Science Sampler: Using sheltered instruction to teach English Language Learners

Journal Article | October 2008

Sheltered instruction is not a commercial program but is a set of instructional practices used specifically with English Language Learners (ELL). It embeds existing instructional strategies such as wait time, visual…

Tried and True: Investigating Change Using the Invisible-Test-Tube Demonstration

Journal Article | December 2012

This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. This month’s issue describes a simple, inexpensive, engaging way to teach refraction that students will talk about for the entire school year.

The Division of Chemical Education Revisited, 25 Years Later

Journal Article | June 2010

This paper examines what has happened over a period of 25 years since a separate Division of Chemical Education was created within the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University. It argues that the faith in the…

Creative Soil Conservation

Journal Article | January 2010

Take plant lessons outdoors with this engaging and inquiry-based activity in which third-grade students learn how to apply soil conservation methods to growing plants. They also collect data and draw conclusions about…

JELL-O and Detergents: A Successful Inquiry Recipe

Journal Article | June 2006

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time. Capture that excitement by engaging your 10th-grade biology students in an inquiry project that demonstrates the nature of science and scientific inquiry. The Next…

What's Hot? What's Not?

Journal Article | September 2006

When Goldilocks finds three bowls of porridge at different temperatures in the three bears’ house, she accurately assess the situation and comes up with one of the most recognizable lines in children’s literature, “This…

They’re M-e-e-elting! An Investigation of Glacial Retreat in Antarctica

Journal Article | December 2006

Why has glacial melting occurred? What happens when that much freshwater enters the ocean? Will this melting continue? These questions inspired the authors to design a directed inquiry in which middle school students…

The Friendship Detector

Journal Article | January 2012

The Friendship Detector gives students a chance to design, test, and build a complex circuit with multiple switches and battery-powered lights or buzzers. The process involves important engineering themes and core…

Dissecting Classroom Ethics

Journal Article | December 1999

When an ethical issue is still being debated publically, it is inappropriate for schools to advocate a particular position—either explicitly or implicitly. Nevertheless, we can and should prepare students to integrate…

Editor’s Corner: New Tools for Learning

Journal Article | September 2010

Technology has the potential to transform science education through online social network collaboration, satellite navigation and imaging, field and laboratory digital probeware, wikis and blogs, sophisticated online…

Problem Solving by Design

Journal Article | September 2009

In a unique school—university partnership, methods students collaborated with fifth graders to use the engineering design process to build their problem-solving skills. By placing the problem in the context of a client…

Scope on Safety: Spill safety

Journal Article | January 2005

Preventing chemical spills in the laboratory is critical, but teachers also need to know what to do if a spill does occur. This article outlines strategies to help with hazardous chemical spills in lab facilities and on…

Teaching Critical-Thinking Skills Using Course Content Material: A Reversal of Roles

Journal Article | April 2005

The strategy of getting students to understand science content using critical thinking has been widely used by instructors for decades. The methodology presented here was used to teach and improve critical-thinking…

Science Sampler: The Mathematics/Science Housing program

Journal Article | November 2007

The National Middle School Association (1999) has identified transition programs, interdisciplinary teaming, and varied instruction as three of the five fundamental practices among exemplary middle schools. Elliott…

Recognizing Excellence: STEM Day in the Park

Journal Article | January 2012

This column features profiles of award-winning science programs and teachers. This month’s issue describes a weekend event that introduces families to science concepts in an outdoor setting.