# data[].attributes.body
Are you working this summer? Current surveys show that most teachers take time to work during their summer break to supplement their income. If that's you, I totally understand - but make sure you take some time to recharge too! ❤️

# data[].attributes.headline
Lesson Learned: Always ask for the teacher discount!

# data[].attributes.subject
Lesson Learned: Always ask for the teacher discount!

# data[].attributes.body
This weekend, my family went to the North Carolina Zoo and had an amazing time! When we arrived, we asked about a teacher discount on admission and they said one was not available. Later in the day, we realized that we could upgrade our admission to a membership for only a bit more, so we decided to go for it. When they asked if we were eligible for any membership discounts like military, etc., my husband (also a teacher) said no (thinking that if they did not have an admission discount then they would not have a membership discount for teachers). I thought to speak up and say, well we are teachers - and lo and behold we got an extra $10 off our membership for the year! So the Lesson I learned is to shout that you are a teacher from the rooftops. You never know when it will pay off. :)

Does anyone have any local zoos or aquariums that offer teacher discounts for the good of the group? I linked the NC zoo above for any of you in the southern VA area. It's not too far from us!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Plan your day trip to the NC Zoo

Learn more about American Bison

Celebrate Nature-at the Zoo and Virtually!

At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. Being the world's largest natural habitat zoo means the animals here have plenty of room to roam. Our dedicated team of experts provide exceptional, compassionate care to the more than 1,700 animals that call our Park home.

We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature's diversity is critical for our collective future. Be sure to check out our wide variety of virtual programs so you can stay connected and learn about nature. By planning a fun day trip to the zoo, you get to support our efforts of protecting endangered species and habitats. Our park welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature's diversity.
Get Driving Directions Parking Information Zoo Map About the Area Virtual Visit Nat Geo WILD's Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, NC | North Carolina Zoo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Plan your day trip to the NC Zoo Learn more about American Bison At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. Being the world's largest natural habitat zoo means the animals here have plenty of room to roam. Our dedicated team of experts provide exceptional, compassionate care to the more than 1,700 animals that call our Park home.

# data[].attributes.body
According to this Science News article, scientists have found a way to monitor biodiversity *and* air quality all at once! We do love efficiency and progress! :D

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Erin I. Garcia de Jesus is a staff writer at Science News. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Washington and a master's in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Air pollution monitoring may accidentally help scientists track biodiversity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Erin I. Garcia de Jesus is a staff writer at Science News. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Washington and a master's in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

# data[].attributes.body
Whenever it warms up, I can't wait to head to the ocean! And one of my favorite things to do there is to visit the aquarium - I get a lot of great teaching ideas from visiting science museums, zoos, and aquariums while traveling. Plus they are just fun! Check out this list of the five best aquariums on the East Coast, and let me know your favorite way to stay tapped into Science in the Summer!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Kid Trips Family Travel: Virginia, DC and Beyond

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
what to do with kids in northern virginia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Best Aquariums for Families on the East Coast

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Go under the sea and visit with aquatic creatures at these top U.S. Aquariums on the East Coast.

# data[].attributes.body
If you've got some time to fill after the SOL, check out these fun labs for all high school science subjects!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
70 Best Science Experiments for High School Labs and Science Fairs

# data[].attributes.body
This website has some tips on the proper ways to dispose of chemicals in your classroom laboratories.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Halogenated hydrocarbons (chlorofluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, etc.)

Nitro compounds (nitroethane, nitrobenzene, etc.)

Mercaptans, also known as thiols (methyl mercaptan/methanethiol, etc.)

Flammables immiscible in water (hexane, toluene, etc.)

Explosives (azides, fulminates, etc.)

Water-soluble polymers (sodium polyacrylate, guar gum, casein, etc.)

Water-reactive materials (lithium, sodium, and other alkali metals)

Chemicals with a foul odor

Toxic chemicals (carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens; indicated on SDS)

Substances with a boiling point lower than 50 oC

Insoluble solids, including hair, ash, sand, metal, or glass

Oil or grease

Mixture that includes any of the above substances: Lab Waste Drain Disposal, Montana State University (accessed February 1, 2016).

