Classroom Management and Inquiry-Based Learning: Finding the Balance

Journal Article | June 2009

Inquiry practices often involve more student-centered activities where students interact more intensively with materials and with other students during investigations. In addition to monitoring the learning taking place…

Safer Science: Pay Attention to Lab Occupancy Load

Journal Article | January 2013

This column provides best safety practices for the science classroom and laboratory. This month’s issue discusses lab occupancy load.

Back to the Future?

Journal Article | January 2008

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nature-study was the most widespread orientation to science instruction in the nation’s schools. During the four or so decades of its existence, nature-study evolved to become…

Scope on Skies: Mercury

Journal Article | December 2007

This month, Mercury will start becoming visible over the western horizon shortly after sunset. If you have students observe Mercury, they should do so at approximately the same time for each observation. During the…

A Winning Combination

Journal Article | October 2012

Interactive word walls effectively incorporate the four components of a comprehensive vocabulary program along with a visual foundation for students to anchor learning. This article describes an effort to build science…

Scope on the Skies: The Geography of Eclipses

Journal Article | March 2013

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue talks about eclipses.

Shoe Box Circuits

Journal Article | November 2009

Students’ eyes grow wide with wonder as they get a motor to work or make a bulb light for the first time. As these daunting feats of electrical engineering remind us, teaching electricity is invariably rewarding and…

Science Sampler: Hire a scientist

Journal Article | February 2003

Hire a scientist is an activity that asks students to review the qualifications of a scientist who has applied for a job at a research facility. During this review, students learn about the scientist’s job skills,…

Technology-Based Learning: Using water studies as the basis for an alternative teaching strategy

Journal Article | August 2001

The Technology-Based Learning in School Science (tBLISS) project was developed with two purposes in mind—to investigate the feasibility of implementing a technology-based science curriculum with a small group of…

The Early Years: Seeing the Moon

Journal Article | December 2011

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue explores the formation of impact craters.

Inquiry Takes Time

Journal Article | August 2012

This articles lays out a plan to develop inquiry skills in a third-grade classroom over the course of the school year.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12: Books Published in 2012

Journal Article | February 2013

This year's list of science trade books can be used in the science classroom to enrich and inspire students while they learn science content.

Editor's Corner: Get Real

Journal Article | January 2001

The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue.

Idea Bank: MultiSensory Science

Journal Article | April 2003

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s issue features a unique approach of teaching science—the multisensory approach—combining music, pictures, and…

Teacher as Researcher: University programs help teachers bring modern research into the secondary classroom

Journal Article | February 2002

Due to other professional commitments, teachers sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the latest developments in science and technology. Through the university Research Experience for Teachers (RET) programs,…