Children can see the Moon with the naked eye and often are curious about the Moon and other objects in the sky, like the Sun and the stars. However, there is sometimes disagreement in early childhood about whether studying space is appropriate for young children. This activities described in this article engaged children who had different learning…

The "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) (Achieve Inc. 2013) asks teachers to give engineering design equal standing with scientific inquiry in their science lessons. This article asks the following questions: What do engineering design practices look like, and how do you assess them? How similar and different is engineering design…

The motto of the national science education reform efforts is "science for all" regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background, or any special need. The main issue of this statement is the modification of science activities so that a wider range of students can benefit from it, which is a difficult task. For teachers, the dilemma is…

Explores the interaction and sequencing of hands-on activities, writing, and reading in the science classroom viewed from a constructivist perspective. Describes the Hands-On, Writing and Reading for Understanding approach designed to accommodate various learning styles and to challenge and direct student learning. Discusses sequencing of…

Proposes an approach to school laboratory experiences which leads to gradual acquisition of inquiry skills based on the idea of advance organizers. Presents a design which is context familiar and can serve as an introduction to scientific inquiry. Discusses student achievement, and teacher and student attitudes. (CW)

Describes the learning style inventory and learning cycle developed by David Kolb. Discusses the learning cycle's four stages as concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Offers an example from a chemical engineering class in which Kolb's ideas are used in an effort to improve instruction.…

Across the United States, only 10% of all teachers are members of minority groups, indicating that teachers are far less diverse than the current population of students they teach. The West Virginia Health Sciences and Technology Academy, a math and science afterschool program and summer institute, was created specifically to reach out to…