Use NSTA's Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science to Overcome the Challenges of Teaching Force and Motion

ARLINGTON, Va., June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In her newest book, the first in a series dedicated to physical science, Page Keeley shares her award-winning formative assessment probe methodology for teaching the challenging topics of force and motion. Offering 45 probes to help grades K–12 teachers reveal students' preconceptions of fundamental physical science concepts, the book specifies grade spans—K–5, 6–8, 9–12—for each probe, based on state and national standards, and suggests ways to adapt each probe for different grade spans or contexts.

With help from physicist and science educator Rand Harrington, Keeley provides the tools for teachers to find out what students really think about key ideas in force and motion, so adjustments to their instruction can be made accordingly. Each chapter includes Teacher Notes, which provide background information on the purpose of the probe, related concepts, explanations of ideas taught, and corresponding ideas in the national science standards.

"These probes on force and motion fill a gaping void in instruction and assessment in physics and physical science. In addition to being highly relevant, they target important ideas and provide invaluable support for teachers, including those in K–12 classrooms, those at the preservice level, and those attending professional development science workshops. The collaboration between Keeley and Harrington has resulted in an extremely valuable book."

—Stamatis Vokos, professor of physics, Seattle Pacific University

About the Authors

Page Keeley is the senior science program director at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) and a former NSTA president.

Rand Harrington is the science department chair at the Blake School in Minneapolis and a visiting assistant professor at the University of Minnesota.

You can browse sample pages of this new book free at the NSTA Science Store website at www.nsta.org/store.

For additional information or to purchase Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science, Volume 1: 45 New Force and Motion Assessment Probes and other books from NSTA Press, visit the NSTA Science Store at www.nsta.org/store. To order by phone, call 800-277-5300 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET weekdays. Outside the United States and Canada, call 301-638-0200. The 214-page book is priced at $29.95 and discount-priced for NSTA members at $23.96. (Stock # PB274X1, ISBN # 978-1-935155-18-8)

The Arlington, Va.-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 50,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

NSTA Press produces 15–25 new books each year. Focused on the preK–college market and specifically aimed at teachers of science, NSTA Press titles offer a unique blend of accurate scientific content and sound teaching strategies.

SOURCE National Science Teachers Association