Alaska Science Educator's Sources for Lesson Plans & Ideas:
Science education related websites are listed below. If you have
a favorite link to lesson plans, please send your link(s) with a brief
explanation to the web manager at "webguy at asta.org"
Great source of "Alaskan" lessons are available from the Alaska Science Consortium! Check them out!
ATEP Project lessons can be found at http://scienceteachereducationprogram.com
STEP Project lesson plans can be found at http://aktsunami.org
Final Flight of the Space Shuttle: A Remarkable Grade
5-12 Opportunity for Student Experiments
http://ncesse.org/2010/06/ssep/
In June The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE)
launched the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), a historic
opportunity for students to propose experiments for the final scheduled
flight of the Space Shuttle, STS-134.
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) provides middle
and high school classes across the U.S. the ability to propose experiments
to fly in low Earth orbit, and to celebrate that accomplishment with
their local community and with national and global audiences. Entire
school districts can participate, with student teams proposing experiments
like professional scientists and engineers.
Phase 1 of the program is a unique and historic opportunity to propose
an experiment to fly aboard STS-134, the final scheduled flight of
the Space Shuttle. Selected student experiments would fly for 10 days
aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. Launch is tentatively scheduled for
November 2010, but a launch slip to mid-January is expected, enabling
this student spaceflight experiments opportunity.
We want the final voyage of the Space Shuttle to also mark a new beginning
for private sector sponsored student experiments in space, which organizations
on the SSEP Team have pioneered. The flight of Endeavour will be used
as a gateway to Phase 2 of the SSEP — sustainable, ongoing access
to space for grade 5-12 students inspired to propose experiments for
low Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station (with transport
via the Russian Progress and Soyuz vehicles), and on suborbital space
flights.
SSEP is undertaken by the National Center for Earth and Space Science
Education (NCESSE), in partnership with American Aerospace Advisors
Inc.
(AAAI).
For more information or to set up a telecon contact:
Dr. Jeff Goldstein, Center Director
National Center for Earth and Space Science Education
301-395-077 jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org
Gr K-4: New Educational Games Online
from NASA
Build Your Own Space Mission -- Grades K-2:
In this interactive game, students choose a scientist, laboratory,
spacecraft and destination as they design their own space mission.
After packing the spacecraft into a rocket, they watch it blast off
to their destination of choice.
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/edu_game/
Put It Together Puzzle -- Grades K-4:
In this interactive online game, students build online puzzles of NASA
pictures.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Put_It_Together.html
K-12: Coming to a computer near you: Zooniverse: Opportunities for
Citizen Science
http://zooniverse.org/home
After a huge amount of work behind the scenes, we're proud to open
wide the doors of the Zooniverse. The Zooniverse's aim is to provide
a home for a whole suite of projects which will enable anyone with
a web browser to contribute to science. Whether you're inspired to
classify galaxies, hunt supernovae, or take part in one of the projects
which will launch over the coming weeks and months, we hope that Zooniverse
will help you find a project that's right for you.
With funding from the National Science Foundation, this interactive
web site opens doors to the world beyond our Earth, connects what we
do in our classrooms with the real world, and makes the curriculum
we teach come alive. Check it out. Online tutorials are
provided and thousands of people are already involved. Join the
effort with your students!
K-12: Resources on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Scientist
Profiles
http://www.scnas.org
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
(SACNAS) offers two free resources on their web site. The SACNAS Traditional
Ecological Knowledge page (www.sacnas.org/tek.cfm) includes the downloadable
publication Changes We Have Seen: Traditional Knowledge Proceedings
from the 2008 SACNAS National Conference, as well as a clearinghouse
of references to online traditional knowledge resources on climate
change, best practices in using traditional knowledge in Western scientific
settings, and connections to Native American community and environmental
activism groups.
Highlighting the life stories and professional contributions of Native
American, Chicano, and Latino scientists, mathematicians, and engineers,
the SACNAS Biography Project (www.sacnas.org/biography/default.asp)
was created for use in precollege (K–12) settings. The Biography
Project web site contains profiles of approximately 80 Latino and Native
American scientists, searchable by subject area, ethnicity, and gender.
The site also provides links to other sites profiling minority and
women scientists, as well as resources for educators and students.
