Mobile learning is an incredible way to engage students in activities that encourage exploration and critical thinking. This type of learning is defined by the use of portable technology, such as laptops, tablets, and smart phones, to support learning in various environments and in various ways. Depending on the technologies and resources already…

Space has fascinated and intrigued humans of all ages since time immemorial, and continues to do so today. The natural curiosity is engaged when looking up into the sky, notice patterns among celestial objects such as the Sun, Moon, and stars, and wonder. Scientific understanding of those patterns has progressed immensely over the span of human…

Sound is typically thought of something that is heard. Can it be seen or felt? Most students experience the noises that surround them in everyday life, but few stop to think about what sound is, how it travels, and the biological challenges associated with perceiving sound. Since students are already familiar with everyday sounds, inquiry-based…

This article introduces students to the world of digital microscopy. Looking at small objects through a digital microscope is like traveling through a foreign country for the first time. The experience is new, engaging, and exciting. A handheld digital microscope is an essential tool in a 21st century teacher's toolkit and the perfect tool to…

One author shares the unique opportunity to be immersed in the science of "sound at work" through participation in NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Teacher at Sea Program. A third- through fifth-grade learning outcome within the Nature of Science section of the "Next Generation Science Standards"…

The first thing that comes to mind for many teachers when they think of assessment is testing, quizzes, performance tasks, and other summative forms used for grading purposes. Such assessment practices represent only a fraction of the kinds of assessment that occur on an ongoing basis in an effective science classroom. Formative assessment is a…

The authors collaborated on hosting a "Spring Inspire Day." planned and delivered by preservice elementary teachers as a social studies/science methods project. Projects that have authentic application opportunities can make learning meaningful for prospective teachers as well as elementary students. With the impetus for an integrated…

With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games prominent in the media, children were exposed to images of athletes skiing down snow-covered slopes, coasting furiously on bobsleds, and skating gracefully across the ice. Therefore, the authors capitalized on their children's natural curiosity about the world around them by exploring the concept of motion in a…

The first few years of the author's career, she struggled to find a science experience that would grab her sixth-grade students from the start--something that would let them know that coming to class would be worth their time and that they would be learning in an exciting environment. She finally found it: The perfect project idea bubbled up as…

Presents activities that use a box of pencils to foster science process skills. Describes each phase of the scientific learning method with instructions for a "broken pencil" activity. Discusses initial observations, multiple working hypotheses, detailed observations, developing a theory, pattern-process relationships, and further ideas. (JRH)

Outlines several exercises suitable for elementary science classes which may be used to illustrate objective experimental analysis. (JR)

Describes an exploration of how light-up shoes work in which students become a community of scientists through debating, questioning, experimenting, formulating ideas, researching, collaborating, and communicating their understandings. (JRH)

Science fair mentorship programs let students investigate a wide variety of science topics under the guidance of interested community members. These programs enhance the relationships among school, community, and home. (PR)

Describes an activity center where students work independently on problem-solving tasks. Participants keep records of their work and share ideas of activities with the class. Includes a list of tasks for the activity center. (MA)

Offers suggestions of ways to encourage problem solving activities on the playground. (MA)