Video game teaches kids how to code
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new version of CodeSpells, a video game that teaches children to code in Java. After playing the game, kids aged 8-12 can write code by hand in Java.
Science Teaching
Articles tagged with Science Teaching
Media event: GM awards Carnegie's BioEYES environmental education grant
BioEYES K-12 program delivers two-week environmental curriculum using live zebrafish to teach students about local watersheds and pollution. The award supports the delivery of 'Your Watershed, Your Backyard' curriculum to 90 middle school students from Baltimore City Public Schools.
SAGE and announces winners of the Society for Teaching of Psychology TIPD Award
Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour and Kasey Powers have been awarded the TIPD Award for their innovative teaching approaches. The award aims to promote excellence in teaching and learning, supporting early-career faculty and graduate students.
Local education politics 'far from dead'
A new study by Michigan State University finds that Teach for America alumni candidates prioritize both local and national issues in their school board campaigns. The research suggests that supporting TFA alumni to run for local offices is an effective way to advance the organization's agenda.
Creating sustainable STEM teacher preparation programs
A new study by PhysTEC has identified two crucial factors for sustaining university and college programs designed to increase the number of highly qualified physics teachers. Faculty members who champion physics teacher education, combined with institutional motivation and commitment, can ensure program viability.
AAU launches STEM education initiative website, announces STEM network conference
The Association of American Universities (AAU) has launched the AAU STEM Initiative Hub, a website providing resources for universities to showcase innovative efforts improving undergraduate STEM teaching. The hub will also profile efforts by eight AAU STEM Project Sites and provide a platform for sharing strategies and challenges.
Arizona State faculty member named Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor
Ariel Anbar, a leading geoscientist, has been selected as an HHMI Professor at ASU, focusing on developing online virtual field trips to teach Earth's evolution. The grant will support his research and educational activities, aiming to re-invigorate instruction in historical geology.
The whole truth
Researchers found that children can tell when adults are telling the truth but not the whole truth, and compensate by exploring more on their own. This skill is crucial for learning from others, as much knowledge comes from other people. Children's ability to evaluate information helps them adjust their trust in teachers.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards University of Miami $1.5 million
The University of Miami received a five-year grant of $1.5 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to enhance its course-based research experiences, focusing on early engagement in biology and chemistry labs. This initiative aims to increase student persistence in STEM courses and develop a more diverse scientific workforce.
UTHealth's Anil Kulkarni awarded Fulbright Scholarship
Anil Kulkarni, UTHealth professor, awarded Fulbright Fellowship to teach immunonutrition in India. He aims to establish a center promoting immunonutrition education globally.
Perceptions of student ability, testing pressures hinder some science teachers
A survey of science teachers found that while they support the new approach, they struggle to believe all students can explore science using argumentation. In low-income schools, pressure to meet testing requirements limits its use.
Science-themed music videos boost scientific literacy, study shows
Researchers at the University of Washington found that science-themed music videos significantly improved students' quiz scores on complex comprehension questions. Participants showed an average increase of one correct answer after watching the visually-rich music videos, which also boosted memorization and factoid-type questions.
Computers teach each other Pac-Man
A team of researchers from Washington State University developed a novel approach to teaching computers new skills, mimicking the interaction between a human teacher and student. The method involves giving action advice to help students learn complex games like Pac-Man and StarCraft.
SAGE announces winners of the 2014 Junior Faculty Professional Development Teaching Award
The SAGE Junior Faculty Professional Development Teaching Award recognizes new teaching professionals in criminal justice and criminology disciplines. The award provides a travel stipend to attend the ACJS Annual Meeting, where winners will engage with top educators, researchers, practitioners, and students.
Even or odd: No easy feat for the mind
A study by Gary Lupyan reveals that humans make mistakes in even the simplest rule-based calculations, favoring contextual information over clear rules. People consistently mistake numbers like 798 for odd and prefer 400 as a better even number.
