K12Science

The purpose of K12Science is to share ideas about science teaching for grades K-12 and beyond. K12Science is hosted by David Bydlowski, science educator in Michigan

NOAA Satellites Predict and Protect 06/11/2021

NOAA Satellites Predict and Protect I was recently reading the May/June 2021 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section “Scope on the Skies” written by Bob Riddle. Bob wrote an article entitled “Earth Watch.” The planet Earth is currently the only place where we can live, and just like our homes, classrooms, and local communities, there is a constant need for environmental awareness. This should highlight both the importance of thinking globally while deal /episode/index/show/k12science/id/19437272

Citizen Science: Conservation Cameras 05/28/2021

Citizen Science: Conservation Cameras I was recently reading the May/June 2021 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. Jill wrote an article entitled “Conservation Cameras: From the Wild to Your Classroom.” The Zoological Society of London’s “Instant Wild” empowers you to take part in vital conservation work by bringing you LIVE images and videos from amazing locations all around the world for you to identify. For more information, please visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/19276916

The Intentional Integration of Computational Thinking 05/26/2021

The Intentional Integration of Computational Thinking I was recently reading the May/June 2021 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section “Interdisciplinary Ideas” written by Raja Ridgway. Raja wrote an article entitled “The Intentional Integration of Computational Thinking.” Computational Thinking Practices: • Decomposition — Breaking down into components. • Pattern Matching — Finding similarities between components. • Abstraction — The process of reducing comp /episode/index/show/k12science/id/19248884

Mathematics and Computational Thinking 05/12/2021

Mathematics and Computational Thinking I was recently reading the May/June 2021 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. Patty wrote an article entitled “Mathematics and Computational Thinking: A Bridge to STEM Careers.” Science practices have changed drastically over the years as a result of digital tools at the disposal of scientists. As a result, the sheer volume of data available necessitates an unde /episode/index/show/k12science/id/19079336

Careers in Exploration Geology -- Prospecting 05/06/2021

Careers in Exploration Geology -- Prospecting I was recently reading the March/April 2021 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. Luba wrote an article entitled “Exploration Geologist Quinton Hennigh.” Exploration geologists, also known as prospectors, look for new sources of mineral deposits. They use a mix of geological, geophysical, and geochemical knowledge to analyze data and test hypotheses about where deposits are likely to be found. “You identify targets, drill holes, and try to find treasure,” says Quinton Hennigh. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/19008482

Stall Catchers: A Citizen Science Game to Accelerate Alzheimer’s Research 04/29/2021

Stall Catchers: A Citizen Science Game to Accelerate Alzheimer’s Research I was recently reading the March/April 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent. Jill wrote an article entitled “Accelerating Alzheimer’s Research with Stall Catchers.” Stall Catchers, created by the Human Computation Institute at Cornell University, is an online citizen science game designed to speed up Alzheimer’s disease research. You can learn more by visiting the game’s website at: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18913373

Scientific Literacy 04/22/2021

Scientific Literacy I was recently reading the March/April 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section “Commentary” written by Andrew Zucker. Andrew wrote an article entitled “Teaching Scientific Literacy.” Here are five themes to consider in order to promote scientific literacy: • Pay attention to the personal and societal contexts of science. • Relate scientific literacy to traditional forms of literacy. • Teach about how /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18826055

Technology and Scientific Habits of Mind 04/14/2021

Technology and Scientific Habits of Mind I was recently reading the March/April 2021 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 Ann Haley Mackenzie. Ann wrote an article entitled “Technology and Scientific Habits of Mind.” The focus of her article was on the importance of curiosity, persistence and perseverance. If we are too busy covering the content instead of providing a place for uncovering the science content with the s /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18726671

