K12Science

I was recently reading the January/February 2023 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read an article on the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students in 2023. 

Here are the 8 books selected as outstanding for high school students:

American Murderer: The Parasite That Haunted the South

Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

Salmon: Swimming for Survival

The Code Breaker — Young Readers Edition: Jennifer Doudna and the Race to Understand Our Genetic Code

Queer Ducks (And Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants

Urgent Message from a Hot Planet: Navigating the Climate Crisis

The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner

I was recently reading the January/February 2023 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Interdisciplinary Ideas” column, written by Kristin Hunter-Thomson.  She wrote an article entitled, “Why Should We All Embrace Statistical Thinking?”  

Statistical thinking is the mindset that we use when doing anything with data.  The mindset is based on the following three criteria:

1.  Any work with data involves interconnected processes.

2.  All processes and data have variability.

3.  Understanding variability and these processes is key to making sense of data.

I was recently reading the January/February 2023 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read an article on the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students in 2023. 

Here are the 7 books selected as outstanding for middle school students:

• Antarctica: A Melting Continent

• Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

• Salmon: Swimming for Survival

• The Code Breaker — Young Readers Edition: Jennifer Doudna and the Race to Understand Our Genetic Code

• Animal Allies: 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Research

• How to Build a Human: In Seven Evolutionary Steps

• The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner

I was recently reading the January/February 2023 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “From the Editor’s Desk” column, written by Patti McGinnis.  She wrote an article entitled, “Ecosystem Dynamics.”  

A healthy ecosystem can be defined as one that “has the ability to maintain its structure and function over time in the face of external stress.”  Managing ecosystems in a manner that creates resilience and long-term sustainability is more crucial than ever.

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Methods and Strategies” column, written by Christopher Roemmele, Steven Smith, Sarah Nern, Brett Criswell, and Miss Holzer.  They wrote an article entitled, “Don’t Forget the Demo.”  

Demonstrations are defined as the manipulation of materials and equipment for learners to observe one or more aspects of scientific principles or phenomena, providing students with the opportunity for engagement of Science and Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts.

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Career of the Month” column, written by Luba Vangelova.  She wrote a column entitled, “Geologist.”  

Geologists study the Earth and the forces that shape its solid, liquid, and gaseous components.  The article featured Michael Loso, the park geologist at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Copper Center, Alaska.

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Idea Bank” column, written by Fatemeh Mirghassemi.  She wrote a column entitled, “Getting to the STEM of Environmental Justice: Equity Causes Enrich Student Learning in Science Classrooms.” 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as “…the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Corner” column, written by Ann Haley MacKenzie.  She wrote a column entitled, “Direct Instruction: A Healthy Place for Both Science Teachers and Students?”  

Direct instruction doesn’t always work.  What we know about human learning is that students need exposure to a concept at least five or six times before they can begin to move it into long term memory.  Hence the 5E Learning Cycle:  Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate.

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Corner” column, written by Ann Haley MacKenzie.  She wrote a column entitled, “Direct Instruction: A Healthy Place for Both Science Teachers and Students?”  

Direct instruction doesn’t always work.  What we know about human learning is that students need exposure to a concept at least five or six times before they can begin to move it into long term memory.  Hence the 5E Learning Cycle:  Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate.

I was recently reading the November/December 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Scope on the Skies” column, written by Bob Riddle.  He wrote a column entitled, “Where on Earth is Mars.”  

The day is coming when a crewed mission sets down on Mars and becomes the second group of humans to be “boots” on another world.  The first group consisted of Apollo 12 astronauts who landed and returned from our Moon.  However, getting to Mars is more of a challenge, as we have learned from the numerous robotic missions sent to Mars over the years.  How will we prepare our astronauts for this mission?