Where Words Touch the Earth
In this new digital media collection for grades 3-12, students from
American Indian Tribal Colleges interview Elders, students, and community
members to provide a Native American perspective on climate change
and its effects on their communities. Downloadable videos touch on
key environmental science issues and indigenous knowledge of the depleted
salmon population in Washington State, the ecological function and
spiritual role of wetlands, and the relationship between humans and
nature.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/nasawords/
K-12: Want to make sure your science
lessons are safe? Here are resources to help
http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety.asp
Flinn is known for their tremendous interest in supporting
safe science instruction. This site give you access to free
MSDS sheets, information on managing Lab chemicals safely, eye
and eyewear safety, general information to help you create safe
laboratory conditions for you and your students, sample safety
contracts, links to teacher-selected safety websites, safety products
and free short PD safety training lessons via email.
Gr 5-12: National Geographic's Traveler's Guide to the Planets http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/travelers-guide-to-the-planets-interactive#/G/1
This is a wonderful, fun, visually spectacular resource for students
learning about our solar system and the planets. The main page has
two panels. The left side panel allows you to select which planet you
want to learn about (Pluto is still listed, Earth is not since we live
there) and what you want to know about each planet.
The site is set up as a true traveler's guide and includes info such
as history, trivia, sites, advice, climate, and luggage. This is a
great way to get students to learn about the planets in a new way.
NASA Enables Students to Launch Virtual Space Shuttle
NASA launched the space shuttle Atlantis on its last voyage on Friday,
May 14, 2010. The agency is now offering the ABCs of 3,2,1 liftoff
to students and educators throughout the nation. A new computer
simulation program will allow them to take
on the roles of NASA engineers and launch the shuttle from their own
classrooms. The program is based on software used for training at the
shuttle Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Kennedy Launch Academy Simulation System, or
KLASS, gives students the chance to monitor important shuttle
systems during a launch countdown and decide whether they are "go" for
liftoff. They will work together as a team and learn about the
different responsibilities behind-the-scenes of a shuttle launch.
KLASS was designed for sixth- through 10th-grade students to develop
their science, technology, engineering and
math skills. In addition to the launch simulation software, KLASS is
offering 40 hours of lesson plans and interactive resources for teachers.
These materials can be used for one-day lessons or one-year curriculums.
The KLASS materials are available for download at:
http://www.nasa.gov/education/klass
K-12: An online tool to help Science Writers in your classroom
Science Writer is a FREE interactive, web-based instructional learning
tool designed to help students in writing a complete science report.
There are tips and hints delivered by cartoon characters named Eko,
Max, and Sam, but it does seem to support students throughout the process
of writing a science report. Research has revealed several effective
instructional practices in improving the written language performance
of students, and Science Writer has been designed to provide these:
* A breakdown of the report writing process into manageable components
* Scaffolds for each step of the writing process
* An organizational structure for report writing
* Sentence starters to help initiate the writing
K-12: New FREE resources from the National Academies Press
The National Academies Press offers several books that are available
to download absolutely free in their entirety. There is no catch, no
gimmick, and no time limit. The entire PDF book is yours to keep. Among
others that are available, look at these, for example:
••Understanding Climate's Influence on Human Evolution
The hominid fossil record documents a history of critical evolutionary
events that have ultimately shaped and defined what it means to be
human, including the origins of bipedalism; the emergence of our genus
Homo; the first use of stone tools; increases in brain size; and the
emergence of Homo sapiens, tools, and culture. The Earth's geological
record suggests that some evolutionary events were coincident with
substantial changes in African and Eurasian climate, raising the possibility
that critical junctures in human evolution and behavioral development
may have been affected by the environmental characteristics of the
areas where hominids evolved. Understanding Climate's Change on Human
Evolution explores the opportunities of using scientific research to
improve our understanding of how climate may have helped shape our
species.
••Envisioning the 2020 Census
Planning for the 2020 census is already beginning. This book from the
National Research Council examines several aspects of census planning,
including questionnaire design, address updating, non-response follow-up,
coverage follow-up, de-duplication of housing units and residents,
editing and imputation procedures, and several other census operations.
This book recommends that the Census Bureau overhaul its approach to research and development. The report urges the Bureau to set cost and quality goals for the 2020 and future censuses, improving efficiency by taking advantage of new technologies.
••An Enabling Foundation for NASA's Space and
Earth Science Missions
NASA's space and Earth science program is composed of two principal
components: spaceflight projects and mission-enabling activities. Most
of the budget of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is applied
to spaceflight missions, but NASA identifies nearly one quarter of
the SMD budget as "mission enabling." The principal mission-enabling
activities, which traditionally encompass much of NASA's research and
analysis (R&A) programs, include support for basic research, theory,
modeling, and data analysis; suborbital payloads and flights and complementary
ground-based programs; advanced technology development; and advanced
mission and instrumentation concept studies.
