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NSTA Press Book

Everyday Earth and Space Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching By: Richard Konicek-Moran Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School What are the odds that a meteor will hit your house? Do you actually get more sunlight from Daylight Saving Time? Where do puddles go? By presenting everyday mysteries like these, this book will motivate your students to carry out hands-on science investigations and actually care about the results. These 19 open-ended mysteries focus exclusively on Earth and space science, including astronomy, energy, climate, and geology. The stories come with lists...  [view full summary] What are the odds that a meteor will hit your house? Do you actually get more sunlight from Daylight Saving Time? Where do puddles go? By presenting everyday mysteries like these, this book will motivate your students to carry out hands-on science investigations and actually care about the results. These 19 open-ended mysteries focus exclusively on Earth and space science, including astronomy, energy, climate, and geology. The stories come with lists of science concepts to explore, grade-appropriate strategies for using them, and explanations of how the lessons align with national standards. They also relieve you of the tiring work of designing inquiry lessons from scratch. “What makes this book so special is the unique way science is integrated into the story line, using characters and situations children can easily identify with.”—Page Keeley, author of the NSTA Press series Uncovering Student Ideas in Science [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95

NSTA Press Book

Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy, Grades 3–5 By: Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker Grade Level: Elementary School In Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers, science educators Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker help teachers blend literacy into elementary science instruction. This unique book will show teachers how to teach science using a variety of nonfiction text sets (such as field guides, reference books, and narrative expository texts) and replace individual lessons with a learning-cycle format (including hands-on investigations, readings,...  [view full summary] In Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers, science educators Jessica Fries-Gaither and Terry Shiverdecker help teachers blend literacy into elementary science instruction. This unique book will show teachers how to teach science using a variety of nonfiction text sets (such as field guides, reference books, and narrative expository texts) and replace individual lessons with a learning-cycle format (including hands-on investigations, readings, directed discussion, and problem solving). Research-based and teacher-friendly, Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers shows how inquiry can engage your students in reading nonfiction texts, discussing important science concepts, and writing to both develop understanding and share information. Here are some of the book’s special features: • Eight units covering life, physical, Earth, and space science—from “Drip Drop Detectives: Exposing the Water Cycle” to “Classroom Curling: Exploring Forces and Motion” to “Beaks and Biomes: Understanding Adaptation in Migrating Organisms.” Two additional units cover the nature of science. All units have been classroom-tested for effectiveness and align with the National Science Education Standards and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. • Detailed scientific background, common misconceptions associated with the content, an annotated list of the texts in the text set, safety considerations, reproducible student pages, and suggested assessments. • Authentic, inquiry-based contexts for reading, writing, and discussion through read-alouds, collaborative activities, graphic organizers, and writing prompts. Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers will change the way you think about engaging your students. The authors show that it’s possible to integrate literacy into elementary-level science instruction without sacrificing quality in either area. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $30.36      Nonmember Price: $37.95

NSTA Press Book

Scientific Argumentation in Biology: 30 Classroom Activities By: Victor Sampson and Sharon Schleigh Grade Level: Middle School, High School “Individuals who are proficient in science should be able to understand the language of science and participate in scientific practices, such as inquiry and argumentation. Empirical research, however, indicates that many students do not develop this knowledge or these abilities in school. One way to address this problem is to give students more opportunities to engage in scientific argumentation as part of the teaching and learning of science....  [view full summary] “Individuals who are proficient in science should be able to understand the language of science and participate in scientific practices, such as inquiry and argumentation. Empirical research, however, indicates that many students do not develop this knowledge or these abilities in school. One way to address this problem is to give students more opportunities to engage in scientific argumentation as part of the teaching and learning of science. This book will help teachers with this task.” —Authors Victor Sampson and Sharon Schleigh Develop your high school students’ understanding of argumentation and evidence-based reasoning with this comprehensive book. Like three guides in one, Scientific Argumentation in Biology combines theory, practice, and biology content. It starts by giving you solid background in why students need to be able to go beyond expressing mere opinions when making research-related biology claims. Then it provides 30 thoroughly field-tested activities your students can use when learning to: • propose, support, and evaluate claims; • validate or refute them on the basis of scientific reasoning; and • craft complex written arguments. Detailed teacher notes suggest specific ways in which you can use the activities to enrich and supplement (not replace) what you’re doing in biology class already. Scientific Argumentation is an invaluable resource for learning more about argumentation and designing related lessons. You'll find it ideal for helping your students learn standards-based content; improve their biological practices; explain, interpret, and evaluate evidence; and acquire the habits of mind to become more proficient in science. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $31.16      Nonmember Price: $39.95

