The editors of "Science and Children" invite readers to explore the 2016 list of Outstanding Science Trade Books. The list builds upon a 44-year history of identifying the very best science books for children. In the award-winning titles provided in this article, readers will find traditional science content as well as engineering and…

Science teaching and learning in the United States are at a pivotal point. "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" (NRC 2012b) and the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS"; NGSS Lead States 2013) shift science educators' focus from simply teaching science ideas to helping students figure out phenomena and…

In this article, Michael E. Wysession comments on the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS), which are based on the recommendations of the National Research Council and represent a revolutionary step toward establishing modern, national K-12 science education standards. The NGSS involves significant changes from traditional…

Presents the results of an experiment designed to test two hypotheses: (1) a delay of two weeks at room temperature will have no effect on the viability of fertile chicken eggs and (2) refrigeration will have no effect on the viability of fertile chicken eggs. Experimenters were the author and two ninth-grade students. (PEB)

Explains how and why mirages are formed. The three basic types of mirages (inferior--seen below an object, superior--seen above an object, and the fata morgana--which occurs when inferior and superior mirages coexist) are considered. (JN)

The question of attributing a purpose to animal's actions is still being debated by scientists. Consensus seems to be that animal behavior should be described in terms of function rather than purpose. (PS)

Discusses types of solar eclipses and the frequency of their occurrence. Emphasis is placed on the May 30, 1984 solar eclipse. Ideas for building a pinhole camera to view the eclipse, to determine if the sun is changing size, and to report scientific findings are provided. (BC)

Briefly describes the nature of comets, and in particular, discusses Comet Kohoutek, one of the most spectacular celestial phenomena of this century. (JR)

Describes a method for introducing and teaching to junior high school students the concepts involved in constructing a dichotomous key. (JR)

Rather than memorize numbers for sidereal periods of planets (time to orbit the sun), students can learn to determine these times through simple calculations. Comparison of a planet's synodic period to earth's year of 365 days is made, then multiplication to derive a full circle of 360 degrees establishes the sidereal period. (DH)

An annotated list (books, magazines, and media) of sources of free and inexpensive science materials is provided, including addresses and costs (if any). (SK)

Presented is a map of the night sky in the northern hemisphere during the month of March 1991. A calendar of celestial highlights including the positions of the planets and several stars is included. (CW)

The authors express their concerns about attempts (completed and anticipated) to censor science content in textbooks and provide examples of censorship of material on evolution in biology textbooks. (PEB)

Briefly summarizes science education research findings related to classroom practices. These summaries are extracted from a monograph of the same title. (SLH)