A simple model is presented to explain Higgs boson physics to the grand public. The model consists of a children's ball pool representing a Universe filled with a certain amount of the Higgs field. The model is suitable for usage as a hands-on tool in scientific exhibits and provides a clear explanation of almost all the aspects of the physics of…

Loose parts play (LPP) interventions introduce moveable materials and equipment to children's play spaces to facilitate unstructured, child-led play. Meta-analysis of previous school-based research has shown significant benefits of LPP for physical activity. In the current paper, we review the scope and quality of the quantitative evidence…

A hands-on experiment to obtain atomic and ionic radii with lumps of metal and ionic compounds is reported here. The experiment is performed with industrial-grade typical metals (iron, copper, aluminum, and lead) and single-crystal lumps of ionic compounds (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and potassium bromide). Students measure the dimension…

The aim of the current study is to compare the effect of virtual and physical manipulatives on preschool children's understanding of geometric shapes. A quasi-experimental research design was employed where children in the experimental group used tablet computers to access Augmented Reality (AR)-based virtual manipulatives, while children in the…

Traditionally, human anatomy is taught using cadaveric human or animal specimens, however such materials are not always available or are quite costly. Alternate instructional methods can include software, models, clay models, and illustrations. Unfortunately, while cost effective, these methods lack the ability to demonstrate the "in…

The fifth-grade curriculum presents many opportunities to use students' prior mathematical knowledge as a way to bridge new and more difficult mathematical ideas. In this article, the authors document an area tiling task given to fifth-grade students to connect aspects of area measurement covered in earlier grades to grade-level standards such as:…

The virtual-representational-abstract (VRA) framework adapts an evidence-based practice, the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) framework, while trying to meet students and teachers where they are in terms of technology interest and use in education. This article discusses the VRA framework and the advantages of virtual manipulatives, and…

In this study, it is aimed to examine the mathematical conceptual skills of 48-72-month-old children attending pre-school education institutions providing a Montessori Approach and Ministry of Education Pre-school Program (MoE PSP). The study group consisted of 20 children, who were trained by the Montessori Approach, and 20 children, who…

Children and animals of all kinds are said to develop some degree of number sense. The search for "number neurons" and neural correlates of computational thinking aims to identify biological primitives to explain the emergence of number sense. This work typically looks for the sources of number sense in organisms, but one might extend…

As algebra teachers, the authors explore the following question in this article: "How can algebra 1, algebra 2, and precalculus teachers support students to develop algebraic reasoning and understanding of structure that can serve them in day-to-day algebraic computation?" The article shows how the algebraic identity "(a +…

The integration of virtual manipulatives in classroom practices facilitates student learning processes. For this, the teacher must understand how to support students in establishing mathematical connections between the manipulation and their interpretations of the representations. We present a learning scenario that integrates the use of virtual…

Research examining teachers' decision making is abundant for pedagogical activities, yet a neglected area is the study of factors influencing teachers when selecting mathematical games. This article sheds light on the factors considered when teachers' select a specific game to use in their primary mathematics classroom. Data from 248 Australian…

The Periodic Table of Elements is a valuable resource for chemists and all kinds of STEM professionals. However, it can be initially overwhelming and intimidating to some students. This hands-on lesson introduces abstract concepts in the periodic table through a tangible experience with simple toys and household objects. Students collaborate and…

Current research on teaching mathematics to students with intellectual disability (ID) has demonstrated that, given evidence-based instruction, these students can acquire a wide range of skills. However, very little research has been conducted in inclusive general education (GE) classrooms and no studies have utilized the GE teacher as the…

Fractions are foundational concepts for more advanced mathematics as well as used throughout daily living, for all students, including students with disabilities. This study explored the virtual-abstract (VA) instructional sequence with regard to the acquisition and maintenance of fraction behaviors for three middle school students with mild…