K12Science

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science & Children" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Editor's Note," written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. She wrote an article entitled, "Design Thinking."

Design Thinking is a solution-based technique used to solve problems. The basics of Design Thinking are:

Empathize - consider others' needs, not just solve the problem

Define - define the problem and create a meaningful and actionable problem statement

Ideate - encourage innovation through brainstorming

Prototype - identify and develop the best solution through multiple iterations

Test - evaluate prototypes and consider improvements

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the article listing the "2022 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students."

In this podcast, we look at eight "Outstanding Science Trade Books" recommended for middle school students in grades 6 - 8:

"Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers" by Frances Backhouse

"Inside In: X-Rays of Nature's Hidden World" by Jan Paul Schuttten

"Tracking Tortoises: The Mission to Save a Galapagos Giant" by Kate Messner

"Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore" by Ben Rothery

"Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear" by Trang Nguyen

"Fungarium: Welcome to the Museum" by Gaya Ester

"Fred and Marjorie: A Doctor, A Dog and the Discovery of Insulin" by Deborah Kerbel

"Wonder Women of Science" by Tiera Fletcher and Ginger Rue

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the article listing the "2022 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students."

In this podcast, we look at 13 "Outstanding Science Trade Books" recommended for students in grades 3-5:

"The Body Book" Illustrated by Hannah Alice

"Pooper Snooper" by Jennifer Keats Curtis

"The Dirt Book" by David Harrison

"Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor" by Kate Messner

"History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics" by Kate Messner

"Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North, Botanical Artist" by Laurie Lawlor

"Fossils from Lost Worlds" by Helene Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt

"Masters of Disguise: Camouflaging Creatures and Magnificent Mimics" by Marc Martin

"Summertime Sleepers" by Melissa Stewart

"Disasters by the Numbers" by Steve Jenkins

"A Life Electric: The Story of Nikola Tesla" by Azadeh Westergaard

"She Persisted: Virginia Apgar" by Dr. Sayantani DasGupta and Chelsea Clinton

"Scientists: Inspiring Tales of the World's Brightest Scientific Minds" by Isabel Thomas

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the article listing the "2022 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students."

In this podcast, we look at six "Outstanding Science Trade Books" recommended for K-2 students:

"The Secret Life of the Sloth" by Laurence Pringle

"If Bees Disappeared" by Lily Williams

"Over and Under the Canyon" by Kate Messner

"The Beak Book" by Robin Page

"Curious About Fish" by Cathryn Sill

"Hello Earth! Poems to Our Planet" by Joyce Sidman

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section "Citizen Science" written by Jill Nugent. Jill wrote an article entitled "The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project."

The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project study site is based at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Eastern Minnesota. The research site features the oak savanna habitat and is home to over 100 breeding red-headed woodpecker adults each year. Researchers have deployed nest cavity cams at this location to study the woodpeckers and life at the cavity nest sites. For more information, visit:

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/elwest/woodpecker-cavity-cam

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent.  Jill wrote an article entitled “The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project.”

The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project study site is based at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Eastern Minnesota.  The research site features the oak savanna habitat and is home to over 100 breeding red-head woodpeckers adults each year.  Researchers have deployed nest cavity cams at this location to study the woodpeckers and life at the cavity nest sites.  For more information, visit:

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/elwest/woodpecker-cavity-cam

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "Editor's Desk" written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled "Science Teaching Challenges."

The pandemic has been extremely challenging in ways that could never have been anticipated. How do teachers keep emotionally healthy, given the tremendous stress that they are under?

I was recently reading the October 20, 2021 NSTA Blog, hosted by the National Science Teaching Association. This blog was entitled, "Creating a Culture of Science Safety: 7 Teacher Tips for This Fall (and Beyond)," written by Mike Marvel.

The seven tips that follow will help ensure safe lab practices year-round while helping educators establish a science culture rooted in safety:

1. Discuss risks

2. Conduct research

3. Never add methanol to a burning flame

4. Inspect equipment

5. Use a safety contract

6. Provide frequent reminders

7. Build student confidence

I was recently reading the December 9, 2021 NSTA Blog, hosted by the National Science Teaching Association. This blog was entitled, "A Call to Action for Science Education," written by Dr. Heidi Schweingruber, Director for Board on Science Education at National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

Recognizing the urgency of elevating the importance of science education, the Carnegie Corporation of New York commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to develop a report, "A Call to Action for Science Education." NASEM convened a committee of 10 experts to develop the report and solicited input from hundreds of educators across the country. The committee's vision for K-16 science education, grounded in decades of research on effective teaching and learning, is that every student is able to experience the joy and wonder of science, learn how science can be used to solve local and global problems, see the pathways they can take into science-related careers, and feel welcomed and valued in science classrooms.

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of "The Science Teacher" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the section, "Career of the Month" which featured an article on Radiochemistry. It was written by Luba Vangelova.

Radiochemists study radiation from an atomic and molecular perspective and find ways to harness the power of radioactive chemical reactions. The radiochemist featured is Catherine Riddle, senior research scientist, at the Idaho National Laboratory.