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Science and Mathematics Education Commons™
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Articles 1 - 30 of 2306
Full-Text Articles in Science and Mathematics Education
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What Should We Flip?, Jerrid Kruse
What Should We Flip?, Jerrid Kruse
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Educational fads are nothing new. Renaming or repackaging of old ideas are also not new. Indeed, anyone who has been in education for more than a few years will recognize how the pendulum of educational reform swings back and forth. Unfortunately, although things “change,” the change is not typically accompanied by “improvement” on a grand scale. One current trend is the notion of “flipping” or the “flipped classroom”.
Thinking Outside The Box: Using A Black Box Activity To Kick Off The School Year, Amanda Weeks, Stephanie Schemmel
Thinking Outside The Box: Using A Black Box Activity To Kick Off The School Year, Amanda Weeks, Stephanie Schemmel
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article discusses our approach to the first days of school. Students' first experiences in our classroom set the tone for the rest of the year. We start out the year with a black-box activity to engage students and begin helping our students understand the nature of science. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards G and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.
Searching The Web: Observing Spiders To Learn How Different Structures Serve Different Functions, Courtney King
Searching The Web: Observing Spiders To Learn How Different Structures Serve Different Functions, Courtney King
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Through exploration and small group discussion, first grade students made connections between physical structures of organisms and their function. Additionally, students explored various spider “homes”. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standard C.
Schools In Balance: Comparing Iowa Physics Teachers And Teaching In Large And Small Schools, Trevor Kittleson, Jeffrey T. Morgan
Schools In Balance: Comparing Iowa Physics Teachers And Teaching In Large And Small Schools, Trevor Kittleson, Jeffrey T. Morgan
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
In 2009 we surveyed all known Iowa high school physics teachers to gain insight into their educational backgrounds, instructional styles, content coverage, and available resources. Based upon a suggestion made at a subsequent presentation, we reexamined the collected data, comparing the responses of teachers from small and large schools to see if there were notable differences between the two populations. We found that teachers at larger schools teach a wider variety of physics courses, including more advanced and “physics first” style courses, and report stronger educational backgrounds in physics. While larger schools also have more financial resources allocated for physics …
How Does Your Reading Stack Up? Effective Teaching Practices Make For Successful Reading Experiences In The Classroom, Jennifer A. R. Smith, Lori Marie Ihrig
How Does Your Reading Stack Up? Effective Teaching Practices Make For Successful Reading Experiences In The Classroom, Jennifer A. R. Smith, Lori Marie Ihrig
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article provides teachers concrete strategies for applying knowledge of how people learn and effective teaching practices to decisions about classroom implementation of science content area readings. This article promotes Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
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One Big Bite: Teaching Elementary Students To Classify Objects Using Animal Teeth, Katelyn Boser, Nicole Eberhard, Amanda Gerhardy
One Big Bite: Teaching Elementary Students To Classify Objects Using Animal Teeth, Katelyn Boser, Nicole Eberhard, Amanda Gerhardy
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This activity helps students learn the skills of sorting, organizing and classifying using images or models of various animal teeth. The authors used this activity in a Second Grade classroom, however it could be modified for other primary grades. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standards A and C, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
What’S My Motivation? Ideas For Rethinking Student Assessment, Jerrid Kruse
What’S My Motivation? Ideas For Rethinking Student Assessment, Jerrid Kruse
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Three of the articles in this issue of the Iowa Science Teachers Journal address assessment in the science classroom. Jesse Wilcox and Frank Noschese each discuss standards-based grading (SBG). Frank provides examples of his approach to SBG in his physics classes and makes a strong case for SBG while Jesse adds detail by sharing the frameworks he uses to inform and implement his SBG practices. Joe Bower goes a bit further by encouraging readers to consider why we assign grades at all. Each of the articles raises important, and related, points about the connection between assessment and motivation.
Holding Ourselves To A Higher Standard: Using Standards-Based Grading In Science As A Means To Improve Teaching And Learning, Jesse Wilcox
Holding Ourselves To A Higher Standard: Using Standards-Based Grading In Science As A Means To Improve Teaching And Learning, Jesse Wilcox
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Standards-based grading (SBG) has grown in popularity over the past few years. However, many teachers wonder why they should switch from a traditional grading system. This article explores how standards-based grading can more accurately reflect what students learn and encourage changes in students’ attitude toward learning in the process. This article promotes Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
The Trouble With Grading: From Concealing To Revealing Real Learning, Joe Bower
The Trouble With Grading: From Concealing To Revealing Real Learning, Joe Bower
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Traditional grading, such as multiple choice and bubble filling testing, cannot provide the sort of information needed by the teacher to assess a student’s understanding. There is a better way. This article explains the author’s move to break away from traditional grading and replace it with a zero-question project-based assessment strategy.
A Better Road: Improve Teaching And Student Morale Through Standards-Based Grading, Frank Noschese
A Better Road: Improve Teaching And Student Morale Through Standards-Based Grading, Frank Noschese
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article explores the benefits of using a standards-based grading system. Examples of how such a system is used in a high school physics course are also provided.
