H₂ O Olympics

Journal Article | September 1999

Have you ever noticed that the water level in a measuring cup is higher at the sides than at the center? Can you explain how it is possible for water striders to walk on water? What are the physical properties of water…

Science 101: How do plants make their own food?

Journal Article | February 2003

Plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis, a term that comes from the Greek language, meaning “arranging with light.” In this article, a botanist describes the fundamental concept of…

Outdoor Ecology School

Journal Article | April 2004

On a bright spring day last year, high school environmental science students led third graders on a dynamic learning adventure as part of an annual Outdoor Ecology School. At a water-monitoring site in a nearby national…

Meet the Mealworms

Journal Article | January 2005

Fourth-grade students’ inquiry skills are tested when a container of mealworms arrives and they are given the opporunity to explore an unfamiliar organism. Students complete a series of mealworm activities, from…

From Mystery Seed to Mangrove Island

Journal Article | January 2010

Introducing a mystery object is an easy strategy to implement and allows teachers to pre-assess students’ knowledge about local natural resources. Misconceptions can be noted as teachers record initial inquiries and…

Collaborating for Communication

Journal Article | June 2012

An engineering challenge requires students to work together while providing an opportunity for assessing their learning styles.

It's All the News: Critiquing Evidence and Claims

Journal Article | January 2002

To develop their ability to critique scientific claims, students evaluate the science behind articles on a fictitious Internet tabloid. Students critique the scientific claims, then make recommendations for ways to…

Perspectives: Cultural Diversity in the Science Classroom

Journal Article | June 2007

When students come to science class, they bring a variety of perspectives formed in part from their cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and family background. This may create challenges for students whose experiences…

AIM for Professional Development

Journal Article | January 2004

Instructional materials help guide both what and how teachers teach and what and how students learn. Most educators, however, are not aware that the selection of instructional materials can serve as energizing, engaging…

Science 101: What causes the seasons?

Journal Article | December 2006

In this article, we learn about the relationship between the Earth and the sun at certain times of the year. Certain myths are broken, and we get a real lesson on what causes the seasons.

Commentary: Teacher-Partners

Journal Article | February 2001

An opinion piece about how Detroit teachers discovered that partnering with volunteer engineers from business and industry helped maximize student learning.

Spring Break: A Lesson in Circuits

Journal Article | August 2001

This case, taught in a problem-based learning format, introduces students to the topics of electricity and circuits within the context of house wiring. Students explore the properties of series and parallel circuits,…

Career of the Month: An Interview With Tsunami Researcher Vasily Titov

Journal Article | March 2010

When the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Sumatra in 2004, nations around the world were shocked to learn that tsunamis, though rare, are a major threat to people and property. Tsunami researchers investigate these natural…

Career of the Month: An Interview with Space Architect Constance Adams

Journal Article | September 2007

Drawing knowledge from many fields—including science, engineering, and art—space architects such as Constance Adams design structures for nonterrestrial environments. In one such project at NASA, Adams works on elements…

Every Day Science: May 2008

Journal Article | March 2008

This monthly feature contains facts and challenges for the science explorer.