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Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017!

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Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017!

If you haven’t heard about what is known as the Great American Eclipse by now, it is not too late. This August 21, 2017 natural phenomena promises to be well worth “attending” or stepping outdoors for at least a few minutes approaching the mome...

By Peggy Ashbrook

How NGSS and CCSS for ELA/Literacy Address Argument

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How NGSS and CCSS for ELA/Literacy Address Argument

In the summer of 2015, I observed an elementary science teacher from an NGSS-adopted state who made a presentation to her cohort of close to 100 K–12 science teacher leaders and administrators from schools, districts, and the state. After presentin...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School Elementary High School Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Literacy NGSS Policy

Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning

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Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning

This past school year, I used claim, evidence, reasoning (CER) statements to show three-dimensional learning in my classroom. Several tools are available for doing this, but the one my students like is the CER Graphic Organizer and Transition Words L...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Chemistry Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Earth & Space Science Evolution General Science Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

You Teach What? I’m So Sorry!  Building a Better Body and Building Better Argumentation

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You Teach What? I’m So Sorry! Building a Better Body and Building Better Argumentation

I am always amazed at the looks on people’s faces when I tell them I teach middle school. They seem to pity me for having a position I chose and love! They inform me that middle school “tween-agers” are argumentative, stubborn, and at times, ad...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices STEM Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

NGSS Curriculum Integration—Off on a Tangent!

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NGSS Curriculum Integration—Off on a Tangent!

The creation of a school garden inspired this fourth-grade unit.  All students in the school were responsible for planning the garden, as well as for planting, weeding, and harvesting our crops of tomatoes, pumpkins, and carrots. The harvest was...

By Cindy Workosky

Elementary Interdisciplinary Three-Dimensional Learning

STEM Sims: Explosion Shield

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STEM Sims: Explosion Shield

Stem Sims: Explosion Shield ...

By Edwin P. Christmann

Learning from experience

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Learning from experience

My first year of teaching biology was challenging, but I made it! Do you have any suggestions for what I should do to improve for next year?  —C, Virginia Congratulations for completing your first year! A good way to prepare for next year is to re...

By Mary Bigelow

New NSTA Book Shines Light on Solar Eclipses

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New NSTA Book Shines Light on Solar Eclipses

A solar eclipse is coming on Monday, August 21, 2017! What a rare and exciting treat for your students who will get to experience this magical phenomenon. Of course after this amazing event, they will have plenty of questions....

By Carole Hayward

Ed News: The Role Of Science In Boosting Outcomes For English Learners

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Ed News: The Role Of Science In Boosting Outcomes For English Learners

This week in education news, students attending high-poverty schools have fewer opportunities than students attending low-poverty schools; K-12 school spending got caught up in budget standoffs this year; the number of girls taking AP computer-scien...

By Kate Falk

Math is integral to early childhood STEM learning

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Math is integral to early childhood STEM learning

July has brought my happy place (where the worlds of early childhood educat...

By Peggy Ashbrook

Purchasing the Safest Lab Chemicals

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Purchasing the Safest Lab Chemicals

Prior to the new school year, most science teachers select and order their lab chemicals. Before placing an order, however, teachers should consider the health risks associated with using hazardous chemicals in the classroom laboratory. Making the...

By Kenneth Roy

Safety

Ideas and inspiration from NSTA’s July 2017 K-12 journals

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Ideas and inspiration from NSTA’s July 2017 K-12 journals

Get ready for the total eclipse visible in parts of the US:...

By Mary Bigelow

House Marks up FY2018 Appropriations

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House Marks up FY2018 Appropriations

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) marked up their FY2018 education budget on Thursday; despite a lower funding level overall from last year, lawmakers seek to cut the Dep...

By Jodi Peterson

STEM Summer Institute, a program in USD 383 Manhattan KS

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STEM Summer Institute, a program in USD 383 Manhattan KS

For the past seven years, my district has held an enrichment opportunity for students in grades fifth through ninth grade called STEM Summer Institute. This unique program has been funded by a Department of Defense Education Activity Grant.  Man...

By Korei Martin

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