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Wiggling Worms: Using The Learning Cycle In An Elementary Classroom To Study Variation, Lori Marie Ihrig, Jennifer Nicole Prindle
Wiggling Worms: Using The Learning Cycle In An Elementary Classroom To Study Variation, Lori Marie Ihrig, Jennifer Nicole Prindle
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
In grades K-2, students are at an age when they start to look closely at living things around them. They can comprehend that while individuals may be of the same kind (i.e., kittens from the same litter), they possess differences. This article uses the learning cycle to engage students in making observations and measurements about plants and animals in order to help them understand “there is variation among individuals of one kind in a population” (AAAS, 1993, p. 107). This article promotes National Science Education Standards A and C, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Hot Conceptual Change - You’Ve Got To Have Faith, Jerrid Kruse, Michael P. Clough
Hot Conceptual Change - You’Ve Got To Have Faith, Jerrid Kruse, Michael P. Clough
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
In the last editorial (Kruse and Clough, 2010), we addressed some common concerns educators raise when considering inquiry-based instruction. Addressing such concerns is of utmost importance to address the plausibility, intelligibility and fruitfulness of inquiry-based teaching. Unfortunately, such issues are not all that affect willingness to enact inquiry-based teaching. More personal and contextual factors also play a part in all learning, including learning how to teach more effectively.
One Touchy Topic: Targeting Students’ Sense Of Touch Through Multiple Activities, Ally Shinar, Rabihah Simmons, Megan Ross
One Touchy Topic: Targeting Students’ Sense Of Touch Through Multiple Activities, Ally Shinar, Rabihah Simmons, Megan Ross
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article provides exploratory experiences for First Grade students to refine their understanding of their sense of touch and develop their observation skills. The activities scaffold from open-ended exploratory investigations to application activities in which students categorize items using their understanding of touch. The activities also make explicit links to help students develop language and writing skills. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standards A and B, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
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Learning Under Pressure: Teaching Boyle’S Law Through Inquiry, Meagan Woestman, Adam Kent
Learning Under Pressure: Teaching Boyle’S Law Through Inquiry, Meagan Woestman, Adam Kent
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Boyle’s law is commonly addressed in chemistry and physical science textbooks, but rarely in a manner consistent with what we know best promotes learning (Bransford, Brown & Cocking, 2000). We present the standard syringe activity as an exploratory inquiry experience followed by a more formal development of the relationship. The activity starts and concludes by having students examine how the volume of a crushed pop bottle changes in a vacuum. Through iterative concrete experiences and guided discussions, students construct Boyle’s law to account for the class data. This article address National Science Education Standards A, B, E, G, and Iowa …
Growing Minds: Planting A Lasting Seed Using The Learning Cycle, Jennifer Nicole Prindle, Lori Marie Ihrig
Growing Minds: Planting A Lasting Seed Using The Learning Cycle, Jennifer Nicole Prindle, Lori Marie Ihrig
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article highlights modifying a common early elementary activity to move instruction beyond isolated activities into a full unit of instruction using the learning cycle. The unit is designed to tackle students' misconceptions and deepen their understanding of scientific inquiry and the growing requirements of plants. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A and C, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
All Bottled Up: An Inquiry Activity Using Bottles To Teach The Effect Of Water Temperature On Dissolved Gas, Collin Reichert, Curtis Titter
All Bottled Up: An Inquiry Activity Using Bottles To Teach The Effect Of Water Temperature On Dissolved Gas, Collin Reichert, Curtis Titter
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
This article describes an inquiry activity that promotes an accurate and deep understanding of key components of the carbon cycle, namely the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas between the atmosphere and the ocean, and how temperature affects this exchange. The crucial role of the teacher during this activity is described, including key questions and interactions that help students arrive at deep and robust understandings of the carbon cycle and nature of science ideas. This article promotes High School National Science Education Content Standards A, B, D, and G, Iowa Core Curriculum 1 and 3, and Iowa Teaching …
How Do You Mass What You Cannot See? Using Paper Clips To Help Students Learn How Electron Mass Was First Measured, Rob Hingstrum, Jacob Pleasants, Shannon Mclaughlin
How Do You Mass What You Cannot See? Using Paper Clips To Help Students Learn How Electron Mass Was First Measured, Rob Hingstrum, Jacob Pleasants, Shannon Mclaughlin
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Many students wrongly presume that scientific knowledge is mysteriously discovered and often believe the development of this knowledge is beyond their ability to comprehend. The activity presented here – appropriate for high-school chemistry and physics students – challenges these misconceptions. Students are engaged in thinking and creativity similar to how the first scientists accurately measured the mass and charge of an electron. Through this process, students develop a deep understanding of how the mass and charge of an individual electron was determined. This activity addresses National Science Education Standards A, B, E, and G and Iowa teaching Standards 1, 2, …
Cloudy Judgment: Helping Students Deeply Understand Cloud Formation, Katie Borton, Hallie Satre, Jesse Wilcox
