In Search of Cosmic Rays: A student physics project aimed at finding the origin of cosmic rays

Journal Article | October 2001

The authors discuss the Cosmic Ray Observatory Project (CROP), focusing on their high school’s participation in the project. Students build and monitor cosmic ray detectors to count and study cosmic rays and to…

Point of View: A Stranger in a Strange Land

Journal Article | August 2011

This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. In this month’s issue the author discusses how to get nonmajors to feel like they belong in the world of science.

Using Internet Relay Chat to Provide On-Line Tutorials in a Distance-Learning Chemistry Course: Holding Class On-Line at a Commuter-Only University

Journal Article | October 1998

With today's technological advances, distance education has progressed significantly from the old-fashioned correspondence course to encompass a smorgasbord of electronic communications options. This article features…

Science 101: How can an ocean liner made of steel float on water?

Journal Article | June 2007

Sinking and floating is a subject covered in many science classes, from kindergarten through college physics. Even the audiences of late-night talk shows get to predict whether an object will sink or float in water. And…

Scope on Safety: NSTA’s portal into the safety zone

Journal Article | June 2010

NSTA’s Science Safety Advisory Board recently launched the Safety in the Science Classroom portal, which contains safety resources for teachers, supervisors, and administrators. This month’s column provides a partial…

Research and Teaching: Redesigning the Preexam Review Session

Journal Article | October 2010

In a large enrollment, multiple-section course, review sessions enable efficient and consistent delivery of information to all students. A redesigned review session has been implemented to increase attendance and…

Science 101: How do windmills generate power?

Journal Article | June 2009

This is a timely question given that you can now buy your own windmill (or more correctly, wind turbine) for residential use. More on that later. Using windmills to generate electricity makes sense once you understand…

The Early Years: Please Touch Museum

Journal Article | November 2012

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue discusses students making a "please touch" museum in the classroom or gathering a collection of materials in…

Science 101: How much overlap is there across science disciplines?

Journal Article | January 2007

You often will hear that physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth science have a lot in common. In fact, many science curriculum programs stress how these disciplines are integrated and have common concepts and themes.…

Idea Bank: Mirror Writing and Learning Physics by Helping Others

Journal Article | August 2011

The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. In this month’s Idea Bank, authors explore mirror writing and physics.

Animals in Disguise

Journal Article | January 2001

When playing outside during recess, a group of first-grade students noticed a lizard in the grass. They observed it for a while but it was very hard to see. This experience led the author to conduct a series of…

The <i>Next Generation Science Standards</i>: A Focus on Physical Science

Journal Article | February 2013

This article focuses on the NGSS disciplinary core ideas in physical science, the development of those ideas across time, the importance of blending core ideas with scientific and engineering practices to build…

How Clean Is the River?

Journal Article | January 2005

A yearlong river study builds science-process skills and understanding of basic water quality concepts. Third-grade students set out to determine the health of a local stream, practice several water quality tests, and…

Everyday Engineering: An absorbing look at terry-cloth towels

Journal Article | August 2010

This article describes a lesson where students explore the absorbency of several towels with different weaves and weights. The lesson follows the 5E learning-cycle model and incorporates engineering in the sense of…

Something’s Fishy in Paxton Lake

Journal Article | August 2002

In this case study exploring the mechanisms of speciation, students work in groups to design a series of experiments to determine whether two populations of sticklebacks in Paxton Lake in British Columbia represent…