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…

Introducing Multicultural Science Into the Chemistry Curriculum in the Mexican-American Border Region

Journal Article | February 2012

Traditional beliefs in the Mexican-American border region were compiled by students in an introductory general chemistry course. Some of these beliefs were used as the basis for short research studies and the results…

Insect Keepers

Journal Article | February 2010

Insects are fascinating creatures—especially when you and your students get up close and personal with them! To that end, the authors facilitated an inquiry-based investigation with an emphasis on identification of the…

Discovery Central

Journal Article | March 2005

One very nifty teacher decides to create four interactive, plant themed learning centers to help students develop science process skills, including observing, comparing, recording data, collecting data, sorting, and…

Promoting Science Literacy Through Research Service-Learning—An Emerging Pedagogy With Significant Benefits for Students, Faculty, Universities, and Communities

Journal Article | June 2010

Research service-learning (RSL) is an emerging pedagogy in which students engage in research within a service-learning context. This approach has great potential to promote science literacy because it teaches students…

Citizen Scientists: Investigating Science in the Community

Journal Article | November 2012

This article describes numerous examples of citizen science projects that provide meaningful, authentic contexts for students to engage in the processes of science.