Join
Menu Search Join
 

Using Conferences to Give Students a Sense of Belonging

Science Scope—September/October 2024

By Tasha Kirby

Conducting student conferences similar to those used by English Language Arts teachers to improve reading skills can give middle school science students a sense of belonging and ownership in science. Once a set of conference goals is determined, a teacher can develop a form to elicit responses from students that address established goals. During each conference, the teacher will take detailed notes of student responses with the intent of learning more about a student's opinions toward science, strengths and weaknesses, expert skills, and suggestions for improving the learning environment. Information from conferences can be used to strengthen student–teacher relationships, implement activities that interest students, and provide a sense of community in the classroom.
Conducting student conferences similar to those used by English Language Arts teachers to improve reading skills can give middle school science students a sense of belonging and ownership in science. Once a set of conference goals is determined, a teacher can develop a form to elicit responses from students that address established goals. During each conference, the teacher will take detailed notes of student responses with the intent of learning more about a student's opinions toward science, strengths and weaknesses, expert skills, and suggestions for improving the learning environment.
Conducting student conferences similar to those used by English Language Arts teachers to improve reading skills can give middle school science students a sense of belonging and ownership in science. Once a set of conference goals is determined, a teacher can develop a form to elicit responses from students that address established goals. During each conference, the teacher will take detailed notes of student responses with the intent of learning more about a student's opinions toward science, strengths and weaknesses, expert skills, and suggestions for improving the learning environment.
 

citizen science

Snapshot Safari: Elephant Edition

Science Scope—September/October 2024

By Jill Nugent

Citizen Science article for the September/ October 2024 issue of Science Scope

Citizen Science article for the September/ October 2024 issue of Science Scope

Citizen Science article for the September/ October 2024 issue of Science Scope

 

Fieldwork Fridays: Connecting Scientific Learning to Nature

Science Scope—September/October 2024

By Katie Coppens

Building routines around place-based learning allows students to apply their scientific learning to nature and form a connection with their local environment and the species in it over the course of a school year. Each Friday, in what are referred to as “Fieldwork Fridays,” Coppens brings her students outside to apply what they learned that week in class to the environment around them. This can range from using measuring skills to estimate the heights of trees, to looking for animal prints in the snow to better understand the concept of trace fossils, to thinking of an experimental design in nature. Tips for implementation are included, and some of the benefits and challenges of this hands-on, nature-based learning are addressed.
Building routines around place-based learning allows students to apply their scientific learning to nature and form a connection with their local environment and the species in it over the course of a school year. Each Friday, in what are referred to as “Fieldwork Fridays,” Coppens brings her students outside to apply what they learned that week in class to the environment around them.
Building routines around place-based learning allows students to apply their scientific learning to nature and form a connection with their local environment and the species in it over the course of a school year. Each Friday, in what are referred to as “Fieldwork Fridays,” Coppens brings her students outside to apply what they learned that week in class to the environment around them.
 

Dyeing to Last: Using Natural Dyes to Create an Ideal Fabric

Science Scope—September/October 2024

By Tyler St. Clair, Makayla Kraetsch, Mia Arrieta

In this project-based lesson, students explore how chemistry concepts relate to creative expression by investigating a variety of dyeing conditions. Through sequenced discussions and investigations, students arrive at a dyed cotton product that optimizes for both personal aesthetics and chemical processes. This NGSS middle school science lesson closely aligns with MS-PS1-3. Students who demonstrate understanding can gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society. Students were enthusiastic about generating ideas for what materials they wanted to explore, maintained interest throughout the investigations, and were excited to show off their creations.

In this project-based lesson, students explore how chemistry concepts relate to creative expression by investigating a variety of dyeing conditions. Through sequenced discussions and investigations, students arrive at a dyed cotton product that optimizes for both personal aesthetics and chemical processes. This NGSS middle school science lesson closely aligns with MS-PS1-3. Students who demonstrate understanding can gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

In this project-based lesson, students explore how chemistry concepts relate to creative expression by investigating a variety of dyeing conditions. Through sequenced discussions and investigations, students arrive at a dyed cotton product that optimizes for both personal aesthetics and chemical processes. This NGSS middle school science lesson closely aligns with MS-PS1-3. Students who demonstrate understanding can gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

Social Justice in Science - From Theory to Practice, Application, and Reflection: Topic Study for K-12 Educators

In this Web Seminar Series, we will host a Professional Learning Network (PLN) dedicated to educators looking to create instructional learning plans that actively engage themes of social justice and liberatory education in STEM.

In this Web Seminar Series, we will host a Professional Learning Network (PLN) dedicated to educators looking to create instructional learning plans that actively engage themes of social justice and liberatory education in STEM.

In this Web Seminar Series, we will host a Professional Learning Network (PLN) dedicated to educators looking to create instructional learning plans that actively engage themes of social justice and liberatory education in STEM.

In this Web Seminar Series, we will host a Professional Learning Network (PLN) dedicated to educators looking to create instructional learning plans that actively engage themes of social justice and liberatory education in STEM.

In this Web Seminar Series, we will host a Professional Learning Network (PLN) dedicated to educators looking to create instructional learning plans that actively engage themes of social justice and liberatory education in STEM.

 

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, September 17, 2024

By Debra Shapiro

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, September 17, 2024

Archive: Strategies on Applying for a Science Teaching Position, November 21, 2024

Preservice educators and those wanting to transition into education from a different career have tools and experiences that are directly applicable to the classroom.  This session will discuss strategies to turn those experiences into a powerful resume when applying for a science teaching position in a K-12 setting. The presenter will also share ways a professional association, like NSTA, can help candidates with their job search.

Preservice educators and those wanting to transition into education from a different career have tools and experiences that are directly applicable to the classroom.  This session will discuss strategies to turn those experiences into a powerful resume when applying for a science teaching position in a K-12 setting. The presenter will also share ways a professional association, like NSTA, can help candidates with their job search.

Preservice educators and those wanting to transition into education from a different career have tools and experiences that are directly applicable to the classroom.  This session will discuss strategies to turn those experiences into a powerful resume when applying for a science teaching position in a K-12 setting. The presenter will also share ways a professional association, like NSTA, can help candidates with their job search.

Preservice educators and those wanting to transition into education from a different career have tools and experiences that are directly applicable to the classroom.  This session will discuss strategies to turn those experiences into a powerful resume when applying for a science teaching position in a K-12 setting. The presenter will also share ways a professional association, like NSTA, can help candidates with their job search.

 

Educator Perspectives

AI in the Science Classroom

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2024-09-10

AI in the Science Classroom

 

A Fiery Feeling

An Exploration of Stomach Acid Production

By Lacy M. Cleveland, Christine L. Savage, Elizabeth M. Kashmitter

A Fiery Feeling

Subscribe to
Asset 2