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…

Research on the River: High school and university students use technology and integrated science to study the quality of the James River

Journal Article | August 2000

This project—the JAMES (Joining Across Miles Environmental Systems)—gave high school students the chance to do research involving technology and integrated science and allowed university science methods students the…

Creating a College-Going Culture

Journal Article | February 2011

Research indicates that increased parental involvement has a positive impact on student achievement, especially among Hispanic students (Zarate 2007; NSTA 2010). This author helped science teachers at Falfurrias High…

Reflecting on a Misconception: Can students see a full-length image in a small mirror?

Journal Article | January 2002

Looking at the reflection of our image in a mirror is so commonplace that most of us are unaware of the misconception we hold with respect to this phenomenon. This article provides an activity that will help students…

Gravity Racers

Journal Article | February 2010

With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games prominent in the media, children were exposed to images of athletes skiing down snow-covered slopes, coasting furiously on bobsleds, and skating gracefully across the ice. Therefore,…