JoinAll Blog Posts
Blog Post
Nature of science: a new NSTA position statement
Winter weather often makes us wonder how wild animals survive without a heated environment....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
I was wondering how to reintroduce a lesson interrupted by unexpected days off (such as due to weather). Also, if the majority of the class is absent do you do an alternative lesson and finish the planned one when all the students are back? — L., ...
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
A quarter of my grade 7 students are at a beginning reading level. None are on grade level for reading. Can you help me help them? — K., Alaska Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. To answer your question, I consulted with a colleague, Rita Mac...
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
Making Sense of Science and Religion
In the science classroom, the rigorous discussion of certain scientific concepts may challenge the religious beliefs of students as well as educators....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
History and Social Studies Integration with STEM
NGSS, STEM, STEAM, and Common Core all speak of the importance of the integration of science with ELA, math, and art. However, we are missing one more layer needed to achieve the goal of total integration. We should also look at the integration of so...
By Judy Boyle
Blog Post
Play—outdoor, in-door recess, and science
Children move eagerly to get their winter wear gear, stream out the door, across the street and onto the playground....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
What Makes a Good STEM Trade Book?
This is a question a lot of people are asking. Since 2016 NSTA has published the Best STEM Books a companion piece to the Outstanding Science Trade Books list....
By Carrie Launius and Christine Anne Royce
Blog Post
I am looking for some opinions how handle situations where there are misconceptions on the material. I was wondering how to know the amount of time that is needed to clear up a misconception and when to move on to other material? — R., New Jersey M...
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
Teach about science in the news in 2020
What do wildfires, drought, and extreme weather have in common? All these events in the news can be doorways to exploring weather, climate, and more with your students. NSTA’s Book Beat issue this month features lessons by NSTA Press authors that ...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
STEM For All Multiplex Launches by Joni Falk
This new, interactive video platform will enable researchers, educators, and parents to access federally funded innovative programs aimed at improving STEM teaching and learning. TERC is pleased to announce the launch of the STEM for All Multiplex...
By Kate Falk
Blog Post
Congress Passes Funding for FY20 Federal Programs
Prior to adjourning for the holidays Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the spending bill that funds the government for the remainder of fiscal 2020. The bill largely rejects the Trump administration’s proposal to cut approximat...
By Jodi Peterson
Blog Post
School Facility Safety/Security! (Part 1)
I. Unsecured School Facilities...
By Kenneth Roy
Blog Post
Inspiring Young Geoscientists With Fossils
Troy J. Simpson’s students at Glenn Raymond School in Watseka, Illinois, use a limestone slab with brachiopods and trilobite fossils to make claims of past geologic environments. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Essington “I have an extensive fossil...
By Debra Shapiro
Blog Post
Book clubs, professional learning communities, and resources on equity
One of my favorite professional learning opportunities was an informal Professional Learning Community (PLC) organized by a colleague before the term “PLC” came into common usage....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Developing Risk-Taking Students
I want my students to “take risks” when learning but I am not sure how to start. Alicia, Mississippi...
By Sharon Delesbore
Blog Post
I teach advanced science courses. Many of my students see school as a competition so they just want the correct answers to study for a good grade. How do I help build student ownership for learning in my science classroom? –Chelia, Louisiana...
By Sharon Delesbore
Blog Post
Plan Labs with Assessments, School Calendars in Mind
I have written a lab about quarks. The problem is there are no Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) about quarks. The only standards that refer to the nucleus is about protons and neutrons. How can I align my lab with standards that don’t e...
By Sharon Delesbore
Blog Post
I’m a first-year high school science teacher seeking desperately the best way to connect with my freshman biology students who are very smart but are not use to being pushed to comprehend a rigorous curriculum. Any suggestions would be greatly appr...
By Sharon Delesbore
Blog Post
100 days of school–weather watching and documenting plant growth
Just as numerals marking the number of in-school days are sometimes posted in one long line stretching across walls of the classroom, weather data can be collected and posted throughout the year. Using symbols that both children and scientists recog...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
How PLCs Helped Move Us Toward Equitable High School Assessment Practices
My colleagues and I began using units intentionally designed for the NGSS for biology in early 2017. We started with a high-quality unit evaluated by my colleagues on the Science Peer Review Panel, and eventually used a full program from the unit’s...
