Science Education Journals

Biology

The American Biology Teacher, published by the National Association of Biology Teachers

Our library at ESU is currently recieving issues of this journal monthly. This journal was divided into many sections. Some of the sections included Investigations, Controversies, Letters, Book Reviews, etc... I paged through several journals and found it interesting that almost every journal had a letter or article devoted to the teaching of evolution. The journal had many advertisements for equipment, books, courses, etc... Some of the articles gave the teachers ideas for labs, such as, Simulating Evoultion. Also, there were articles on Individualizing instruction in the laboratory and Piaget's theory and the biology teacher, each of which would aid the teacher in developing effective lesson plans. [reviewed by Marilena Carranza, Fall 2005]

This is a colorful and eye pleasing journal that is not too dense and fun to read, it also has short feature columns and book reviews. The first thing that struck me was a “bonus” poster (sponsored by HHMI) titled, “Fossil Evidence and Evolution”, from what I could see, it was a geologic time line with lots of graphics that might be good to post on my classroom wall. In addition to editorial, articles, and department sections, there are two sections devoted to hands-on teaching titled,“Inquiries and Investigations” and “How-To-Do-It”. As an inexperienced neophyte, I found these to be very useful, as they are nearly fully scripted lessons with explanations of pedagogical underpinnings. Finally they had a tear-off sheet titled “ABT Needs Assessment Form” which was a request for feedback on how they are doing. I found this to be a mark of maturity and integrity for any publication and especially for an educational one. [reviewed by Chris Briggs, Fall 2005]

Journal of Biological Education

This science education journal is offered on a seasonal schedule, with several issues available. It provides information applicable to all levels of life science/biology education from the elementary grades through secondary education as well as higher education. The journal offers articles and features covering a wide range of topics within the biological sciences.

Some of the items addressed in the most recent issues of the journal were reviews of various books (reference and text), recommended websites for biology education and activities, and ideas for developing better subject specific learning and teaching techniques. There were articles about suggested labs and/or improved laboratory procedures. One article even discussed the use of an interactive card game to teach protein synthesis to students. Current events, research, and trends in the biological sciences were also addressed in several issues. Possible careers in biology were highlighted by articles focusing on these occupations/fields.

I found an interesting article in the Vol 38, Issue 1 (Winter 2004) about evolution. My unit is on evolution so this article caught my eye. The title was, "Effective assessment: probing students' understanding of natural selection." The article discussed the fact that while evolution is an integral theme of biology, many students do not adequately understand the concept of natural selection and cannot effectively explain/apply it. The article commented that often this deficiency is a result of poor teaching/questioning/assessing. What I found very useful was how the article went on to provide examples of good and bad assessments. [reviewed by Megan Morgan, Fall 2005]

Cell Biology Education (CBE)

This is a quarterly journal offered by the American Society for Cell Biology and is accessible both in print and electronically (free!!). At first, I was dissuaded to explore the journal, as I assumed it would be devoted solely to the teaching of cell biology. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the journal is devoted almost equally to teaching cell biology and science instruction in general. Case in point, the most recent journal has articles entitled, “Students investigating Antiproliferative Effects of Synthesized Drugs on Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells” as well as, “WWW…: Evolution Websites.”

The journal is not restricted to articles alone. There are discussion forums, where readers are encouraged to communicate their thoughts on the articles in CBE. My personal favorite is the Electronic Resources area, offering Flash and Chime animations of cell activities, and numerous links to other Cell Biology and Education websites. Also, there is a search engine that allows teachers to instantly find needed information. Finally, the journal contains announcements of Cell Biology and Education Conventions and meetings; professional development is an integral part of our continual growth as educators. [reviewed by Amanda Popielski, Fall 2005]

Chemistry

Journal of Chemical Education, published by the American Chemical Society

I have been receiving the Journal of Chemical Education for the past year and am currently at the decision to renew or not. I like the journal because it provides current pedagogy with regard to high school chemistry, but the journal is also geared toward college and much of each journal is devoted to the college level. I seem to have only picked up a few good ideas over the last year and it is a pretty expensive journal. There is rumor of a new journal geared specifically for high school teachers, but that hasn’t appeared yet. I don’t think the journal is worth my money as it is currently focused. Most of the equipment advertised and written about is way too expensive for a high school classroom. I would like to see the journal split into two separate ones. Most of the content couldn’t even be applied to an AP Chemistry course. [reviewed by Jeffrey Wisnoski, Fall 2005]

I reviewed the Journal of Chem. Ed. because I think it is a great resource. My husband and I subscribe to this particular journal. The journal is broken down into five parts; Chemistry for Everyone, In the Classroom, In the Laboratory, Research: Science and Education, and Information regarding Textbooks, additional resources, and media. In addition, Journal of Chemical Education discusses Safety ( Something that we should always stay conscious of) throughout the Journals. I feel that some of the articles are overly complex and unuseful for high school teachers and other articles are extremely useful.