ScienceStorms Interactive Website
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago presents ScienceStorms,
an interactive exhibit/website that reveals
the science behind seven natural phenomena—lightning, fire, tornadoes,
avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight and atoms in
motion. It’s a perfect storm of physics, chemistry and curiosity.
“Don’t Fry Day” Sunshine
Pledge
Take the EPA “Don’t Fry Day” Sunwise Pledge! With
the UV Index on the rise, it's time to remind your students to Slip!
Slop! Slap! and Wrap! In their effort to raise awareness about a health
issue that is largely preventable and too often ignored – skin
cancer, EPA encourages you to promote sun safety before the second
annual Don’t Fry Day on the Friday before Memorial Day (May 28,
2010). As millions of us prepare to enjoy the great outdoors this Memorial
Day weekend, EPA and the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention
are reminding Americans to practice sun-safe behaviors. They need your
help; go online and pledge to incorporate sun safety into your spring
and summer activities. Take the Pledge: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfdpledge.html
Participating classrooms and informal education organizations will
receive a Don’t Fry Day poster and a set of sun safety stickers.
The stickers feature SunWise animals showing children how to Slip!
Slop! Slap! and Wrap! Additionally, you will be entered into a random
drawing for a SunWise Prize Pack. The prize pack includes a set of
UV-sensitive beads, a real-time UV monitor, UV-sensitive nail polish
and other sun safety resources.
Celebrate Earth Day!
The American Chemical Society (ACS) observes Earth Day with its Chemists
Celebrate Earth Day program. The
ACS offers events, contests, and educational resources (including
free materials) that chemical educators and chemistry enthusiasts
can use to illustrate the role of chemistry in the world. The
Earth Day 2010 theme is "Plants—The Green Machines."
SPACE DAY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD May 7
Celebrate looking at the Earth from space. To see what’s going
on in your neighborhood, browse local events: http://www.spaceday.org/index.php/View-Events.html.
To add your own event, visit http://www.spaceday.org/index.php/Create-Event.html.
Learn more about Space Day and explore resources and lesson plans via:
http://www.spaceday.org
K-12: Google for Educators
http://www.google.com/educators/index.html
Google supports teachers in their efforts to empower students and expand
the frontiers of human knowledge, and has assembled the information
and tools you’ll find on this site.
Their goal is to support teachers in their efforts
to empower students and expand the frontiers of human knowledge. Learn about Doodles,
Webinars, and Tools for the classroom. Download classroom
activities posted by members of the Google Teacher Community, and join
it yourself! Check out the free posters, and the Google Teacher
Academy. There are lots of opportunities to learn how to use
Google tools effectively and to support the 21st century skills our
students will need.
Gr
K-2-PBS Teachers Supports Science & Tech
for the Youngest Learners Too
Find Classroom Resources, online discussions and professional development
opportunities. Get on the Dinosaur Train, learn about young eagles,
and find ways to teach earth-friendly living to young primary students. Join
a teacher online class on evaluating and organizing internet resources
and content to support your students.
K-12: Tectonic
Tragedies and online resources
The catastrophic earthquakes that hit Haiti and Chile have raised seismology
to a front-burner topic in students' minds. Teachers can find rich
links to materials on the topics by visiting Incorporated Research
Institutions for Seismology (IRIS). This university consortium, sponsored
by the National Science Foundation, has compiled a collection of multimedia
materials that can help students grasp the science behind the headlines.
Engineer Your Life (EYL) Has FREE Resources You Can Use to Spark Girls' Interest in Engineering
What is EYL? EYL breaks down stereotypes about
engineering and encourages college-bound girls to consider it
as a career option.
A multimedia website EngineerYourLife.org features ten great reasons
to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers,
descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, educators,
and engineers on how to talk to girls about engineering.
An independent evaluation shows that 78.5% of girls, after exploring
the EYL website, listed engineering as their number one career choice.
Use EYL in your classroom: Share www.EngineerYourLife.org with
students, parents, teachers and counselors. Order FREE brochures/postcards
by sending an email to feedback@engineeryourlife.org.
Climate Change Stories for Children
The Professor Sneeze stories and educational materials were developed
in the framework of a project of the International Polar Foundation. Stories
for 5-12 year olds explain ways to save energy; 8-12 year olds
learn how energy is produced by wind, sun, and water. The
website also offers crafts, photos, and other materials.
Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Project Learning Tree (PLT) has published a new curriculum guide and
music CD to engage children ages three to six in outdoor exploration
and play. Eleven field-tested, hands-on activities showcase over
130 "early childhood experiences" which integrate investigations
of nature with art, literature, math, music, and movement. Early
childhood educators and caregivers can obtain a copy of PLT’s
Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood curriculum by attending
a PLT professional development workshop in their area.
K-12: Minds
by the Millions
"Connect a Million Minds" is a philanthropic effort aimed
at connecting kids with after-school science, technology, engineering
and math programs in their communities. The $100 million, five-year
effort by Time Warner Cable provides information on local hands-on
after-school opportunities to engage and excite kids.
Anchoring the effort is the first-ever, free, ZIP code-searchable national database designed to help children and their parents discover the exciting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) after-school activities occurring in their own backyards. Check out what is available in your part of Alaska!
Alaskan Volcanoes
We think it’s no coincidence that there are exactly 52 historically
volcanoes in Alaska as of December 2009; and we hope to engage the
user in a fun, educational experience. Each full-color card provides
the location coordinates and photo of the volcano, and up to six colored
dots that correspond to a legend on one of the joker cards. The dots
represent characteristics of the volcano, such as a documented eruption,
fumaroles, deformation, or earthquake swarms. The packet includes a
two-sided information sheet with photo captions/credits for each volcano.
Card decks can be purchased at the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys office in Fairbanks, or ordered online through the DGGS website at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=20401
New Robotics Module in NASA’s Do-It-Yourself
Podcast
NASA uses robots in the form of aircraft, arms, space probes and telescopes.
These robots do everything from explore the solar system to build
new rockets. Your students can create a podcast about robots using
NASA audio and video clips, images, and information. NASA Education's
newest DIY Podcast topic module is entitled "Robots."
This module features NASA robotic systems engineer Fernando Zumbado
discussing robots and how NASA uses them. The module's 22 video clips
include Mars rover animation and B-roll footage of several NASA robots.
The Robots module also has 11 audio clips. Students download these
NASA multimedia materials and edit them with their own recordings and
narration to create a podcast.
Other DIY Podcast topic modules are: Fitness, Lab Safety, Newton's
Laws, Rocket Evolution, Solar Arrays, Spacesuits,Sports Demo
Students can build multimedia projects, while teachers meet national
education standards.
A companion blog offers tips and suggestions for incorporating the
DIY Podcast into the classroom. To learn more and to start making podcasts,
visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/diypodcast/index.html.
NASA Has Exciting News!
EarthKAM has just launched a new beta version of its Web site. Middle
school educators are invited to join NASA for the International
Space Station Spring 2010 Mission from April 27-30, 2010, and
be beta testers of the new site and software. Find out more about
this exciting opportunity that allows students to take pictures
of Earth from a digital camera aboard the International Space
Station.
ISS EarthKAM is a NASA-sponsored project that provides stunning, high-quality
photographs of Earth taken from the space shuttle and the space station.
Since 1996, ISS EarthKAM students have taken thousands of photographs
of Earth by using the World Wide Web to direct a digital camera on
select spaceflights and, currently, on the International Space Station.
For more information about the project and to register for the upcoming
mission, visit the ISS EarthKAM home page
If you have questions about the EarthKAM project, please e-mail: ek-help@earthkam.ucsd.edu
Opposable Thumbs!
Children often take their bodies for
granted, and their thumbs are no exception. But opposable thumbs are
a part of the human body upon which we rely every day—to eat,
write, and even greet each other with a handshake. Click on:
http://www3.nsta.org/main/news/stories/science_and_children.php?news_story_ID=49036 to read Thumbs Are Handy Digits.
K-12: 137 years of Popular Science archived
issues: online and FREE
http://PopSci.com/archives
Popular Science has partnered with Google to offer their entire 137-year
archive for free browsing. Each issue appears just as it did at its
original time of publication, complete with period advertisements.
And today we're excited to announce you can browse the full archive
right here on. Aside from bringing back memories for longtime
readers, as a whole the archive beautifully encapsulates over a century
of Popular Science's fascination with the future, and science
and technology's incredible potential to improve our lives. Tracing
our dreams and visions of the future back through time, you'll
see that not a lot has changed. Some things we projected with
startling accuracy, and others remain today what they were then--dreams.