Many of these substances will require hazmat pickup. However, for those that can go down the sink, remember to use the laboratory sinks ONLY, and never a storm drain that goes directly to a water source without treatment. When flushing chemicals, be sure ALL of one chemical is gone from the sink before a second chemical is flushed. Run an excess of water after disposing the chemical, even up to 100 times the original volume of which you disposed. On any given day, only dispose of a few hundred grams or milliliters, and check with your maintenance staff before disposing larger amounts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Periodical | Managing Chemical Wastes in the High School Lab | AACT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Halogenated hydrocarbons (chlorofluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, etc.) Nitro compounds (nitroethane, nitrobenzene, etc.) Mercaptans, also known as thiols (methyl mercaptan/methanethiol, etc.) Flammables immiscible in water (hexane, toluene, etc.) Explosives (azides, fulminates, etc.) Water-soluble polymers (sodium polyacrylate, guar gum, casein, etc.)

# data[].attributes.body
Virtual labs are fun, but sometimes they are too "cute", not realistic enough, or not customizable. Enter PIVOT Interactives from Discovery Education. These virtual labs are special for several reasons...

1) They are completely customizable by the teacher.
2) Each student gets different data to prevent cheating
3) Student supports are built in (as is auto-grading), but the supports and the grading can be scaled up or down.

and MOST IMPORTANTLY

4) They are filmed in a REAL lab with REAL tools and allow the students to overlay the tools on top of the real footage to practice REAL measuring skills.

I was impressed with the library of options they had including labs that are complex or too dangerous to do in person. (Anyone want to let the kids play around with elemental lithium so they can take temperature measurements and compare the reactivity of various alkali metals? I didn't think so, but you can do this safely with PIVOT!)

Whether you use this to clarify a real lab done in class or to supplement a dangerous exploratory activity - Check it out! And if you want a free trial - let me know! I can hook you up. :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Engage Students

Go from teaching science through lectures, slides & drills alone to inviting students to actively participate in the process of science.
‍
As a teacher, nothing is more draining than unengaged students. Pivot Interactives allows students to explore scientific phenomena first-hand so you can ignite their passion for science and your love for teaching.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The only platform for authentic, interactive video-based science activities, so you can transform your classroom and teach with active learning through real scientific phenomena and the science practices.

# data[].attributes.headline
The BEST models for teaching chemistry! 

# data[].attributes.subject
The BEST models for teaching chemistry! 

# data[].attributes.body
I know they seem expensive, but HEAR ME OUT! Playing with these models made me gasp out loud at the NSTA conference. My husband actually won a set of their hydrogen bond demonstrating water molecules, and they are a game changer in his science classroom. The beautifully crafted 3D Water Molecules gently stick together to simulate Hydrogen bonds while the included NaCl ionic bond uses strong magnets and the included alcohol connects with actual connectors to represent covalent bonds. And all of the models can demonstrate how these molecules would interact (such as the dissolving of NaCl in H2O.) I found these models so clever, and I knew they would really help students visualize and understand the differences between hydrogen, covalent, and ionic bonds. Check this company out!

P.S. They have a week long camp you can attend with your CHOICE funds and then you get 12 different modeling kits to take back to your classroom from the camp! Not just the water ones!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to content

Kits & Models

Inspire wonder as your students explore models that promote questions, conversation, and collaboration. Our scientifically accurate and engaging models align with science standards and expectations from middle school to college classes.

Kits & Models

Conferences

Throughout the year, we offer interactive modeling sessions through regional and national conferences. Each conference lets us connect with a community of educators that always inspires us. Click here to learn more about our sessions at upcoming conferences.

Popular Classroom Resources

Professional Learning

We love that teachers are lifelong learners! We offer a variety of opportunities to connect with complex content and engaging pedagogy all year long.

Digital Learning

Our digital program is being developed. Learn more about a field testing opportunity.

How Can We Help You?

Help Center

For answers to questions about ordering, shipping, product details, and more, please explore our help center.

Learn More

Join Our Newsletter

Be the first to hear about our latest news, products, and resources conveniently delivered to your inbox!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
3D Molecular Designs - Transforming Science Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to content Inspire wonder as your students explore models that promote questions, conversation, and collaboration. Our scientifically accurate and engaging models align with science standards and expectations from middle school to college classes. Kits & Models Throughout the year, we offer interactive modeling sessions through regional and national conferences.

# data[].attributes.headline
ChatGPT - Cheating Enemy or Teacher's Best Friend?

# data[].attributes.subject
ChatGPT - Cheating Enemy or Teacher's Best Friend?

# data[].attributes.body
Decide for yourself with this article about a math and science teacher who says ChatGPT has made her lesson planning easier!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shannon Ahern, a high school math and science teacher, was afraid that ChatGPT would take her job.