$2.8 million project to train more science teachers for high-need schools
Michigan State University's SETS-UP fellowship provides secondary science teaching certification and a master's degree to prepare educators for middle- and high-school science teaching careers in high-need classrooms. The five-year program aims to increase teaching retention rates in these critical schools.
A sudden interest in math -- how teachers can motivate their pupils
Researchers create professional development program to foster classroom dialogue, leading to increased student interest and motivation. The program involves video recordings of seminars and class time analysis, promoting a relaxed control environment and individual attention.
Improve learning by taming instructional complexity
Carnegie Mellon and Temple researchers found that improving learning depends on multiple factors, leading to an vast number of instructional options. The study offers five recommendations to maximize the potential of educational research behind practice and student learning.
IUPUI study: Finding Occam's razor in an era of information overload
A new study led by Steve Pressé reveals a preferred strategy for picking mathematical models with the greatest predictive power, emphasizing simplicity and avoiding unnecessary complexity. The study's findings support Occam's razor principle, suggesting that simpler theories are more likely to be correct.
SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 20, 2013
IUPUI physicist collaborates in new study of the cell's 'shredder'
Researchers have discovered a novel protease complex in bacteria that operates as a molecular motor, with a constant revolutions per minute (RPM) and varying gears to shred proteins. This 'cellular shredder' plays a crucial role in DNA damage repair, gene expression, and protein quality control.
SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalCell·DateOct 25, 2013
Starting from scratch: RIT program teaches first-year students how to learn
RIT's Project IMPRESS aims to teach students self-reflection and self-assessment skills to improve success rates. The program uses a three-pronged approach, including a summer experience and learning assistant role.
UTSA awarded $1.4M to help community college students pursue math and science teaching degrees
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a $1.4 million grant to assist community college students seeking to pursue teaching degrees in mathematics and science. The funding will help support the UTSA GE2MS program, which prepares students to become highly qualified science and mathematics teachers in the San Antonio area.
American Geosciences Institute Center for Geoscience Education and Public Understanding
The American Geosciences Institute has launched a national center focused on geoscience education, providing an extensive collection of resources, research, and career information. The Center's website offers over 2,000 annotated resource entries, including curricula, classroom activities, and virtual field trips.
UTHealth's John Munz wins orthopaedic teaching award
John Munz, assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at UTHealth Medical School, has been awarded the Howard Rosen Table Instructor Award. His exceptional teaching skills and devotion to patient care have earned him recognition within the medical community.
New approach urged for 'abysmal' K-12 writing instruction
A Michigan State University scholar argues that U.S. classrooms lack effective writing instruction, with only about a quarter of students meeting proficient levels. Research calls for a fresh approach to teacher professional development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and sustained support in the classroom.
Arthur Geoffrion of UCLA Anderson School named INFORMS President's Award winner
INFORMS President's Award recognizes Arthur Geoffrion's impact in optimization theory, mentoring and teaching OR/MS professionals. He is a former president of INFORMS and TIMS, and has authored over 60 scholarly papers.
Recent study reduces Casimir force to lowest recorded level
Researchers at IUPUI have achieved a drastically reduced measurement of the Casimir effect, a fundamental quantum phenomenon experienced between two neutral bodies in a vacuum. The study uses nanostructured metallic plates to suppress the force to a much lower rate than ever recorded previously.
SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2013
NC State lands $7.3 million 'citizen science' grant to boost research in schools
The NC State program aims to develop teaching tools for global use, recruiting 10,000 teachers from around the world to participate. Initial projects include urban wildlife, soil microbial life, and paleontology, with modules incorporated into middle school science classes in North Carolina schools.
NSF grant will fund study of innovative teacher professional development program at MU
The University of Missouri will conduct a four-year study on the innovative QuEST program, which includes controlled teaching experiences for teachers. The program aims to improve science education and could be replicated elsewhere to benefit more teachers and students.
$20,000 Arizona Community Foundation grant helps fund TGen education
The Translational Genomics Research Institute received a $20,000 grant from the Arizona Community Foundation to support its TGen2School program, promoting scientific literacy and preparing a better-prepared bioscience workforce. The initiative includes professional development for teachers and provision of science kits.
