Science teachers, purple cows and the case of the flaming wallet
So you want a book to read? What's it to be? 103 Ways to become a more effective standards-based teacher. No? Well, here's a great little book called Purple Cow by Seth Godin, a truly incredible mind in marketing. You want to go to the local…
The 15-second sound bite – TV vs. classroom teaching
People often ask me if teaching on television is different to teaching in the classroom. Let me tell you a secret.
It is a completely different experience. First, I was told I was not on TV to educate. I was on TV to entertain!
But wait! What…
Active things parents can do to help kids learn science
It doesn't all rest in the hands of the teacher. If you are a parent there are some active things you can do to help your kids prepare for a lifetime of science or inquiry. Help by reinforcing what your teacher is doing in class.
When your…
Science Fair Project! Getting parents and teachers on board
There are three words you can utter that will change the look on a teacher's face, and on a parent's face, and those words are — Science Fair Project. You can see the beads of sweat start to appear on the forehead. Teachers know they will…
Clever Idea for a Baby Soda Bottle – Teacher Turns Plastic Test Tubes into a Solar Oven
Lots of people come up with clever uses for our large, plastic test tubes called Baby Soda Bottles. Todd Blackman at the Franklin County Public Electrical Utility District #1 in Pasco, Washington shared this idea for turning a Baby Soda Bottle…
Teachers need learning too – say yes to staff development
I think the #1 thing an elementary teacher can do today to be a better teacher is to go to as many professional staff development opportunities as possible. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference is one of the best to prepare…
Edutainment: injecting entertainment into learning
Edutainment - good word or bad? Well, it depends on whom you talk to.
The 1950s teaching style of "˜sit down, shut up and learn' was how it was. Kids learned and absorbed information because they didn't have as many things going on as today.…
Hands-on Science Boot Camp 2005 – Mission Accomplished
Ninety-nine elementary teachers were called into action July 27-28, 2005, at the Hands-on Science Boot Camp to explore new and creative science integration strategies for making science education come alive in their classrooms. Named Operation…
Science Boot Camp – Teachers get a lesson in making learning fun
FALL IN! That's what 99 elementary teachers did as they "reported for duty" at the Hands-on Science Boot Camp in Denver. The purpose... to explore new and creative science integration strategies for making science education come alive in their…
Float or Sink: A Science Lesson at Water World
You might have heard about high school students conducting science experiments at the amusement park. It's a great way for physics students to take measurements and record data from the rides as the learn about Newton's Laws of Motion. There's…