Science and engineering practices (SEPs) and crosscutting concepts (CCs) constitute a significant part of "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" (NRC 2012). As teachers, the role of the authors is to highlight the pivotal role that both scientific knowledge and the practices used to generate knowledge play in learning. This article…

The "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") have placed an emphasis on the incorporation of engineering practices into K-12 science instruction. This article details a sequence of physical science lessons that would be part of teaching matter in the second-grade classroom. The goals of these lessons are: (1) to be hands-on…

Why Does It Take Longer to Boil Potatoes at High Altitudes? This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month's issue looks at why water boils at different temperatures at different altitudes.

Matter is an essential science topic that is often challenging to teach at the early elementary levels. Learning about matter helps students develop a solid foundation for more complex concepts that are taught in later years. Make this abstract concept developmentally appropriate for children by engaging them in investigations that focus on…

Children learn about properties of materials as they walk through a fabric store, help in the kitchen, or dig in the garden. Directed explorations in the classroom build on these early experiences. In the inquiry-based activity described here, students prepare to learn about wet and dry ingredients (liquids and solids) and how they mix together by…

Helping young children avoid developing deeply held misconceptions and promoting developmentally appropriate Nature of Science (NOS) ideas will establish a foundation for students from which they will later develop more accurate and sophisticated NOS understanding. This article delineates important NOS ideas and practical K-4 classroom teaching…

Presents a diversity of concrete experiences that can be used with eggs for young elementary age students. Includes procedures and material list for several activities that are hands-on and interdisciplinary in nature. (ML)

Provides examples of science experiments and demonstrations that are centered on the theme of eggs. Activity explanations include: (1) the floating egg; (2) egg-in-the-bottle; (3) walking on eggs; and (4) egg balancing. (ML)

Describes four activities for the elementary science classroom to help students develop their powers of description, explanation, and prediction. Topics of the activities are spool "gears," crystal comparisons, yeast magic, and clay cargo carriers. (DS)

Describes a paper chromatography experiment designed for fifth and sixth grade students. Utilizes common materials that need no special ordering. Background information, conclusion questions, and sample chart are included. (MA)

Using winter snow, kindergarten students can explore the properties of water. Students demonstrate melting, freezing, expansion, and evaporation through a number of activities involving a paper cup and a scoop of snow. Procedures and student reactions are described in detail by the teacher-author. (MA)

Contains a series of laboratory exercises students can do to introduce them to the basic concepts and techniques of water purification. (Author/MA)

Reviews the space classroom that would have been conducted by Christa McAuliffe during the space shuttle flight. Includes lab activities, word puzzles, vocabulary lists, and graph reading exercises for elementary science students. (ML)

Offers suggestions for activities that demonstrate the principles of osmosis. Explains how decalcified chicken eggs can be used to give students practice with measurement, experimental procedures, and science principles. (ML)

A laboratory study is detailed utilizing the skills of hypothesizing, designing experiments, and controlling variables. (EB)