But her mind changed after she started using the AI for class prep, which saved her hours of time.

Here's how Ahern is using ChatGPT to make her job easier, as told to Insider's Aaron Mok.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shannon Ahern, a 27-year-old high school math and science teacher based in Dublin, Ireland, who uses ChatGPT to help her teach. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
When I first learned about OpenAI's ChatGPT last December, I was frightened.

As a high school math and science teacher, I had a bit of an existential crisis about my job. I pride myself in creating unique resources that play to the interests of my students, so when I saw that ChatGPT can do things like generate a math lesson in seconds, I thought: What am I here for? What's my purpose? What's unique about me now that anyone with access to AI tools can create a lesson in 30 seconds?

I was intimidated to try it out, but I knew that ChatGPT would only become more popular, and I didn't want to be left behind. After using the chatbot to help with lesson planning and resource creation, I realized that I have nothing to worry about.

When I first used ChatGPT, I treated it as a joke; I asked it to write poems about the Pythagorean theorem and a song about math in the style of Taylor Swift. My students said they enjoyed them, which gave me the push I needed to keep testing it.

Since then, I've asked ChatGPT to write lesson plans, generate exercise worksheets, and come up with quiz questions. I even got it to generate a "fill in the blank" worksheet by feeding my lecture notes to the bot and telling it to remove keywords, a task that would've taken me ages to do manually. It also developed an interactive game.

As a result, my productivity has gone through the roof.

ChatGPT has saved me hours on manual tasks like lab generation and has significantly cut down my paperwork. Before using the AI, I stayed up late preparing class materials and would show up to class the next day feeling sluggish and tired. Now, I go to work feeling refreshed.

ChatGPT isn't perfect, but it can save hours of time if used correctly

Still, I have noticed that ChatGPT sometimes calculates things wrong. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I would point out the error through an additional prompt, and the bot would correct it.

I also worried that my students would use it to cheat and plagiarize. But then I remembered that students have always been cheating - whether that's copying a classmate's homework or getting a sibling to write an essay - and I don't think ChatGPT will change that.

While these concerns have led to school-wide bans of the tool around the world, I hope that ChatGPT doesn't get banned by my school. ChatGPT is a fantastic learning tool that students can use as a private tutor. We are in the generation of AI, and students need to learn how to use it responsibly.

Still, I understand why some teachers are hesitant about using ChatGPT. Learning how to use a new piece of technology - especially for teachers who didn't grow up with computers in the classroom - can be tough. But I do believe they will find the tool helpful.

After all, AI is going to take a lot of the things we don't like such as admin work off our plates and free up time for creative lesson planning. We can even ask ChatGPT for advice in the same way we would ask a talented colleague if we needed help on, say, building an Excel spreadsheet. Like Google and Microsoft Excel, ChatGPT will eventually become a part of our instructional toolbox.

Most importantly, I don't think ChatGPT will ever replace teachers or make our jobs harder. There will always be a need for us and the human connection that comes with in-person instruction.

I am always discovering new, creative ways to use ChatGPT and will absolutely keep on using it in the long run.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I'm a high school math and science teacher who uses ChatGPT, and it's made my job much easier

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shannon Ahern, a high school math and science teacher, was afraid that ChatGPT would take her job. But her mind changed after she started using the AI for class prep, which saved her hours of time. Here's how Ahern is using ChatGPT to make her job easier, as told to Insider's Aaron Mok.

# data[].attributes.headline
Interested in Science Teacher Opportunities with the VDOE?

# data[].attributes.subject
Interested in Science Teacher Opportunities with the VDOE?

# data[].attributes.body
The best way to find out about opportunities for Science Teachers to work or learn with the VDOE Science Specialists is to register for their Science Update email. Click this link to get on the mailing list! I've gotten so many cool opportunities just by keeping an eye on these emails!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0qAHc220VMsXIItDpkuntGcZJOIkqton_F-FfTsXlL_hszQ/viewform

# data[].attributes.body
Hi Everyone - Check out this website for FREE Virtual Activities and Labs to use in your classrooms. The Activities are SUPER CUTE and FUN! She even has ready to go escape rooms using PhET simulations. I met with the creator today, and I'm hoping to have her as a guest during a content session this spring. She has worked so hard on this website and is a start-up non-profit. Give it a try, and let her know if you have any questions or feedback!

