It’s All About Choice

Journal Article | January 2008

Because of the variability exhibited by individual animals’ responses to their environment, studying animal behavior can be a wonderful way to engage students in self-directed, open-inquiry investigations. Individual…

Research and Teaching: Team-Based Learning Enhances Performance in Introductory Biology

Journal Article | February 2009

Given the problems associated with the traditional lecture method, the constraints associated with large classes, and the effectiveness of active learning, continued development and testing of efficient student-centered…

Creating a Classroom Museum

Journal Article | February 1999

Creating a classroom museum is one way to bring the excitement of a museum into the classroom year-round. In this activity, students have so much fun designing their own exhibits that they don't realize they are…

Designing and Implementing a Constructivist Chemistry Laboratory Program: Tinkering With the Laboratory Curricula To Get It Right

Journal Article | February 2000

The author, an educational program specialist at the University of California, Davis, developed a constructivist chemistry laboratory where students had the opportunity to develop their own experimental procedures. This…

Editor's Corner: Science in a Safe Learning Environment

Journal Article | October 2002

The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on inquiry-based learning in the science classroom and the importance of establishing strict safety guidelines.

A Rewarding Partnership

Journal Article | March 2006

A collaborating scientist—a rewarding addition to any high school science program—can help students collect and analyze data that either replicates or parallels the work of the partnering scientist. A perfect example of…

Problem Solving in the Chemistry Laboratory

Journal Article | January 2002

In a pilot project implemented at the University of Kansas, a team of instructors from the education and chemistry departments modified the introductory chemistry laboratory curriculum to center on problem-based inquiry…

Editor’s Note: Plants and Their Partners

Journal Article | January 2009

Plants are a ubiquitous piece of the elementary science curriculum. By the time they reach middle school, students have often grown enough bean seeds to feed a small city. Often these lessons don’t “grow” deeper ideas…

PC Power for the EC Lab: Old computers serve a new purpose—An electrochemistry lab uses PC power supplies

Journal Article | March 2002

Teachers are constantly challenged to create a setting where students can engage in comprehensive investigations. Using computer power supplies to power the EC lab demonstrates our commitment to this challenge—to…

Making Technology Inclusive

Journal Article | October 2003

Assistive Technology (AT) helps a person with a physical, cognitive, learning, or speech disability perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. There are hundreds of specialized AT devices on the…

Scope on Safety - Safety contracts: Let it be written, let it be done

Journal Article | February 2006

Student safety contracts are an important tool for teachers to use in helping to prepare for and maintain a safe working environment. They also serve an additional means of showing that the teacher was working in good…

Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Students' Ideas in Science

Journal Article | December 2004

Formative assessment probes can help teachers find out what students' ideas are before teaching lessons and use the information to adjust instructional strategies. This article defines formative assessment probes,…

Investigating Future Climate Scenarios

Journal Article | November 2012

Identify which locations are most at risk for a global warming–induced rise in sea level.

Instant Integration: Just Add Water

Journal Article | January 2009

An instructional unit incorporating some of the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) hydrology protocols provides an excellent way to connect academic learning, scientific inquiry, multiple…

Connecting Biotechnology and Society

Journal Article | March 2003

A recombinant DNA activity allows students to consider the benefits and costs of genetic engineering. Laboratory activities in biotechnology can be adapted to provide unique opportunities for students to explore socio-…