Cell Organelles and Silk Batik: A Model for Integrating Art and Science

Journal Article | September 2012

This activity integrates science and art concepts around the theme of cell organelles using the exciting and somewhat unusual medium of painted silk batik.

The Case of the Missing Music

Journal Article | December 2007

From Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew to the countless other detectives that fill children’s bookshelves and television programs, it is clear that children are fascinated with solving crimes. As a result, a chemistry professor…

Sharpening the Craft of Scientific Writing: A Peer-Review Strategy to Improve Student Writing

Journal Article | October 1997

Writing is vital to the success of a scientist. Incorporating peer review into courses is an excellent way to enhance the scientific writing experience. Students find that the process of reviewing the work of peers and…

Science Sampler: A first energy grant—Pinwheel electrical generation

Journal Article | September 2007

This is an interdisciplinary activity—with art, science, and math classes involved—where students design their own pinwheels, and then attach their design to a DC generator (motor). Prior to testing their designs,…

Idea Bank: Monitoring the Oceans from the Classroom

Journal Article | August 2006

Major disasters such as the tsunami of 2004 and hurricanes of 2005 have emphasized the need for an organized global network of ocean observing systems. As a result, Observing System Education has been identified as one…

Multi-Resource Learning: How to effectively use multiple resources and cooperative groups in the classroom

Journal Article | January 2001

Students are enthusiastic with the multi-resource learning environment in which multiple resources, such as the Internet, science posters, magazines, books, CD-ROMs, and inquiry labs are used in the learning process.…

Idea Bank: The Lunar “Space Weather” Action Center

Journal Article | March 2010

The Lunar “Space Weather” Action Center (LSWAC) provides an opportunity to use knowledge about the Sun’s stormy “weather” and understandings about the lunar environment to forecast “space weather” on the Moon and…

Science Sampler: The DEP saves the beans—A Performance assessment task for acid rain

Journal Article | March 2007

Using performance assessment tasks allows students to demonstrate conceptual understanding of the important ideas of science, use scientific tools and processes, apply understanding of ideas to solve new, draw on what…

Teaching Through Trade Books: The Wonder of Water

Journal Article | November 2008

Water is an extraordinary substance that we often take for granted. Not only is it what makes our planet uniquely habitable, water is the only substance on Earth that naturally occurs in three different forms. In this…

Get Connected to Science: The possibilities abound with today's high-tech classroom resources

Journal Article | March 2000

Too often classroom computers are used for word processing or drill and practice software. However, these uses don’t begin to tap into the rewards of computer technology. This article describes how elementary students…

Student-Centered Seismology Activities

Journal Article | December 1999

This article describes a three-week unit on earthquakes, a high-interest topic that is no doubt taught in most science classrooms. But in this unit, students learn about earthquakes by building equipment for experiments…

Case Study: Uretero What? Gynecological Health Issues, Pregnancy, and an Infant With a Birth Defect

Journal Article | December 2008

This case study follows the life of a successful career woman who is faced with a series of medical problems and career decisions. The purpose of this case study is for students to apply systems-level physiology as they…

Developing Intuitive Reasoning With Graphs to Support Science Arguments

Journal Article | August 2011

This article describes two activities—one math activity and one science activity—that teach students how to make a scientific argument and articulate a scientific claim.

The Moon Project

Journal Article | February 2006

What do Australia, Alaska, Qatar, Indiana, and Ohio all have in common? Similar climates? Population numbers? No, the authentic writing More Observations of Nature (MOON) Project! In this unique project, teachers…

CURRICULUM MAPPING: A How-To Guide—Using curriculum mapping to align instruction

Journal Article | March 2002

Curriculum mapping focuses on what is actually taught. Teachers see which benchmarks or standards are or aren't being met and which information needs to be added. Ultimately, curriculum mapping should produce a…