Nature’s Light Show: It’s Magnetic!

Book Chapter | October 2016

This lesson helps students draw and describe Earth’s magnetic field, explain the phenomenon of the aurora, summarize a text, including the central ideas and supporting details, and synthesize information gained from…

How Can You Light the Bulb?

Book Chapter | February 2014

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about complete circuits and the structure of a lightbulb. It is designed to reveal how students think a battery and bulb need to be connected in order to…

Does Light Go Through It?

Book Chapter | March 2016

In this chapter, the objective of the activity “Playing With Light” is to explore how light passes through, or is blocked by, transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. Chapters 1 and 2 are also included in this…

Get Fired Up With Friction Lights

Book Chapter | April 2019

This case study provides a summary of the history and science of matches. In the lesson, students consider how matches were discovered and work together to think about new applications for matches to solve real-life…

Light: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It

NSTA Press Book | December 2002

Why is left right and right left in the mirror? Baffled by the basics of reflection and refraction? Wondering just how the eye works? If you have trouble teaching concepts about light that you don’t fully grasp yourself…

Which Gets Hotter: Light or Dark Surfaces?

Book Chapter | September 2011

On sunny summer days, is it better to wear light-or dark-colored clothing if you are trying to keep cool? Which type of clothing is best to wear on cold, sunny winter days if you want to get warm quickly? You probably…

Shining Light on the Importance of Explore-Before-Explain Experiences for Early Childhood Learners

Journal Article | January 2022

Disequilibrium: Bringing respiration to light

Journal Article | August 2019

Using discrepant events to confront misconceptions

Making light work of gravity: Scaffolding middle schoolers’ thinking to help them understand gravitational lensing.

Journal Article | January 2024

Although the NGSS has helped teachers conceptualize teaching science in a more integrated way, effectively scaffolding students’ thinking within and across lessons can still be a challenge for any middle school science…

Circus of Light

Journal Article | January 2004

In a "science circus," small groups of students engage in various science activities at a series of stations, then participate in a class discussion that builds understanding about the topic. Examples of the activities…

Luminous Lighting

Journal Article | January 2016

In this STEAM activity, students create wire sculptures that light up.

Lights and Larvae

Journal Article | August 2014

Using optogenetics to teach recombinant DNA and neurobiology.

Dissecting Light

Journal Article | March 2000

White light is composed of the entire visible light spectrum, but how do you teach this to students in a hands-on way? The answer is simple: by using a spectroscope. This easy-to-make tool allows students to dissect…