Books, Books, Books: Research in the Science Classroom
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The following titles relate to this month’s theme: Research in the Science Classroom
Hands-On Herpetology: Exploring Ecology and Conservation
NSTA Press
Grades 1–12
Plentiful, diverse, and readily available, these animals—known in science as “herps”—are also perfect for teaching students about biology, ecology, and conservation, including problems affecting both amphibians and reptiles.
This highly readable resource melds rigorous science content with science research. Its five sections cover the animals’ biology and handling procedures (including safety tips), provide background information for teachers, offer 21 indoor/outdoor activities, and broach critical conservation issues. Hands-On Herpetology is ideal for middle and high school teachers, volunteer leaders in 4-H and other clubs, and nature center staff who want to mix serious issues with amazing science.
Decay and Renewal (Teacher Edition—Includes the full Student Edition)
NSTA Press
Grades 9–12
Are you looking for a new way to teach about respiration, nutrient cycling, energy flow, producers, consumers, and decomposers? Decay and Renewal provides techniques for students to learn the basics while investigating the science behind biodegradation—in nature and in human-engineered systems for wastewater treatment, waste disposal, and bioremediation of oil spills and other contaminated sites.
The Teacher Edition explains how to guide student research and engineering design projects. Classroom-ready materials include detailed background information, sample assessment tasks, rubrics, and guidelines for integrating peer review into classroom science. The Teacher Edition contains the complete text of the Student Edition.
The Student Edition includes:
- an overview of basic principles of biodegradation and how they apply in composting, landfills, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation systems;
- protocols that provide instructions for conducting experiments on biological, chemical, and physical aspects of biodegradation;
- forms to guide students through each step of research, providing structure but flexibility in designing and conducting meaningful experiments; and
- step-by-step guidelines for an engineering design challenge related to treatment of simulated wastewater.
Decay and Renewal is the third volume in the four-part Cornell Scientific Inquiry Series, designed to guide students in creating and conducting experiments, presenting their results, and exchanging feedback with their peers.
Visit NSTA Recommends to search for Research in the Science Classroom–related resources such as this . . .
How to Make Your Science Project Scientific, Revised Edition
NSTA Recommends
Grades 5–12
When bad science happens to good projects, students waste precious learning time and fail to grasp important concepts. This easy-to-read resource—useful for teachers and students—supports higher standards in student research by covering the basics of scientific methods and practices. The book explains steps in the experimental method, controlled experiments, case studies, making naturalistic observations, measurement, record keeping, and evaluating results. More advanced topics—including blind and double-blind studies, statistics, probability, and causality—are described in age-appropriate language. Aided by examples of good and bad experiments and projects, readers will see that doing science right does not require expensive equipment or a PhD, but it does mean meeting rigorous standards.