In the Walking Out Graphs Lesson described here, students experience several types of representations used to describe motion, including words, sentences, equations, graphs, data tables, and actions. The most important theme of this lesson is that students have to understand the consistency among these representations and form the habit of…

The purpose of this article is to share a learning-cycle sequence of lessons designed to convey the particulate nature of matter through use of physical models and analogical thinking. This activity was adapted from Conceptual Chemistry, a long-running professional development program for teachers of grades 4-9. Conceptual Chemistry's approach is…

The United States has a significant deficit in the number of university students choosing to major in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and subsequently entering STEM professions (National Science Board 2008). One way to address this problem is to find ways to make STEM careers more interesting and intellectually accessible…

Introduces a lesson plan on the role of the acorn and its complex community of biotic relationships between animal and fungal organisms. Introduces students to ecological concepts through acorn investigations including dissection of acorns and exploring the organisms' interaction web. (YDS)

Presents an activity in which students in groups explore one planet in the solar system and present their findings to the whole class. Focuses on the planet's location in the solar system, geological features, rate of revolutions, and calendar year. (YDS)

Discusses discrepant events designed as a demonstration to present a situation or phenomenon that has an unexpected and sometimes very surprising outcome. Presents ways of developing science lessons linking discrepant events with the learning cycle as an example. (ASK)

Presents two construction activities that address both state and federal science standards and encourage students to consider career options in mathematics and science. Includes floating concrete and paper bridge activities. (YDS)

In this article, the authors describe an activity developed to assist students with constructing their own understanding of Earth's history and provide questions to help teach the geologic time scale. The lesson is aligned to the following National Science Education Standards: Science as Inquiry, Earth's History, and Nature of Science. While…

Introduces lesson plans on cycles designed for middle school students. Activities include: (1) "Boiling and Evaporation"; (2) "Experimenting with Evaporation"; (3) "Condensation and the Water Cycle"; and (4) "Understanding Cycles". Explains the mathematical applications of cycles. (YDS)

Introduces a unit on the brain and learning styles in which students become aware of their own cognitive styles. Studies the connection between the three senses--sight, touch, and hearing--and three types of learning styles--visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. (YDS)

Uses a teaching approach in which students prepare their own physics activity lesson plans and use them in class with other students. (YDS)

This article provides a science lesson for the middle school level, the metric system is used for all methods of measurement. The example lesson utilizes edible fruit as the real-world focus and offers ideas for additional lessons and the integration of disciplines beyond mathematics. This lesson requires students to handle, examine, and possibly…

Introduces an activity involving Orson Welles' radio broadcast of the "War of the Worlds" to teach concepts on planets. Provides a lesson plan for grades 5-8 on "War of the Worlds". (YDS)

Discusses the potential contribution of GPS and related Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to education. Provides resources for teachers to plan a lesson on exploring with the help of a GPS device in order to increase students' awareness of their surroundings and broaden understanding of their place in the world. (KHR)

Explores role playing as a unique and amusing way of instruction. Describes how to use this method to teach about cells and atoms. (YDS)