NSTA Learning Center Professional Development Tools

Why STEM? Why Now? The Challenge for U.S. Education to Promote STEM Careers

9/24/2013 12:00:00 AM

The authors began this chapter with two central questions: (1) Will revitalizing STEM education, especially in America's high schools, guarantee that graduates will choose STEM pathways in college or STEM careers when they graduate? And (2) Is it within the potential of the current system to ensure more STEM graduates. Rigorous coursework does not, on its own, promote interest in STEM careers. It may stimulate interest and deepen curiosity, but students need to experience STEM opportunities, talk with STEM practitioners, and explore STEM career options in order to make informed decisions about their own potential for success in the STEM workforce.

Archive: The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer, May 21, 2013

5/21/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 21, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this program Mr. Evans provided an in-depth look at the development of the Curiosity Rover, its spaceflight to Mars, and its explorations of Martian geology. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar27.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

The NSTA Reader's Guide to the Next Generation Science Standards (Print and e-Book Set)

5/20/2013 12:00:00 AM

Archive: Chemical Change - Introducing a Free Online Resource for Middle School Chemistry, May 20, 2013

5/20/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 20, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was James Kessler, Manager of K-8 Science Education at the American Chemical Society. In this seminar Mr. Kessler shared lessons and activities from the sixth chapter of middleschoolchemistry.com, a web-based resource that helps teachers engage middle school students with chemistry concepts. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ACS/webseminar19.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Engineering Design Challenge: Thermal Protection System, May 16, 2013

5/16/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 16, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Rudo Kashiri, NASA Explorer Schools Education Specialist at NASA Langley Research Center. In this program Ms. Kashiri shared strategies for implementing a hands-on activity that challenges students to design their own thermal protection system and test it in the lab. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar16-3.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Engineering Design Challenge: Water Filtration, May 15, 2013

5/15/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 15, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Marti Phipps, NASA Explorer Schools Education Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this program Ms. Phipps described a hands-on activity that challenges students to design a water filtration device similar to the system used to recycle water on the International Space Station. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar3-3.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life: Pedagogical Implications Discussion 3, May 15, 2013, 8:00 pm Eastern time

5/15/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 15, 2013, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Page Keeley, author of the NSTA Press book Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science. In this program Ms. Keeley discussed strategies for teaching the challenging biological concepts featured in the MITx open online course 7.00x: Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/MOOC/MIT/discussion3.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Web Seminar: Using a Portfolio to Document Your Professional Learning, June 10, 2013

5/10/2013 12:00:00 AM

Do you have a professional learning plan? Are you taking an online course or planning to attend a workshop or conference? Whatever your plan, join us on June 10 and learn how the Learning Center's professional tools can help you manage and document your professional learning activities. Please visit the main <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NLC/webseminarXXVIII.aspx" target="_Blank">web page</a> of this program to see the description and find links to the biographical information about the presenter(s).

Archive: Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber, May 09, 2013

5/9/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 9, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Marti Phipps , NASA Explorer Schools Education Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this program Ms. Phipps shared strategies for implementing a hands-on activity that allows students to experiment with growing plants in the extreme environment of space. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar25-2.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Pythagorean Theorem: Exploring Space Through Math--Lunar Rover, May 8, 2013

5/8/2013 12:00:00 AM

This web seminar took place on May 8, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. The presenter was Jordan Snyder, NASA Explorer Schools Education Specialist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. In this program Mr. Snyder shared details about a lesson that gives students a chance to use algebra to solve a real-world space problem. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar9-3.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

WormWatcher Extension Kit for More Picture Perfect Science

5/6/2013 12:00:00 AM

Being green and teaching science is easy with the WormWatcher® - the only clear, indoor composter that is lockable and portable. Demonstrate how worms recycle food waste, making healthy soil. Bury different items in each corner and compare results. Perform experiments with the worms, worm castings (vermicast used as a soil supplement), and worm tea (liquid fertilizer). This easy-to-clean chamber with excellent drainage and air flow is a low-maintenance, odorless composter that requires no tumbling or turning! The WormWatcher is the perfect extension activity for the Wiggly Worms unit in More Picture Perfect Science. Kit includes Wormwatcher composter, curtain, DVD, gloves, trowel, starter soil, Worms Eat Our Garbage booklet, and voucher for ½ lb. of Red Wigglers.

The Wind Blew

5/6/2013 12:00:00 AM

What is wind? What is it made of? What can it do? In this lesson, students explore ways to change the speed and direction of a Ping-Pong ball using a handheld air pump to simulate wind. Simple experiments help them understand that air has weight and moving air applies a force to objects. Students investigate how wind strength, opposing wind force, and weight affect the motion of a sailboat. This sample chapter also includes the Preface, About the Picture-Perfect Science Program, Lessons by Grade, and Index.

5E(z) Guidelines for Designing Research- Informed Science Lesson Sequences

5/6/2013 12:00:00 AM

In this chapter, the author presents five steps that teachers can use to better sequence science learning experiences and how these steps are analogous to the eight scientific and engineering (S&E) practices. This sample chapter also includes the Table of Contents, Foreword, Book Overview, and Index.

Sources of Error

5/4/2013 12:00:00 AM

This chapter is about being accurate and being sure. It is about errors-recognizing them, taking account of them, and eliminating them. The chapter is designed to help students become aware of and respond to errors of measurement and errors that arise from a failure to control variables.

Making Sense of Your Results

5/4/2013 12:00:00 AM

This chapter is about graphing data. The three lessons are designed to develop the students' awareness of the value and techniques of graphing by providing an overview of graphing rather than a comprehensive course in graphing skills.

Science Without Numbers

5/3/2013 12:00:00 AM

Scientific inquiry often proceeds qualitatively, especially at the early stages of an exploration into a new phenomenon. The scientists' goal seems to be to map what they perceive to be the significant features of the phenomenon, with a view to sorting through and understanding the phenomenon. This chapter highlights three exploration strategies that scientists use that do not necessarily require the use of numbers. The lessons in this chapter are designed to help add purpose to students' explorations by encouraging them to make their "casual wondering" explicit and talk about their thinking and to enable students to experience and reflect on the process, with the last lesson focusing on the process of searching for patterns.

The Numbers Game

5/3/2013 12:00:00 AM

Have you ever asked yourself why scientists use numbers? It's an intriguing question. This chapter, which introduces the numbers game, highlights some of the reasons since there are many and they are interrelated. The activities in this chapter will help students appreciate the need to quantify and reviews the importance of quantifying.

Experiment Design

5/3/2013 12:00:00 AM

Students often assume that tests are fair and their experiments are well controlled. This chapter introduces students to the idea of repeatability-the test of a fair test. Repeatability is an important cornerstone of scientific exploration. The chapter also shares many facets to the problem of turning cooking into a science.

Starting Points

5/2/2013 12:00:00 AM

This chapter presents 15 Starting Points-some address physics, some chemistry, and others biology, while some have an engineering flavor. All students, regardless of whether or not they have previously experienced a science fair, are invited to choose a Starting Point. This lesson will give students a quick orientation to science projects and to the structure of this book, as well as get them started on a project.

An Overview of the Nature of Scientific Inquiry

5/2/2013 12:00:00 AM

There are many possible answers to the question, "What is the nature of science and scientific inquiry?" This chapter provides students with experiences through which they can understand what science is all about and the sort of demands a scientific investigation makes. The chapter presents three lessons-one invites students to contrast everyday common sense with science sense; one emphasizes the empirical-the place of contrived experiments and systematic observation and how scientists use them to unravel problems; and the third lesson introduces engineering as a science concerned with solving practical problems.