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Using Argument to Reason About Science Practice

Students can productively argue about a lot more than just claims and their evidence.

Science and Children—Fall 2023 (Volume 60, Issue 7)

By William Sandoval, Jon Kovach, Leticia Perez, Lynn Kim-John, and Jarod Kawasaki

Using Argument to Reason About Science Practice

We have been working for nearly two decades with teachers across all grade bands to promote productive argumentation. From this experience, and those of others interested in the same goals, we have extracted a simple strategy for promoting and supporting productive argumentation wherever it arises during students’ engagement in science and engineering practices (SEPs). Organizing and guiding arguments over a full range of science practices not only helps students learn important disciplinary concepts, but also to understand how science really works.
We have been working for nearly two decades with teachers across all grade bands to promote productive argumentation. From this experience, and those of others interested in the same goals, we have extracted a simple strategy for promoting and supporting productive argumentation wherever it arises during students’ engagement in science and engineering practices (SEPs). Organizing and guiding arguments over a full range of science practices not only helps students learn important disciplinary concepts, but also to understand how science really works.
We have been working for nearly two decades with teachers across all grade bands to promote productive argumentation. From this experience, and those of others interested in the same goals, we have extracted a simple strategy for promoting and supporting productive argumentation wherever it arises during students’ engagement in science and engineering practices (SEPs). Organizing and guiding arguments over a full range of science practices not only helps students learn important disciplinary concepts, but also to understand how science really works.
 

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The Astronomical Event of the Decade

A solar eclipse double-header in 2023 and 2024 offers the perfect experience to excite early learners.

Science and Children—Fall 2023 (Volume 60, Issue 7)

By Anna Hurst, Julia Plummer, Suzanne Gurton, and Dennis Schatz

The Astronomical Event of the Decade

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, and then again on Monday, April 8, 2024, sky gazers all across North America will experience what is arguably the most breathtaking of astronomical phenomena: a solar eclipse. During the October eclipse, everyone in North America will experience a partial eclipse, but if you are lucky enough to be in the 125-mile-wide “path of annularity,” you will see the Moon slowly pass in front of the Sun, until only a “ring of fire” (a ring or annulus of the Sun’s surface) is visible. The eclipse is not total because the Moon is approaching its farthest point from the Earth, so appears too small to cover the entire Sun.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, and then again on Monday, April 8, 2024, sky gazers all across North America will experience what is arguably the most breathtaking of astronomical phenomena: a solar eclipse. During the October eclipse, everyone in North America will experience a partial eclipse, but if you are lucky enough to be in the 125-mile-wide “path of annularity,” you will see the Moon slowly pass in front of the Sun, until only a “ring of fire” (a ring or annulus of the Sun’s surface) is visible.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, and then again on Monday, April 8, 2024, sky gazers all across North America will experience what is arguably the most breathtaking of astronomical phenomena: a solar eclipse. During the October eclipse, everyone in North America will experience a partial eclipse, but if you are lucky enough to be in the 125-mile-wide “path of annularity,” you will see the Moon slowly pass in front of the Sun, until only a “ring of fire” (a ring or annulus of the Sun’s surface) is visible.
 

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Making the Most of the Upcoming Solar Eclipse Double-Header

October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024

Science and Children—Fall 2023 (Volume 60, Issue 7)

By Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz

Making the Most of the Upcoming Solar Eclipse Double-Header

Eclipses of the Sun, where the Moon gets in front of the Sun and blocks its light, are among the most spectacular of natural events. The total eclipse visible in the United States in 2017 fascinated and involved millions of people all across the country. The good news is that against all odds, two dramatic solar eclipses—an eclipse double-header—will occur during the coming school year.
Eclipses of the Sun, where the Moon gets in front of the Sun and blocks its light, are among the most spectacular of natural events. The total eclipse visible in the United States in 2017 fascinated and involved millions of people all across the country. The good news is that against all odds, two dramatic solar eclipses—an eclipse double-header—will occur during the coming school year.
Eclipses of the Sun, where the Moon gets in front of the Sun and blocks its light, are among the most spectacular of natural events. The total eclipse visible in the United States in 2017 fascinated and involved millions of people all across the country. The good news is that against all odds, two dramatic solar eclipses—an eclipse double-header—will occur during the coming school year.
 

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How it All Happened

Cause and effect as a lens and thinking tool to observe and make sense of two puzzling phenomena.

