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Sensory experiences to invoke an environment described in a book
We did more than watch as early childhood educator Sarah Glassco read the book Senses at the Seashore by Shelley Rotner (Millbrook Press 2006) during her presentation on using imagination to explore science concepts. She ha...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Sometimes it seems that some students are excluded from an expectation of success in the sciences – those with cognitive or physical disabilities, those who do not speak English, or those who do not appear to have the intellectual or reading levels...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m incorporating several strategies this year to help my life science students understand written information. I provide study guides with questions to answer, graphic organizers, and quizzes on the information, but they still don’t seem...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Get what you need at conferences, big and small, national and local
I think of conferences as meetings with multiple science coaches, each of whom help me improve my teaching in some way—if I implement the updates or changes once I’m back at school. That may be a big if....
By Peggy Ashbrook
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Science of Innovation: fuel cell efficiency
Innovation rarely occurs in a vacuum, and this installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series emphasizes that. Neither scientist involved in the research highlighted would have succeeded as quickly without the knowledge and input of the ...
By admin
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How many of us in the K-12 science environment use word puzzles to help students review concepts and learn vocabulary? I haven’t been convinced of the value of find-a-words or jumble puzzles are effective learning tools, but crossword puzzles a...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Are my tests "unfair"?
When I return tests, the students look at their grades, complain the test was unfair, and don’t pay much attention when we go over it. How can I deal with this? I teach ninth grade earth science. —Ava, Lexington, Kentucky...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Incorporating the History of Science
In the most recent issue of the Leaders Letter, one of the features includes a discussion about the new NOVA Series which is appearing on PBS. The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers which is developed and produced by PBS as part of the NOVA Seri...
By Christine Royce
Blog Post
Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy
I’m already a fan of the Uncovering Student Ideas series, but authors Page Keeley and Cary Sneider piqued my interest with the 45 new formative assessment probes in this latest volume, ...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science of Innovation: biofuels
It’s widely reported that the first “flex fuel” automobile able to run on either gasoline or ethanol was Henry Ford’s Model T. With hemp and other types of cellulosic biomass as the source instead of corn, Ford is quoted as saying that ethyl ...
By admin
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Teaching that uses the Project Approach is one way for children to learn deeply about a topic or concept. Early Childhood Investigations Webinars hosted Dr. Sylvia C....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
When I was little, I had an “electric” map of the U.S. There were two wired probes, and the object of the game was to use them to connect the name of the state capital from a list in the margin with a state on the map. (This was long befo...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m student teaching now at an elementary school, and I want to emphasize science. In the classrooms I observe, I see many different layouts and arrangements, but what is the best way to organize a classroom? When I get my own classroom, where ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
What Are the Best Practices in Professional Development?
Budget dollars for teacher professional development can be scarce, particularly in these economic times. Evaluating the quality of the professional development options available is more critical than ever....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science and students' interests
Middle school students typically have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Channeling these into learning opportunities is the challenge for teachers....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
A Little Perspective Goes a Long Way
Elementary teachers can experience a sense of isolation when their schedules don’t allow a lot of interaction with their colleagues. I remember those days well....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
The Next Generation Science Standards are scheduled to be released this spring (after several drafts and comment periods)....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science of Innovation: self-driving cars
Imagine glancing over to the next car during your commute and seeing the driver with a coffee in hand AND a magazine! Okay—some of you have already witnessed such stupidity—but in the near future none of us will give it a second thought. Instead ...
By admin
Blog Post
Instant Inquiry with iPad and Hand Dryer
Have you ever wondered how fast the air comes out of those newly designed hand dryers? Or perhaps how loud in decibels the fan is. The iPad is a great device for answering this and many other questions on the fly....
