Ice-Cold Lemonade

Lesson Plan | June 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about transfer of energy. The probe is designed to determine whether students recognize that heat flows from warmer objects or areas to cooler ones.

Using Trade Books and Biographies to Bring the Practices of Engineering to Life

Journal Article | December 2020

Is It “Fitter”?

Lesson Plan | December 2022

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about natural selection. The probe is designed to find out how students interpret the commonly used phrase “survival of the fittest.”

Where Do You Find Earth’s Plates?

Lesson Plan | July 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s plates. The probe is designed to find out where students think tectonic plates are located.

Chicken Eggs

Lesson Plan | June 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about food, transformation of matter, growth and development, conservation of mass, and systems. The concepts underlying this probe are complex. It is…

Changing Constellations

Lesson Plan | July 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about why the constellations change with the seasons. The probe is designed to find out how students use the Earth’s spin and orbit to explain why…

Is It Made of Parts?

Lesson Plan | June 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit children’s developing ideas about structure in living systems. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that living things are made up of parts.

Phases of the Moon

Journal Article | October 2019

Using discrepant events to confront misconceptions

Speaking and Listening in the Science Classroom

Journal Article | March 2019

Practical advice from veteran teachers.

A Focus on Function

Journal Article | September 2019

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching.

Exit Tickets

Journal Article | March 2019

Understanding students, adapting instruction, and addressing equity

Focusing the Lens of the Crosscutting Concepts on Secondary Science Learning

Journal Article | March 2022

Plants in the Dark and Light

Lesson Plan | June 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about plant growth. The probe is designed to find out whether students recognize that plants use their stored food to grow in the absence of light.

Features of an Effective Future-Faculty Teaching-Development Program

Journal Article | April 2020

Many institutions are preparing graduate students and postdoctorals (future faculty) for effective teaching in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Interestingly, little is known…

Model of Air Inside a Jar

Lesson Plan | July 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the particle model of matter. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that air is made up of particles that are widely spaced with…