Science and Children—Fall 2023 (Volume 60, Issue 7)

By Lindsey Mohan, Emily Harris, and Candice Guy-Gaytán

How it All Happened

A circle of fourth-grade students sit around Mrs. Ray, who shows videos and images of two natural events: large rocks that have fallen from a cliffside and large rocks in the middle of a dry stream near a road. She asks, “What caused these events to happen? How do we think the changes caused by these events affected the land, waters, and living things?” Her students share their initial ideas. For the first event, a student suggests, “a big gust of wind pushed on a weak rock.” A second says, “maybe there was an earthquake and it shifted it.” Mrs. Ray records students’ ideas on an initial class model. Then she focuses students on potential effects. Students share concerns about drinking water for animals, blocked waterways causing flooding, and “cracked trees” that are homes to birds and small critters. Mrs. Ray points to the second event and asks students to consider its causes and effects. A student says, “maybe the rocks were on the side of the river and the river flooded and the rocks went into the river and smashed together.” For possible effects, students share that maybe, “the road got blocked” and “cars got stuck on the road.” Mrs. Ray asks, “How sure are we about our ideas? Do we have any questions we’re wondering about?”
A circle of fourth-grade students sit around Mrs. Ray, who shows videos and images of two natural events: large rocks that have fallen from a cliffside and large rocks in the middle of a dry stream near a road. She asks, “What caused these events to happen? How do we think the changes caused by these events affected the land, waters, and living things?” Her students share their initial ideas. For the first event, a student suggests, “a big gust of wind pushed on a weak rock.” A second says, “maybe there was an earthquake and it shifted it.” Mrs.
A circle of fourth-grade students sit around Mrs. Ray, who shows videos and images of two natural events: large rocks that have fallen from a cliffside and large rocks in the middle of a dry stream near a road. She asks, “What caused these events to happen? How do we think the changes caused by these events affected the land, waters, and living things?” Her students share their initial ideas. For the first event, a student suggests, “a big gust of wind pushed on a weak rock.” A second says, “maybe there was an earthquake and it shifted it.” Mrs.
 

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, October 31, 2023

By Debra Shapiro

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, October 31, 2023

Archive: WI24: Lab Safety Considerations for Pre-Service Secondary Science/STEM Teachers, March 4, 2024

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing secondary-level safer science/STEM laboratory activities. The presenters will be Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/Specialist and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Glastonbury (CT) Public Schools, and NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District in Rockaway, New Jersey.

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing secondary-level safer science/STEM laboratory activities. The presenters will be Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/Specialist and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Glastonbury (CT) Public Schools, and NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District in Rockaway, New Jersey.

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing secondary-level safer science/STEM laboratory activities. The presenters will be Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/Specialist and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Glastonbury (CT) Public Schools, and NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District in Rockaway, New Jersey.

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing secondary-level safer science/STEM laboratory activities. The presenters will be Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/Specialist and Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Glastonbury (CT) Public Schools, and NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District in Rockaway, New Jersey.

Archive: WI24: Lab Safety Considerations for Pre-Service Elementary Science/STEM Teachers, February 26, 2024

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing elementary level safer science/STEM classroom/laboratory activities with Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/specialist and, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Glastonbury Public Schools (CT). In addition, Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District, NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson will also be presenting.  

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing elementary level safer science/STEM classroom/laboratory activities with Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/specialist and, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Glastonbury Public Schools (CT). In addition, Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District, NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson will also be presenting.  

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing elementary level safer science/STEM classroom/laboratory activities with Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/specialist and, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Glastonbury Public Schools (CT). In addition, Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District, NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson will also be presenting.  

This interactive web seminar will begin with an overview of safety protocols specific for doing elementary level safer science/STEM classroom/laboratory activities with Dr. Ken Roy, NSTA and NSELA Safety Compliance Advisor/specialist and, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Glastonbury Public Schools (CT). In addition, Dr. Kevin Doyle of Morris Hills Regional School District, NSTA Safety Advisory Board Chairperson will also be presenting.  

Teacher Tip Tuesday: Making the Most of Attending an NSTA Conference - Denver 2024, March 5, 2024

Discover how to make the most of attending an NSTA National Conference. Hear from veteran attendees who will share their conference experiences and insights.

In this web seminar you will learn:

Discover how to make the most of attending an NSTA National Conference. Hear from veteran attendees who will share their conference experiences and insights.

In this web seminar you will learn:

Discover how to make the most of attending an NSTA National Conference. Hear from veteran attendees who will share their conference experiences and insights.

In this web seminar you will learn:

Discover how to make the most of attending an NSTA National Conference. Hear from veteran attendees who will share their conference experiences and insights.

In this web seminar you will learn:

Discover how to make the most of attending an NSTA National Conference. Hear from veteran attendees who will share their conference experiences and insights.

In this web seminar you will learn:

 

Safety Blog

Safer At-Home Food Science Investigations

By Ken Roy

Posted on 2023-10-23

Safer At-Home Food Science Investigations

 

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, October 24, 2023

By Debra Shapiro

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, October 24, 2023

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