March 23, 2018
by Priscilla Robinson
If you teach STEM, you’ll want to learn about the OneCar system.
The performance components in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have spawned many wonderful chances to explore STEM in the classroom. The STEM curriculum is based on the idea that an interdisciplinary, applied approach is the best way to teach students these four specific disciplines. When your students are searching for solutions to real-world problems, they are more engaged, and their learning is more authentic.
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College level, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, Physics, science fair, STEM | Tagged: air pressure, awesome science experiment, Educational Innovations, energy, fun experiments, hands-on science, homeschool, Newton's First Law, Newton's Second Law, Newton's Third Law, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, Physics, rockets, science, science fair project, STEM, variables | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
March 2, 2018
by Alex Scheeline
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, on the national mall in Washington, D.C., has an especially fascinating exhibit on Thomas Edison. The exhibit highlights the development of electricity and lighting, and, more generally, invention. In late 2017, I visited an area that featured a set of lamps—including a low-pressure sodium vapor lamp, a mercury lamp, an incandescent lamp, and a compact fluorescent lamp.
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1 Comment | College level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, Physics, science fair, STEM | Tagged: color, diffraction, DIY, experiments, hands-on science, light, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, physics demonstration apparatus, science, science fair project, spectra, spectrascope, STEM, ultraviolet | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
November 17, 2017
by Priscilla Robinson
What can a teacher do when the season’s cold, wet, or snowy weather makes curious and rambunctious children go stir crazy? This was exactly the predicament I found myself in with my five-year-old grandson last year. After sledding and playing in the snow, Henry and I looked for something else to do. I reached deep into my Nana brain and unlocked my inner teacher. “What’s your teachable moment today, Nana?” I murmured.
All weekend long, we had been experiencing the crackle and pop of static electricity as a result of the house’s warm, dry air. Henry himself had been zapped a half dozen times. Petting the family dog, he marveled as her hair stood on end. He was curious: what was this invisible power?
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Leave a Comment » | College level, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, static electricity | Tagged: DIY, Educational Innovations, electricity, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, magnetism, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, science, static electricity, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
September 29, 2017
by Ted Beyer
Fidget spinners are the latest fad to sweep, seemingly, the world. Love them or hate them, they are everywhere—on playgrounds, in backyards, living rooms, and even schools, although many schools have banned them as being distractions. But wait just a minute here! For once, let’s see if we can’t use a fad to teach something. You see, there is actually a fair bit of science lurking in those spinney things.
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Leave a Comment » | College level, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, magnetism, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: discrepant event, DIY, Educational Innovations, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, Newton's First Law, Newton's Second Law, Newton's Third Law, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, Physics, physics demonstration apparatus, science, science fair project, STEM, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
September 15, 2017
by Tami G. O’Connor
As elementary school teachers, we aim to help our students become scientifically literate (among many other things). But let’s face it: too often we have limited time for science instruction during the school day. Still, we know that kids just love science! They’re always eager to learn more about the world around them, especially when they’re having fun while they’re learning.
But what can we do when our science teaching time is so limited in school? How do you get students involved in scientific discovery outside the classroom? Sure, you can give them homework, but many kids find simply reading about science unappealing. You want your students to LOVE learning more about science… not dread it.
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1 Comment | Elementary level, energy, experiments, life science, magnetism, Physics, STEM | Tagged: discrepant event, DIY, Educational Innovations, elementary science, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, science, science fair project, STEM | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
