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:...

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...

I was recently reading the May 20, 2026, blog from the National Science Teaching Association. The blog was entitled, "Teaching Students to Think in Science: Where Curiosity Meets Cognitive Strategy" written by Kristen Barnes. Science instruction leans heavily on synchronous learning, individual work, note-taking and getting the 'right answer." However, the true goal of science education isn't comp...

I was recently reading the March - April 2026, issue of The Science Teacher, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read an article written by Douglas Allchin. He wrote an article entitled "When Experts Disagree." Respect the consensus of the relevant scientific experts. That's the benchmark for reliable science in informing public policy or personal decision-m...

I was recently reading the March - April 2026, issue of Science and Children, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue I read an article written by Mary Starr, Jordan Sherry-Wagner, Carrie Tzou, Megan Bang, Shirin Vossoughi, and Anna Lees. They wrote an article entitled "Place Matters." Outdoor learning is not simply a change in instructional setting, but a shift i...

I was recently reading the March - April 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 "AI in the Classroom." The rate of cheating in science classrooms has not changed after the availability of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. The sudden alarm to do something...

I was recently reading the April 22, 2026, NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Tara Graham. She wrote an article entitled "Stop Competing for Attention. Start Using It." Ask any middle school science teacher what their biggest classroom challenge is right now, and there's a good chance that attention ranks near the top of...

I was recently reading the April 10, 2026, NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Ken Roy. He wrote an article entitled "Mercury Spills in the Science Instructional Space: Hazards, Risks, and Safety Actions." Use of mercury in high school and middle school science classrooms and laboratory instructional spaces has well-known...

I was recently reading the April 2, 2026, NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Christine Anne Royce. She wrote an article entitled "A New Dawn on the Lunar Horizon: #WeAreGoing." On April 1, 2026, the Space Launch System engines ignited, lift off occurred, and Artemis II headed to the moon. It carried the first four humans...

I was recently reading the April 1, 2026 NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled "Spark Curiosity This Spring." Citizen science refers to public participation in science. Opportunities for students to participate in authentic science practices can deepen their understanding of the wo...

I was recently reading the March 17, 2026 NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Christine Anne Royce and Valerie Bennett. They wrote an article entitled "Discovering AI Gems." AI Gems are custom versions of Google Gemini that act as specialized AI assistants. Gems can serve as "thought partners" that remember your specific...

I was recently reading the November 24, 2025 NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read an article written by Jason Strohl. He wrote an article entitled "Embrace the Chaos: Advice for New Science Teachers." Jason interviewed Madeline Grygiel, a science instructional support teacher for the Richmond (Virginia) Public Schools.  The article shares four...

K12Science Podcast: What if AI Gets it Wrong? I was recently reading the February 18, 2026 NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this blog I read the section, "From Chalkboards to AI" written by Valerie Bennett and Christine Anne Royce. They wrote an article entitled "What if AI Gets it Wrong? Teaching Students to Detect Errors and Misleading Models." When teach...

I was recently reading the January - February  2026 issue of "Science and Children," a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Science 101" written by Matt Bobrowsky. He wrote an article entitled "What is Data, and Is Data Science Really Science?" In the article, Matt addresses three misconceptions about data science: 1. Data refers only to num...

I was recently reading the January - February  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 "Data and Discovery from the Sea to the Science Classroom." Students can follow in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin's study of ocean currents, by partic...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of "The Science Teacher", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read a featured article written Matthias Fisher, Cody Pritchard, Zhen Xu, and Joshua Rosenberg. They wrote an article entitled, "Finding Your Way into Data Science Education as a Science Teacher." This is the third podcast in a series of thr...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of "The Science Teacher", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read a featured article written Matthias Fisher, Cody Pritchard, Zhen Xu, and Joshua Rosenberg. They wrote an article entitled, "Finding Your Way into Data Science Education as a Science Teacher." This is the second podcast in a series of th...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of "The Science Teacher", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read a featured article written Matthias Fisher, Cody Pritchard, Zhen Xu, and Joshua Rosenberg. They wrote an article entitled, "Finding Your Way into Data Science Education as a Science Teacher." This is the first podcast of three podcasts...

I was recently reading the November-December 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, "Museum-Based Educator Tammy Cook-Endres." Museum-based science educators encourage curiosity and hands-on learning about science. Depending on...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 issue of "Science and Children", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Science 101" written by Matt Bobrowsky. He wrote an article entitled, "Q: How Can I Make Science Investigations More Creative?" Many teachers do not like science fairs, but there are many ways to have a science festival t...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 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. He wrote an article entitled, "Is Anyone Home?" We have always been curious about life beyond Earth, but we still do not have a definitive answer about that life beyond Earth. In a "big...

I was recently reading the November-December 2025 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, "Meet the Microbiome." The human microbiome refers to the microorganisms that live on and in the human body. Colony B is a citizen science project that invi...

I was recently reading the November-December 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, "The Enduring Impact of Science Education: Why We Persist." Despite the challenges of teaching, science teaching is not just important work, bu...

I was recently reading the November-December 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, "Making Space for Creativity." Now more than ever, the ability to think creatively has become most essential. Creative thinking through a di...

I was recently reading the November-December 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 Patti McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled, "Life Science Matters." Middle school is the age when students develop awareness of their place in the world; as such, it is the perfect age to ch...