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

Expansive Science Teaching 12/17/2024

Expansive Science Teaching I was recently reading the November/December 2024 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. She wrote an article entitled, “Expansive Science Teaching Practices.” Expansive learning theory, rooted in activity theory, provides a framework for how learners create new knowledge and practices for novel situations. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/34491380

Gemologist 12/11/2024

Gemologist /episode/index/show/k12science/id/34400395

Gemologist 12/11/2024

Gemologist /episode/index/show/k12science/id/34400380

Asking Why 12/04/2024

Asking Why Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the November-December 2024 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. Within this issue, I encountered the “Right to the Source” section, authored by Michael Apfeldorft. His article, titled “Joyfully Asking Why,” provided insightful information on a list of questions compiled by Carl Sagan and his wife, author/producer Ann Druyan. In the mid-1990’s, Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan conceived of an interesting way to help young learners confidently ask questions and think about the world around them. Carl and Ann compiled a list of 150 questions to develop a book series, where the title of each book would begin simply with the word WHY? To download this manuscript of questions, please, visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/34288815

Monarch Butterflies 11/25/2024

Monarch Butterflies Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the November-December 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. Within this issue, I encountered the “Citizen Science” section, authored by Jill Nugent. Her article, titled “Journey of the Monarchs: Studying North America’s Nomadic Butterfly,” provided insightful information on the migration of Monarch populations. Journey North, a participatory science project based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, offers a special way for educators to bring the study of the monarch butterfly migration into their classrooms. To learn more about this project, visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/34146805

Reading in Science 11/19/2024

Reading in Science Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the November-December 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. Within this issue, I encountered the “From the Editor’s Desk” section, authored by Patty McGinnis. Her article, titled “Reading in the Science Classroom,” provided insightful information on the science of reading. Reading plays a pivotal role in all disciplines, and science is no exception. If you are seeking reading-based strategies to incorporate into your classroom, The California Academy of Sciences offers several before, during, and after active reading strategies that can assist students in comprehending science texts. To access these active reading strategies, kindly visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33998732

Food Scientist 11/12/2024

Food Scientist Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the September-October 2024 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. Within this issue, I came across the “Career of the Month” section, authored by Luba Vangelova. Her article, titled “Amy DeJong, Food Scientist,” provided insightful information on the field of food science. Food science is an applied science that merges chemistry, engineering, and microbiology to develop safe, palatable, and nutritious food products. Amy DeJong, a process development engineer, is employed by Mars Wrigley in Chicago. Her role involves contributing to research and development efforts aimed at enhancing food quality and safety. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33903912

Addressing Science Misconceptions 10/29/2024

Addressing Science Misconceptions I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science and Children, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Science 101” section, written by Matthew Bobrowsky. He wrote an article entitled: “Q: How Can I Address Science Misconceptions Using Phenomena-Driven Instruction?” A phenomena might just be the best way to address misconception because research has shown that misconceptions are very persistent, and merely teaching the correct information doesn’t automatically remove the misconception. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33674177

Fall Colors 10/16/2024

Fall Colors I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science and Children, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Poetry of Science” section, written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. She wrote an article entitled: “Changes in the Leaves.” Included in the article was a poem entitled, “Saving the Best for Last,” written by David L. Harrison. Leaves change color in the fall because the amounts of chemical pigments inside the leaves change. The intensity and timing of fall colors can be affected by weather, both in fall and earlier in the growing season. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33484197

Fieldwork Fridays 10/09/2024

Fieldwork Fridays I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Interdisciplinary Ideas” section, written by Katie Coppens. She wrote an article entitled: “Fieldwork Fridays: Connecting Scientific Learning to Nature.” Each Friday, in what are referred to as “Fieldwork Fridays,” the author brings her students outside to apply what they learned that week in class to the environment around them. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33398422

Comets 10/02/2024

Comets I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Scope on the Skies” section, written by Bob Riddle. He wrote an article entitled: “Chasing Giant Ice Balls.” Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. They range in size from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet. This material forms a tail that stretches millions of miles. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33298987