Study Shows Disconnect Between Girls and Science
Earth Science Week 2010 will feature the second annual Women in the
Geosciences Day on October 14 to raise awareness among young women
about exciting opportunities in Earth science studies and careers.
Why? Consider the findings of a new study by Northern Illinois
University researchers. High school girls are bored, disengaged,
and stressed in science classes when compared to boys, according to
the study of 244 high school students and 13 science teachers during
the 2008-09 academic year. Classroom discussions are the only activity
to score among the top three most engaging for both boys and girls
and are perhaps the optimum way to connect with all science students.
Even though many girls earn good grades in science, they still often
feel less competent than their grades would indicate. And even though
more boys than girls told the researchers that science is challenging,
boys reported more confidence in their skills and a higher level of
concentration in class.
For more on the study, see http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/2009/nov/girls-science.shtml
NSTA Websites to Visit
Explore
the water cycle at home with the miniature terrarium activity at “Water
for Life"
Children
will soar to new levels with this flying activity titled “Flying
Together"
Sampling is the core idea with this activity on counting populations
Engineer Your Life (EYL) has FREE resources you can use to spark girls'
interest in engineering.
What is EYL?
A national campaign
EYL breaks down stereotypes about engineering and encourages college-bound
girls to consider it as a career option.
A multimedia website EngineerYourLife.org features ten great reasons
to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers,
descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, educators,
and engineers on how to talk to girls about engineering.
Effective. An independent evaluation shows that 78.5% of girls, after
exploring the EYL website, listed engineering as their number one career
choice.
Use EYL in your classroom:
Share www.EngineerYourLife.org with students, parents, teachers and
counselors.
Order FREE brochures/postcards by sending an email to feedback@engineeryourlife.org.
Present EYL videos of inspiring women engineers to students and parents.
Incorporate EYL into your career exploration programs and curricula.
- Mary Schmitz, a geometry teacher in Missouri, gives her students
the assignment of researching engineering careers on EYL's site and
posting their favorite on their class wiki. Mary comments:
"I just want to let the girls know what is available to them and
maybe open up more opportunities for them. I think your site is wonderful
and I get really good responses from my students after they have read
about the different fields of engineering."
Questions about EYL? Contact feedback@engineeryourlife.org with any
questions or requests related to EYL.
And for additional classroom resources, check out the Engineering collection
on Teachers' Domain.
Encyclopedia of Life
Imagine an electronic page for each species of organism on Earth, Edward
O. Wilson. Have you ever visited the Encyclopedia of Life website?
If not, you should check it out today. Just visit:http://www.eol.org/
Gr K-8: Inquiry in Action: Investigating Matter
The American Chemical Society has created this website to accompany their “Inquiry in Action” book, with hands-on physical science and chemistry activities, downloadable molecular animations and videos in Windows Media or Quicktime format, a chemistry background section, information on upcoming workshops, and more. You can even download a PDF version of the entire 470-page book for free!
Gr 8-12: Biotechnology
Magazine Available
The Biotechnology Institute publishes "Your World: Biotechnology & You," a
biotechnology magazine for grades 7 to 12. "Your World" is
issued twice a year and combines balanced, in-depth information on
a single topic with an online teacher's guide that contains links to
national education standards, tips on how to use the magazine, and
additional exercises.
CLIMATE KIDS: NASA GIVES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THEIR OWN GUIDE TO
CLIMATE CHANGE
A blinking red-eyed tree frog and flitting butterfly greet visitors
to the new NASA Climate Kids Web site. Targeting grades 4 – 6,
this kid-friendly guide de-mystifies one of the most important science
issues of our time. The site answers the “big questions” about
global climate change using simple illustrations, humor, interactivity,
and age-appropriate language. For example, one interactive feature,
the Climate Time Machine, reveals how global changes have affected
or will affect our planet over time. “Climate Tales” has
animal cartoon characters coping— more or less good-humouredly—with
the effects humans are having on their habitats. A collection of Earth
science-related games offers such experiences as “Wild Weather
Adventure” and “Missions to Planet Earth.” A Green
Careers section profiles real people doing jobs that help slow climate
change.
DLESE Teaching Boxes
Teaching boxes from the Digital Library of Earth System Education are
classroom-ready instructional units created by collaboration between
teachers, scientists, and designers.
The Teaching Boxes contain materials that model scientific inquiry,
allowing teachers to build classroom experiences around data collection
and analysis from multiple lines of evidence, while engaging students
in the process of science, focusing on gathering and analyzing scientific
evidence. Boxes include Global Ups and Downs: Changing Sea Level, Living
in Earthquake Country, and more.
