Many students probably know something about space from playing computer games or watching movies and TV shows. Teachers can expose them to the real thing by launching their experiments into near space on a weather balloon. This article describes how to use high-altitude ballooning (HAB) as a culminating project to a chemistry unit on experimental…

As the ethnic and racial diversity in U.S. classrooms continues to grow, myths about the education of English Language Learners (ELLs) persist, while many teachers feel ill-prepared to meet these students' academic needs. This article focuses on myths shared by in-service science teachers enrolled in a master's program at the University of Texas…

The traditional Run the Football Field physics activity--in which students are timed as they move at different speeds on a football field to investigate displacement and velocity--has been updated for the 21st century. Nowadays, GPS-enabled tablets and smartphones replace the stopwatches and yard markers of the past, allowing students to collect…

The number of students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is declining due in part to a lack of student interest (Fairweather 2008; NRC 2012; PCAST 2010). One reason may be the difference between how science is done in school and how it is done in the field (Osborne, Simon, and Collins 2003). An interdisciplinary…

A high school senior describes her adventures as part of an eight-week glacier expedition in Alaska and British Columbia. Also includes information on how to obtain unique summer enrichment opportunities for teachers and students. (ZWH)

Reports on research results from California's Golden State Examinations science portfolio projects. Findings discussed include gender variations; prior course grades; student ethnicity; multiple-choice questions; laboratory performance tasks; and open-ended questions. (ZWH)

Describes an innovative, but not revolutionary, secondary education science program that is modeled after American graduate education. Discussions include a comparison of pedagogical approaches, implementation, the teacher, facilities, and teaching strategies. (ZWH)

Describes some of the activities developed by Project SEED (Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations) to teach middle-level students basic concepts and principles of physical science in a logical sequence using inexpensive demonstrations, activities, and experiments. (ZWH)

Describes how an integrated approach to scientific investigation was used to provide a better image of science to potential college students. (ZWH)

Describes three programs funded by the Toyota Appreciation Program for Excellence to Science Teachers Reaching Youth (TAPESTRY) program: (1) High School Hawk Watch promotes wildlife awareness student research; (2) Science without Bounds makes science accessible to at-risk and minority students; and (3) Kansas Environmental Monitoring Network…

Presents a model, ChemSafe, that was developed to address and solve the allied problems of chemical purchase, storage, use, and disposal in schools. (ZWH)

Due to his work to determine how cholera was spread in the 18th century, John Snow (1813-1858) has been hailed as the father of modern epidemiology. This article presents an inquiry model based on his life and work, which teachers can use to develop a series of biology lessons involving the history and nature of science. The lessons presented use…

Describes some of what a science teacher learned while participating in an amateur observing program that provided access to the Hubble Space Telescope. (ZWH)

Suggests that behind problems in public school science education lies the failure of effective supervision and administration. National Science Foundation documentation is used to substantiate this claim. The Connecticut plan, a state-mandated teacher evaluation plan, is described as a successfull attempt that has revitalized science teaching. (CS)

Discusses how to integrate into the curriculum the interests of children of all ethnic backgrounds. Includes a rubric for multicultural contributions to science. (KHR)