The field-tested probes are short, easy to administer, and ready to reproduce. Volume 2 suggests ways to embed the probes throughout your instruction, not just when starting a unit or topic.

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 4, offers 25 more formative assessment probes to help reveal students' preconceptions of fundamental concepts in science.

Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) is a professional development strategy that links science standards to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The book was developed to be used by individual teachers, teacher teams, or in workshop settings. The CTS process will help teachers: Develop pedagogical and content knowledge Contribute to curriculum planning Define formative and summative assessment goals and strategies Learn to recognize and anticipate students' misconceptions and address them through instructional strategies, resources, and materials.