The doctor will email you now
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that patients and health organizations favor electronic communications, but physicians face barriers such as lack of compensation and increased workload. The study identified successful examples of medical groups using electronic communication to improve access to care and communication with pati...
$20,000 APS Foundation grant helps fund TGen2School education initiative
The APS Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to support its TGen2School initiative. The grant will provide science kits and instructional materials for teachers, helping to improve overall scientific literacy and prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
Educators explore innovative 'theater' as a way to help students learn physics
A new study explores how 'Energy Theater' helps learners understand complex physics ideas, including energy flow and conservation. The activity allows students to personify energy and visualize its changes in a dynamic system.
Course with Web-based, plus hands-on experimentation winsScienceMagazine prize
A new course module, ECO mission, has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction for its effective teaching of biology. The course uses a combination of web-based learning environments and hands-on experimentation to improve students' understanding of real research.
IUPUI neuroscience research collaboration examines neural synchronization patterns during addiction
The IUPUI research collaboration used advanced mathematical models and laboratory testing to examine the effects of simulated drug addiction on neural circuits. The study found that recurrent stimulant injections caused neurons to lose their ability to engage supervisory control over brain function and behavior.
SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJun 4, 2013
Understanding student weaknesses
A Harvard University study found that 95% of people believe the Earth's seasons are caused by its distance from the sun. However, scientists know it's due to the axis tilt and resulting sunlight duration. The study showed that better teachers who predicted students' wrong answers helped them learn more.
No 'silver bullet' for science standards
A Michigan State University education scholar argues that US K-12 teachers are not fully prepared to meet the Next Generation Science Standards due to inadequate professional training. The voluntary guidelines call for more hands-on learning and analysis, but many teachers lack the knowledge base to implement them effectively.
15 minutes of fame? Study finds true fame isn't fleeting
A new study by McGill University and Stony Brook University researchers found that true fame is not fleeting. The study analyzed names mentioned in English-language newspapers over several decades and found that most famous individuals remain celebrated for decades, regardless of their field.
Hope for Galapagos wildlife threatened by marine invaders
UK scientists are investigating the threat of marine invasive non-native species in the Galapagos Islands, which is being exacerbated by increasing tourism. The team aims to identify new species, assess their potential impact on native ecosystems, and develop control measures to protect marine biodiversity.
Education resource focuses on teaching population genetics using current research
A new teaching resource, Primer in the March 2013 journal GENETICS, pairs undergraduate teaching concepts with current research on speciation and sequencing in crickets. The Primer provides a concise overview of necessary genetics concepts and guidance for instructors to use primary literature in the classroom.
Growing talent -- schools to provide vital knowledge for food security
Students aged 15-17 from Norfolk will participate in a project to study resistance to Take-all, a major wheat disease. They will collect data on plant lines collected from across Europe and the Near East, which will be used to develop new wheat varieties with greater resistance.
Space Foundation selects NASA Goddard Einstein educator fellow as new teacher liaison
Paulo Oemig, a NASA Goddard educator fellow, has been chosen as the new teacher liaison for space education. He will use Space Foundation-provided training and resources to integrate space principles into the classroom.
Sciencemagazine prize goes to Mars research project
A Mars research project led by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Middle-school students from a small rural town in northern California used a camera orbiting Mars to conduct their own experiment and discover a new cave on the flanks of a Martian volcano.
ASU Mars education program wins science-teaching award from Science magazine
The Arizona State University Mars Education Program won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction for its Mars Student Imaging Project, which lets middle-school students use a NASA spacecraft to take images of Mars and conduct real science research. Over 35,000 students have participated in the project since its launch in 2002.
University of Houston chemist devises effective methods for creating useful compounds
Daugulis develops new reaction methodology to transform C-H bonds into new compounds with higher yields and fewer steps. His work has advanced synthetic organic methodology and may lead to applications in drug preparation and polymer industry.
