Editor's Note (November/December 2004)

Journal Article | October 2004

At a time in which teachers are pressured to teach more and more to higher standards, writing in the content areas can provide an authentic way to teach writing skills. This selection includes notes from the field…

Journey into the Five Senses

Journal Article | January 2003

As part of her doctoral research, this author visited a multi-age (K–2) classroom as it studied the five senses. The student-centered, hands-on unit took a community approach—involving visiting professionals, parents, a…

Career of the Month: An interview with oceanographer Evan B. Forde

Journal Article | September 2003

This column shares interviews with professionals using science in the workplace. This month’s issue features oceanographer Evan B. Forde of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Idea Bank

Journal Article | February 2000

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s Idea Bank includes an analogy for understanding electron configurations, information on electronic mailing lists,…

Method and Strategies: Supporting Ideas With Evidence

Journal Article | August 2010

One way to help elementary students see connections more easily and to make their thinking more visible is to teach them to approach scientific investigation and problem solving as scientists do—from the framework of “…

Making Mitosis Visible

Journal Article | February 2008

The Technology-Enhanced Learning in Science (TELS) center, a National Science Foundation-funded Center for Learning and Teaching, offers research-tested science modules for students in grades 6—12 (Linn et al. 2006).…

Career of the Month: An Interview with Green Product Chemist Andy Chen

Journal Article | October 2007

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce, recycle, or eliminate the use of generation of hazardous substances. The fundamental idea of green chemistry is that the designer of a…

Editorial: So, Where's the Guy with the Cape?

Journal Article | December 2005

In this section the new editor of the Journal of College Science Teaching, Ann Cutler introduces herself and dispels some of the myths about being an editor. She offers insight into her life as a prodigal academics'…

Challenging Students with Experiments: Incorporating scientific investigations in the busy classroom

Journal Article | December 2002

Experimentation can be adapted for any science class and level. Incorporating authentic experimentation in the classroom supplements science curriculum with subjects students genuinely want to investigate.

Science From the Pond Up: Using Measurement to Introduce Inquiry

Journal Article | February 2010

The authors engaged nonscience majors enrolled in an integrated science course with a prototype activity designed to change their mindset from cookbook to inquiry science. This article describes the activity, the Warm…

Say Cheese! Digital Collections in the Classroom

Journal Article | June 2006

Children love gadgets. And what better "gadget" to work with in the classroom than a digital camera? Digital cameras are easy to find, easy to use, and offer great potential for incorporating technology into your…

Drawing Students Out: Using sketching exercises to hone observation skills

Journal Article | December 2004

Integrating art into science can help students hone their observation skills. In this introductory biology course, the teacher requires students to sketch everything from prepared slides of mitosis and plant anatomy to…

Is There a "Back" of the Room When the Teacher Is in the Middle?

Journal Article | June 2011

This article describes a study of student seating habits in both a traditional lecture hall with the instructor in the front and in a SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Activities for Large Enrollment Undergraduate Programs)…

Summer Reading—It's Element-ary

Journal Article | June 2011

NSTA's reviewers provide suggestions for summer reading for science educators.

Scope on the Skies: Where have all the planets gone?

Journal Article | April 2002

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. In this month’s issue, learn how the orbital motion of the Earth causes a shift in the direction we look to see the planets.