Cloudy Judgment: Helping Students Deeply Understand Cloud Formation, Katie Borton, Hallie Satre, Jesse Wilcox
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Weather is ubiquitously experienced, yet generally misunderstood by students. We present the well known “cloud in the bottle” activity, but do so in a manner that mentally engages students to a greater extent, identifies commonly held misconceptions, and moves students to a deeper understanding of cloud formation. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A, B, D and G and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The Buds And The Bees: Inquiry Into The Sexual Reproduction Of Plants, Timothy D. Goodman, Laurence H. Woodruff
The Buds And The Bees: Inquiry Into The Sexual Reproduction Of Plants, Timothy D. Goodman, Laurence H. Woodruff
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Many students have few significant experiences investigating flower structure and function, yet are expected to understand sexual reproduction in angiosperms. We present here an inquiry-based hands-on activity where middle school students compare plant reproduction to more commonly understood animal reproduction. This provides a foundation to more deeply understand topics related to plant reproduction. This activity also provides many opportunities to explicitly address the nature of science and how science works. This article addresses National Science Education Content Standards A, C, and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Confronting Doubts About The Intelligibility, Plausibility, And Fruitfulness Of Inquiry-Based Instruction, Jerrid Kruse, Michael P. Clough
Confronting Doubts About The Intelligibility, Plausibility, And Fruitfulness Of Inquiry-Based Instruction, Jerrid Kruse, Michael P. Clough
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Our two prior ISTJ editorials in the Iowa Science Teacher Journal (Clough & Kruse, 2010a & 2010b) have applied a conceptual change framework (Posner, Strike, Hewson & Gertzog, 1983; Pintrich et al., 1993; Abd-El-Khalick & Akerson, 2004; Clough, 2006a) to understand the difficulties students have in abandoning their intuitive ideas about the natural world and, for the same reasons, the difficulties teachers have in jettisoning their intuitive and learning. Our last editorial noted that in both cases, dissatisfaction with prior ways of thinking must be achieved before alternative ways of thinking will be seriously sought and considered. To initiate a …
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Thinking On Paper: Using Science Notebooks To Increase Active Engagement In The Elementary Science Classroom, Kimberly R. Gasaway
Thinking On Paper: Using Science Notebooks To Increase Active Engagement In The Elementary Science Classroom, Kimberly R. Gasaway
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
The need for scientific literacy is becoming a new standard to which school districts are being held accountable. Student inquiry and the ability to “think like a scientist” will increase the depth at which students understand the natural world and make connections that are critical in strengthening students' scientific literacy. In addition, research has shown that when students were actively engaged in the learning process, they participated more enthusiastically and retained the concepts being taught. Science notebooks help students learn to record and make sense of data and observations about the natural world and come to deeper understanding of scientific …
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When Dissatisfaction Is A Good Thing, Michael P. Clough, Jerrid Kruse
When Dissatisfaction Is A Good Thing, Michael P. Clough, Jerrid Kruse
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Our previous editorial (Clough and Kruse, 2010) in the Iowa Science Teacher Journal used conceptual change theory (Posner, 1982; Pintrich et al., 1993; Abd-El-Khalick & Akerson, 2004; Clough, 2006) to highlight the similarities between students learning science content and educators learning to teach well. An important part of conceptual change is first acknowledging and then confronting current ways of thinking. That is, before learners (whether children or adults) will consider altering their thinking, they must first develop some sense of dissatisfaction with their currently held ideas. That can be difficult because the ideas people hold do appear to work — …
A Balancing Act: Helping Students Understand The Mole Relationship For Balancing Equations, Karl Goldsmith, Matt Jaschen
A Balancing Act: Helping Students Understand The Mole Relationship For Balancing Equations, Karl Goldsmith, Matt Jaschen
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Stoichiometry can be one of the more challenging topics to teach in high school chemistry. Students often struggle until they realize the ratio from the balanced chemical equation represents mole ratios rather than the mass of each component. The activity presented here provides students with an inquiry based experience with a chemical reaction. During the activity, students seek evidence as to what the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation mean. With teacher guidance, these activities help students (1) connect chemical equations to observations, (2) gain evidence that mass ratios are not useful, and (3) understand the relationship between moles and …
Pulling Students In: Creating Concrete Experiences Through A Simple Pulley Device, Joe Kohlhaas, Teresa Morales
Pulling Students In: Creating Concrete Experiences Through A Simple Pulley Device, Joe Kohlhaas, Teresa Morales
Iowa Science Teachers Journal
Physics is often taught with an emphasis on mathematical relationships. Many teachers use equations to teach, assuming that the content will fall into place. In reality, all students benefit from concrete representations and familiar objects and properties before learning abstractions (Karplus, 1977). Since mathematics is inherently abstract it must be reserved until after students have a firm conceptual understanding. This article provides a concrete activity that encourages students to explore pulleys. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, E, and F. It also addresses Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.