Tricks and Treats for Your Science Classroom
Get ready to have some fun with your students this Halloween
Below are a few spook-tacular NSTA science resources every boy and ghoul will love.
Lesson Plans
NSTA Press books
NSTA User Collection
Collection
Pumpkin Science Collection
By: Caryn Meirs
Explore this unique collection an NSTA Member put together!
Case Study
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Salem's Secrets: A Case Study on Hypothesis Testing and Data Analysis
This case study examines the Salem witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in the late 1600s. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to analyze and critique data and help them understand the scientific method. Originally developed for a non-majors general biology course, the case could be used in a variety of other courses such as psychology, microbiology, sociology, biostatistics, and American history by focusing on particular aspects of the case. Likewise, this case provides an excellent opportunity for teaching across the curriculum.
Blog Post
Safety Blog
Halloween Activities: Don’t Be Spooked by the Need to Include Lab Safety
As with most holidays, there is something about the buildup a week or two in advance of Halloween that gets students very excited! To keep their students on task and learning, science/STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teachers often take advantage of this excitement by introducing Halloween activities and demonstrations in their lab. However, teachers must not forget that lab safety doesn’t take a holiday. Before doing any Halloween-oriented lab activity or demonstration, remember to first conduct the “AAA” approach to safety.
Podcast
Lab Out Loud
Pumpkin Science, Facts and Surprises
To answer our questions about pumpkins, we connected with a pumpkin expert. From the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Rebecca Brown joins us to talk about growing pumpkins, the surprising results of pumpkin breeding, and the pumpkin industry in the United States.
Journal Articles
Elementary
At Home With Bats: A take-home STEM unit addresses the declining bat population through problem-based learning.
By: Jocelyn Miller and Katy Roberson
Science Shorts: Gourd-ous Decomposition
By: Amy Rubenstein, Stacey Cleary, and Christina Siry
Science 101: Why Don't Spiders Stick to Their Own Webs?
By: Bill Robertson
Bringing Moon Phases Down to Earth
By: Leesa Hubbard
Middle School
No Bones About It
By: Lydia Lytal, Brooke A. Whitworth, and Gail Morton
Tried and True: The Halloween Lab
By: Stacey Hoffman
Tried and True: Spooky suspects
By: Lara Pacifici
Assessment with Pumpkins
By: Erin Sikes and Donna R. Sterling