The discovery of and research into penicillin resistance by Sir Edward Abraham and Sir Ernst Chain can be used to teach the concept of natural selection and also multiple nature of science (NOS) objectives associated with Next Generation Science Standards, such as "scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence" and "science is…

Art and science help students investigate light energy and practice fair testing. With the goal of finding a way to save "Beady Kid" from invisible rays, students used science practices to investigate the transfer of light energy from the Sun. During this art-integrated science lesson presented in this article, upper elementary (grades…

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has a partnership with Questar Assessment Inc. (Questar) for the online delivery of the 2023 Elementary-Level (Grade 5) and Intermediate-Level (Grade 8) Science Computer-Based Field Tests. Teachers from across the State work with NYSED in a variety of activities to ensure the validity and reliability…

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has a partnership with Questar Assessment Inc. (Questar) for the online delivery of the 2022 Elementary-Level (Grade 5) and Intermediate-Level (Grade 8) Science Computer-Based Field Tests. Teachers from across the State work with NYSED in a variety of activities to ensure the validity and reliability…

Presenting both traditional and innovative assessment methods integral to science teaching and learning, this book shows teachers the connection between effective science assessment and improved student learning. The text uses a competence-based approach consistent with the National Science Education Standards to help teachers master assessment…

Mutational inactivation of a specific gene is the most powerful technique to analyze the biological function of the gene. This approach has been used for a long time in viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fruit fly, but looked quite hopeless in more complex organisms. Targeted inactivation of specific genes (also known as knock-out mutation) in mice is…

Presents a collection of suggestions, ideas, and reminiscences relating the first-day classroom activities of 13 different teachers at high schools and colleges. (YP)

This document was developed to provide eighth-grade teachers in New York City with a sequence of instructional activities in science. The major portion of the guide is divided into four instructional units. The first unit, "Chemistry," includes lessons and activities on liquid solutions, suspensions and emulsions, acids, bases,…

The purpose of this set of materials is to provide the adult education teacher with the necessary information to assist their students in acquiring the content necessary for a basic understanding of science. The course consists of 25 lessons on basic biological and physical science concepts. The complete set of materials contains a student…

Presents a study where astronomy teachers (n=66) try to predict student (n=330) outcomes on astronomy and related topics pre- and posttest. Suggested findings include a course in astronomy did not result in an overall knowledge gain, teachers fared well at predicting prior student knowledge, and teachers vastly overestimated student gain in…

This report presents results from a new quantitative synthesis of research on the effectiveness and validity of test accommodations for English language learners (ELLs) taking large-scale assessments. In 2006, the Center on Instruction published a review of the literature on test accommodations for ELLs titled "Practical Guidelines for the…

Presents a mechanics problem illustrating that Newton's second law and the linear conservation of momentum principle must be used in an inertial reference frame. Provides an analysis of the problem. (YP)

Describes a performance assessment protocol that rates six goals: (1) methodology of research, (2) use of equipment, (3) accuracy in measurement, (4) application of concepts and formulas, (5) use of mathematics, and (6) completeness and clarity. Provides an example performance task evaluation sheet. (MVL)

This unit contains 14 lessons on the properties of liquids for fifth graders. It describes materials, supplementary materials, use of process skill terminology, unit objectives, vocabulary, and background information for teachers. Lessons are: (1) "Heaping and Drops/Cohesion"; (2) "Beading of Liquid Columns/Cohesion"; (3)…

An elementary organic review exercise is described which can be given to a secondary school student who has completed an elementary unit on the chemistry of carbon. This is recommended as an exercise, not a test, but can be utilized for evaluative purposes. The format includes both multiple-choice and essay questions. (DS)