NSTA Press Book

Exemplary Science for Building Interest in STEM Careers Edited by: Robert E. Yager Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College National standards encourage science teachers to help “increase student economic productivity through the use of the knowledge, understandings, and skills of the scientifically literate person in their careers.” Exemplary Science for Building Interest in STEM Careers provides the examples and inspiration to accelerate the trend toward steering students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This book explores 16 examples...  [view full summary] National standards encourage science teachers to help “increase student economic productivity through the use of the knowledge, understandings, and skills of the scientifically literate person in their careers.” Exemplary Science for Building Interest in STEM Careers provides the examples and inspiration to accelerate the trend toward steering students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This book explores 16 examples of ideas and experiences representing a large number of career areas; they include scientists, engineers, inventors, and education reformers. Many of the authors have enlisted the help of community members and business and industry representatives, emphasizing the more current view of what science is and the importance of collaborative learning. Science is the act of humans trying to make sense of objects and events found in the natural world. It is exciting to engage students in resolving problems and issues using their own ideas. If science is personally experienced, it will attract many more to STEM careers! When teachers change their teaching, student interest increases—and more students aspire to science-related careers as well. Changes in teaching must occur and typical courses must change to focus more on student efforts with projects, activities, and problem-solving. This is the best plan for getting more students interested in pursuing STEM careers after high school. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $23.96      Nonmember Price: $29.95

NSTA Press Book

A Year of Inquiry: A Collection for Elementary Educators Edited by: Linda Froschauer Grade Level: Elementary School “Over the years, the Science and Children editorial team has received a significant number of manuscripts that focus on inquiry. …But no matter how many articles we publish on the topic, the interest in inquiry has not diminished. In fact, our readers have clamored for more. …With interest high and an understanding essential, we designed A Year of Inquiry: A Collection for Elementary Educators, a book structured around an entire year...  [view full summary] “Over the years, the Science and Children editorial team has received a significant number of manuscripts that focus on inquiry. …But no matter how many articles we publish on the topic, the interest in inquiry has not diminished. In fact, our readers have clamored for more. …With interest high and an understanding essential, we designed A Year of Inquiry: A Collection for Elementary Educators, a book structured around an entire year of support, instruction, and learning through inquiry.” —From the introduction to A Year of Inquiry If you’ve been clamoring for help to understand and then apply inquiry within your K–5 classroom, this book is the time-saving resource you need. It provides guidance on ways to move your students toward doing science and away from lectures, memorization, and cookbook labs. And it does so in one convenient place, through a collection of 36 easy-to-read articles gathered from Science and Children, NSTA’s elementary-level journal. The material is clearly organized into nine topic sections. Each starts with a candid introduction by a national leader in science education. Then three related articles explain practical activities you can use in your classroom. Among the crucial subjects covered are • understanding what a scientist does, • developing process skills, • record keeping in science notebooks, • structuring investigable questions, • collecting and analyzing data, and • sharing research results. The material applies in a variety of core content areas and grade levels. It’s both useful to experienced teachers and accessible to those with limited science background. Turn to A Year of Inquiry for the essentials of inquiry theory and practice—vetted by experts and explained for your unique perspective as an elementary school educator. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95