In the Volume 82, Number 7 July 2005 issue, The article, Chemistry Comes Alive! Volume 7, is a wonderful tool for sparking students interest with Chemical Reactions using a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is filled with great explosions students will love. In my Unit, I will be teaching Chemical Reactions (Maybe this will help you Ms. Ricci). This article would be useful when trying to demonstrate dangerous reactions. Instead, teachers are able to make Chemistry come alive using the CD. This ensures safety in the classroom and also allows students to view real explosions. I had an opportunity to use a few of the videos during my MCOM 520 presentation (Ross and Pete, do you remember?). I thought that they were great! [reviewed by Natasha Little, Fall 2005]

The November 2005 issue contains a lot of articles that can provide a deeper understanding for the teacher, but the level is above that of a high school student. (I felt like I was reading my old engineering journals while I was glancing at these articles.) Many of the advertisements were also leaning toward industry. However, the science teacher in me would like to see some of their chemical laboratory information profiles. They seem to also feature a lot of safety information. There is also some software that looks interesting like "Teaching Molecular Symmetry."

This particular issue had a few very good articles that I think could be used or implemented in a classroom right away. There was one paper entitled "Fully Exploiting the Potential of the Periodic Table through Pattern Recognition." This article is timely, considering the standard that requires the student to relate the structure of matter to its properties. As a chemistry teacher, I believe that I am going to have to place even more emphasis on the Periodic Table, considering the standards.

There is also a good paper entitled "Introductory Chemistry Needs a Revolution." Some of the contents may not be implemented immediately, but the commentary is devastating to the status quo. The first paragraph has an excellent list of important topics for the future that high school students are not currently exposed to in chemistry. [reviewed by Lou Pacchioli, Fall 2005]

I reviewed the Journal of Chemical Education (JCE), Volume 82, Number 11, November 2005. This is a monthly publication for Chemistry educators of Secondary and College level and is published by the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Published since 1924, JCE's mission is to help chemistry teachers stay current with research advances and to be informed about new ideas in teaching methodologies.

The Journal articles are is sectioned into six categories. They are as follows:

1. Chemical Education Today
2. Chemistry for Everyone
3. In the Classroom
4. In the Laboratory
5. Research: Science and Education
6. Information, Textbooks, Media, Resources

This journal also includes articles from other journals that are relevant to the teaching of Chemistry.

There is a subsection of the Chemical Education Today was called Especially for High School Teachers.

This journal had many advertisements for upcoming conferences

Laboratory equipment, teaching aids. I found some of the software tools for teaching molecular and atomic structure fascinating as well as videos that can be used a demonstration of experiments too dangerous to be performed in a classroom or by secondary students.

I enjoyed reading the journal article Celebrating Einstein since I had watched the PBS Nova special The Legacy of E=mc², which aired on October 11.

I also read the article The Periodic Table Trends - Exploiting the Potential of the Periodic Table through Pattern Recognition would be helpful to all Chemistry teachers when they are covering the periodic table. [reviewed by Michele Fogarty, Fall 2005]

I found this journal to provide an extreme amount of information and resources for chemistry teachers. It offers lesson ideas and approaches to teaching lessons. It contains several sections each issue, such as an editorial, a section called "especially for high school teachers", this issue's topic, einstein, periodic table trends, inorganic chemistry labs, and teaching molecular symmetry. This is a journal that I would find useful in my lesson/classroom [reviewed by Lauren Ricci, Fall 2005]

Earth and Space

Physics

Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online

When I first clicked the link for the Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online, I was thinking, "Oh great, another boring pie-in-the-sky academic journal of unusable educational theories". However, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is an academic journal about education, and no it isn't very eye-catching (no animations, fancy graphics or pop-up windows)- it's a serious journal published by the physics department at Illinois State University (my wife's alma mater). The content was far from pie-in-the-sky however. I found the various articles on instructional strategies, such as Whiteboarding and the Socratic Method, to be engaging. I found myself thinking, "Yeah, I could do that". This isn't the place to go if you are looking for technical content on physics. It won't give you an experiment to determine the acceleration due to gravity to within 0.1% error, but if you are looking for sound educational strategies that others have used to engage your students in effective physics (or broader science)instruction, this is a good place to look. JPTEO is published irregularly, and you need to email the prof at ISU to get on the notification list. [reviewed by Eric Overhold, Fall 2005]

