Scope on the Skies: Neptune—The planet exterior to Uranus

Journal Article | October 2007

This month, the three most outer planets—Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune—and one of the larger dwarf planets, Pluto, will be in the evening skies after sunset. While only Jupiter and Uranus will be visible through small…

They Dig It!

Journal Article | June 2005

Sixth-grade students learn about the scientific processes of archaeology and paleontology when they participate in this activity. Students participate in integrated lessons based on the two disciplines, with language…

Never Too Cool for School

Journal Article | January 2012

Parent science nights help a teacher connect with parents of upper elementary students while at the same time provide time to present exciting science challenges and problem-solving situations.

Editor's Corner: Training Grounds for the Future

Journal Article | September 2002

Training student teachers is a critical skill. The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on student teaching.

Ducks Overboard

Journal Article | December 2012

The story of rubber bath toys falling off a cargo ship provides an opportunity to make multiple connections to crosscutting concepts and to integrate science and social studies under the auspices of environmental…

Guest Editorial: MOOCs in Your Future

Journal Article | February 2013

Guest editor Lester Paldy talks about massive open online courses.

A message from the NSTA President: Meeting the Needs of the New World Student (September 2007)

Journal Article | August 2007

To succeed in the 21st century, students have to learn how to be creative problem solvers who can work in collaborative groups. These new-world students must have the ability to think critically, use technology…

Commentary: Never Have an Ordinary Day

Journal Article | January 2002

An opinion piece—from a retired science teacher—about ways to avoid having an ordinary day, featuring suggestions on things that can influence your teaching the most.

A Two-Sided Mirror of Science Education: Reflecting on the Distant World of Science to See Close Connections to Everyday Life

Journal Article | April 1999

This paper describes students using critical reflection to assume the role of the director of the National Science Foundation. This exercise helps sharpen writing and persuasion skills and motivates students to think…

The Case Study: The Cheerleader and the Football Player

Journal Article | October 2001

This is a classic engineering problem involving pulleys. It is suitable for any basic class where Newtonian mechanics are discussed. The objective of the case is straightforward: to teach the mechanical principle of the…

Every Day Science: May 2010

Journal Article | March 2010

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

Science Sampler: Making Connections Fun

Journal Article | April 2004

Games are a great way to help students make meaningful connections between abstract science concepts and vocabulary. This article describes three games—Secrets, Connections, and Pairs of Opposites—that help students…

Activity Selection: It’s More Than the Fun Factor—An easy-to-use evaluation form to help select effective science activities

Journal Article | September 1999

Many people assume that if an activity is published or popular, it is a good one. This is often the case when teachers select science activities because they are fun or address a particular science topic, not because…

Using Science Popularizations to Promote Learner-Centered Teaching

Journal Article | November 2008

This article attempts to evaluate why popularizations seem to generate positive reactions from learners and why the authors find themselves using popularizations more and more frequently. In doing a retrospective…

Using Digital Microscopy

Journal Article | March 2006

Studying Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) live cultures provides excellent opportunities for authentic inquiry in a high school anatomy and physiology or other biology lab course. The anatomy of C. elegans, a free-…