Science Sampler: NASA’s Dawn mission—Helping define planets, dwarf planets, and asteroids

Journal Article | June 2007

The decision by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006 to redefine the term planet has caught the attention of the public and students from grade school to graduate school. The IAU’s decision has not…

Every Day Science: December 2009

Journal Article | November 2009

This monthly feature contains facts and challenges for the science explorer.

Idea Bank: Practice Makes Perfect

Journal Article | August 2002

New science teachers face a daunting task. They must rapidly learn how to put together notes, find interesting demos, present challenging labs, provide appropriate homework, write tests and quizzes, stay organized, and…

Teaching Science to ELLs, Part I

Journal Article | February 2011

Since 1995, the population of English language learners (ELLs) in the United States has increased by an astonishing 57% (Maxwell 2009). Though ELLs come from many different backgrounds, they share the common challenge…

Movie Mitosis

Journal Article | November 2008

Mitosis and meiosis are essential for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. Because these processes are essential to life, both are emphasized in biology texts, state standards, and the National…

Harry Potter and the Dichotomous Key

Journal Article | September 2003

In this lesson, students use Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans—a “wild” candy written about in the Harry Potter books and now available in stores—to learn about classification and dichotomous keys. In these activities,…

Collaboratively Examining Student Work

Journal Article | January 2004

How do we get our students to meet science standards? What is impossible working alone is made possible by collaborating with colleagues. Through the Schools Around the World (SAW) program, teachers have the opportunity…

Editor's Note: 'Tis the Season for Outdoor Learning

Journal Article | January 2000

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Science for Elementary Educators

Journal Article | February 2004

Science for Elementary Educators is a multidisciplinary, interactive learning course developed for the science instruction of childhood education majors. The course described here is a model for science education reform…

Scope on Safety: Signs of safer science

Journal Article | October 2009

Can you imagine trying to put out a fire and finding the fire extinguisher? Experiencing a short circuit and having to search for the master electrical shutoff? Having a hazardous chemical splash and not being able to…

The Potential da Vinci in All of Us

Journal Article | January 2009

The study of the human form is fundamental to both science and art curricula. For vertebrates, perhaps no feature is more important than the skeleton to determine observable form and function. As Leonard da Vinci’s…

Guest Editorial: More Than Just Technology

Journal Article | June 2011

An opinion piece about integrating technology into teaching.

In Search of Air Pollution

Journal Article | January 2006

Using EPA and NOAA websites, students are able to view pollution inventories (the amounts and kinds of pollution released in a given location) and follow pollution along its estimated path of travel. This inquiry based…

Scope on Safety: Tools for Improving Your IAQ IQ

Journal Article | October 2012

This column shares safety information for your classroom. This month’s issue discusses air quality in schools.

Inquiry by Design Briefs

Journal Article | October 2007

Design briefs are plausible situations in which students are asked to solve problems given limited materials, a specific time frame, and a number of rules and limitations. It is the author’s contention that the design…