General or Multidisciplinary Science

Science Scope

In taking on this assignment, I began by breezing through a variety of the science education magazines located in the library. It quickly became apparent that for light library reading, Science Scope was the publication for me. Science Scope is a colorful, glossy text magazine, filled with ads for everything from science textbooks to software to field equipment. The layout is the same as any newsstand magazine, with the table of contents up front and ads, feature articles, and departments throughout the magazine. Finally, most of the articles are "how-to" articles, listing activities and experiments that teachers can use in the classroom. The magazine also includes a large number of professional development articles. This is a magazine that applies the research published in the "real" journals. Science Scope contains great ideas and I look forward to receiving this magazine and using it in my classroom. However, in many ways, it is no different than Parenting or Family Fun Magazine, providing educational ideas for children. The activity is there, and the reason for the activity is there, but the science and educational processes are missing. I suspect that I will subscribe to Science Scope, just like I subscribe to Family Fun and to Pennsylvania Angler. Will I depend on Science Scope for keeping me up to date on educational research and policy? No, because that it not the purpose of this trade magazine. Science Scope exists to provide teachers with the short cuts that will help them turn twelve-year old television junkies into twelve-year old science junkies. Science Scope exists to help teachers develop as professionals. Science Scope exists to promote the goals and policies of the National Association of Science Teachers. Science Scope does not exist to provide up-to-date educational research - for that I will subscribe to Science Teacher or some other educational journal. [reviewed by Ross Ruschman, Fall 2005]

Science Scope has excellent photos, useful articles and adds that influence what is available for the science classroom. The Scope on the Skies has information on what is happening in the night sky for a particular month as well as insights for astronomy. [reviewed by Kathy Youshock, Fall 2005]

The Science Teacher

I reviewed The Science Teacher (September 2005. Vol.72 No.6), which is published by NSTA. It is a peer-reviewed journal for secondary science teachers and this issue is primarily devoted to safety. The sections of this magazine are Headline Science (latest science research news), Idea Bank (creative teaching tips), Career of the Month (Foodborne Disease Epidemiologist), Ask the Experts, Taking Note (Resources), NSTA Recommends (books they have reviewed). This magazine features information for all types of science teachers. There is an article on performing safe flame tests in chemistry labs. There is a lesson plan for studying coral reefs which uses software from Perdue University's website. There are two labs for testing sunscreen effectiveness. The lessons provided tell you the national standards they address. This magazine also has many advertisements for upcoming conferences in specific subject areas. I found it to be very informative and a good resource for safety issues. [reviewed by Megan Donovan, Fall 2005]

The Nov, 2004 issue had several articles that related to Astronomy. The article on incorporating history in the science classroom was very valid in relationship to astronomy. The historical progression of knowledge can influence students in their own beliefs and also the structure of learning. [reviewed by Kathy Youshock, Fall 2005]

Electronic Journal of Science Education (EJSE)

I found the journal very interesing as it is solely based on electronic publications, and it is also peer reviewed. The journal deals with issues that are directly related to science education and the science teacher. I found the journal very accessible and professional with an exhaustive list of reviewers. The topics covered are interesting and well written.

Most of the articles are written by qualified individuals who are generally associated with a college or university. The authors have conducted research, and they intrepret data which is also presented in the paper. I think the best quality of this journal is that it is presented solely on the internet and is reviewed through electronic communications. [reviewed by Greg Hoffner, Fall 2005]

Science Activities: Classroom Projects and Curriculum Ideas

Science Activities is a quarterly journal, its subscription rate is $93.00 for institutions and $48.00 for individuals. in each issue the journal provides classroom instructors with activities that will guide students in inquiry based learning, integrate math, reading history art and technology in with their science. The activities are designed to teach process skills along with the core content. The articles and activities are written by teachers and other educators for teachers and classroom application. The feature articles are peer reviewed and cover a wide range of topics in Biology, Environmental science, Physics, Chemistry and other behavioral sciences. In my short use of this journal I have already found several ideas to use for my unit plan and for my 35 minute lesson. I think that this publication could be a very valuable tool to new incoming teachers. [reviewed by Kevin Peterson, Fall 2005]

General or Multidisciplinary Education