Imagine handing out assessments that spark enthusiasm rather than dread. In six easy-to-follow steps, this book empowers science teachers to create tasks that guide students to use their knowledge, not just memorize facts. The NGSA design process transforms assessments into valuable classroom tools that teachers can use to chart how students'…

Chemistry teaching learning is considered as difficult and boring. The definition of play, based on authors such as Freud, Piaget and Vigotsky, is presented as a stimulating, pleasant and voluntary activity that in the student facilitates his learning and encompasses the different facets of his physical, psychic, social and emotional development.…

This column includes activities inspired by children's literature. When learning about a topic, scientists refer to documents from past researchers. This month's trade books include nonfiction and historical fiction selections that help to demonstrate similarities and differences "then and now" while incorporating engineering design…

It's challenging to teach science well to all students while connecting your lessons to the "Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)". This unique book portrays real teaching scenarios written by the teachers on the "NGSS" Diversity and Equity Team. The seven authentic case studies vividly illustrate research- and…

The Calculator Controlled Robots activities are designed to engage students in hands-on inquiry-based missions. These activities address National science and technology standards, as well as specifically focusing on mathematics content and process standards. There are ten missions and three exploration extensions that provide activities for up to…

Discusses the importance of creating a science classroom that invites students to learn. (ZWH)

Describes the use of a simple inexpensive model of a five-legged table in a physics course for industrial-design students to spark useful discussion about several aspects of statics. (WRM)

This article provides instructors with guidelines for teaching simple experimental design for the comparison of two treatment groups. Two designs with specific examples are discussed along with common misconceptions that undergraduate students typically bring to the experiment design process. Features of experiment design that maximize power and…

This learning activity is designed to increase knowledge of materials science; engineering; and technology design and the manufacture of the very small devices used in watches, computers, and calculators. It looks at possible innovations to come from micro- and nanotechnology. Includes a student quiz. (Author/JOW)

This investigative laboratory exercise uses the different relations between ambient temperature and metabolic rate in endotherms and ectotherms as a core concept to answer the following question: What thermoregulatory mode is employed by chicken embryos? Emphasis is placed on the physiological concepts that can be taught with this exercise,…

Points out major problems with the scientific method as a model for learning about methodology in science and suggests teaching about the scientists' toolbox to remedy problems with the conventional scientific method. (KHR)

Three epistemological domains for history are discussed: the present concrete world, chronological ordering, and ideas. The nature of the epistemic network is emphasized through the formula history presupposes as a recognition of the contemporaneity of the past and the historicity of the present. (Author/DS)

Presents Fragrance Structured Learning Packages (SLPs), group activities designed to help students recognize the value of applying chemistry in a real-world setting. Developed by the Department of Chemistry at the University of York. (Author/KHR)

Designing or making changes in things students use or wear is the challenge of this Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit. The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at any elementary school level (grades 1-8). The Teacher…

Reports on student work with a local council to conduct a watershed analysis of a tributary in the Clackamas River in Oregon. (KHR)