Articles tagged with Science Teaching
BioBits kits use freeze-dried cell-free reactions to enable simple, hands-on biological experiments without specialized lab equipment. The kits introduce molecular and synthetic biology concepts, inspiring students to consider STEM careers.
A new article in Journal of Research Science Teaching addresses ways to enact Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in diverse educational systems, particularly those with resource constraints. The Carbon TIME project is presented as a design-based implementation research approach that supports enactment of NGSS.
A new study found that eighth-grade science teachers without an educational background in science are less likely to practice inquiry-oriented science instruction, a pedagogical approach developed by the National Research Council. This research suggests that U.S. middle-grades students may lag behind global peers in scientific literacy...
A new Portland State University study suggests that universities should invest in training graduate students in 21st century teaching methods, which do not compromise research careers. The study found that Ph.D. students trained in evidence-based teaching methods can be competitive researchers, if not better than those who are not.
An online PD program for K-12 teachers increased their confidence and knowledge in areas such as STEM career education and teaching about biomedical career options. Participants also reflected on their teaching practices and participated in online communities of practice.
Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center flipped their content delivery strategy to prerecorded videos and interactive sessions. Student performance has improved without decline, and most students appreciate the flexibility.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a system called VirtualHome that can simulate detailed household tasks and train artificial agents to execute them. The system uses natural language descriptions of activities, such as making coffee or setting the table, to instruct robots on how to complete tasks.
The Big Bell Test project, which involved over 100,000 participants worldwide, confirmed the predictions of quantum physics by overcoming Bell's limit. This achievement demonstrated the power of global networks in cutting-edge scientific research and paved the way for secure communications that are impossible to intercept.
The study found that the student-centered design resulted in high course grades and demonstrable mastery of content. The course uses Smart Sparrow's learning platform to access learner analytics, enabling instructors to make rapid design improvements.
Researchers found that teachers who integrated more STEM concepts in their classrooms were more critical of their instruction and sought ways to improve their practice. Student engagement played a key role in the success of engineering design projects, which provided context for students to understand complex concepts.
A three-year study introduced interactive online science units to 13 middle schools in two US states, resulting in significant gains for underachieving students. Students with learning disabilities improved 18 percentage points on assessments, while English language learners increased 15 percentage points.
The Learning Sciences Research Institute at UIC is studying how teachers learn and acquire knowledge to promote critical inquiry and deep reading in science, mathematics, and literature classrooms. The project aims to inform ideas about teaching practices that support student problem-solving and inquiry-based learning.
A new medical school elective at Boston University School of Medicine combines standard education with direct patient care experience to increase confidence and improve care outcomes for transgender patients. Students reported significant increases in comfort and knowledge after participating in the elective.
UK schoolchildren's evolution acceptance is linked to their scientific aptitude, not psychological conflicts with belief systems. The study found that lower-aptitude students struggled to understand science concepts and responded poorly to teaching on both evolution and genetics.
Despite being younger with fewer complications, African surgery patients face a higher risk of death compared to the global average. The study calls for improved monitoring of patients during and after surgery to improve outcomes.
A Michigan State University researcher has received three grants totaling $2.7 million to study how reforms to institutional policies, practices, and teaching can be leveraged to help undergraduates succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The project aims to explore how universities improve STEM education when the...
A study by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that multicultural awareness is crucial for promoting positive outcomes in the classroom. Multicultural awareness varies significantly among future teachers based on their race or ethnicity and prior experience working with students of color. The resear...
Research suggests that high-quality preschool teaching practices, particularly those focused on intentional teaching and scaffolding, have the largest effect on young children's academic and social skills. Effective curricula, teacher-child ratio, and professional development also play a significant role in shaping outcomes.
The Navajo Nation will receive a six-year, $8.5 million grant to improve asthma care, with two proven programs being implemented in Tuba City, Chinle, and Fort Defiance. The projects aim to reduce health disparities and lower asthma exacerbations.
A joint Russia-US effort studied teacher-to-student knowledge transfer in lower secondary mathematics, finding significant differences in subject-related knowledge between Russian and US teachers. The research emphasizes the crucial role of teachers' knowledge in students' academic attainment.
