Commentary: Professional Development and Resources for Educators in Astrobiology

Journal Article | January 2005

In addition to catalyzing and promoting interdisciplinary research in astrobiology, the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) also seeks to train the next generation of astrobiologists. To accomplish this, NAI provides a…

Examining Language To Capture Scientific Understandings: The Case of the Water Cycle

Journal Article | March 2001

As teachers of science, we need to keep in mind that thought and language are intricately related. Linguistic approximations, errors, and misses may be useful windows into our children’s developing thoughts and…

The Impact of Science on Society

Journal Article | December 1999

There is one thing we can say about scientific education as it existed 100 years ago: Certainly as far as America is concerned, the scientific education of the 19th century—taken almost as a whole—did not produce great…

In Search of Cosmic Rays: A student physics project aimed at finding the origin of cosmic rays

Journal Article | October 2001

The authors discuss the Cosmic Ray Observatory Project (CROP), focusing on their high school’s participation in the project. Students build and monitor cosmic ray detectors to count and study cosmic rays and to…

Point of View: A Stranger in a Strange Land

Journal Article | August 2011

This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. In this month’s issue the author discusses how to get nonmajors to feel like they belong in the world of science.

Using Internet Relay Chat to Provide On-Line Tutorials in a Distance-Learning Chemistry Course: Holding Class On-Line at a Commuter-Only University

Journal Article | October 1998

With today's technological advances, distance education has progressed significantly from the old-fashioned correspondence course to encompass a smorgasbord of electronic communications options. This article features…

Science 101: How can an ocean liner made of steel float on water?

Journal Article | June 2007

Sinking and floating is a subject covered in many science classes, from kindergarten through college physics. Even the audiences of late-night talk shows get to predict whether an object will sink or float in water. And…

Scope on Safety: NSTA’s portal into the safety zone

Journal Article | June 2010

NSTA’s Science Safety Advisory Board recently launched the Safety in the Science Classroom portal, which contains safety resources for teachers, supervisors, and administrators. This month’s column provides a partial…

Research and Teaching: Redesigning the Preexam Review Session

Journal Article | October 2010

In a large enrollment, multiple-section course, review sessions enable efficient and consistent delivery of information to all students. A redesigned review session has been implemented to increase attendance and…

Science 101: How do windmills generate power?

Journal Article | June 2009

This is a timely question given that you can now buy your own windmill (or more correctly, wind turbine) for residential use. More on that later. Using windmills to generate electricity makes sense once you understand…

The Early Years: Please Touch Museum

Journal Article | November 2012

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue discusses students making a "please touch" museum in the classroom or gathering a collection of materials in…

Science 101: How much overlap is there across science disciplines?

Journal Article | January 2007

You often will hear that physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth science have a lot in common. In fact, many science curriculum programs stress how these disciplines are integrated and have common concepts and themes.…

Idea Bank: Mirror Writing and Learning Physics by Helping Others

Journal Article | August 2011

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, authors explore mirror writing and physics.

Animals in Disguise

Journal Article | January 2001

When playing outside during recess, a group of first-grade students noticed a lizard in the grass. They observed it for a while but it was very hard to see. This experience led the author to conduct a series of…

The <i>Next Generation Science Standards</i>: A Focus on Physical Science

Journal Article | February 2013

This article focuses on the NGSS disciplinary core ideas in physical science, the development of those ideas across time, the importance of blending core ideas with scientific and engineering practices to build…