Let‚s
Fly Away Airplane Dodecahedron -- Grades K-4
A regular dodecahedron is made of 12 pentagons. Students learn about
NASA aircraft as they build a geometric form to hang from the ceiling
or place on a shelf
Navigating by Good Gyrations Activity -- Grades 7-12
Gyroscopes are simple devices that seem to defy gravity. They are important
to NASA because they help spacecraft such as the International Space
Station and the Hubble Space Telescope stay on course. Teachers can
use a spinning bicycle wheel to demonstrate how a gyroscope works.
This demonstration contains four gyro "tricks" with explanations
of why the gyro behaves as it does. The demonstration has definitions
for inertia, momentum, angular momentum, centripetal force and linear
momentum. After demonstrating how gyros work, teachers can give examples
of how gyros are used in spacecraft. The activity also includes discussion
questions.
Magnetic Math -- Grades 6-12
This collection of mathematics-related problems pertaining to magnetism
is the next logical step beyond what students explore in their middle
school Earth science textbooks. The lab exercises prepare students
to work the mathematics problems with a better understanding of magnetism.
The variety of problems includes analyzing graphs, scientific notation,
geometry and trigonometry. The problems call for students to apply
mathematics and science concepts to understand the magnetic fields
and magnetism.
Our Solar System Lithograph Set -- All Grades
This lithograph set features images of the planets, the sun, asteroids,
comets, meteors and meteorites, the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, and
moons of the solar system. General information, significant dates,
interesting facts and brief descriptions of the images are included.
Draw on Imagination
Hear specialists in art history, art conservation and the sciences
discuss the connections between art, science and technology in video
clips. You’ll also find lesson plans and student projects on
this site created by The Art Institute of Chicago. The overarching
goal of the site is to show science teachers that an art museum may
be used as a visual library to augment and enrich established high
school science curricula in chemistry, earth science or physics. With
primary emphasis on the theme of light and color, the site reveals
how the scientific method is applied to the making, conserving and
exhibiting of art.
K-12: New
FREE Materials on Biomedical Topics from NIH
#1 A new edition of The Chemistry of Health that includes chemistry
basics, short "Meet a Chemist" profiles, a companion poster,
and an extensive online resource [ChemHealthWeb] with downloadable
chapters, chemistry A-Z glossary, molecule gallery and chemistry-related
puzzles and games.
#2 Get two full-color classroom posters
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/order/pubdescriptions/chemhealthwebposter.html
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/order/pubdescriptions/findingsposter.html
#3 Get the latest issue of Findings magazine
This issue features Marc Zimmer, a biochemist who studies glow-in-the-dark
proteins, and Lola Eniola-Adefeso, a chemical engineer who studies
methods to improve heart disease drugs.
Like all of our offerings, these printed and online resources focus on medically relevant life sciences and are free of charge. Printed materials are available individually or in classroom sets. They are also downloadable.
These materials, and more, are produced by the National Institute of
General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of
Health. They are not copyrighted and you are free to excerpt content
from them to use in the classroom or on a class Web site.
Journey North
Jouirney North is inviting students and teachers along the coast of
Alaska
to participate in the Gray Whale study.
If you have Gray Whales that are in your area and you would like to
participate, please email: Jane Duden Journey North jduden@inet-serv.com
JASON Project - http://www.jason.org/public/feature/FeatureDetail.aspx?fid=201
Learn about an exciting opportunity for students and teachers. You
can become an Argonaut!
Design Squad Teacher’s Guide
PBS’ Design Squad goes to school with a new Teacher’s Guide.
Developed for middle school science and technology teachers, the guide
blends hands-on engineering challenges with 3 core science topics,
force, electricity, and sound. The challenges use low cost, readily
available materials and are linked to national science and technology
standards. Order your free copyof the Design SquadTeacher’s Guide
at: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/engineers/newsletter.html
If you have questions please contact:
Natalie Hebshie
Outreach Coordinator, DESIGN SQUAD
WGBH Educational Foundation
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
natalie_hebshie@wgbh.org
The web page has been recently updated with a series of six video modules to help student experimenter design teams with development of their experiments. Hosted by NASA Educator Nathan Lang and NASA Astronaut and former International Space Station Commander Mike Fincke, these brief video modules discuss the ISS and microgravity, considerations for designing a microgravity experiment, the scientific method, and a recap of the Kids In Micro-g! Design Challenge. Bonus videos of microgravity demonstrations onboard the ISS from Fincke and fellow station astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Nicole Stott during their past missions are also included. A matrix of frequently asked questions has also been added as a reference. The FAQ list will be updated weekly as new questions arrive and are answered.
