Strategies for Teaching Something New

Journal Article | August 2004

It is the beginning of another school year and, after teaching sixth-grade life science for 15 years, you are now asked to teach eighth-grade Earth science! Panic sets in and you begin to feel like a first-year teacher…

Scope on Safety: Flame Tests—A Burning Safety Issue

Journal Article | October 2008

Flame-test demonstrations are conducted annually in middle and high school science labs across the country. The purpose of the flame test is to help identify an unknown metal or metalloid ion based on a characteristic…

Guest Editorial: Improving Undergraduate Science
Education—National Initiatives, Local Implications

Journal Article | April 1998

In this article, the Chair of the National Research Council's Committee on Undergraduate Science shares thoughts about the national attention on the important issue of effective teaching and learning of Science,…

Editor's Note (February 2004)

Journal Article | January 2004

As a consumer and producer of professional development, the current field editor reflects on the types of professional development that she has experienced over the years. From very valuable workshops to being…

Teaching Through Trade Books: Kite Explorations

Journal Article | August 2006

Children are delighted by the playful activity of making and flying kites, and this month's trade book article encourages teachers to harness this excitement and connect it to investigations relating to wind, technology…

Off the Beaten Path: A learning camping experience

Journal Article | February 1999

"Off the Beaten Path" is a program that takes at-risk students out of the traditional classroom and into a camping atmosphere. The program's purpose is to help increase academic achievement, improve self-esteem, and…

Science and Me: A Student-Driven Science Outreach Program for Lay Adult Audiences

Journal Article | June 2011

The increasing need for communicating science to the public suggests that future scientists and science educators should be educated in science outreach and trained to communicate with lay audiences. We present a…

Meet Us Outside!

Journal Article | January 2010

Environmental education “is a process that aims to develop an environmentally literate citizenry” (NAAEE 2004). It is an effective way to engage students of all levels and has improved learning outcomes and achievement…

Science Shorts: Encouraging Visual Literacy

Journal Article | October 2008

When someone asks you about the solar system or the water cycle, what pops into your mind? Chances are it’s a diagram. Powerful images like these help us understand, communicate, and remember important concepts in…

Career of the Month: Isotope Geochemist

Journal Article | March 2012

This column shares interviews with professionals using science in the workplace. This month’s issue highlights the work of an isotope geochemist.

Looking Out for Latex: Become aware of dealing with latex allergies

Journal Article | January 1999

The author of this article shares information learned from actual classroom experiences with latex allergies. These allergies are new to the teaching profession as "a topic of which to be aware." Awareness of the…

After the Bell: Hazardous waste roundup

Journal Article | March 2004

When most people think of hazardous waste, they generally think of materials used in construction, the defense industry, mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. Few people think of hazardous substances found in their…

Commentary: Science for All—Can "No Child Left Behind" Make a Difference?

Journal Article | February 2003

For student achievement in the sciences to increase, the equity and excellence principle in science teaching and learning must be addressed. One possible solution may be the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. But can it…

Mercury's MESSENGER

Journal Article | February 2004

A salient feature of our species is the impetus to explore. Now that most of our own planet is well explored, the Space Age has opened the heavens for our excursions. One of the most challenging space exploration…

The Home Zone: Research Rolypolies

Journal Article | March 2003

April is a good time to go outdoors and examine living things. Pill bugs are good to study because they are easy to find and care for and do not bite. You might know these organisms by one of their nicknames—potato bugs…