Teaching Critical Thinking Through Media Literacy

Journal Article | June 2012

In this article the author introduces many engaging media-literacy lessons that educators have developed, piloted, and evaluated.

Scope on the Skies: Solar explorations

Journal Article | December 2010

Even though there is no change of season during January, we have just passed the December solstice, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and we are 147,100,000 km (91,403,702 mi.) from the Sun. This is in contrast…

Every Day Science Calendar: February 2010

Journal Article | January 2010

This monthly feature contains facts and challenges for the science explorer.

Making the Grade

Journal Article | February 2002

This article describes a novel approach to evaluating students in a seminar-style science course. The approach involves students in the design of the assessment instrument and a defense of their own performance using…

Recycling into Art

Journal Article | September 2000

This interdisciplinary unit weaves art and science together to help students appreciate the importance of recycling. In this engaging activity, students collected items worthy of recycling from home, and with the help…

Summing It Up: Teaching summary writing to enhance science learning

Journal Article | March 2002

Students can learn to recognize information that is most important to the author of a science article or book by using repeated references and generalization. This strategy—designed for college reading classes but…

Career of the Month: An Interview with Art Conservation Scientist, M. Susan Barger

Journal Article | December 2004

This month's Careers in Science column focuses on art conservation science. This fascinating career combines science, art techniques, and materials history. Introduce your students to M. Susan Barger by sharing this…

Teaching Through Trade Books

Journal Article | June 2012

This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. This month’s issue features books and lessons that will have students anticipating the interesting topics and engaging activities that await them in…

Editor's Corner: Motivating the Millennials

Journal Article | August 2011

The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue.

Research and Teaching: Scientist – Science Educator Collaborations—Do They Improve Student’s Understanding of the Nature of Science

Journal Article | October 2009

This article describes a research study in which a biologist and his research on Antarctic seabirds became part of an integrated science course for prospective elementary teachers. Students used the scientist’s database…

Case Study: The Chemistry of Curcumin, the Health Promoting Ingredient in Turmeric

Journal Article | December 2009

Case studies pertaining to the health benefits of foods can be particularly effective in engaging students and in teaching core concepts in science (Heidemann and Urquart 2005). This case study focuses on the chemistry…

Tried and True: Helicopter seeds and hypotheses … that’s funny!

Journal Article | August 2008

Investigating maple samaras, or helicopter seeds, can give students a “that’s funny” experience and catalyze the development of inquiry skills. In this article, the authors describe how to use maple helicopter seeds (…

Commentary: Our Time Has Come

Journal Article | September 2000

An opinion piece about the teaching of evolution.

Tried and True: Water Screen: A Discrepant Event

Journal Article | October 2011

This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. This month’s issue uses a discrepant event to demonstrate properties of water and the effects of air pressure.

Positive Pitfalls

Journal Article | April 2004

“What’s in your pit?” is the common question students ask one another as they enthusiastically collect and analyze the contents of pitfall traps set 24 hours earlier. In a collaborative effort, these students designed…