Nsta Guide To School Science Facilities

Provides guidance and tools for planning a school science facility, discussing general room design, budget, furnishings, and other related topics and discussing safety, accessibility, and legal guidelines.

The National Science Teachers Association, in response to the emergence of new science curricula and the need for updated science facilities in the nation's public schools, convened a task force to develop guidelines for K-12 science facility design and use. This guide, a result of NSTA Task Force on Science Facilities and Equipment, includes information about planning facilities design; budget priorities; space considerations; general room and laboratory design; and furnishings for the laboratory/classroom specifically targeting K-5, middle, and high schools. It is designed to familiarize educators, administrators, and citizens with the stages of the planning process for new and renovated science facilities and provides specific, detailed information on many aspects of the planning and design phases. Additionally, chapters address current trends and future directions in science education and safety, accessibility, and legal guidelines. Appendices include discussions on solar energy for school facilities, equipment needs planning, checklists, a glossary of construction terms, and classroom dimensional considerations. (GR)

Safer science is a daily requirement for every teacher in every science classroom and laboratory. Get up-to-date information from The NSTA Ready-Reference Guide to Safer Science, Volume 2. This second volume is a collection of more than 40 of the latest quick-read Scope on Safety columns from Science Scope, NSTAOCOs middle school journal (plus some adaptable Safer Science columns from The Science Teacher, NSTAOCOs high school journal). As easy to read as it is practical, the book is chock-full of safety information, anecdotes, and advisories you can use every day."

Are you interested in using argument-driven inquiry for middle school lab instruction but just aren’t sure how to do it? Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physical Science will provide you with both the information and instructional materials you need to start using this method right away. The book is a one-stop source of expertise, advice, and investigations to help physical science students work the way scientists do. The book is divided into two basic parts: 1. An introduction to the stages of argument-driven inquiry—from question identification, data analysis, and argument development and evaluation to double-blind peer review and report revision. 2. A well-organized series of 22 field-tested labs designed to be much more authentic for instruction than traditional laboratory activities. The labs cover four core ideas in physical science: matter, motion and forces, energy, and waves. Students dig into important content and learn scientific practices as they figure out everything from how thermal energy works to what could make an action figure jump higher. The authors are veteran teachers who know your time constraints, so they designed the book with easy-to-use reproducible student pages, teacher notes, and checkout questions. The labs also support today’s standards and will help your students learn the core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and scientific practices found in the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition, the authors offer ways for students to develop the disciplinary skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards. Many of today’s middle school teachers—like you—want to find new ways to engage students in scientific practices and help students learn more from lab activities. Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physical Science does all of this while also giving students the chance to practice reading, writing, speaking, and using math in the context of science.

This must-have tool for applying the Standards in real classrooms has been fully revised for 21st century high schools. This best-selling practical guide demonstrates how you can bring to life the vision of the Standards for teaching, professional development, assessment, content, programs, and school systems. Throughout the book you'll learn ways to form productive partnerships for reform, inside and outside your building, with other education stakeholders.

Packed with specific teaching suggestions--great for both seasoned educators and novice teachers. All three books show you how to convert administrators, school boards, and other decision-makers into strong allies for science education reform.