JoinAll Blog Posts
Blog Post
“Kazoo” is a cool word and playing one is an easy way to ‘feel’ sound. Kids think so too, judging from the comments I hear from parents the day after their children bring home the kazoos they made in school. Here’s one:...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Classifying Classification describes how a team of first-grade teachers examined their own instruction in classification and how it related to their state standards. Check out the rubric they created and how it could be adapted for older students....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science activities in early childhood prepare for a lifetime of learning
Like learning to count or to read, learning how to do science is a process. Children of all ages benefit from exposure to “science” situations where they are encouraged to fully experience our world, describe what they see, count and record data,...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Professional development on a shoestring
Our district professional development budget is being drastically reduced next year. Each department has been asked how to provide professional development on a shoestring. Do you have any suggestions for our science department? –Lisa, Montgome...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Mixing colors combines art and science in one activity
Colored acetate sheets make new colors as they overlap. Give children just the primary colors–a dark pink, a blue, and a yellow—and they can create orange, green, purple, and deep grays and browns without any instruction....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Educators share why they attended the conference
I’d like to share a few more comments from people who took the time to talk to me either after a session, in the exhibit hall, or on the bus. Thank you all for sharing your views on the benefits of attending the conference....
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
Looking for ideas to ring in Spring? Check out the S&C article Breaking the Sound Barrier by Tom Brown and Kim Boehringer for ideas on exploring sound and making simple instruments with everyday materials (e.g., rubber band guitars and string...
By ManagingEditorSC
Blog Post
Data collection, display, and analysis
Cockroaches, fast food, roadkill, rainfall—the articles in this issue of Science Scope show that middle level science students and teachers can use inquiry skills in studying almost any topic....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Using tools to move water: observing children's creative problem solving
I’m looking for ideas on how children can move water in different ways outdoors when the weather warms up. Ideally we’d have a shallow, slow-moving stream of pristine water nearby…....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
For me, New Orleans will be “unforgettable, in every way,” to quote the old Nat King Cole ballad. I feel as though I left a part of my heart there. It was a privilege to be able to visit the Crescent City, and I thank NSTA for it. I also ...
By Debra Shapiro
Blog Post
There were many sessions that focused on promoting inquiry in science teaching. I wish I could have attended all of them, but the ones I could get to had some great ideas. Nancy Chesley and Lynn Farrin from the Main Mathematics and Science Allianc...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Sunday is a tough day for a presenter. A lot of conference-goers have early departures to get home for class on Monday, many are attending church services, and perhaps a few are recovering from Saturday evening events. But a team from the St. Louis (...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
My favorite exhibit was Pasadena (TX) Memorial High School’s “Alternative Energy Digital Pipe Organ.” This was a full-size instrument (three keyboards and two octaves of pedals) with the sound of a pipe organ that was built by stud...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Secretary of Education addresses NSTA National Conference
One of the conference highlights was a speech by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He gave an inspiring talk on the importance of science and science education. For more information and a video of his speech, go to the NSTA website....
By Lynn Petrinjak