Culturally Responsive Teaching 04/07/2021

Culturally Responsive Teaching I was recently reading the March/April 2021 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Note” section, written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. Elizabeth wrote an article entitled, “Culturally Responsive Teaching.” At the heart of Culturally Responsive and Relevant Teaching is a willingness to listen, reflect, and celebrate the richness that cultural and linguistic diversity has to offer. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18639995

Best STEM Trade Books for Middle School Students 03/30/2021

Best STEM Trade Books for Middle School Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Best STEM Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 7 books recommended for students in grades 6 - 8. • All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team • Beastly Bionics: Rad Robots, Brilliant Biomimicry, and Incredible Inventions Inspired by Nature • Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM • Galileo! Galileo! • Machines That /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18529082

Best STEM Trade Books for Third - Fifth Grade Students 03/24/2021

Best STEM Trade Books for Third - Fifth Grade Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Best STEM Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 5 books recommended for students in grades 3 - 5. • Ada Lovelace • Machines in Motion: The Amazing History of Transportation • Marie’s Ocean: Marie Tharp Maps the Mountains Under the Sea • Numbers in Motion: Sophie Kowalevski, Queen of Mathematics • “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses • Wood, Wire, Win /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18452384

Best STEM Trade Books for Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Students 03/18/2021

Best STEM Trade Books for Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Best STEM Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 5 books recommended for K-2 Students. • Gnu and Shrew • Jumbo: The Making of the Boeing 747 • Mission to the Bottom of the Sea • Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels • The Polio Pioneer /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18380795

River Herring: A Citizen Science Project 03/10/2021

River Herring: A Citizen Science Project I was recently reading the March/April 2021 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. Jill wrote an article entitled “The Return of the River Herring.” The Mystic River Herring Education Project is an online citizen science project with a user-friendly website full of information and resources. To engage in the citizen science project, student will visit the project home page an /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18267557

Careers in Entomology 03/03/2021

Careers in Entomology I was recently reading the January/February 2021 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. Luba wrote an article entitled “Entomologist Ary Faraji.” Entomologists study insects and may work for educational or research institutions, government agencies, private industry, and consulting. Ary Faraji works as an entomologist in a local government agency in Salt Lake Cit /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18176606

Field Trips Last a Lifetime 02/23/2021

Field Trips Last a Lifetime I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section “Current Science Classroom” written by Chris Anderson. Chris wrote an article entitled “Field Trips Last a Lifetime.” Nothing can replace the authenticity and impact of an in-person field experience for kids, however, until the public health and school funding battles are won it’s up to us to get creative and bring the wor /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18061508

Instant Wild: A Citizen Science Project 02/20/2021

Instant Wild: A Citizen Science Project I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” 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 “A Window to the Wild.” “Instant Wild” is a Citizen Science project that brings you live images from cameras around the world. Students can tag the animals to help conservation research. You can visit the “Instant Wild” website at: https://inst /episode/index/show/k12science/id/18021593

What is Engineering? 02/16/2021

What is Engineering? I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read an article written by Matt Bobrowsky. His article was entitled “Q: Can a Simple Engineering Project Be Used to Teach Some Science?.” Within the article, the author takes a quick look at the difference between science and engineering. Science increases our knowledge about the universe and our surroundings in a systematic way, while engineerin /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17971259

Pinterest 02/09/2021

Pinterest I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read an article written by Ryan S. Nixon, Shannon L. Navy, Sarah Barnett, Marissa Johnson, and Delaney Larson. Their article was entitled “Pinning and Planning: Five Tips for Using Pinterest to Teach Science.” Pinterest is an online resource that teachers seem to enjoy and find useful. Pinterest is a social media website where individuals can boo /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17887436

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Third -- Fifth Grade Students 02/02/2021

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Third -- Fifth Grade Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 12 books recommended for Third through Fifth Grade Students. • The Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Chemistry for Kids: Homemade Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists Past and Present • Animal Homes • Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids: Activities and Ideas for Watching, Feeding, and /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17791322

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Kindergarten - Second Grade Students 01/27/2021

