Learning Outside the Classroom: Practical Suggestions for Reorganizing Courses to Promote Higher-Order Thinking

Journal Article | December 2004

Exposing students to content outside of the classroom encourages them to take control of their learning. This article describes three methods for redesigning courses to create more class time for the development of…

Idea Bank: More than Multiple-Choice

Journal Article | September 2006

Multiple-choice questions typically dominate tests in high school chemistry classes. The modification described in this article requires students to explain their reasoning behind each multiple-choice answer. This…

Research and Teaching: How Do College Students Best Learn Science? An Assessment of Popular Teaching Styles and Their Effectiveness

Journal Article | April 2000

This paper is based on William Leonard’s “How Do College Students Learn Science?” Chapter 1 in Effective Teaching and Course Management for University and College Science Teachers, edited by E. Siebert, M. Caprio, and C…

The Case Study: Return to Mars—How Not to Teach a Case Study

Journal Article | April 1998

This column provides original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies with teaching notes. This month's issue considers some of the common mistakes case study…

Caving in the Classroom

Journal Article | October 2010

During Cave Week, more than 200 students explore a simulated cave environment and participate in cave-related activities. Active cavers from a local club bring in equipment and photos and speak about their caving…

Teacher’s Toolkit: Building a vision of effective science instruction—How an observation guide supports dialogue

Journal Article | November 2009

To help establish common language, to shape a common vision for a science program, guide individual and group reflection on instruction, and support partner teachers in eliciting the involvement of their colleagues, the…

Science Sampler: Six rules for integrating the arts

Journal Article | June 2006

How can teachers help their students to imagine and construct knowledge in the way that science sees it and simultaneously weave the arts into science lessons? By using the following six simple rules for integrating the…

Science 101: Why Do Leaves Fall Off Trees in the Fall?

Journal Article | February 2012

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. In this month’s issue the author discusses the leaves of deciduous trees.

Clear Skies Ahead! Clearing Up Confusion About Clouds

Journal Article | November 2012

Discover how to identify different types of clouds and use them to predict future weather events.

Editor's Note: Life Cycles

Journal Article | January 2013

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

Early Primary Invasion Scientists

Journal Article | December 2010

“We really need to get the government involved,” said one student, holding his graph up to USDA scientist Steve Seefeldt. Dr. Steve studies methods to control invasive plants, plants that have been introduced to an area…

The National Science Education Standards

Journal Article | December 1999

The authors use the 1992 challenge from the National Committee on Science Education Standards and Assessment to frame the discussion in this article. Here is their challenge: . . . [C]reate a vision for the…

Science and History Come Alive in the Cemetary

Journal Article | October 2005

History and science are brought to life for students during a field trip to a local cemetery or as part of a homework assignment. This exciting activity integrates history into the science curriculum, and helps students…

Scope on the Skies: Summer skies—Planets, an eclipse, and shooting stars

Journal Article | June 2007

This summer, in addition to viewing several of the bright visible planets and another lunar eclipse, there will be an opportunity for viewing the target of an upcoming NASA mission, the asteroid Vesta. Highlights of the…

Science 101: Why Don't Spiders Stick to Their Own Webs?

Journal Article | August 2011

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. In this month’s issue the author explores the world of spider webs.