Science Sampler: Fired up about science

Journal Article | December 2005

Turn the "wow" factor into the "how" factor with this exciting activity that reinforces or introduces the skills of observing and inferring with the use of flash paper and candles. The magic of this lesson is that the…

Science 101: Are there different types of force and motion?

Journal Article | February 2004

"Red Rover! Red Rover let Jesse come over!" Young students are familiar with the observable effects of force and motion but may not have considered the many varieties demonstrated in simple ways every day on the…

Guest Editorial: What a copper-plated nail taught me about sharing research results

Journal Article | March 2011

Linda Shore relives the first time she shared the results of a science experiment.

Idea Bank: Mystery Objects

Journal Article | April 2002

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank find a collection of activities to launch the academic year that generate student interest and motivation.

Science 101: How do we know the universe is expanding, and what exactly does that mean?

Journal Article | August 2008

Unless you’ve been hiding out in a cave for the last 20 years, you’ve heard that the universe is expanding and it started with a big bang. To put an expanding universe in perspective, it helps to imagine that you live…

The Prepared Practitioner: Learning Science Beyond the Classroom

Journal Article | June 2008

Have you ever learned science outside of school, free of fact-based standards and tests? Were you at a museum, national park, or maybe in front of a TV? Science educators refer to this kind of learning as free-choice…

Science Sampler: Reading science

Journal Article | February 2005

Nonfiction books have the power to excite students about learning and fuel their desire to know more about a topic or person. Using a variety of books can differentiate instruction and provide suitable reading to…

Commentary: Putting Nanotechnology Under the Microscope

Journal Article | November 2006

Nanotechnology is all over the news: Particles that become translucent or change color according to size! Particles smaller than viruses in the shape of hollow soccer balls! Particles that can destroy tumors, prevent…

Scope on Safety: Turning Up the Heat on Safety

Journal Article | November 2012

This column shares safety information for your classroom. This month’s issue discusses safety rules when using hot plates.

Editor's Roundtable: Puzzled by Assessment?

Journal Article | March 2012

Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Those Puzzling Pendulums

Journal Article | November 2004

Inquiry labs in the science classroom help students make connections and discover scientific relationships for themselves. This article describes an inquiry-based laboratory in which students explore the properties of a…

Coaching to Build Support for Inquiry-Based Teaching

Journal Article | December 2006

Coaching, as a means to support inquiry-based teaching, starts by changing the culture from within (school, teacher, and student) rather than from external mandates. Recognizing that teacher empowerment is the first…

The Art of Reviewing Science Journals

Journal Article | October 2004

Science journals are wonderful tools. They offer a glimpse into children’s science understandings, and they are both diagnostic and pedagogically informative to teachers. Examining and reflecting on children’s journal…

Commentary: Learning Techniques for Teachers

Journal Article | November 2002

An opinion piece about how simple reading strategies are dynamic, timesaving, learning techniques.

Predicting Population Curves: Using inquiry in the biology classroom to study populations

Journal Article | March 2003

A study of gray wolf populations in Wisconsin sparks inquiry in the biology classroom. Students evaluated variables that would affect the wolves, and developed one graph and a defense statement that the students agreed…