# data[].attributes.body
Is anyone else planning to attend the upcoming National Science Teachers Association Conference in Atlanta? I will be there, and I'm so excited! It's usually not this close to Virginia. If you will be there too, comment and let me know! Maybe we can get a group together to attend a session or grab a coffee!

# data[].attributes.body
The VDOE Science Team will hold virtual webinars on the third Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm. This is an opportunity for VA Science Educators to hear directly from the team, and all attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. Click this link to register for any or all of the upcoming webinars.

# data[].attributes.headline
The VDOE is looking for STEM Content Writers!

# data[].attributes.subject
The VDOE is looking for STEM Content Writers!

# data[].attributes.body
The VDOE is seeking STEM lesson writers to create lessons for elementary grades. The application process is two-step and begins with an online application. If selected for phase two of the process, you will be asked to submit a skeletal lesson on a VDOE template for a team review. Writers selected will be paid $100 per approved lesson. Please apply online by February 1, 2023. Contact  anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov or brendon.albon@doe.virginia.gov for more information

# data[].attributes.body
How cute is this?!

https://www.acs.org/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/valentines-activities.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Valentines Day Chemistry - American Chemical Society

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
American Chemical Society: Chemistry for Life.

# data[].attributes.body
Bookmark this website to easily access the coolest and most recent science discoveries. This could make for a fun school activity!

https://phys.org/weekly-news/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your Privacy

This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Daily science news on research developments, technological breakthroughs and the latest scientific innovations

# data[].attributes.body
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir- I just finished it. It is a must read for any Science Teacher, and it's super fun. Very entertaining, inspiring, and it has a lot of great application visuals you could reference in class. Check it out!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this "propulsive" (Entertainment Weekly) new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

"An epic story of redemption, discovery and cool speculative sci-fi."-USA Today

"If you loved The Martian, you'll go crazy for Weir's latest."-The Washington Post
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission-and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery-and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian -while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction / science fiction / action & adventure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction / science fiction / hard science fiction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction/science fiction - action & adventure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction/science fiction - hard science fiction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
sci-fi; fathers day gifts; science fiction novels; summer reads; hard science fiction books; mysteries and thrillers; nasa gifts; space gifts; engineering; humor; space travel; suspense thriller books; suspense novels; suspense books; suspense; science; survival; space; sci-fi books; mystery; sci fi; sci fi books; technology; thriller books; thrillers; science fiction books; science fiction; thriller; andy weir books; andy weir; adventure books; adventure; action books; action; amnesia; astronaut; hard science fiction; outer space

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction / science fiction / action & adventure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction / science fiction / hard science fiction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction/science fiction - action & adventure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fiction/science fiction - hard science fiction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Project Hail Mary: A Novel [Weir, Andy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Project Hail Mary: A Novel

# data[].attributes.headline
Would you like a VT Physics Student to visit your classroom?

# data[].attributes.subject
Would you like a VT Physics Student to visit your classroom?

# data[].attributes.body
Rachelle Rasco shared this cool opportunity as well! If you live near Virginia Tech, this is a program you can use to request a physics student come and present to your class. Sounds like a fun opportunity to me!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Want us to present at your school or public event?

To have the VT Physics Outreach team come to your school or organization, contact Henry Hilgendorf ( HHilgendorf@vt.edu). More information can be found on the Outreach Trip Schedule and Planner page.

To learn more about us and how a visit works and sort of demos we present, go to Projects and Demos.

Enriched Outreach

If you want us to help cover a specific topic in more detail, the you can have the Enriched Outreach team create a lesson plan around most physics topics.

For more information visit the Enriched Outreach page

Astronomy Outreach

Dr. John Simonetti does outreach for all things astronomy related. If you want to learn about astronomy or telescopes there is a wealth of information on the Astronomy Outreach pages.

This Site is being rebuilt. Please Contact Henry Hilgendorf at HHilgendorf@vt.edu if you cannot get something to work.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Outreach program of the Virginia Tech Physics Department helps fulfill the mission of the university's extension service. Graduate or undergraduate students who have an enthusiasm for helping students learn about the fundamental aspects of physics go out on trips to surrounding elementary, middle and high schools or host students in Robeson Hall to conduct activities and demonstrations.