By Holly Hereau
Blog Post
PLNs + High-Quality Units = NGSS Success
In June 2013, Kentucky’s Board of Education officially adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which not only set a new course for science education in Kentucky, but also started me on a new professional journey. As the newly-minted s...
By David Grossman
Blog Post
Improving Elementary Science Programs Through Professional Learning Communities
“I’m not good at science.” It’s a declaration that far too many students have made in classrooms. Their beliefs are often based on lack of exposure to science, not their true potential to do science. So how do we change their minds and get th...
By Edel Maeder
Blog Post
Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity
The human body is an amazing mechanism. For students, learning how the human body works can prove to be an exciting educational adventure. Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity from NSTA Press provides in-depth and meaningful lessons that explor...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Middle and high school science teachers often have or should have the task of retrofitting their chemical storeroom. Critical issues such as what chemicals are acceptable for use and grade appropriate, how should they be labeled, how should they be s...
By Kenneth Roy
Blog Post
Introducing the STEM Teacher Leadership Network
By Joni Falk, Co-director of the Center for School Reform at TERC @STEMTLnet.org The STEM Teacher Leadership Network (https://STEMTLnet.org), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is inviting teacher leaders, aspiring teacher leaders, ...
By Korei Martin
Blog Post
Intentionally providing materials to sort
In addition to providing materials for children, we can ask ourselves, “What is my role as an educator when I provide materials for sorting?” If we were picking through lentils to sort out any wee stones before cooking, our job would be to give ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
I was planning a lesson for fifth grade about constellations. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them. —B., Illinois...
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
Bring STEM Practices Into the Secondary Classroom
STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—is discussed in the news, politics, and education journals, yet what does it really mean for classrooms? The Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) works to support secondary science in ...
By Juan-Carlos Aguilar, Anne Petersen, Megan Schrauben
Blog Post
Identifying and Implementing Instructional Materials in Middle School
Identifying and implementing science instructional materials that equitably engage students in active learning of science concepts, practices, sensemaking, problem-solving, and decision-making can be overwhelming for schools. The Council of State Sci...
By Michael Heinz, Erin Michael Escher, Ellen Ebert
Blog Post
Ensuring All Elementary Students Have Access to Science Learning
Ensuring all students have access to science learning is part of the vision in A Framework for K–12 Science Education. Yet in many elementary schools, teachers have little time for science. This is such a disservice, as engaging in the science and ...
By Kathy Renfrew and Amber McCulloch
Blog Post
New NSTA Press Books Help Young Students Apply Science to the Real World
Would you like to help your students understand the connections between learning science in school and using it in their everyday lives? The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series from NSTA Press was developed to do just that. With the goal of infusing rea...
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
Late last month the House Education and Labor Committee passed H.R. 4674, the Democratic bill to revise the Higher Education Act (HEA)....
By Jodi Peterson
Blog Post
If a student receives a bad test score, how do you interpret it? Would you allow the student to retake a modified version of the test? — B. , Ohio There are many possible interpretations of a poor score on a test....
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
Experts Agree: Connecting STEM Learning and Teaching Works!
On December 7, NSTA is offering a virtual conference designed to bring together some of the best thinkers in the field focused on learning and teaching by connecting in-school and out-of-school STEM experiences....
By Carole Hayward
Blog Post
<i>“Why Do We Need to Know This?!”</i>
Hubble Deep Field Image How do you explain to your students that what you’re teaching is important even if there is no obvious real-world application? — B., Ohio I’m sure every teacher has heard this refrain!...
By Gabe Kraljevic
Blog Post
Science Festivals Focus on Community, Diversity
According to Marc Schulman, executive director of the USA Science and Engineering Festival (USASEF), “the modern era of science festivals…was kicked into gear” when the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a grant to four institutions in 2...
By Lynn Petrinjak