Scientists construct first map of how the brain organizes everything we see
Researchers at UC Berkeley have created an interactive map of the brain's visual organization, revealing that thousands of objects and activities are grouped into semantic neighborhoods. The study may help diagnose brain disorders and improve image recognition systems.
MSU uses grant to help students master scientific mumbo jumbo
Michigan State University's Foundations of Science course aims to improve critical thinking skills and empower students to make informed decisions. The course, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers a unique blend of media and exercises to help students decode scientific concepts and analyze pseudoscience.
Feeding the world fairly
A multidisciplinary group of scholars at Johns Hopkins University aims to develop guidelines for fair access to good food, addressing disparities in global nutrition. The project seeks moral common ground among experts and stakeholders from various fields.
7 University of Tennessee faculty named AAAS Fellows
Seven University of Tennessee professors have been named AAAS fellows, recognized for their contributions to discovery and education. The new fellows include experts in physics, nuclear security, polymer chemistry, microbiology, anthropology, and information sciences.
Dry leaves make for juicy science
A team of middle school students, led by a University of Arizona graduate student, conducted the first systematic study on leaf shrinkage when drying out. They found that leaves shrink about 20% on average, but variables such as species and structural investment determine the amount of shrinkage.
Like a game of poker, school programs' success can hinge on principals going 'all in'
A new study published by the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia found that school principals' level of enthusiasm and support plays a critical role in teachers' ability to successfully implement school programs. Without principal support, teachers view administrators as a hindrance to program success, while enthusi...
Sloan Foundation grant to help improve higher education teaching and learning
The Bay View Alliance will examine leadership practices on partner campuses to identify effective ways to adopt evidence-based teaching methods, with a focus on STEM fields. The project aims to evaluate the impact of interventions such as course redesign and resource support.
Medical schools fall short on teaching students about obesity
A systematic review of medical education found that only a few studies addressed the need for obesity-related training, highlighting gaps in medical school curricula. The study's authors recommend incorporating evidence-based methods and addressing bias to improve patient care.
Partnership enhances biology teaching at California community colleges
A partnership between San Francisco State University and Bay Area community college biology instructors aims to refine their teaching through scientific research, collecting evidence from students to improve instruction. The goal is to increase student engagement in science and successful transitions to four-year colleges.
Maryland - Delaware partnership brings teachers and scientists together on climate change
The Maryland-Delaware Climate Change Education, Assessment, and Research (MADE CLEAR) partnership aims to deliver effective climate change education as a national model. The initiative connects scientists, educators, and policymakers to promote critical thinking and scientific objectivity in the classroom.
Study finds a new pathway for invasive species – science teachers
A survey of nearly 2,000 US and Canadian science teachers found that one out of four released live animals into the wild, posing a significant risk to invasive species. The study highlights the need for educators and biological supply house owners to be aware of the potential consequences of releasing non-native species.
UK medical school teaching on physical activity virtually 'non-existent'
A survey of UK medical schools found that physical activity education is sparse or non-existent in their curricula. The authors highlight the importance of promoting physical activity to manage modern non-communicable chronic diseases, citing clinical guidelines that emphasize exercise as a method of treatment.
Researchers win $3 million grant to probe surprising science learning gap
A five-year study aims to understand why some urban schools excel in science education, considering the entire educational environment and stakeholder interactions. The project will provide recommendations for school leadership and organization practices to inform educators around the country.
Online technology spurs education reform, expansion of Arizona State's 'global classroom' to Europe
The ASU-Leuphana program aims to redefine traditional teaching approaches by utilizing virtual conferencing, intensive writing assignments, and peer-to-peer mentoring. Students from Europe, South America, China, and the US will work together on group projects, developing solutions to sustainability challenges.
Leading health care quality expert is 2012 AcademyHealth Distinguished Investigator
Dr. Elizabeth McGlynn, a renowned expert in health services research and quality evaluation, has been recognized with the 2012 AcademyHealth Distinguished Investigator Award. Her landmark studies have significantly improved our understanding of US healthcare quality.