# data[].attributes.headline
A parasite that instills leadership traits?!

# data[].attributes.subject
A parasite that instills leadership traits?!

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you to Rachelle Rasco for sharing this super cool article about a parasite that infects the brains of wolves... but makes them more likely to become the alpha!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Toxoplasma gondii is sometimes called the "mind control" parasite: It can infect the brains of animals and mess with their behavior in ways that may kill the host but help ensure the parasite's spread. But now, researchers have found that infected wolves may actually benefit from those mind-altering tricks. A Toxoplasma infection, they found, makes wolves bolder and more likely to become pack leaders or disperse into other habitats, giving them more opportunity to reproduce.

"We've really underestimated some of the consequences this parasite has," says Eben Gering, a biologist at Nova Southeastern University who was not involved in the work. "The findings probably represent the tip of the iceberg concerning the parasite's significance to the dynamics of wild ecosystems."

T. gondii, a single-celled parasite, only reproduces in domesticated cats and other felids. Infected cats excrete spore-packed oocysts in their feces, which can survive on plants or in soil or water. They can also persist in undercooked meat of livestock or game. When a host-humans included-consumes an oocyst, the spores are released and spread into the brain and muscles, forming new cysts. Worldwide, about one in four people is infected. Usually, the immune system keeps the parasite in check, but it can cause spontaneous abortion and other serious problems during pregnancy.

It's long been known that rodents infected with Toxoplasma lose their fear of predators. Cysts in the brain somehow increase dopamine and testosterone, boosting boldness and risk-taking and increasing the chance the host will be eaten by cats. "These parasites are using some generic mind control or personality control that helps them fulfill their lifecycle," says Jaap de Roode, a biologist at Emory University who was not involved in the new study. "And that has all sorts of interesting consequences that we may not even have thought of before."

The consequences aren't limited to rodents. In 2016, researchers in Gabon found that Toxoplasma-infected captive chimpanzees lost their aversion to leopard urine. And last year, another team described how Toxoplasma-infected hyena cubs in Kenya venture closer to lions, making them more likely to be killed.

When researchers learned a few years ago that some wolves in Yellowstone National Park were infected with Toxoplasma, Connor Meyer, a Ph.D. student at the University of Montana, teamed up with park biologist Kira Cassidy to see if the parasite alters wolf behavior, as well.

Meyer and Cassidy pored over 26 years of research on the park's gray wolves, including Toxoplasma test results from blood samples collected in various park regions. They also examined data on cougars, in which Toxoplasma can reproduce. Wolves that ranged into areas with lots of cougars were more likely to be infected with Toxoplasma, they found. It's likely, the authors say, that these wolves picked up their infections from the cougars, possibly by poking around or eating the big cats' scat.

By combining infection data and past field observations, they also discovered that infected wolves were much more likely to become pack leaders, the team reports today in Communications Biology. Infected wolves were also more likely to leave their pack at a younger age and seek out new territory or other packs, just as infected rodents become more eager to explore. "There might be a few cases where wolves or even their pack becomes really successful because they're pushing these boundaries and being more risk-embracing," Cassidy says.

The study is one of very few that examine Toxoplasma in the wild. "We know that infection can change animal behavior, but it's very hard to document that in wildlife populations," says Meggan Craft, a wildlife disease ecologist at the University of Minnesota. "What's cool about this study is that it leverages a fabulous long-term study to be able to tease apart these subtle impacts of infection and behavior."

As with rodents, boldness in wolves comes with risks, too. Wolves roaming widely might be more likely to get hit by a car or leave the park boundaries and be shot by hunters. "Dispersal is one of the most dangerous things a wolf can do," Meyer says. It's also possible that an infected pack leader might transmit the parasite when mating, as can happen in dogs, potentially jeopardizing a pregnancy. On balance, Cassidy suspects the infection's risks probably outweigh the benefits in the long term. "Wolves live on a knife edge of survival to begin with," Cassidy says.

Because wolves are one of the park's keystone species, this parasite "can really have very important impacts on ecosystems," de Roode says. "They can control food webs; they can control the energy flow within ecosystems."

Infected pack leaders could even influence uninfected wolves, the researchers speculate in their paper. Members of the pack may imitate their leader's boldness or curiosity about cougar smells, leading to more wolves becoming infected. "This is a brilliant idea, and I find it highly likely," Gering says.

