Engineering Encounters: Optimizing Your K–5 Engineering Design Challenge

Journal Article | December 2016

This column presents ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month's issue discusses the optimizations that will serve to inform readers of seven recommendations for optimizing an engineering lesson.

Methods and Strategies: Using Argument-Based Inquiry Strategies for STEM Infused Science Teaching

Journal Article | December 2016

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This article focuses on an argument-based inquiry (ABI) approach to a fourth-grade unit on waves. A fourth-grade teacher included multiple…

Using Systems Mapping to Plan Scientific Investigations

Journal Article | December 2016

Learn how to map mental models that students use to explain how the world works.

Building Bots to Develop Systems Thinking

Journal Article | December 2016

Construct a scribble bot and determine how each part functions to form a system.

Diving Into Buoyancy

Journal Article | December 2016

Build a submarine to explore how the density of an object affects its ability to float and sink.

Call the Plumber! Engaging Students With Authentic Engineering Design Practices

Journal Article | December 2016

Explore the plumbing of a house to build an optimal physical model of the system.

Classic Lessons 2.0: Falling Into Understanding

Journal Article | December 2016

This column shares updated perennial classroom favorites. In this lesson, seventh-grade students explore falling objects and try to explain why objects fall. Using a local university’s extensive exhibit on Galileo (see…

Teacher's Toolkit: Using Rubrics to Integrate Crosscutting Concepts

Journal Article | December 2016

This column provides how-to strategies and practical advice for the science teacher. This month’s issue explains the development of a rubric that may serve as a bridge between the learning outcomes associated with…

From the Editor's Desk: Systems Thinking Solutions

Journal Article | December 2016

Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Citizen Science: Ecosystems and Eagle Populations

Journal Article | December 2016

This column highlights formal and informal science research projects that students can join and contribute to by gathering and sharing data. Soar into systems thinking with the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey.

Disequilibrium: A Balancing Act

Journal Article | December 2016

This column shows how to use discrepant events to confront misconceptions. This month’s discrepant event helps students identify and develop an understanding of the simple relationships between various components of a…

Listserv Roundup: From the Archives: Systems

Journal Article | December 2016

This column shares recent conversations taken from the NSTA listserv community about current science education topics. In this month’s column we dive into the NSTA listserv archives and look at some requests for…

Science for All: Going From Macro to Micro

Journal Article | December 2016

This column shares strategies for increasing student engagement. In this month's issue we discuss how you can use the theory of multipe intelligences to provide differentiation for your students.

Teacher to Teacher: Assessing Crosscutting Concepts

Journal Article | December 2016

This column provides practical advice from your peers. Cross Cutter Cards provide a method for students to apply a crosscutting concept when discussing similarities between two different phenomena.

Scope on the Skies: Flipped Constellations

Journal Article | December 2016

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses constellations.