Science Sampler: Classroom management, rules, consequences, and rewards! Oh, my!

Journal Article | June 2009

Teachers must start with an organized classroom. Think through how you want your classroom arranged, how students will turn in work, and where supplies are located. Students should also be instructed how the classroom…

Atomic Poetry: Using poetry to teach Rutherford's discovery of the nucleus

Journal Article | August 2001

Most students regard literature and science as two separate subjects with no obvious connections to one another. This interdisciplinary, cross-curricular approach integrates the two to teach physical science students…

What Might Happen If . . .?

Journal Article | March 2000

The lessons many students learn in traditional school curricula are too removed from the problems they encounter in daily life to be useful. One tool that can be used in the classroom to help students analyze and…

Bridging Science and Engineering

Journal Article | February 2002

The Colleges of Engineering and Education at Penn State University have collaborated to design and deliver an engineering course for education and other nonscience majors. In this course, students integrate basic…

Science 101: How Do Microscopes Work?

Journal Article | December 2003

Microscopes allow scientists to examine everyday objects in extraordinary ways. They provide high-resolution images that show objects in fine detail. This articles includes details on how microscopes work and how they…

Science 101: When Is the Bernoulli Effect Not the Bernoulli Effect?

Journal Article | October 2012

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. In this month’s issue the author discusses the Bernoulli Effect.

More Is Less

Journal Article | September 2012

By playing into students' inquisitive nature and taking a closer look into the details of science content, teachers can start uncovering student misconceptions, correcting them, and even preventing future misconceptions…

SCST: Changes in Science Education—Are We Getting Ready? Predicting Education’s Future

Journal Article | January 2000

In this column the leadership of SCST shares its views with JCST readers. This article's focus is on the new millennium which establishes a natural marking point for change. Reflection on the last 10 years might give…

Scope on the Skies: Exploring the Red Planet

Journal Article | January 2001

The launch of the Mars Odyssey 2001 signaled the beginning of a revised plan for the robotic exploration of Mars, the Red Planet. NASA detailed an exploration plan that will span the next two decades. Using new and…

Concept-Based Learning

Journal Article | January 2011

A major part of developing concept-based instruction is the use of an overarching idea to provide a conceptual lens through which students view the content of a particular subject. By using a conceptual lens to focus…

Should We Continue Space Travel? A Technology-Supported Approach to Engaging Students

Journal Article | June 2010

It often seems that as the school year draws to a close, students lose their enthusiasm for learning. So the question becomes, how do we design meaningful curricula that places students at the heart of the learning?…

The Nature of Science: Always Part of the Science Story

Journal Article | October 2004

Understanding how science works is crucial to scientific literacy because bound up in content and public policy decisions involving science are issues regarding what science is, how knowledge in science comes to be…

Speaker Perceptions of Communicative Effectiveness: Conversational Analysis of Student-Teacher Talk

Journal Article | December 2007

This study examines verbal behavior in student-teacher talk and alignment of perceptions of communication effectiveness. Heightened awareness of conversational patterns is more productive in the learning environment…

Teaching Earth Science Using Hot Air Balloons

Journal Article | December 2007

Constructing model hot air balloons is an activity that captures the imaginations of students, enabling teachers to present required content to minds that are open to receive it. Additionally, there are few activities…

Pressure, Pressure Everywhere: Using raps and hands-on activities to teach about air pressure

Journal Article | January 1999

The activities in this article show how combining rap music with hands-on activities provides a valuable way to teach the concept of air pressure. It also allows a connection to content learning with students' everyday…