Ultimately, the wolves appear to be a dead-end host to Toxoplasma, however, as they are unlikely to pass the parasite back to cougars. Yet Meyer wonders whether the parasite's effect on wolves means the animals did play a part in the cycle of infection at some point in the distant past. During the last ice age, he notes, large lions roamed North America that may have preyed upon these infected-and emboldened-beasts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A parasite makes wolves more likely to become pack leaders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Toxoplasma gondii is sometimes called the "mind control" parasite: It can infect the brains of animals and mess with their behavior in ways that may kill the host but help ensure the parasite's spread. But now, researchers have found that infected wolves may actually benefit from those mind-altering tricks.

# data[].attributes.body
This website contains Open Educational Resources that are FREE for any teacher who would like to use them. You can even share your own (assuming they are licensed under Creative Commons.) My favorite part? Ready made lesson plans aligned to Virginia Science Standards are available from the VDOE. Just search "VDOE Science" under groups. They have individual lessons and unit plans for K-Physics. Find the "Science Instructional Plans" folder to see what is available.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
#GoOpenVA Short Overview and Welcome

Come into the Users Hub for helpful information, how-to videos, and tips. You will find information organized by the different things you can do on our site, such as how to search and how to adapt (customize) resources for your own students' needs.

Welcome to the Users Hub!

Open Author helps you build and publish Open Educational Resources for you and for the benefit of educators and learners everywhere.

Division Resource Centers. Connect with your own Hub!

See Our Hubs

Get More Help

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
OER Commons is a dynamic digital library and network. Explore open education resources and join our network of educators dedicated to curriculum improvement.

# data[].attributes.headline
Check out the Nov/Dec 2022 Edition of the NSTA Journal!

# data[].attributes.subject
Check out the Nov/Dec 2022 Edition of the NSTA Journal!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Menu

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 VOLUME 90 * NUMBER 2 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT PEDAGOGY USING TEACHER TALK MOVES TO HELP STUDENTS TALK LIKE SCIENTISTS TEACHING ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL JUSTICE WILDFIRE! Visit w ww.nsta.org to find more resources for science educators

Issue List

Next
Library

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Science Teacher November/December 2022

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many proponents of direct instruction believe it cuts down on classroom management issues. Sure, maybe it breeds fear and intimidation among the students, but then their love of learning science plummets. Building relationships with students is what works.

# data[].attributes.headline
Article: three ways to build student resilience in Science

# data[].attributes.subject
Article: three ways to build student resilience in Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or marine biologist, but my life's trajectory changed during middle school when a teacher told me I didn't have a place in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and that I would never be successful in those fields.

I don't know exactly why she thought I wasn't "cut out" for science; she never told me. And I, as a young teen, unfortunately, never questioned her. But had I known what I do today, I would have understood I was being deprived of the future I longed for. Unfortunately, at the impressionable age of 13, I fell into the trap of believing there were limits to what I could do. So, instead, I threw myself into sports and other subjects-such as English, the arts, marketing, and communications-where I felt more confident.

Childhood through adolescence is a critical period for students' confidence-building and identity formation. It's also a time when the adults around them can-often accidentally-send young people the message that they aren't good enough because of their gender, race, identity, orientation, or family background. These moments that can instill doubt have the potential to damage students' self-worth for a lifetime.

As adults, it can be difficult for us to see beyond our own negative perceptions about ourselves, but it's critical we encourage students' identity discovery through participation in activities that can build their confidence and self-esteem.

Now, nearly 40 years after that teacher made me believe STEM wasn't for me, it's disheartening to see that the same barriers I faced in my youth are ones that students are confronting today. No young person deserves to be made to feel like they are less than, "not smart enough," or "not right" for STEM or other educational pursuits.

STEM can be a pathway to prepare students to take on tomorrow's challenges. Relevant STEM extracurriculars can not only bolster subject-matter competency, but they also give students teamwork-derived skills, such as how to prevent and navigate conflict; encourage balanced participation and inclusion; develop social competencies; build social bridges; and challenge assumptions and stereotypes.

However, a recent survey by the global marketing and communication firm Allison + Partners commissioned by FIRST, the global nonprofit youth education community I lead, found 29 percent of kids don't feel smart enough to join a STEM-related program, despite 54 percent stating they did or would want to join a STEM or robotics extracurricular to learn a new skill. It's clear that many more students could thrive in STEM if they just had a push to get started.

