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  • States of matter

    Blog Post |

    I am teaching the states of matter to first graders. I was looking for some demonstrations or hands-on activities to help the students understand the concept of a gas, since they can’t really see it. —Megan,…

  • Elementary Extravaganza Excitement

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    Don’t you just hate it when multiple conference sessions you want to attend are occurring simultaneously, or several blocks away from one another? If you are an elementary teacher, the “Elementary…

  • On observing animals

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    Do you remember the book Play With Me, (Viking Press, 1955), written and illustrated by Marie Hall Ets about a child observing wildlife? Including Play With Me, five of her book are Caldecott Honor books. I also…

  • Nature experiences and empathy—see the March issues of journals for early childhood educators

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    Both the NSTA journal Science and Children, and the NAEYC journal Young Children, were especially riveting this month, March of 2012. I quickly look through the journals to get a feel for the issue, and then put them in…

  • Earth Day

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    Table of Contents A lot has changed since the first Earth Day, especially in the area of technology and the emphasis on test results. The More High-Tech Our Schools Become, the More They Need Nature sets the stage…

  • ChronoZoom: A real OMG moment in time!

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    What would happen if you could dive in and out of any particular moment of time within a brilliantly conceived visual interface that marries Prezi with the universe? Well, I’m not sure, but I bet it would look something…

  • Thinking about homework

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    The teachers on our team all have different homework policies which confuses our students and their parents. Do you have any suggestions to help us become more consistent? –Jacob from Virginia My views on…

  • Addressing misconceptions in science

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    A significant challenge that science teachers face is how to help students successfully navigate the bridge from their existing ideas about science concepts to scientifically accepted views. A teacher who uncovers…

  • Environmental change

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    Table of Contents How does a change in climate affect an environment and the organisms that live in it? This could be an essential question for an ecology or environmental science unit. Students hear a lot about…

  • Critical thinking

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    Table of Contents A teacher at a workshop once told me, “I keep my student so busy, they don’t have time to think.” I hope she was joking, because helping students learn how to engage in critical thinking—problem…

  • Are we in the midst of a STEM movement?

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    NSTA Executive Director Francis Eberle Each day there seems to be more focus and discussion about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. The volume of comments in the various social media…

  • Chapters and Associated Groups: Advocacy + Professional Development = the Formula for a Great Association

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    This week we are featuring a post from guest blogger, Chuck Hempstead, MPA, CAE.  Chuck is the Executive Director of the Science Teachers Association of Texas (an NSTA Chapter). Chuck also serves as President of…

  • LabQuest 2: The new iPad is not the only new "tablet" on the block

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    While much of the tablet-interested world was waiting for the latest iteration of the iPad to be announced today, there was another launch of a great looking “tablet” device yesterday. Vernier.com announced…

  • Must-see TED videos

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    TED.com provides “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world,” as videos (streaming, downloadable, podcasts, etc.) captured during the conferences. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design…

  • Being a long-term sub

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    I’m starting a long-term substitute position teaching high school chemistry until the end of the year. I’ve subbed for this teacher before, so I’m somewhat familiar with the school. But do you have any suggestions for…

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