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Blog Post
Festive holidays and winter weather can be disruptive for the classroom schedule at this time of year but can also provide inspiration for appealing science activities. Take advantage of cooking themes to teach some chemistry or take a cue from weath...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
NSTA conferences as professional development
The 2012 NSTA conference season is over, concluding with the last sessions in Phoenix this morning. The variety of presentations and workshops had something for everyone–some addressed specific content topics and others related to teaching and ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Learning from "mistakes?"
I’d like to try hands-on labs with my fourth graders, but I’m worried they’ll make mistakes. I guess I’m afraid they won’t learn the concepts if they don’t get the right answers. Is there a way to make the activiti...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Five things you should put on your iPad Camera
The tablet computer like the iPad can be a magic box of inquiry. For instance, it has a camera, and in particular a front facing camera. Why that is important is because students can manipulate objects on the camera and collectively view the results....
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Baby laughter…what do they laugh at?
While you’re looking forward to winter break, here’s a way you can have fun and do a little bit of science data collecting to contribute to a citizen science project....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Tools and resources for science teachers
As I browse through tweets and Facebook pages, I sometimes feel overwhelmed at the wealth of resources that are available for teaching STEM topics! I’ve learned to skim selectively, looking at some right away and bookmarking others that relate ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Reading some standards for early childhood science teaching
The non-profit Minnesota coalition SciMathMN, published A Guide for Parents: “What Should I Look for in the Science Program in My Child’s School?”...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Gallery walks for middle school
I participated in a “gallery walk” during a session at an NSTA conference. Would this be appropriate for middle school students? —Carolyn from Pennsylvania...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
In addition to sentences and paragraphs, the typical science textbook includes diagrams, photographs, flowcharts, graphs, maps, tables, and sidebars. Many of these (along with animations and videos) are also found in online or electronic resources....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Your favorite professional development opportunity
This month’s topic for Continuing the Conversation focuses on discussing your favorite professional development opportunity that you participated in during your career. These could be online for face to face courses, a seminar, institute, fello...
By Christine Royce
Blog Post
Science-and-early childhood, at the NAEYC 2012 annual conference
Did I meet you at the NAEYC 2012 conference in Atlanta this month? I met many early childhood educators who are interested in some of the same questions I find most interesting, such as “What science topics are appropriate to teach about in ear...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
“Why do we have to learn this?” I’m sure we’ve all heard this in our classes, and most students aren’t satisfied by answers such as You might need this information later in life or It’s an important part of science...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Promote and participate in early childhood science inquiry professional development
Share Your Expertise: Be Part of the National Conversation on STEM! Don’t miss a chance to participate in the NSTA 2013 STEM Forum & Expo, in St. Louis, MO, May 15-18. The deadline to submit a proposal to share your STEM expertise is quick...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
In my sixth grade science class, I try to involve the students in fun activities. But they don’t take them seriously unless I require something in writing or give a quiz. And then the students don’t seem to be able to connect the activity...
By Mary Bigelow