Nitrate Watch
K12Science
I was recently reading the September/October 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled “Nitrate Watch: Exploring Connections from the Creek to the Classroom.” Through the Nitrate Watch citizen science project, students test water sources and measure nitrate amounts. Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound of nitrogen and oxygen. Using free test kits, classrooms collect water samples from tap water and nearby creeks or lakes...
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Importance of Physical Science
K12Science
I was recently reading the September/October 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read the section “From the Editor’s Desk” written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled “The Crucial Role of Physical Science in the Middle School Classroom.” Physical science in middle school is usually an introductory survey course that combines chemistry and physics to study non-living systems, matter and energy.
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AI and Scientific Information
K12Science
I was recently reading the July/August 2026 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read the section “Fact-or-Faux” written by Jonathan Osborne. He wrote an article entitled “AI - Friend or Foe?.” Can AI help in detecting misinformation? Can it sort fact from faux? Here is a three-step process to help: 1. Get it In — Put the claim into AI 2. Track it Down — Track down the source 3. Follow Up — Follow up by asking more questions of AI about the source of the claim.
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Phenomena
K12Science
I was recently reading the July/August 2026 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read the section “Teaching Teachers” written by Lin Xiang, Kristin Cook, Caitlin Ousley, Stephanie Harmon, and Corinne Lardy. They wrote an article entitled “Using a Tool to Demystify the Complexity of Choosing Anchoring Phenomena.” The Next Generation Science Standards emphasize that making sense of phenomena in the natural and human-affected world is at the core of all science learning. Teachers should not merely use a...
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Bugs in Our Backyard
K12Science
I was recently reading the July/August 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled “Backyard Biodiversity: Bring Science to Life with Bugs in Our Backyard.” As educators we look for ways to make science relevant, hands-on, and engaging for our students. Involving them in real world science is one way to accomplish this, and with Bugs in our Backyard citizen science project, learners of all ages are invited to participate in...
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HQIM - High Quality Instructional Materials
K12Science
I was recently reading the July/August 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read an article written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled “HQIM in Practice.” Over the last decade, U.S. researchers have linked high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and positive student learning outcomes. Examples include: Open SciEd Amplify Science Smithsonian Science for the Classroom Inquiry Hub HMH Science Dimensions
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Taking Students Outside
K12Science
I was recently reading the May/June, 2026 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read an article written by Gregory MacDougall. He wrote an article entitled “Taking Students Outside: A Framework for Making Science Real.” Gregory shared a four-part framework for outdoor science instruction: 1. Explore the school grounds with purpose. 2. Connect standards to outdoor phenomena. 3. Plan specific student actions using the science and engineering practices. 4. Extend learning through reflection and action.
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Building Science Literacy
K12Science
I was recently reading the May-June, 2026 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the Science 101 column written by Matt Bobrowsky. It was entitled “Q: How Can I Build Science Literacy for Lifelong Learning (Using Thermal Insulation)?” We can build science literacy by teaching students that science is a process of asking questions, testing ideas, using evidence, and explaining results — skills they will use far beyond the classroom.
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Consequences of High Stakes Testing
K12Science
I was recently reading the May-June, 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the Leadership Matters column written by Amy Bekins. It was entitled “The Unintentional Consequences of High Stakes Testing on Middle School Science.” Some ways that leaders can build science efficacy and increase achievement for all contents is to: 1. Incorporate more nonfiction texts. 2. Conduct experiments where students can practice mathematics skills, such as graphing, with real data. 3. Leverage each teachers’ content expertise...
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A Place for Earth and Space Science
K12Science
I was recently reading the May-June, 2026 issue of “Science Scope” a publication from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read a guest editorial, written by Christine Hirst Bernhardt. It was entitled “Making a Place for Earth and Space.” Christine is the President-Elect of the National Earth Science Teachers Association. She is a former Earth and space science teacher, her research and practice focus on supporting teachers in fostering authentic science learning and students’ epistemic agency.
info_outlineI was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Focus on Physics,” written by Paul G. Hewitt. He wrote an article entitled, “A Personal Journey to Classroom Success.”
There are some central rules to heed, in order to be, an appreciated and effective science teacher:
1. Attitude
2. Do Less professing and more questioning and listening
3. Not knowing everything is okay
4. Pace your class well
5. Exam coverage
6. Don’t frown on the notion of “teaching to the test”
7. Exam fairness
8. Grade exams in a timely manner and post scores quickly
9. Respect is a two-way street