Libsyn Directory

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Middle School Students - Part 1

Release Date: 03/22/2024

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Right to Source” written by Jessica Fries-Gaither. She wrote an article entitled, “Exploring Everyday Inventions with “Lady Edison”.” Beulah Louse Henry (1887-1973) was a self-taught inventor, earning 49 patents and creating over 100 inventions over a 50 year period, including a vacuum ice-cream freezer, a bobbinless sewing machine, and an umbrella with color-coordinated snap-on covers.

Rollercoaster Engineer

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Career of the Month” written by Luba Vangelova. She wrote an article entitled, “Rollercoaster Engineer Greg Lewis.” Rollercoaster engineers design and maintain amusement park rides. The largest parks have staff engineers; the rest contract out such work to companies that specialize in this field. Greg Lewis works for Skyline Attractions, based in Orlando, Florida.

Parent Newsletters

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Idea Bank” written by Alexander Eden. He wrote an article entitled, “The Power of Newsletters: Welcoming Parents into the Biology Classroom Community.” When leveraged correctly, engaging parents and families can have a positive impact on students and the classroom. It is critical to maintain a line of communication with families that is not solely based on when student concerns arise. One method...

Disciplinary Literacy

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Editor’s Corner” written by Brooke A Whitworth. She wrote an article entitled, “Developing Disciplinary Literacy.” We can think of disciplinary literacy in two ways, when it comes to science: 1. Broadly, in terms of how science compares to other content areas. 2. Specifically, in terms of how the subdiscipline of chemistry differs from biology or physics or earth science.

Real-World Problems

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 issue of “Science and Children”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Editor’s Note” written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. She wrote an article entitled, “Exploring Real-World Problems.” Students in classrooms are encouraged to act as problem-solvers, inventors and young scientists. Real-world problems, big or small, offer meaningful opportunities to engage students in authentic science that matters.

Outside the Classroom

K12Science

I was recently reading the July-August 2025 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, “‘Science Beyond Classroom Walls.” Moving science beyond the classroom can cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship.

Best Practices for Science Classroom Chemicals

K12Science

I was recently reading the June 30, 2025 blog posting on the National Science Teachers Association website. The blog was posted by Ken Roy and the title of his blog post was “Dealing with Chemical Waste in the Science Instructional Space.” Unattended hazardous chemical waste can be unsafe, and at times, dangerous. In Ken’s blog posting, he shares 10 key factors to consider for an appropriate chemical disposal program in school.

Teaching Science to Girls

K12Science

I was recently reading the June 20, 2025 blog posting on the National Science Teachers Association website. The blog was posted by Susan Deemer and the title of her blog post was “Why Teaching Science to Girls Now is More Important Than Ever.” Susan said that the longer she teaches, the more she realizes that cultivating a scientific mindset is the most important thing that she can teach, particularly when teaching girls, as she has for most of her career. This is important for two reasons: 1. Scientific thinking can help eradicate self-defeating thought patterns and...

Logistics Engineer

K12Science

I was recently reading the May - June 2025 issue of “The Science Teacher”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, “Career of the Month” written by Luba Vangelova She wrote an article entitled, “‘Logistics Engineer Ron Charest.” Logistics engineers typically work on supply chains, which encompass all of the steps required to get finished products to users, from procuring raw materials for factories, to warehousing and transporting goods. Ron Charest is a logistics engineer for the Coast Guard in Washington, DC.

Logistics Engineer

K12Science

More Episodes

I was recently reading the January/February 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school science teachers.

In this issue, I read the section on the “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. The selections are a collaboration of the National Science Teaching Association and the Children’s Book Council.

In this first of two podcasts, I share six of the twelve books that were selected for middle school students. The books are:

“My Indigo World” by Rosa Chang

“Before Colors: Where Do Pigments and Dyes Come From” by Annette Bay Pimental

“Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness” by Frances Backhouse

“Mission Arctic: A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole” by Katharina Weiss-Tuider

“We Need to Talk About Vaginas” by Dr. Allison K. Rodgers

“Evolution” by Sarah Darwin and Eva-Maria Sadowski

TOPICS