NASA will be accepting experiment proposals through Feb. 19, 2010.
Nature Rocks
Parents should go online to visit Nature Rocks, the family fun nature
planner. This site will help parents find all sorts of nature activities,
plus tools to help guide and plan their adventures. Parents will also
find useful tips and information to help them get into nature without
getting over their head. It's fast and easy so they can shut their
computers down quickly, open up that door and be on their way in as
little as 5 minutes. Nature is closer than you think!
K-12: Ecological
Footprint Education
The Ecological Footprint is a powerful tool for introducing the concept
of sustainability to students. Redefining Progress has applied the
Footprint to a number of resources for educators to help students understand
environmental impacts of their lifestyles.
You will find the Bobbie Bigfoot quiz, lesson plans, training manual,
online course and resources for sustainability education.
Gr 4-6: SAE and
a World in Motion kits
If you know or can find an engineer to partner with you (and SAE will
help you find
one), then you can get some really good curriculum materials and supplies
for your students for FREE.
There are currently three kits for intermediate grades (click on the
Curriculum link):
--Skimmer
Students construct paper sailboats and test the effect of different
sail shapes, sizes, and construction methods to meet specific performance
criteria. Friction, forces, the effect of surface area and design are
some of the physical phenomena students encounter in this challenge.
--JetToy
Students make balloon-powered toy cars that meet specific performance
criteria like; travels far, carries weight, or goes fast. Jet
propulsion, friction, air resistance and design are the core scientific
concepts students explore in this challenge.
-- Electricity & Electronics
Elementary activities provide teachers with activities that focus on
principles of electronics by providing teachers with hands-on
experiments involving static electricity, batteries and capacitors.
NASA AND MICROSOFT ALLOW EARTHLINGS TO BECOME MARTIANS
NASA and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., created a Web site where
Internet users can have fun while advancing their knowledge of
Mars. Drawing on observations from NASA's Mars missions, the "Be
a Martian" Web site will enable the public to participate
as citizen scientists to improve Martian maps, take part in research
tasks, and assist Mars science teams studying data about the Red
Planet. The Mars Exploration Program is managed by JPL for NASA's
Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Enroll as a virtual
Martian citizen and start exploring!
4th - 6th Grade Teachers - Disney Planet Challenge
K-12: Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter
If you have never downloaded the Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter,
you are really missing something. This is the most complete newsletter
to help students learn more about the brain and the nervous system.
Montana State University Offers Free Lesson Plans and Alternative Energy
Interactives
Science teachers can access free lesson plans and download alternative
energy interactives through Montana State University's National Teachers
Enhancement Network (NTEN). Lesson plans cover all grade levels with
topics in Earth science, physical science, life science and space science,
including multicultural science lessons developed by Native American
teachers, and lessons on rocketry and physics written by a science
teacher working with NSF-EPSCoR faculty at MSU.
The "Hydrogen and the Environment" website explains the connection
between Yellowstone National Park and the quest for alternative fuels,
including videos, student profiles and images, along with free downloads:
an interactive map of Yellowstone microbes and an animation of how
hydrogen is produced. Visit eu.montana.edu/nten and
click on Professional Resources.
Painted Lady Butterflies in Space!
Painted Lady butterflies will spend several months in space as part
of an exciting experiment to observe their life cycles and behaviors
in microgravity. The butterflies will live in a special habitat,
which provides a safe environment, food and water. Photos and
video will be transmitted back to Earth and made available on
the BioEd Online and K8 Science Web sites. Students can view the
data and join in the investigation in real time.
Teachers are also encouraged to engage their students in concurrent
activities with their own butterflies. Everything needed to get started
is available on BioEd Online or K8 Science. A free teacher's guide
is also available for downloading.
COSEE-Coastal Trends
COSEE-Coastal Trends offers education modules based on scientific research.
The Learn, Explore the Trends, and Investigate Current Research sections
provide general information on each topic. The classroom
resources page is designed for teachers and educators and contains
a lesson plan developed by a teacher with the help of his/her scientist-educator
team. The education modules feature movies, video interviews, photographs,
diagrams, and 5-E lesson plans for use in the science
classroom.
