K12Science

K12Science Podcast:  Seven Tips for Science Instruction I was recently reading the November 6, 2025, NSTA Blog, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. I read the blog entry "Seven Essential Tips for Modern Science Instruction" written by Jason Strohl.  The Seven Essential Tips are: 1. Focus on Science and Engineering Practices Over Content Delivery 2. Connect Science to Real-W...

I was recently reading the September-October 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: Is There Gravity in Space? Is There Gravity on the Moon?" Gravity is a fundamental force that attracts two masses toward each other.  The Moon, ha...

I was recently reading the September-October 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, "Study Stream Ecology This Season!" The Leaf Pack Network citizen science project was developed by the Stroud Water Research Center, a global leader in fre...

I was recently reading the September-October 2025 issue of "Science Scope", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Interdisciplinary Ideas" written by Katie Coppens.  She wrote an article entitled, "Enhancing Understanding Through Science-Themed Picture Books." Embedding a high-interest, science-themed picture book into a unit enhances stude...

I was recently reading the September-October 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, "Engineering in the Middle School Science Classroom" If you are looking for engineering ideas for your classroom, you can peruse sites such as: t...

I was recently reading the NSTA Blog, dated July 15, 2025, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the blog entry "Rethinking Science Assessment in the Age of AI," written by Christine Anne Royce and Valerie Bennett. Recent questions about how students are using AI in their classes have included questions focusing on how much of students' work is their own...

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 ov...

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...

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...

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 scienc...

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 pro...

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. 

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 che...

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, particu...

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 prod...

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 prod...

I was recently reading the May - June 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, "'What Would Be An Activity That Involves Both Learning and Play?." A nature scavenger hunt can encourage exploration, observation, and critical thinking whi...

I was recently reading the May - June 2025 issue of "Science and Children", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "The Poetry of Science" written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater.  She wrote an article entitled, "'Out of the Box Summer." As we enter, "Summer Vacation Time," it is helpful to provide students with some creative ways that they can enj...

I was recently reading the May - June 2025 issue of "Science and Children", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "The Poetry of Science" written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater.  She wrote an article entitled, "'Out of the Box Summer." As we enter, "Summer Vacation Time," it is helpful to provide students with some creative ways that they can enj...

I was recently reading the May - June 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 Barret-Zahn.  She wrote an article entitled, "'Prioritizing Play." We can't turn every lesson into an open-ended discovery session.  But where can discovery, creativity and fun be sprinkled in...

I was recently reading the May - June 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, "'Participate in Pollinator Science This Season with Bumble Bee Watch." Spring and summer serve as a rewarding time for students to survey pollinator biodiversity...

I was recently reading the May - June 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, "'The Power of a Passionate Teacher." Passionate teachers inspire their students to learn, they create collaborative learning environments where risk-t...

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, "Editor's Corner" written by Brooke A. Whitworth.  She wrote an article entitled, "'Fostering Innovation, Creativity, and Curiosity in Science Education." In this article, Brooke shared many practical strategies that teachers can...

I was recently reading the March - April 2025 issue of "The Science & Children", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the section, "The Poetry of Science" written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater  She wrote an article entitled, "'If We Stopped." When we imagine acting as Earth's stewards, we often focus on what we can DO, but in this poem, the author challeng...

I was recently reading the March - April 2025 issue of "The Science Teacher", a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Right to the Source," written by Jessica Fries-Gaither  She wrote an article entitled, "'The 1900 Christmas Bird Census: Introducing a New Annual Tradition and Citizen Science Project. This "historical" podcast provides an ent...