K12Science

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...

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...