Classification in Science

This article highlights the redefining of Pluto as a planet. Bill Robertson does a great job of explaining how and why Pluto is now classified as a Dwarf planet. He then presents an explanat... See More

This article highlights the redefining of Pluto as a planet. Bill Robertson does a great job of explaining how and why Pluto is now classified as a Dwarf planet. He then presents an explanation for classification and its role in science. This is a great article that gives teachers a short explanation of the changing of Pluto's classification.

Why is Pluto no longer a planet?

I really liked the cartoon included I with this article. It really sums up the answer with a cute visual. But Scientifically, speaking of tubing classification truly makes sense. That is ... See More

I really liked the cartoon included I with this article. It really sums up the answer with a cute visual. But Scientifically, speaking of tubing classification truly makes sense. That is the basis of Science.

Science is About Change and Not Hard Fast Facts

This article explains why scientists changed their view of Pluto and decided to reclassify it as something different than a planet. We are back to the idea that scientists can change their ... See More

This article explains why scientists changed their view of Pluto and decided to reclassify it as something different than a planet. We are back to the idea that scientists can change their minds when new information becomes available and the fact that classification of different things can be changed when viewed a different way. I would certainly use the article as in an upper level middle school class studying about the solar system or in an astronomy class in high school. This is what science is all about, change when appropriate. I just hope elementary teachers read this so that upper level science teachers have to reteach something that has changed awhile back.

Classification as a Tool

This article is a resource for teachers to be able to understand how Pluto was reclassified and no longer considered a planet. Within the article is a discussion on classification and how “... See More

This article is a resource for teachers to be able to understand how Pluto was reclassified and no longer considered a planet. Within the article is a discussion on classification and how “Classficiations of things is an important part of doing science, even if it isn’t a goal in and of itself.” Robertson does an excellent job of explaining the process of how Pluto was reclassified while providing an understanding of classification and its role as a tool in the process.

We didn't change Pluto, just the definition!

Many classroom teachers, and even some of us who teach science all day, can use a little help with the background of science principles. This short article does the trick. We all have heard ... See More

Many classroom teachers, and even some of us who teach science all day, can use a little help with the background of science principles. This short article does the trick. We all have heard that Pluto has been declassified as a dwarf planet, no longer a planet. But why, we wonder? In a very clear, concise article, we now know that it is a matter of scientists at the International Astronomical Union discovering several dwarf planets the same size as Pluto. Rather than add to our list of planets, they decided to demote Pluto. Bill Robertson, the multi-talented and writer of easily understandable science concepts, goes on to relate this decision to scientific classification and its importance in science thinking. Easy, breezy science.

Great Explanation!

This brief article does a great job of explaining why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. It goes on to discuss the role of classification in science as well, which could be a good disc... See More

This brief article does a great job of explaining why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. It goes on to discuss the role of classification in science as well, which could be a good discussion starter with your students.

Where Did Pluto Go?

This article explains how Pluto got demoted to "dwarf planet" recently. Pluto was re-classified based on its relation to other similar celestial objects nearby. The article talks about the i... See More

This article explains how Pluto got demoted to "dwarf planet" recently. Pluto was re-classified based on its relation to other similar celestial objects nearby. The article talks about the importance of classification in science in a way that would be understandable to elementary students. I give it 4 stars.

Pluto's Status

This article is a good, concise explanation the IAU's decision classify Pluto as a dwarf planet. The article also explains how things are classified in science. This is a good article for ... See More

This article is a good, concise explanation the IAU's decision classify Pluto as a dwarf planet. The article also explains how things are classified in science. This is a good article for anyone who needs a refresher in scientific classification.

Is classification important to science?

Bill Roberson, the author of the NSTA Press book series, Stop Faking It, weighs in on the importance of the reclassification of Pluto to science.

Good Background

This article provides readers with a great background of what went into the declassification of Pluto as a planet. There is information on how classification in science is handled and there ... See More

This article provides readers with a great background of what went into the declassification of Pluto as a planet. There is information on how classification in science is handled and there is a detailed look into what goes into determining it. Creation and understanding of scientific theories is briefly discussed in this article as well. This article over is a great way for teachers to acquire an overview of Pluto becoming a dwarf planet.