very close attention to the sky. For the Mayan culture specifically, the dependable motions of the Sun, Moon, and stars and their connection to accurate calendars provided…

Customized Internet Assessments

Journal Article | April 2001

Online assessments, one area of Internet technology that educators are still trying to develop, can involve complicated programming beyond the reach of many instructors. This article describes a program that enables…

Turtle Conservation and Citizen Science: A Winning Combination for Your Classroom

Journal Article | October 2012

Connect students to the natural world by studying the impact of invasive species in your neck of the woods.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: (Books Published in 2002)

Journal Article | February 2003

This article contains a list of the outstanding science trade books published in 2002. It includes information about the selection process, committee, and the NSTA and CBC.

Editor’s Corner: The Central Science

Journal Article | August 2009

Of all the subjects, chemistry should arguably be the most enjoyable; it is filled with things that bubble, change color, burst into flame, and otherwise provide visual and intellectual intrigue. As the paradigmatic…

Teaching Teachers: Standards Direct Preservice Teacher Portfolios

Journal Article | January 2000

Portfolios provide an opportunity and a structure for teachers to document and describe their teaching, articulate professional knowledge, and reflect on what, how, and why they teach. In this article, a required…

The Home Zone: Get Familiar with Fingerprints

Journal Article | December 2002

Welcome to The Home Zone, Science and Children’s new column that presents simple everyday science activities for children and their families to do together. We hope you’ll find the activities a fun and easy way to spend…

A Pond Investigation

Journal Article | April 2002

What lives in the pond? Did frogs hop from another pond to ours? How do tadpoles get into the pond? And Could our pond be polluted? These questions were addressed in a professional development program that takes…

Striking a Balance

Journal Article | March 2012

This article describes using learning centers to advance English language learners' linguistic fluency.

"Hoeked" on Science

Journal Article | April 2004

Students at one school first encounter Anton Von Leeuwenhoek in the first half of fourth grade when they begin a major study of microscopy. This article describes some successful microscope activities for students and a…

Health Wise: December 2008

Journal Article | November 2008

Teachers and students alike deal with certain levels of anxiety. But how much is too much, and what can students do to cope?

Particle Physics Primer: Explaining the Standard Model of matter

Journal Article | December 2001

For the past 35 years, scientists have developed a more basic model of the universe—the Standard Model—that specifically addresses the age-old question, "What is the world made of?" The Standard Model of matter provides…

Case Study: A Question of Responsibility—Whose Asbestos Caused Her Lung Disease?

Journal Article | April 2010

This actual lawsuit, tried in 2006 in Madison County, Illinois, provided the inspiration for a case used in a Physical Geology course. The case is used to teach mineralogy as well as touch on the complexities of melding…