Case Study: From Gummy Bears to Celery Stalks: Diffusion and Osmosis

Journal Article | June 2014

This column provides original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies with teaching notes. This month’s issue covers diffusion and osmosis.

Research and Teaching: Fostering Collaborative Problem Solving and 21st Century Skills Using the DEEPER Scaffolding Framework

Journal Article | June 2014

This article describes the DEEPER framework for scaffolding collaborative problem solving that was designed to address the student outcomes outlined by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Research and Teaching: Published Freshman Lab Exercises as Indicators of Awareness and Adoption of Instructional Practices Grounded in Discipline-Based Education Research

Journal Article | June 2014

This article looks at a potential factor for the existence of a research-practice gap in science instruction in higher education: instructors' access to research-based instructional materials.

How Do Scientists Work?

Journal Article | August 2014

Fourth-grade students examine animal tracks to explore the nature of science.

Demystifying Nature of Science

Journal Article | August 2014

Two activities help young children understand nature of science.

Taking the "Mystery" Out of Argumentation

Journal Article | August 2014

A traditional mystery-powders lesson is modified to emphasize argumentation.

Three, Two, One ... Blast Off!

Journal Article | August 2014

Third-grade students learn about the nature of science through a rocket engineering challenge.

Integrating the Nature of Science

Journal Article | August 2014

A lesson on interdependent relationships and ecosystems gets a boost when students learn how they are acting like scientists.

Editor's Note: Learning About the Nature of Science (NOS)

Journal Article | August 2014

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Guest Editorial: Nature of Science and Its Fundamental Importance to the Vision of the Next Generation Science Standards

Journal Article | August 2014

This article shows how NOS is related to the NGSS

Teaching Through Trade Books: How Do We Know What We Know About the Universe?

Journal Article | August 2014

This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. This month’s lessons focus on how our understandings about the universe change as we develop technologies that allow us to gather new evidence.

The Early Years: The Nature of Science in Early Childhood

Journal Article | August 2014

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue discusses ways to incorporate nature of science into the early childhood classroom.

Formative Assessment Probes: Is It a Theory? Speaking the Language of Science

Journal Article | August 2014

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue focuses on a probe that is designed to find out if students (and teachers) distinguish scientific theories from the common use of the word…

Science 101: How Do We Use Calculus in Science?

Journal Article | August 2014

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue describes the role of calculus in science classes.

Safety First: Feather, Feet, and Fin Safety in the Classroom

Journal Article | August 2014

This article describes the safety and responsibility issues that come with using animals in the classroom.