Science Sampler: Map your way to the Grand Canyon

Journal Article | September 2005

How do urban eighth graders from the flatlands of Indiana capture the poetry and grandeur of the Grand Canyon without ever leaving the classroom? By talking and touching and seeing and smelling and listening and...…

Science Sampler: Building student mental constructs of particle theory

Journal Article | September 2006

The concept of particle theory is a basic idea in chemistry and physics and leads students to understand why solids, liquids, and gases have different properties although they are they are made of the same materials.…

Mask of Black God: The Pleiades in Navajo Cosmology

Journal Article | September 2005

One Navajo legend attributes the creation of the primary stars and constellations to Black God. Today, a famous star cluster—the Pleiades—often appears on the traditional mask worn by chanters impersonating Black God…

Adapting to the Environment: Helping students understand natural selection

Journal Article | January 2003

A classroom activity based on the story of the peppered moth sheds light on natural selection. While the topic of evolution is often difficult to approach in high school biology, this activity captures student attention…

Every Day Science: January 2011

Journal Article | December 2010

This monthly column presents facts and challenges for the science explorer.

Scope on Safety: Modeling Clay Safety

Journal Article | June 2011

This column shares safety information for your classroom. In this month’s issue the author discusses the different types of clay and characteristics that determine appropriate use.

Research and Teaching: The Constructivist Learning Environment Survey May Help Halt Student Exodus from College Science Courses—Comparing Students' Preferences and Perceptions of Constructivist-Style Teaching Environments

Journal Article | August 1997

The Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) appears to hold promise as a method of assessing college science learning environments. However, college science teachers must begin to appreciate students'…

Science 2.0: “Flipping” Your Classroom

Journal Article | January 2011

Aaron Sams and Jonathan Bergmann’s flipped classroom model allows them to provide direct instruction, but not during class. Students watch online lectures at night and teachers spend class time connecting individually…

There’s More to Light Than Meets the Eye

Journal Article | January 2008

This investigation was part of a multi-lesson unit that gave students direct experience using increasingly sophisticated tools to make more detailed observations and measurements of light. Through these lessons,…

Manna from Heaven or "Clickers" from Hell: Experiences with an Electronic Response System

Journal Article | June 2005

Instructors used an electronic response system to enhance student-centered learning in large and small college biology classes. The system worked well to engage students in learning the subject matter and to assess…

Synergistic Strategies

Journal Article | October 2011

Sheltered instruction for ELL students includes techniques to combine language development with science instruction. This article discusses common strategic elements promoted in both science inquiry and sheltered…

Point of View: Saving Energy in the Chemistry-Teaching Process and Improving Student Learning

Journal Article | August 2009

Somewhere between high school chemistry and first-year college chemistry courses, there is a disconnect. Whatever the reason, most students are not prepared for college chemistry. As a beginning chemistry educator, the…

Increasing the Drive of Your Physics Class

Journal Article | February 2008

First-year physics students often have a difficult time grasping Newton’s laws of motion and recognizing the forces that these laws depend on. The “Paper Car” project is an experiential activity that is rich in…

Editor’s Note: Force and Motion—Complex, Awesome, Relevant

Journal Article | February 2008

We know that when something is relevant to a student, the student is more motivated to learn and also more likely to remember. What could be more relevant than force and motion? The universe, like an eight-year-old, is…

Me, Teach Science?

Journal Article | February 2002

The preservice years are critical in professional teacher development. While a survey reveals that many preservice teachers are insecure about their abilities to teach science, they do view science as an important part…