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Static electricity, something we experience before we're old enough to understand it
It was a beautiful sunny winter day in the mid Atlantic region in the mid 40s with little wind when I went walking in a wetlands park wearing a synthetic fleece jacket and nylon pants. The boardwalk over the water is made of recycled plastic “lumbe...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Becoming a Responsive Science Teacher
I always enjoy reading books that challenge my way of thinking. Working in education, I read many books for my professional development....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science of Innovation: Biometrics
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, security lines are here to stay. What if you could move through with just a sideways glance at a camera? That’s becoming a reality with the innovation highlighted in the latest installment of the “Science of Innovation�...
By admin
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Getting the most from the NSTA conference
Are you attending the NSTA conference in San Antonio this spring?...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Who Doesn't Like a Good Argument?
Research indicates that many students do not develop proficiency in scientific practices, such as argumentation....
By Carole Hayward
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Science teacher "wish list"
I’m newly credentialed as a principal and looking for a position at a middle school. I’m currently an English teacher, so I’m not familiar with the needs of other subject areas. What should I expect to see on a science teacher’s &...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Planning to teach about life cycles?
There is something about the changes in the natural world due to seasonal changes in spring time that inspire us to talk about baby plants, baby birds, and baby anything....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
As an NSTA member, you subscribe to one or more journals in print/digital format. But you also have access to articles in the other journals....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Reading With NSTA Kids: New Series of Children's Picture Books
When my children were very young, we really enjoyed our weekly trek to the public library for story time and checking out books. We would stagger out balancing stacks of what we called “fact books”. You name the subject, we checked out tr...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science, engineering, and technology
To illustrate the interconnectedness of science and engineering, the editor’s note this month is a crossword puzzle. I think I need to review the K-12 Framework in more detail to solve it. Or else I can see this connectedness through the featur...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Nonfiction Selections to Lead Your Students to Inquiry and Literacy
As elementary teachers continue to struggle to find time to teach science to their students in an already crowded schedule, particularly as the emphasis on literacy has actually reduced the amount of time designated for science study, authors Jessica...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Science of innovation: smart concrete
Scientists and engineers don’t necessarily start out to innovate, but unexpected things happen! This installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series describes how Dr. Deborah Chung, an expert in composite materials and structural scienc...
By admin
Blog Post
I’m looking for professional development (PD) opportunities. I have a master’s degree, but as part of my PD plan, I’d like to earn additional graduate credits. In my current situation, commuting in the evenings or on weekends to a u...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Russian Meteor Fertile Ground for High Tech Exploration…On Your Classroom Computer
The fall of what is unofficially named the Chelyabinsk Meteor (soon to be meteorite) has produced a staggering number of videos. Whether police dashboard camera, cell phone, ATM camera, traffic camera, parking lot, or just one of hundreds of securit...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Science of innovation: electronic tattoo
As we approach President’s Day, which comes on the heels of Abraham Lincoln’s actual birthday, thoughts turn to … patents. Yes, patents! Those of us on the development team for the Science of Innovation video series were certainly surprised to ...
By admin
Blog Post
Birding and Engineering Makes for a Great Week
Two worthy programs to participate in this year or mark on your calendar for next year. Great Outdoor Bird Count ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
In my volunteer work at a nature center, I get to see young children as they explore the natural world. They seem to have an intense interest in the animals and plants around them. This issue has several ideas to capitalize on this interest with rele...
By Mary Bigelow
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Science by Design: Construct a Boat, Catapult, Glove, and Greenhouse
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By Carole Hayward
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Now Trending: Science Evangelists
YouTube guru Paul Andersen and NSTA’s Teshia Birts (Chapter Relations)...
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
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Science of innovation: bionic limbs
Look to the “Science of Innovation” video series from the team of NSTA, NBC Learn, and NSF to jump start your STEM efforts. These videos are sparked by innovative technologies issued patents by the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Use...
By admin
Blog Post
iPad Simple Harmonic Motion with Household Parts
Simple harmonic motion is not only a foundational topic in physical science, but also a major player in many different fields from music to engineering to architecture, to sports. The iPad can be used to generate a real-time visual presentation of ha...
By Martin Horejsi