A new grant will support the development of training, tools, and a cloud-based virtual environment to teach data science at large scales. The project aims to provide computational resources for education, targeting diverse students nationwide.
Research reveals eight mental models used by teachers to construct STEM-based lesson plans, highlighting the need for better understanding of STEM education's value and online classroom design. Implementing teacher leadership techniques in digital classrooms also improves communication patterns.
A Michigan State University study found that preschool teachers lack knowledge and confidence in teaching science, contributing to the US poor global performance in this subject. Only high-skilled teachers created quality scientific opportunities for students.
Researchers at Wake Forest University are testing the effectiveness of SAWHET, an automated lab report feedback system, to improve scientific writing in STEM students. The study aims to enhance explanation of research to the public and receive a $280k NSF grant.
A University of Kansas study found that students who participated in a social media program learned scientific argumentation better than their peers. The program, which used Twitter and Skype, improved students' ability to share scientific claims, discuss phenomena, and demonstrate knowledge.
The discovery of Plimpton 322 reveals the ancient Babylonians' use of a novel kind of trigonometry based on ratios, not angles and circles, to calculate shapes of right-angle triangles. The tablet predates Hipparchus' trigonometric table by over 1000 years, offering new possibilities for modern mathematics research and education.
The University of California, Davis, will develop online teaching and learning resources for K-12 history-social science curriculum, fostering better understanding of California's history and improving student literacy. The program, Teaching California, aims to provide accessible and engaging resources for teachers and students.
A recent study found that 40% of new secondary science teachers teach mostly or entirely out of field, with 64% having at least one out-of-field course in their first five years. This can lead to constrained teaching and rote memorization rather than in-depth learning
A six-week study found that pre-school children who took part in a combination of movement and language activities showed significant improvements in their motor skills and vocabulary, outperforming other groups. The researchers believe physical activity can enhance academic performance by increasing oxygen circulation in the brain.
A new study found that many US secondary school science teachers possess several climate change misconceptions, similar to the general public. The survey of 220 teachers in Florida and Puerto Rico revealed notable errors regarding greenhouse gas emissions and scientific experiments.
A large controlled trial found that teaching genetics first significantly improved students' test scores on evolution, especially for foundation classes. The study suggests that priming students with genetics information before teaching evolution can lead to better understanding of this complex concept.
A new study by Boston College researchers found that an after-school hydroponic gardening program increased positive attitudes towards science, reduced anxiety, and boosted self-confidence among elementary-age students. The program showed promise in engaging youths from underrepresented groups in the sciences.
Ramon Lopez, a leading expert in physics education, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to enhancing understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching. He was elected as one of eight Fellows by the American Association of Physics Teachers in 2017.
A study by researchers at the University of Kent found that psychological pressure from teachers can contribute to disengagement among teenage pupils. The pressure includes threats of punishment or controlling language without explanation, leading to active or passive disengagement behaviors in class.
Mini Das, assistant professor of physics at UH, aims to develop fast, low-radiation, high-resolution X-ray microscopy to study tissues and materials without slicing or killing samples. Her project will test new detecting methods, algorithms, and instrumentation.
A $4.6-million grant will investigate how students and teachers implement principles from the science of learning in educational settings. The project aims to provide students with tools to learn effectively on their own, regardless of career path.
Ryan Scott, BS '16, has won the AAPT-ALPhA Award for his work on a new quantum mechanics experiment. The experiment demonstrates superposition and entanglement, fundamental effects in quantum computing research.
A PSU researcher is using a $877,836 NSF grant to investigate how race, poverty, and disabilities affect students' success in STEM fields. The goal is to identify school and teacher factors that facilitate student success and offer policy recommendations to improve classroom outcomes.
Researchers at SF State University have developed a new tool called DART that analyzes classroom noise to measure the extent of active learning. The study found that DART can accurately classify audio recordings into three categories: single voice, multiple voice, or no voice, with over 90% accuracy.
Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine is partnering with New York schools to monitor invasive aquatic species in state waters. The program utilizes genetic tests and citizen scientist teams to detect early signs of invasion, educating students about the importance of environmental management and bio-informatics.
