JoinAll Blog Posts
Blog Post
Some of my students have little experience in lab investigations. My colleague suggested I “scaffold” my instruction to help them develop lab skills, but I’m not sure what that would look like. —C., Virginia...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Ed News: Teachers Eye Potential of Virtual Reality
This week in education news, teachers eye potential of virtual reality; schools zoom in on STEM equity; Louisiana considers new science standards; South Dakota’s antiscience bill is stopped; and Idaho teachers, parents, and scientists urged lawmak...
By Kate Falk
Blog Post
Maple trees and squirrels: a relationship
The Silver maple tree is flowering, early for the season in my region, but right on schedule for the way the season is unfolding this year. Although the flowers are tiny, the details can be seen with a magnifier....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
What's So Special About Disciplinary Core Ideas? (Part 3)
DCIs Develop Across Time...
By Joe Krajcik
Blog Post
Ideas and inspiration from NSTA’s February 2017 K-12 journals
All three journals this month include the inaugural Best STEM Books for Students K–12 with descriptions and reviews. The rubric and criteria used in selecting these books is also provided. Share it with your librarian, too. Crowdfunding for Element...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Using Science and Engineering Practices in the Classroom
Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides an in-depth understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K–12 Science Education (Framework) and the Next Generation Science Standa...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
The Most Profound News of Valentine’s Day 2017
This Valentine’s Day, while most media attention was focused on the dismissal of the National Security Advisor, The New York Times ran a story that received much less media attention, but has far greater potential impact on our nation’s future....
By David Evans, NSTA Executive Director
Blog Post
Big learning from short observations of birds: February 17-20, 2017
Walk outside with your children, watch and count birds for 15 minutes while recording the names of those you know, and report your bird count to be part of a world-wide citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds, creating an annual snaps...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Avoiding Electrical Hazards in the Lab
In science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) labs, teachers and students can be exposed to a number of electrical hazards such as damaged electrical receptacles, missing ground prongs, and faulty electrical equipment. These hazards can result...
By Kenneth Roy
Blog Post
Join NSTA Press Authors at the 2017 National Conference in Los Angeles
We rely on their expertise and have their books lined up on our resource shelves for handy reference, but the opportunity to hear so many NSTA Press authors speak in person is too good to pass up. The array of authors who are scheduled to present a...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
The Surefire FirePak: A Smartphone Science Studio Lighting Solution
As smartphone cameras take on an ever-more sophisticated role in the science classroom, the technical limits of phone photography become more apparent. Luckily, a dose of strong light can overcome many problems as well as provide access to a world ...
By Martin Horejsi
Blog Post
Science education "trifecta"
I’m looking for creative ways for students to share what they know, other than traditional written reports or essays. —K., Michigan The creative process in science involves novel ways of thinking, problem solving, and communicating. When st...
By Mary Bigelow