Makerspaces are collaborative workplaces equipped with a variety of high- and low-tech tools and materials that individuals can use to create physical and digital products. In this article the authors take the perspective that integrating a makerspace into a school is a proactive, thoughtful, and time-consuming process. To help meaningfully…

This article provides an overview of the instructional activity implemented to introduce the authors' first-grade students to the concept of measuring, collecting, and recording temperature data as part of a unit on weather. The activities introduced involved approximately one week of instructional time. However, the application of the skill…

Creative thinking is important to scientists and engineers as they frame their work and engage in the practices of their fields. Elementary-age children need opportunities to think about and develop an idea from its inception through to its conclusion to expand their thinking and engage in scientific processes. Generating and expanding on ideas…

This 5E cycle of lessons takes students through a fun and thorough study of Silly Putty's properties, progressing from an initial observation of a "melting snowman" toy in the Engage phase to making and "marketing" their own homemade putty in the Evaluate phase. Along the way, students use evidence to construct their own…

Writing in science is a natural way to integrate science and literacy and meet the goals set by the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") and the "Common Core State Standards" ("CCSS"), which call for learners to be engaged with the language of science. This means that students should record…

In this article, the author describes a series of lessons that focuses on observation and documentation of organisms and that is appropriate for the second through fourth grades. By giving students the necessary initial support, they will have the ability to observe details and the skills and confidence to make realistic scientific drawings and…

Young children are born scientists, exploring everything in their world around them. Yet, many teachers still find it hard to integrate science into the daily schedule. However, open-ended science or discovery centers are a perfect way for teachers to help students develop science processes and build literacy skills while they integrate science…

In this article, the learning progress of one fifth-grade student is examined with regard to the development of her graph interpretation skills as she participated in the Junior Science Institute (JSI), a two-week, science intensive summer camp in which participants engaged in microbiology research and application. By showcasing the student's…

Suggests how simple hikes can be integrated into the elementary school curriculum. Presents nine topic areas that can serve as themes for schoolyard hikes. (ML)

Describes a simple field trip taken by fourth-grade students to a local park. Aided by volunteers, students go through four learning stations dealing with rock studies, tree identification, following directions (mapping), and observation skills. Presite and postsite activities are discussed. (TW)

Introduces a lesson that can be used for teaching the scientific process with excitement and in a natural learning environment. Suggests activities for classifying, observing, measuring, inferring, collecting data, interpreting, discussing, concluding, and communicating. Supplies a list with pictures and descriptions of types of monuments. (RT)

Provides specific directions and guidelines for the computer program "YOU Program ME." Explains how this introductory hands-on activity can teach the concept of programming and can introduce the BASIC language. Background information and student activity sheets are included. (ML)

Offers suggestions for activities that demonstrate the principles of osmosis. Explains how decalcified chicken eggs can be used to give students practice with measurement, experimental procedures, and science principles. (ML)

Discusses how activities focusing on food can give preschool children practice in using science process skills and also can provide experiences in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. Lists activities which aim to develop thinking skills, to address health habits, and to foster art and music skills. (ML)

Suggests ways to teach science while young children are actively involved in art, construction, reading, and music. These suggestions are listed for learning centers which focus on art, blocks, homemaking/dramatics, water/sand, manipulatives, language, outdoors, and music. Also indicates that "moments" for teaching science occur in many places…