JoinAll Blog Posts
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Enhancing STEM in PreK-3 Education by Kevin Anderson
In September of 2019, Education Commission of the States (ECS) brought together a group of experts in early childhood and/or STEM education to discuss policies and actions a state might implement to support STEM programming for preschool through thir...
By Kate Falk
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I love science fair but is it still practical? Rosa, TX...
By Sharon Delesbore
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I use social media but I am not sure of the best way to incorporate it into teaching. Do the rules for student confidentiality vary from school to school, and is it best to create a page focused entirely for teaching and teaching resources only? —H...
By Gabe Kraljevic
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Blog Post
Achieving Equity Through Assessments
Our school requires all students to take chemistry. We teach all levels, ranging from Collaborative/Inclusive Chemistry to Honors and AP Chemistry. All of our classes have students who speak different languages, as well as students with a range of so...
By Laura Littrell and Kevin Williams
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NGSS: Planning for Science Success for All Students
Creating an Environment for All Students to Show Their Understanding Much discussion has focused on how the NGSS (and other state standards based on the Framework and NGSS) make science accessible to all students. I believe all students can be suc...
By Hallie Booth
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Using Senses in Nature to Experience Equity
In one of my favorite lessons, I take my kindergarten students outside to explore the schoolyard. Though I take my students outdoors throughout the year, I do this lesson at the beginning of the year because it’s an opportunity to teach students to...
By Julia Deevers-Rich
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Learning STEM by Building Airplanes
Texas nonprofit Tango Flight builds Van’s Aircraft RV-12 airplanes with students at high schools nationwide. Organizations around the country are helping students and teachers experience the challenges and rewards of building a full-size air...
By Debra Shapiro
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Why teach evolution? Evolution isn’t just a unifying concept that connects elements of the natural world: It’s also the link among science, our students, and their world. Why is that important? Evolution can be used as a “hook,” a way to show...
By Beth Allan
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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School Facility Safety/Security! (Part 1)
I. Unsecured School Facilities...
By Kenneth Roy
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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