This article describes a grantmanship framework for high school science educators. The scenario described illustrates the importance of grant writing in an era of increased school accountability and tightened purse strings. The framework presented can be used for most STEM-related projects and can guide educators toward high-quality instruction…

Nitrogen- or phosphorus-based fertilizers, used in agriculture, can run off into nearby waterways during periods of heavy rain or high flow and cause harmful blooms (Paerl et al. 2016), low oxygen (Joyce 2000), and decreased biodiversity (Sebens 1994). Studies of the effects wetlands can have on water and habitat quality (Verhoeven and Meuleman…

In this article, the author describes the "Be your own groundhog" project in her grades 9-12 Earth and environmental sciences courses, in which students use citizen science databases to research the physical changes that signal the arrival of spring. This project starts with a simple question, "When will spring spring?" This goes beyond the…

Misconceptions are not simply factual errors or a lack of understanding, but rather explanations that are constructed based on past experiences (Hewson and Hewson 1988). If students' misconceptions are not directly engaged in the learning process, they may persist--even when faced with instruction to the contrary (Bransford, Brown, and Cocking…

Students spent two months designing and building model solar homes. During this time, they learned about science, geology, architecture, landscaping, and interior decorating. This article describes and illustrates their work. (MA)

Materials needed and instructions for constructing a model (groundwater terrarium) to examine the water cycle and its effects are provided. Suggested activities and demonstrations are also provided. (SK)