Inquiry in the Chemistry Classroom: Perplexity, Model Testing, and Synthesis By: Scott McDonald, Brett Criswell, and Oliver Dreon, Jr. A chapter from Science as Inquiry in the Secondary Setting Average User Rating: Lavoisier's theory of combustion is used as a context for a set of interrelated, inquiry-fostering investigations in a high school chemistry class. Further, this example of chemistry inquiry is used to develop some central ideas about inquiry pedagogy...  [view full summary] Lavoisier's theory of combustion is used as a context for a set of interrelated, inquiry-fostering investigations in a high school chemistry class. Further, this example of chemistry inquiry is used to develop some central ideas about inquiry pedagogy in science classrooms across content areas: sustained yet evolving scientific perplexity; model testing; and finally, synthesis that is a thoughtful and empirically supported explanation that may encompass multiple, seemingly conflicting pieces of data from a number of different phenomena. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School, High School

The Science Curriculum: Trends and Issues By: Rodger W. Bybee A chapter from Teaching Science in the 21st Century Among the 21st century issues and trends in science education, one must acknowledge the fundamental importance of the science curriculum. It is the one component that brings together social aspirations, content standards, research on learning, appropriate...  [view full summary] Among the 21st century issues and trends in science education, one must acknowledge the fundamental importance of the science curriculum. It is the one component that brings together social aspirations, content standards, research on learning, appropriate assessments, and meaningful professional development. This chapter begins with a discussion of the standards and describes the connections between the standards and the science curriculum. The third section addresses the design and development of science curricula. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Science Learning for All—An Introduction By: H. Prentice Baptiste--Cultural Inclusion, Shirley Gholston Key--Cultural Inclusion, Gerry M. Madrazo, Jr. --Embracing Diversity, Stan Hill--Encouraging Equitable Enrollment, and Paul B. Hounshell--Encouraging Equitable Enrollment A chapter from Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Science Learning for All What is a “multicultural” classroom? Classrooms, even if they are filled with non-majority students, are not necessarily multicultural. There are three elements necessary for a truly multicultural science-learning environment: First, the sense that all...  [view full summary] What is a “multicultural” classroom? Classrooms, even if they are filled with non-majority students, are not necessarily multicultural. There are three elements necessary for a truly multicultural science-learning environment: First, the sense that all students can learn and do science; second, the view that each student has a worthwhile place in the science classroom; and third, an appreciation for the contributions of all cultures to our scientific knowledge (Atwater, 1993; Hays, 2001). Science Learning for All: Celebrating Cultural Diversity focuses on the need for multicultural science classrooms, and addresses what makes a culturally diverse science classroom a multicultural one. This free selection features topics such as cultural inclusion, embracing diversity, and encouraging equitable enrollment. The Table of Contents, NSTA Position Statement on Multicultural Science Education, and Introduction are also included. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: High School

Mountain Age By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about processes that affect the shape of mountains. While determining the relative age of mountains involves a variety of complex interacting factors, this probe is designed to determine...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about processes that affect the shape of mountains. While determining the relative age of mountains involves a variety of complex interacting factors, this probe is designed to determine if students consider weathering factors or if they intuitively believe taller mountains are older. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Beach Sand By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about weathering, erosion, deposition, and landforms. It is designed to determine if students recognize that sand on a beach may have come from distant mountains and landforms as a result...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about weathering, erosion, deposition, and landforms. It is designed to determine if students recognize that sand on a beach may have come from distant mountains and landforms as a result of the weathering of rock, subsequent erosion, and deposition. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Catapult Design Brief By: Lee Pulis and NSTA Press A chapter from Construct-a-Catapult In this unit, you will be designing, building, and improving a mechanical launching system resembling an ancient catapult. Your system will be scaled down for use in the classroom and will take advantage of elastic properties of modern materials, saving...  [view full summary] In this unit, you will be designing, building, and improving a mechanical launching system resembling an ancient catapult. Your system will be scaled down for use in the classroom and will take advantage of elastic properties of modern materials, saving you tasks like twisting huge bundles of sinew into torsion springs (see Catapult Design History reading, p. 13). You will use both technological design and scientific inquiry as processes to investigate and improve how your catapult performs. This free selection includes the Table of Contents. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: High School

Making a Case for a Research-Based Teaching Rationale By: John E. Penick and Robin Lee Harris A chapter from Teaching With Purpose: Closing the Research Practice Gap This chapter demonstrates the importance of developing a detailed plan or rationale for teaching science that will help you achieve improved results in the classroom. Although every teacher's plan or rationale will be different in some ways, it has been...  [view full summary] This chapter demonstrates the importance of developing a detailed plan or rationale for teaching science that will help you achieve improved results in the classroom. Although every teacher's plan or rationale will be different in some ways, it has been found that most successful plans embrace ten key components. They include writing down and expressing a personal vision of success in the classroom, seek to create a positive environment for learning in the classroom, and assess results and performance on a regular basis. This free selection includes the Table of Contents and Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Comparison of Phosphate Levels in Stream Sediments By: Jennifer Soukhome, Graham Peaslee, Carl Van Faasen, and William Statema A chapter from Watershed Investigations: 12 Labs for High School Science Phosphorus is an important nutrient to all life. Unfortunately, when phosphate reaches the soil it is not all used up by the plants. If excess phosphate enters the waterways in the watershed, it can cause increased plant growth in lakes and streams and...  [view full summary] Phosphorus is an important nutrient to all life. Unfortunately, when phosphate reaches the soil it is not all used up by the plants. If excess phosphate enters the waterways in the watershed, it can cause increased plant growth in lakes and streams and lead to the eutrophication of lakes. The objective of this investigation is to analyze phosphate levels in stream sediments by land use area. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: High School, Informal Education

Understanding Models By: Shirley Watt Ireton and Steven W. Gilbert A chapter from Understanding Models in Earth and Space Science Chapter 1 defines and discusses models in a broad, and perhaps unusual, way. In particular, the chapter stresses the framework of personal models that underlie science and learning across fields. Subsequent chapters will deal more with particular kinds...  [view full summary] Chapter 1 defines and discusses models in a broad, and perhaps unusual, way. In particular, the chapter stresses the framework of personal models that underlie science and learning across fields. Subsequent chapters will deal more with particular kinds of expressed models that are important in science and science teaching: physical models, analog models and plans, mathematical models, and computer simulations. Throughout, the book examines how all models are important to science, how they are used, and how to use them effectively. They can and should be used not only to teach science, but also to teach students something about the process of learning and about the nature of knowledge itself. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School, High School, Informal Education

Evolution: Natural Selection By: Susan Koba with Anne Tweed A chapter from Hard-to-Teach Biology Concepts: A Framework to Deepen Student Understanding Evolutionary biology reconstructs how life on Earth has changed and proposes mechanisms that account for how those changes might occur (Passmore and Steward 2000). The authors' focus in this chapter is on the latter area, and they look specifically at...  [view full summary] Evolutionary biology reconstructs how life on Earth has changed and proposes mechanisms that account for how those changes might occur (Passmore and Steward 2000). The authors' focus in this chapter is on the latter area, and they look specifically at natural selection as an explanatory model of evolution. In addition, the responsive phase of the Instructional Planning Framework, particularly “eliciting and confronting preconceptions” and “sense making.” But first, beginning on page 146, they briefly review the predictive phase and its application to this lesson on natural selection. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: High School