Recently, FIRST launched a new campaign designed to promote self-esteem through STEM. This campaign was informed by the work of several leading experts of student development-work which can help offer that push students need to find a more resilient mindset through STEM.

Robert Brooks-a clinical psychologist, part-time Harvard Medical School faculty member, and leading expert on resilience, motivation, and school climate-explains that a resilient mindset includes problem-solving, self-discipline, competence, the ability to view mistakes and setbacks as learning experiences, and a sense of purpose and meaning.

A basic foundation for resilience is the presence of encouraging and supportive adults; they may be in a child's life for many years or just briefly, but those who convey unconditional acceptance and prioritize focusing on reinforcing students' strengths-or as Brooks calls them, "islands of competence"-instead of their deficits can have a lifelong impact. In addition, providing youth with opportunities to use STEM skills to enrich the lives of others helps nurture empathy, compassion, and resilience.

Teacher, researcher, and consultant Diana Lockwood-Bordaña also provided insight through her focus on helping organizations create pathways for students to succeed in STEM. She advises parents and teachers to better engage students during middle and high school to help them emerge with greater resilience and clearer visions for their futures. Her recommendations include:

Offering enrichment activities that connect to real-world issues. Encourage students and their parents to consider STEM after-school clubs, summer camps, or weekend activities to experience hands-on learning. Kids learn best through immersion. Teachers can bring in the real world by creating connections to "hot topics" in the news such as global warming, solar power, ocean pollution, and earthquake-safe buildings. When kids understand what STEM looks like practically, they have a better idea of what it would take to pursue a career in the field.

Teach students about role models-in STEM or otherwise. Bring in guest speakers or mentors from the community, especially speakers who are female and from racial backgrounds underrepresented in STEM. This can help students grow up with an understanding of the possibilities that a STEM education can offer them both now and later in their lives. Showing kids examples of what STEM success looks like breaks down barriers. It helps them imagine a workforce without stereotypes of what a scientist or engineer is supposed to look like. Guest speakers, videos, and books are all ways to share stories about people in STEM who are making a difference and create a greater understanding of what success looks like in the field.

Evaluate students from an asset-based mindset rather than a deficit-based one. Instead of saying, "This child is a bad math student and needs more practice," consider how you can provide experiences that develop their strengths: "This child struggles with division, but they really understand multiplication, so, I can use multiplication to teach them division." An asset-based mindset teaches kids and educators to recognize their strengths and use them to understand new, hard concepts as they are introduced.

Temporary loss of confidence is a normal part of growing up, but learning how to dust off and get back up again is critical. Teachers, parents, and other educators should unite to give students opportunities to fail safely and cultivate a resilient mindset through STEM. We all have a role to play in helping the next generation understand that they should not be defined by how others see them, that they have the potential to succeed, and that they can be more than what they are today in many ways.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Students Can Thrive in STEM-But They Need the Right Push (Opinion)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or marine biologist, but my life's trajectory changed during middle school when a teacher told me I didn't have a place in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and that I would never be successful in those fields.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Remove Save to favorites Save to favorites

Print

Climate change is constantly in the news and cemented into our political discourse. Unseasonal temperatures are now part of our obligatory pleasantries about the weather. Despite that, many American adults are confused about what, exactly, is causing climate change and misconceptions abound.

The same is true for U.S. teens, according to a new survey by the EdWeek Research Center.

Take our short quiz below to test your own knowledge of climate change (and see how you stack up against today's high school students).

Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for Education Week.

Madeline Will is a reporter for Education Week who covers the teaching profession.

Hyon-Young Kim is senior digital news specialist for Education Week.

Coverage of how climate change is affecting students' learning and well-being is supported in part by a grant from the Education Writers' Association Reporting Fellowship program, at www.ewa.org/fellowship. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.

The Climate Crisis and Schools

Most Popular Stories

Related

Resources

Sign Up for EdWeek Update

Get the latest education news delivered to your inbox daily.

Read Next

Sign Up & Sign In

Create a free account to save your favorite articles, follow important topics, sign up for email newsletters, and more.

Create Account

Events

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Do You Know as Much as Students Do About Climate Change? Quiz Yourself

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Remove Save to favorites Save to favorites Print Climate change is constantly in the news and cemented into our political discourse. Unseasonal temperatures are now part of our obligatory pleasantries about the weather. Despite that, many American adults are confused about what, exactly, is causing climate change and misconceptions abound.