NSTA Press Book

Everyday Engineering: Putting the E in STEM Teaching and Learning By: Richard Moyer and Susan Everett Grade Level: Middle School “The idea for Everyday Engineering began with our interest in design and production issues related to the simple ballpoint pen. We were struck by the elegance of the means for retracting the reservoir and transferring the ink to paper …. For some months, we found ourselves taking a number of things apart—becoming more and more intrigued with the design of the seemingly simple. When thought about in this light, paper clips and pump soap dispensers...  [view full summary] “The idea for Everyday Engineering began with our interest in design and production issues related to the simple ballpoint pen. We were struck by the elegance of the means for retracting the reservoir and transferring the ink to paper …. For some months, we found ourselves taking a number of things apart—becoming more and more intrigued with the design of the seemingly simple. When thought about in this light, paper clips and pump soap dispensers become fascinating; so, too, is learning the history of how these everyday objects were developed.” —From the Introduction to Everyday Engineering Here’s an ideal way to spark students’ fascination with the marvels of engineering behind the seemingly simple. This book is a compilation of popular “Everyday Engineering” columns from NSTA’s middle school journal, Science Scope. The collection is made up of 14 activities that explore engineering’s role in five areas: the office, the kitchen, the bathroom, electricity, and outdoor recreation. Students can perform hands-on investigations of objects they use all the time, asking questions such as: • What makes a Bic click? • Why do squirt guns squirt? • What makes a better cereal box? Each activity includes a clear explanation of the science and history behind the object’s development plus a materials list, student data sheets, and safety suggestions. The collection is useful to classroom teachers as well as scout leaders, engineers leading outreach activities, after-school and summer enrichment program staff, and parents. Everyday Engineering may soon have your students taking a number of things apart—and putting together a lifelong interest in engineering. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $15.96      Nonmember Price: $19.95

NSTA Press Book

Science the “Write” Way Edited by: Jodi Wheeler-Toppen Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School Writing skills are high on the list of real-world requirements for all students—including science students. Every scientific discipline needs professionals who can ably communicate in writing. Scientists must be able to describe their proposed studies for funding considerations, track their observations and results in their own notes, describe their experimental protocols for their peers to replicate, and synthesize their work to the wider world community....  [view full summary] Writing skills are high on the list of real-world requirements for all students—including science students. Every scientific discipline needs professionals who can ably communicate in writing. Scientists must be able to describe their proposed studies for funding considerations, track their observations and results in their own notes, describe their experimental protocols for their peers to replicate, and synthesize their work to the wider world community. Yet setting aside time to develop these important skills in an already jam-packed science curriculum is often difficult. And even when teachers can carve out such moments, what do science writing lessons look like? This valuable compendium, which collects articles originally published in the award-winning journals Science and Children and Science Scope, highlights the importance of science writing and attempts to help elementary and middle school teachers of science tackle the topic with confidence and ease. Outlining both the process and the methods for teaching science writing, articles cover lab reports, science journals, field guides, interactive science notebooks, blogs, and even creative nonfiction and environmental poetry. Practical—and time-efficient—assessment ideas are also covered. Volume editor Jodi Wheeler-Toppen, herself well-versed in the art of combining writing and science instruction, sums up the case for teaching science writing best: “There are many reasons to have our students write, but the one that is most powerful for me is simple: Writing helps students learn.” [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95