A UT Dallas team created a modified version of Minecraft, Polycraft World, to teach chemistry to college students. The game allowed players to learn about chemical elements and compounds while building and processing natural resources.
Carol M. Anelli will deliver the Founders' Memorial Lecture at Entomology 2017, recognizing Anna Botsford Comstock's contributions to entomology and education. Dr. Anelli is a renowned researcher and educator with multiple awards for her teaching.
A new study from Oregon State University found that a school-based intervention promoting warm and caring interactions between teachers and preschoolers can reduce the child's stress levels. The intervention, which includes one-on-one play time, showed promising results in reducing cortisol levels, an indicator of stress.
Veterans with Iraq-Afghanistan war-related epilepsy had substantially higher mortality rates than those without the condition. After controlling for comorbid conditions, IAVs with epilepsy were about 2.6 times more likely to die during a 5-year span.
Michigan State University researchers received a four-year, $2.2 million grant to develop kindergarten curriculum units that integrate science with literacy standards. The pilot project found that kindergartners who participated in the program outperformed their peers on tasks requiring evidence-based claims and science vocabulary usage.
Researchers identified six core emotional storylines: rags to riches, richness to rags, man in a hole, icarus, Cinderella, and Oedipus. These findings may help create compelling stories and teach common sense to AI systems.
Dr. Rama Ranganathan receives a Transformative Research Award from the National Institutes of Health's Common Fund to visualize protein mechanics and understand their mechanism of action in healthy and disease states.
According to a report by the IEA's TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center at Boston College, more than one-third of countries have strengthened teacher admission criteria. Digital devices are also being integrated into mathematics and science lessons, with most countries reporting guidelines for technology integration.
Researchers found that discovery metaphors shape people's perceptions of good ideas and creators' abilities. The 'light bulb metaphor implies sudden inspiration', while the 'seed metaphor suggests nurtured effort'. This bias affects how people perceive female inventors, with seed metaphors increasing perceptions of genius.
The LudusScope, a 3D printed smartphone microscope, enables kids to play games and make serious observations with miniature light-seeking microbes called Euglena. The device allows students to build their own instrument and collect data on Euglena behavior, swimming speed, and natural biological variability.
A new study from PETA finds that 63% of US public schools allow students to opt out of animal dissection. Non-animal teaching methods have been shown to teach biology better and save time and money. The study's findings support the growing trend towards compassionate education, backed by the National Science Teachers Association.
Researchers developed a checklist to measure respect and dignity in ICUs, identifying differences between ICU types with distinct patient populations. The study found significant correlations between clinician behavior and patient outcomes, highlighting the importance of respectful care.
States could absorb pension burdens and reserve resources for current teacher salary increases, while reforming plans to prevent large debts from reemerging. Research found nearly 11% of teacher earnings goes towards pension debt, affecting services and increasing costs.
A North Carolina State University study found that teachers' beliefs about climate change affect students' perceptions, with 92% of students mirroring their teacher's belief in global warming. However, students diverge from their teachers when it comes to understanding the human causes of climate change.
Ramon Lopez, a professor of physics at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized for his significant contributions to science education. He is being honored for his efforts to improve science literacy among K-12 students, as well as his work in teacher preparation and mentorship.
A new study from Oregon State University found that STEM faculty at large research universities are creating their own evaluation systems, using data to improve instruction. Faculty in these fields are gathering and responding to data, often using their own systems, to advance their teaching beyond required evaluations.
Researchers found that chimpanzees choose to cooperate five times more frequently than compete, using various strategies to overcome competition. The study suggests shared roots of human cooperation with other primates and provides insight into human evolution.
The Syracuse University-Cal State Fullerton partnership aims to recruit and expand the number of underrepresented students in gravitational-wave astronomy. The five-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will provide multiple three-year fellowships for CSUF students to transfer into Syracuse's Ph.D. program in physics.
CityLab will partner with Fordham University and local squash organizations to provide engaging STEM experiences for students from diverse backgrounds. The program aims to develop a national model for informal precollege biomedical science education, inspiring careers in STEM fields.
Aurora Pribram-Jones, a researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, has been awarded the Howes Scholar prize. She was recognized for her outstanding scientific achievements and leadership in advancing solid-state hydrogen storage through interdisciplinary research.