Little Shrimp, Big Results: A Model of an Integrative, Cross-Curricular Activity

Journal Article | November 2010

This integrative, cross-curricular lab engages middle school biology students in an exercise involving ecology, arthropod biology, and mathematics. Students research the anatomy and behavioral patterns of a species of…

Reinforcing Science with Web-Based Exercises

Journal Article | November 2001

Little is known about the academic effectiveness of online instruction. To research this area, the authors created web-based exercises to support an existing course and tested their effectiveness. Students’ academic…

Commentary: Why Societal Issues Belong in Science Class

Journal Article | September 2009

Young people face a future filled with important issues that should be informed by science—such as climate change, genetic manipulation, and the management of pandemics. To meet these challenges, students need an…

Methods and Strategies: The Science Beliefs Quiz

Journal Article | February 2006

Science misconceptions--we all have them. It doesn't matter whether you are a science teacher, an elementary student, a parent, or someone earning an advanced degree in science. This article counters those common…

Fun with Phase Changes

Journal Article | January 2006

Simple phase change explorations build a “solid” foundation for later learning about molecules. Using water as the example, upper-elementary students participate in activities that introduce the idea of the arrangement…

How Accurate Are Student-Collected Data?

Journal Article | March 2008

The purpose of this study was to teach upper elementary and high school students to monitor two estuarine creeks using an adaptation of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Adopt-A-Stream protocol. Data…

JCST Sunsets Favorite Demonstration Column

Journal Article | February 2011

The Journal of College Science Teaching announces that this long-running column will be discontinued. We will continue to publish those articles which have been previously accepted, but we will no longer accept new…

Editor’s Note: Connecting With Technology

Journal Article | June 2009

We are in a new age. It is an age in which children view technology as an extension of their senses. Children are growing up surrounded by technology and develop an intuition that often amazes those of us who grew up…

Developing "Green" Business Plans: Using Entrepreneurship to Teach Science to Business Administration Majors and Business to Biology Majors

Journal Article | June 2011

Biology majors team with business administration majors to develop proposals for "green" enterprise for a business plan competition. The experience gives students insight into the dynamics of cross-functional teaming…

National Science and Technology Week

Journal Article | January 1999

The National Science Foundation (NSF) started the National Science and Technology Week because of the importance of nurturing children's natural interest in the wonders of science and technology.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 (Books published in 2008)

Journal Article | February 2009

Today’s classrooms have no real walls! Students explore the world on field trips, during virtual journeys on the world wide web, and through the books they read. These pathways help them fly to the ends of the universe…

Science Sampler: Using video games as an alternative science assessment for students with disabilities and at-risk learners

Journal Article | December 2010

This article describes how middle school teachers can improve students’ science performance using video games that incorporate principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Research indicates that…

A Template for Open Inquiry

Journal Article | October 2010

This article provides an instructional approach to helping students generate open-inquiry research questions, which the authors call the open-inquiry question template. This template was created based on their…

The Early Years: The Nuts and Bolts of Discovery Centers

Journal Article | October 2005

Young children are born scientists, exploring everything in their world around them. Yet, many teachers still find it hard to integrate science into the daily schedule. However, open-ended science or discovery centers…

Differentiation Through Choice: Using a Think-Tac-Toe for Science Content

Journal Article | January 2010

Differentiation can begin with a single lesson, expand to a unit, and finally grow to be a natural part of a teacher’s daily practice. The Think-Tac-Toe, described in this article, can evaluate students’ learning during…