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Kindergarten - Second Grade Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 9 books recommended for K-2 Students. • Nesting • The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine • If You Take Away the Otter • Marjory Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas • Packs: Strength in Numbers • What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? • Dinosaur Lady: The D /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17713154

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Middle School Students 01/26/2021

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Middle School Students The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council released the 2021 list of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 12 books recommended for Middle School Students. • Condor Comeback • Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table • Old Enough to Save the Planet • Darwin’s Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution • Return From Extinction: The Triumph of the Elephant Seal • Sea /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17700866

Learning for All 01/19/2021

Learning for All I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “From the Editor’s Desk“ column written by Patty McGinnis. Her article was entitled “Learning for All.” The changing demographics of our classrooms require differentiation strategies to ensure all students are working toward the performance expectations outlined in the NGSS. One resource that you may find useful is the Universal Design /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17610866

Meteorologist 01/12/2021

Meteorologist I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Career of the Month“ column written by Luba Vangelova. Her article was entitled “Meteorologist.” Meteorology is a branch of atmospheric science. It emphasizes the study of atmospheric chemistry and physics, with the aim of forecasting weather. Maureen McCann is the featured meteorologist in this podcast. She is a meteorologist at /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17523206

Interdisciplinary Science 01/07/2021

Interdisciplinary Science K12Science Podcast: Interdisciplinary Science I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Corner“ column written by Ann Haley Mackenzie. Her article was entitled “Why Science Teachers Must Employ Interdisciplinary Science Methods to Save the World.” Interdisciplinary science is when two disciplines come together to broaden the portrait of the concepts being unc /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17464706

The Day-Night Cycle 12/29/2020

The Day-Night Cycle K12Science Podcast: The Day-Night Cycle I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Formative Assessment Probes“ column written by Page Keeley. Her article was entitled “The Day-Night Cycle: Adding Models to Probe Explanations.” As you select formative assessment probes to use with your lessons, consider ways to have students use a model to support their explanation. In th /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17361839

What a Year 12/23/2020

What a Year K12Science Podcast: What a Year I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Note” column written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. Her article was entitled “What a Year.” As we move toward the early winter of 2020 we look back at schools following a patchwork of face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual models of instruction. All teachers, at whatever grade-level, have been re /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17302016

Count Birds for Science This Winter with Project FeederWatch 12/17/2020

Count Birds for Science This Winter with Project FeederWatch I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “Science Scope” a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” column written by Jill Nugent. Her article was entitled “Count Birds for Science This Winter with Project FeederWatch.” You can feed birds from the comfort of your classroom or your home this winter and contribute to real world scientific discovery with Project FeederWatch! For more informat /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17236016

Traditional Christmas Songs and Science 12/08/2020

Traditional Christmas Songs and Science As the holiday season approaches, I am reminded of some of the songs that I recorded with the group, Science Explosion. All of the songs that we sang were written by group member Fred Ribits. Many of the songs were written to familiar tunes and some of them were written to the tunes of traditional Christmas songs. In this podcast I will share three of the songs. If you enjoy them and want to share them with others, just visit: http://k12science.net/scienceexplosion/songs There you will be able to listen to /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17115755

Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World, Part 3 12/02/2020

Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World, Part 3 I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “Science Scope” a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read “The Online Teacher“ column written by Denise Wright. Her article was entitled “Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World.” This is the third in a three-part series on the three strategies for conducting science labs in the virtual world. Part 1 — Virtual Simulations Part 2 — Science at Home Part 3 — Use o /episode/index/show/k12science/id/17035259

Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World, Part 2 11/27/2020

Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World, Part 2 I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of “Science Scope” a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read “The Online Teacher“ column written by Denise Wright. Her article was entitled “Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World.” This is the second in a three-part series on the three strategies for conducting science labs in the virtual world. Part 1 — Virtual Simulations Part 2 — Science at Home Part 3 — Use /episode/index/show/k12science/id/16975907

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