NSTA Press Book

Front-Page Science: Engaging Teens in Science Literacy By: Wendy Saul, Angela Kohnen, Alan Newman, and Laura Pearce Grade Level: High School “The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued new guidelines for mammograms in 2009. What does this mean for someone with a family history of breast cancer? Congress periodically votes on a piece of legislation called the Farm Bill. What does its current iteration mean for the safety of supermarket eggs? Understanding how the latest science affects real people—patients, consumers, voters, and taxpayers—is at the heart of science literacy.”...  [view full summary] “The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued new guidelines for mammograms in 2009. What does this mean for someone with a family history of breast cancer? Congress periodically votes on a piece of legislation called the Farm Bill. What does its current iteration mean for the safety of supermarket eggs? Understanding how the latest science affects real people—patients, consumers, voters, and taxpayers—is at the heart of science literacy.” —From Chapter 1 of Front-Page Science Like citizen journalists, your students can get to the heart of science literacy—and challenging questions like these—with the “learn by doing” methodology in this innovative book. Front-Page Science uses science journalism techniques to help students become better consumers of, and contributors to, a scientifically literate community. The book is divided into three parts: • Background information and a rationale for using science journalism techniques • Concrete advice about how to teach science literacy in this framework—from helping students find story angles to teaching search strategies and interview techniques • The process of putting together and writing a news story, including how to get students started, help them when they’re stalled, and respond to their drafts A free website provides downloadable lesson plans, teacher suggestions, and a forum for exchanging ideas with others. Like Front-Page Science, the website is part of the National Science Foundation–funded Science Literacy Through Science Journalism project. By making full use of these rich resources, you’ll teach your students skills that will help them make sense of their world not just now, but also after graduation and for years to come. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95

NSTA Press Book

STEM Student Research Handbook By: Darci J. Harland Grade Level: High School This comprehensive resource for STEM teachers and students, outlines the various stages of large-scale research projects, enabling teachers to coach their students through the research process. This handbook provides enough detail to embolden all teachers—even those who have never designed an experiment on their own—to support student-researchers through the entire process of conducting experiments. Early chapters—research design, background research,...  [view full summary] This comprehensive resource for STEM teachers and students, outlines the various stages of large-scale research projects, enabling teachers to coach their students through the research process. This handbook provides enough detail to embolden all teachers—even those who have never designed an experiment on their own—to support student-researchers through the entire process of conducting experiments. Early chapters—research design, background research, hypothesis writing, and proposal writing—help students design and implement their research projects. Later chapters on descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as graphical representations, help them correctly interpret their data. Finally, the last chapters enable students to effectively communicate their results by writing and documenting a STEM research paper, as well as by preparing for oral and poster presentations. Included are student handouts, checklists, presentation observation sheets, and sample assessment rubrics. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $23.96      Nonmember Price: $29.95

NSTA Press Book

Companion Classroom Activities for Stop Faking It! Force and Motion By: William C. Robertson, Ph.D. Grade Level: Middle School, High School Never has it been so easy for educators to learn to teach physical science with confidence. Award-winning author Bill Robertson launched his bestselling Stop Faking It! series in 2002 with Force and Motion—offering elementary and middle school teachers a jargon-free way to learn the background for teaching physical science with confidence. Combining easy-to-understand—if irreverent—explanations and quirky diagrams, Stop Faking It!...  [view full summary] Never has it been so easy for educators to learn to teach physical science with confidence. Award-winning author Bill Robertson launched his bestselling Stop Faking It! series in 2002 with Force and Motion—offering elementary and middle school teachers a jargon-free way to learn the background for teaching physical science with confidence. Combining easy-to-understand—if irreverent—explanations and quirky diagrams, Stop Faking It! Force and Motion helped thousands of teachers, parents, and homeschoolers conquer topics from Newton’s laws to the physics of space travel. Now Companion Classroom Activities for Stop Faking It! Force and Motion proves an ideal supplement to the original book—or a valuable resource of its own. The hands-on activities and highly readable explanations allow students to first investigate concepts, then discuss learned concepts, and finally apply the concepts to everyday situations. Robertson’s wit and humor are sure to keep students and teachers entertained while they tackle topics such as acceleration, speed, and gravity. Each activity includes an objective, materials list, National Science Education Standards addressed, approximate completion time, and detailed step-by-step instructions. Student pages for recording observations and student evaluation questionnaires to help assess understanding are also provided. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95