What's So Special About Disciplinary Core Ideas? (Part 3)

Blog Post | February 2017

DCIs Develop Across Time The first two blogs in my series on disciplinary core ideas (DCIs) focused on how DCIs form a conceptual framework and that DCIs provide explanations for a variety of phenomena. In this final…

Ideas and inspiration from NSTA’s February 2017 K-12 journals

Blog Post | February 2017

All three journals this month include the inaugural Best STEM Books for Students K–12 with descriptions and reviews. The rubric and criteria used in selecting these books is also provided. Share it with your librarian,…

Using Science and Engineering Practices in the Classroom

Blog Post | February 2017

Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides an in-depth understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K–12 Science Education (Framework) and the…

Ed News: Idaho Legislators Strip Climate Change Language

Blog Post | February 2017

This week in education news, Idaho legislators remove climate change language from new state science standards, California renews push to promote environmental education in public schools, three global indexes show…

The Most Profound News of Valentine’s Day 2017

Blog Post | February 2017

This Valentine’s Day, while most media attention was focused on the dismissal of the National Security Advisor, The New York Times ran a story that received much less media attention, but has far greater potential…

Big learning from short observations of birds: February 17-20, 2017

Blog Post | February 2017

Walk outside with your children, watch and count birds for 15 minutes while recording the names of those you know, and report your bird count to be part of a world-wide citizen-science project to collect data on…

Avoiding Electrical Hazards in the Lab

Blog Post | February 2017

In science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) labs, teachers and students can be exposed to a number of electrical hazards such as damaged electrical receptacles, missing ground prongs, and faulty electrical…

Join NSTA Press Authors at the 2017 National Conference in Los Angeles

Blog Post | February 2017

We rely on their expertise and have their books lined up on our resource shelves for handy reference, but the opportunity to hear so many NSTA Press authors speak in person is too good to pass up. The array of…

The Surefire FirePak: A Smartphone Science Studio Lighting Solution

Blog Post | February 2017

As smartphone cameras take on an ever-more sophisticated role in the science classroom, the technical limits of phone photography become more apparent. Luckily, a dose of strong light can overcome many…

Science education "trifecta"

Blog Post | February 2017

I’m looking for creative ways for students to share what they know, other than traditional written reports or essays.  —K., Michigan The creative process in science involves novel ways of thinking, problem solving…

Ed News: Scientists Take on New Roles in K–12 Classrooms

Blog Post | February 2017

This week in education news, scientists take on new roles in K–12 classrooms, the U.S. Senate confirmed Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, a new report finds California teacher shortages have led to ‘severe…

The goTenna Off-Grid Communication Device: Take A "Cell Network" on your next Field Trip

Blog Post | February 2017

Imagine co-leading a science field trip indoors in a large museum with questionable cell coverage, or outside and too far from the nearest cell tower. The goTenna system allows you to directly contact another goTenna…

DeVos Confirmed as ED Secretary/House Kills ESSA Accountability Regulations

Blog Post | February 2017

After a long and contentious confirmation battle the Senate confirmed Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education on February 7 after a highly partisan 51 to 50 vote. Vice President Mike Pence cast the deciding vote to…

An ECSTEM conference experience

Blog Post | February 2017

An early childhood education conference is an opportunity to meet others who share a passion for improving our science teaching practice, meet our education mentors and gain new insights into why certain educational…

The Celestron Micro-Fi Wireless Digital Microscope: A Handful of Wow!

Blog Post | February 2017

The term “wireless” does not so much describe what is, but instead what isn’t. And what isn’t is wires. What’s strange about many wireless technologies is there was never a wired version to begin with so describing the…