Elephant ID 09/24/2024

Elephant ID I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” section, written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled: “Snapshot Safari: Elephant Edition.” Elephant ID is an online project that leverages Zooniverse’s people-powered research platform to address behavior and conservation questions related to the African savanna elephant, a species facing pressing challenges, including habitat loss. To learn more, visit the project website at: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33189082

Social-Emotional Learning 09/18/2024

Social-Emotional Learning I was recently reading the September-October 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editorial” section, written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled: “Social-Emotional Learning in the Science Classroom.” Perhaps nowhere else in education is social-emotional (SEL) more crucial than in the middle school science classroom, a place where students are expected to collaborate, communicate, and participate respectfully in the practice of argumentation. For more information about SEL consider exploring the site for the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), a nonprofit organization that utilizes research to guide SEL initiatives. For more information, visit: https://casel.org /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33108042

Learning Styles 09/12/2024

Learning Styles I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science and Children, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Science 101” section, written by Matt Bobrowsky. He wrote a Q and A article entitled: “Q: If Students Have Different Learning Styles, What Kinds of Science Activities Are Best for Reaching All Students?” For a more well-rounded educational experience, teachers can use “multimodal” teaching. Examples include visual, kinesthetic, and auditory. But that does not mean that students have specific “learning styles.” If students believe they have a particular “learning style” it can lead to a self-limiting mindset. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/33026872

Astrophotography 09/04/2024

Astrophotography I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school teachers. In this issue, I read the “Scope on the Skies” section. In the section was an article entitled, “Capturing Photons,” written by Bob Riddle. One way to make astronomy more accessible and engaging to students is to introduce them to astrophotography. The most direct way is probably with the student’s own smartphone. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32902647

Trustworthy Scientific Information 08/22/2024

Trustworthy Scientific Information I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school teachers. In this issue, I read the “Commentary” section. In the section was an article entitled, “Finding Instructional Resources for Teaching About Scientific Misinformation,” written by Andy Zucker. The nonprofit Media Literacy Now has developed a first-of-its-kind online database where teachers can find and access instructional materials to help student resists false and misleading information. To access the database, please visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32694357

Secchi Disk 08/13/2024

Secchi Disk I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school teachers. In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” section, written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled “Summer Science With the Secchi Dip-In Project.” The Robert Carlson Secchi Dip-In Project is a demonstration of the potential of volunteer monitors to gather environmentally important information on our lakes, rivers, and estuaries. For more information, visit: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32564662

Phenomena in the Classroom 07/24/2024

Phenomena in the Classroom I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled “Phenomena in the Classroom,” written by Patty McGinnis. An engaging phenomena is determined more by how the students generate compelling lines of inquiry that create real opportunities for learning. Paul Anderson’s “Wonder of Science” website has an extensive list of phenomena organized by grade level and standard. It is available at: /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32275892

Why Teach Science? 07/14/2024

Why Teach Science? I was recently reading the book, “Transformative Science Teaching: A Catalyst for Justice and Sustainability,” written by Daniel Morales-Doyle. In this book, Daniel looks at two questions: "Why teach science?" "How does my teaching reflect the world in which my students live and project the world they would like to see?" /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32132037

Goal of Science Education 07/11/2024

Goal of Science Education I was recently reading the book, “Transformative Science Teaching: A Catalyst for Justice and Sustainability,” written by Daniel Morales-Doyle. In this book, Daniel challenges the goal of science education. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32098132

AI: Friend of Foe? 07/04/2024

AI: Friend of Foe? I was recently reading the March/April 2024 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read “Editor’s Corner” written by Ann Haley Mackenzie. She wrote an article entitled, “Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?” Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here, in a big way. Do you see it as a friend or foe in your science classroom? The possibilities for AI are endless. Do you feel comfortable with AI developing further? Are you skeptical of AI? Do you see the many possibilities of AI for your science teaching? Should we fear AI? These are all questions being considered by users and developers. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/32015617

