All Instructional Materials resources

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, November 14, 2023

By Debra Shapiro

Kindergarten Elementary Middle School High School Postsecondary Aerospace Careers Earth & Space Science General Science Inclusion Instructional Materials Lesson Plans Life Science Literacy Multicultural News Physical Science Professional Learning STEM Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Does Drinking Milk Cause Strong Bones?

In 1935, individuals living in the United States began to encounter eye-catching posters communicating a variety of public program messages from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), established under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. ...

By Jacqueline Katz

High School Inquiry Instructional Materials Life Science Literacy

Journal Article

Science Journaling with Technology

Students in today’s classrooms spend a lot of time using technology by listening to music, texting, watching videos, and using social media applications. Some theorize that student attention spans have lessened to a dismal amount due to the impact ...

By Brigitte Whaley and Ashley Campbell

High School Inclusion Instructional Materials STEM Teaching Strategies Technology

Journal Article

Bringing the Outside In

Classroom communities are more than just teachers and students. Administrators, other teachers and students, teacher aides, all school staff, families, friends, community leaders, and more influence a classroom community in different ways. Places and...

By Jonathan McCausland and Kathryn M. Bateman

High School Inclusion Instructional Materials STEM Teaching Strategies Technology Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

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 coun...

By Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz

Astronomy Earth & Space Science Instructional Materials

Journal Article

The 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Double-Header

North America will experience a solar eclipse “double-header” this fall. While 500 million people will see two partial eclipses (when the Moon covers part of the Sun), those fortunate enough to be in a 125-mile-wide path on October 14, 2023, will...

By Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi

Astronomy Earth & Space Science Instructional Materials

Journal Article

Teach Sublimation With Markers!

Sublimation, the change of state from solid to gas, is a challenging concept for many students to grasp and a curious phenomenon to investigate. Our everyday experiences teach us about melting, freezing, and evaporation, but it is rare to witness sub...

By Christine G. Schnittka and Mark Brenneman

Middle School Instructional Materials Labs Physical Science Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

Student Uncertainty as a Pedagogical Resource (SUPeR)

As suggested in A Framework for K–12 Science Education (National Research Council 2012), “Scientific knowledge is a particular kind of knowledge with its own sources, justifications, ways of dealing with uncertainties . . . and agreed-on levels o...

By Jamie Rapkiewcz, Jongchan Park, Ying-Chih Chen, and Michelle E. Jordan

Middle School Instructional Materials Pedagogy Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Differentiate Science Lessons by Using VR in Station Rotations

Blended learning strategies combined with innovative technology, for example, virtual reality (VR), can be used in science classrooms to differentiate teaching and enrich learning experiences. The positive impacts of differentiated instruction in a c...

By Michael McKenzie and Alex Fegely

Equity Inclusion Instructional Materials STEM Teaching Strategies Technology

Journal Article

Cardboard City

Cardboard, a common maker space material, is inexpensive, readily available, and durable. It is also easy to manipulate. It can be folded, cut, painted, and taped or glued together. Caine’s Arcade, a video featuring Caine Monroy’s cardboard arcad...

By Julie Jackson, Julie Brenegan, Kristi Wagner, and Michelle Berry

Elementary Engineering Instructional Materials Makerspace Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning