JoinAll Informal Education resources
NSTA Press Book
A Head Start on Science, Second Edition: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder
Imagine what fun it could be for 3- to 7-year-olds to engage in a game of Prism Play or Magnetic Scavenger Hunt or Where Did the Shadows Go? Then imagine how convenient it would be for you if such activities came with the connections, standards, and ...
By William C. Ritz, William Straits
Journal Article
In this discussion, Field Editor Beth Murphy, NSTA Executive Director David Evans, and ASTC President and CEO Cristin Dorgelo discuss the origins of Connected Science Learning, and what’s next for the journal. The conversation has been edited for...
By Beth Murphy, David L. Evans, and Cristin Dorgelo
Journal Article
“It was a perfect day. I was impressed with the students’ curiosity, questions, and seriousness about volcanic rocks and how engaged and focused they were for the entire day,” said American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) scientist and curator...
By Cristina Trowbridge
Journal Article
Students with special needs traditionally have fewer opportunities to engage in hands-on learning during science class (Melber and Brown 2008). The reasons for this vary, but typically stem from teacher misconceptions about the types of activities ...
By Brent Gilles, Tim Hawig, Ashley Sutton, and Stacey Britton
Journal Article
Bold innovations in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Brilliant hacks for the digital divide. Breakthroughs in maternal health care to reduce infant mortality....
By Linda Kekelis
NSTA Press Book
Discovery Engineering in Physical Science: Case Studies for Grades 6–12
Who knew that gecko feet inspired scientists to develop a stickier adhesive or that cockleburs in dog fur led to the invention of Velcro? Discovery Engineering in Physical Science uses these and other surprising cases of innovations sparked by accide...
By M. Gail Jones, Elysa Corin, Megan Ennes, Emily Cayton, Gina Childers
Journal Article
Serving Youth With Special Needs
In the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education community, we are well aware that “the representation of certain groups of people in science and engineering education and employment differs from their representation in the U.S....
By Beth Murphy
NSTA Press Book
Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12
Get help teaching one of the hottest topics in science with Understanding Climate Change, Grades 7–12. This nine-session module is written to be practical and accessible. It provides both extensive background and step-by-step instructions for using...
By Laura Tucker, Lois Sherwood
Journal Article
Middle School Girls Gain Confidence, Competence, and Interest Through Summer STEAM Camp
To combat the well-researched and documented drop in interest and confidence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) that girls tend to experience in their middle school years, the Plum Borough School District, as part of the ABC CREAT...
By Tamar McPherson, Stephanie Reilly, and Colleen Smith
Journal Article
Where can a middle school girl wield a chop saw or welder in one moment, and build her interpersonal and self-advocacy skills in the next? For 20 years, Rosie’s Girls, a program of Vermont Works for Women, has helped girls and gender-nonconformin...
By Alison Lamagna
NSTA Press Book
Have you been wanting to learn more about what your students know (or think they know) about major concepts in matter and energy? Have you been wishing for formative assessment tools in both English and Spanish? Then this is the book you’ve been wa...
By Page Keeley, Susan Cooper