Field Trips to Zoos and Aquariums 06/25/2024

Field Trips to Zoos and Aquariums I was recently reading the January/February 2024 issue of “Connected Science Learning” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read an article written by Benjamin Krause Recchia and T.J. McKenna. The article was entitled, “Field Trips to Zoos and Aquariums: Solving Pedagogical Challenges Using the Next Generation Science Standards.” Though zoos and aquariums have become increasingly focused on conservation education, their unique and diverse learning opportunities have been underused. Active learning pedagogy aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards can facilitate expansion of education at zoos and aquariums beyond their conservation education niche. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31882572

National Parks 06/21/2024

National Parks I was recently reading the May/June 2024 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Right to the Source” section written by Danna Bell. This section included an article entitled, “See America and Its National Parks.” Today over 300 million people annually visit the 429 individual designated properties that are managed by the National Park Service, covering 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31831737

The Importance of Math in Science 06/11/2024

The Importance of Math in Science I was recently reading the May/June 2024 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Science 101” section written by Matt Bobrowsky. He wrote an article entitled, “What Activity Can I Use to Illustrate the Importance of Math in Science?” Matt summarized 7 ways in which math is not only useful but essential in science: 1. Being Clear and Precise 2. Measuring 3. Modeling and Simulation 4. Problem-Solving 5. Discovery of Patterns and Relationships 6. Verification of Results 7. Predictive Power /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31704127

Caterpillars Count 06/05/2024

Caterpillars Count I was recently reading the May/June 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” section written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled, “Caterpillars Count.” Caterpillars Count is a citizen science project to monitor the seasonality and abundance of arthropods (including caterpillars) on foliage. To learn more about this citizen science project visit their website at: https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31616812

Voices for Change 05/16/2024

Voices for Change I was recently reading the May/June 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editorial” section written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled, “Raising a Voice for Change.” Our students can act as change agents. Involving students in community outreach in which they educate, encourage, and assist families in organizing carpools, planning for weekly meatless meals, and limiting food waste are all actionable things that help the planet. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31340822

Climate Justice 05/01/2024

Climate Justice I was recently reading the March/April 2024 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. She wrote an article entitled, “Climate Justice.” Education is a critical agent in addressing the issue of climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change assigns responsibility to Parties of the Convention to undertake educational and public awareness campaigns on climate-change, and to ensure public participation in programs and information access on the issue. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/31068913

Performance-Based Assessment 04/23/2024

Performance-Based Assessment I was recently reading the March/April 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Interdisciplinary Ideas” section written by Katie Coppens. She wrote an article entitled, “Designing Performance-Based Assessments That Engage!” Rather than stressful, an assessment should feel like a celebration of learning for students. Performance-based assessments allow students to demonstrate their understanding of one or more standards by accomplishing tasks that are engaging and flexible in how students approach them. In addition to seeing students’ scientific knowledge, teachers get a better sense of their students’ interests and strengths that they bring to each open-ended assignment. The author then shared an example of a performance-based assignment based on the Flint Water Crisis. /episode/index/show/k12science/id/30956868

3D Assessment 04/12/2024

3D Assessment I was recently reading the March/April 2024 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. She wrote an article entitled, “3D Assessment.” In the article she shared ideas about writing assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. The National Research Council recommends that teachers utilize a combination of constructed response, selected response, and projects to assess three-dimensional learning. She recommended two resources that provide tips for writing assessments. They are: “STEM Teaching Tool #30: Integrating Science Practices in Assessment Tasks” and “The NGSS Evidence Statements” /episode/index/show/k12science/id/30798808

Making Thinking Visible 04/04/2024

Making Thinking Visible I was recently reading the January/February 2024 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Corner” written by Ann Haley MacKenzie. She wrote an article entitled, “How Can We Make Our Students’ Thinking Visible?” In the article she shared three strategies for making thinking visible. The strategies were taken from the books, “Making Thinking Visible” and “The Power of Making Thinking Visible.” The strategies are: “See-Think-Wonder” “Connect-Extend-Challenge” “CSI: Color, Symbol, Image” /episode/index/show/k12science/id/30680693

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