As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities, California is confronting historic drought and wildfires. In these deeply challenging times, a public health crisis and the risks of unchecked climate change underscore the critical importance…

Did you attend high school when chemistry instruction focused on isolated facts and procedures without any real-world context? This traditional form of instruction left students without the tools to think conceptually like a chemist. However, in…

As those lyrics from Gwen Stefani of “No Doubt” rolled around in my mind, I realized that 2020 didn’t call back. It was a year of #unprecedented firsts in many of our lives. It was the year of #COVID19, the most popular tweet. The #Pandemic where we…

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about unexpected changes in education and for science classrooms in particular. However, I have been surprised to learn that one classroom practice seems to retain its effectiveness, and in many ways, has elevated…

Getting middle school students to participate in the annual science fair has always been challenging. And the fact that it’s a virtual science fair meant that we knew we had to do something new to support our students. Our plan: a Science Fair Family…

Here in the Eastern Sierra, we have abundant outdoor science education opportunities and, in a normal year, we offer a rich array of field programs for our students. Our outdoor programs start in Kindergarten or 1st grade with a garden box where…

Outdoor environmental literacy and distance learning on laptops seem diametrically opposed. K-12 teachers throughout California have always relied on community education partners for getting students into nature and interacting with flora and fauna…

Almost everyone in education is building distance learning activities these days. Elementary and secondary teachers, college professors, and professional developers are all trying to figure out how to create enjoyable and effective learning…

In light of COVID-19, with new concerns and requirements for student and teacher safety, schools are being challenged to consider alternatives to traditional classrooms and science labs.