Gr 4-8: Investigate a Science Mystery
The Sue Files is a Web-based curriculum designed by The Field Museum
to put students in the shoes of a paleontologist studying Sue, the
largest, most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex. Although
the scenario presented on this site is fictitious and designed to be
an engaging story, all the scientific information regarding Sue the
T. rex and the science of paleontology is completely accurate. In addition,
the questions that student’s answer, as they investigate this
mystery, are the same sorts of questions paleontologists struggle with
on a regular basis.
Making Waves
A multimedia outreach project designed to help bring science and math
to life in your middle school classroom by unlocking the mysteries
of the oceans. Partners for the website include the College of
Marine Science at the University of South Florida, USGS, and InterActive
Teacher Magazine. Resource topics include Sea Level Rise, Red Tides,
Oceans from Space, Real Time Data, and much more.
Zula
Zula USA, LLC is a leading provider of educational products designed
to provide and promote science and math education as well as reading
literacy for children in PreK through 3rd grade – a group
for whom early exposure and intervention has proven most effective. Zula's
comprehensive program addresses the national call for science,
math and reading literacy education among PreK and early elementary
students, provides a critical foundation in understanding core
concepts and content and promotes the development of critical
thinking skills. The Zula Patrol television series, Zula.com website,
classroom curriculum and other supporting materials provi! de
science, math and reading literacy education and character-building
lessons in an entertaining format that encourages whole family
participation while also offering a diverse approach to learning
styles. During the summer of 2009, the company launched: http://www.ZulaWorld.com a
virtual world of fun, science and discovery. In this virtual
world, kids play educational games and go on science exploration
missions. Each child also has an online “Journal” for
recording observations with notes and drawings. Teachers
have access to each child’s Journal, which can be downloaded
and used as an assessment tool. Teachers can also make assignment
to students through their Journals. Parents get regular email
updates on their child’s activities and learning experiences
in ZulaWorld.com. The expert team of educators, writers,
scientists, and media specialists works to ensure that Zula delivers
a dynamic, focused, fun learning experience for children to learn
about the world around them.
SPACE
MATH WEB SITE – NEW
MATH PROBLEMS ONLINE
New math problems (276 – 285) are now online in order to capture
some of the excitement of the recent Ares 1-X launch, and discoveries
by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope and Deep
Impact. The Ares 1X problems take students through the simple ballistic
problem that describes the path of the payload after apogee, along
with some problems about kinetic and potential energy, and exactly
how a solid rocket booster 'burns' to create its thrust .The last one
will certainly dispel a few misconceptions!
K-12: Science in Action: NPR program on Suspension Bridgeshttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100947959
As Suspension Bridges Age, A Search For Failures: How do you know when a suspension-bridge cable is about to fail? That's the question engineers at Columbia University in New York are trying to address in a new experiment.
Visit the web site to hear Joe Palca’s
report, to see videos, and to get more information.
K-12: Win an iPod for your feedback - http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging.station/
The Microscope Imaging Station is looking for educators to evaluate this Web site that has still images, videos, articles, classroom activities, and other educational resources based on research-grade light microscope images. Review the Web site and take the online survey to win a chance for an iPod.
Gr K-5: Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears - http://beyondpenguins.nsdl.org/
Integrate science, literacy, and the polar regions in your teaching through the NSF-funded Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears magazine!
Designed for elementary educators, each month's issue includes science and literacy content knowledge, high quality lesson plans, misconceptions and tools for formative assessment, researcher profiles, a podcast, and even informational text written specifically for students! In the March 2009 issue, Polar Plants, learn about the plants of the Arctic and Antarctica and their adaptations. Of course, there's much more to discover - so check out Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears today!
Understanding Science One Website at a Time - http://undsci.berkeley.edu/
A new website funded by the National Science Foundation offers
a window to a better understanding about how dynamic and creative the
scientific process really is. Understanding Science is a “fun,
accessible, and free resource that accurately communicates what science
is and how it really works.” The site, intended for both the
general public and K-16 teachers, draws students into real-life examples
and looks at the social side of science, science and society, and asks, “What
has science done for you lately?” It also provides users with
a comprehensive science toolkit. Teacher resources are targeted to
specific grade bands.
Flinn’s eLearning Video Series—Only
$9.95! -- Online “Teacher Training” Videos for Middle
School Science Teachers
Flinn Scientific has just released a new, low-cost online eLearning
Video Series to help science teachers build their content knowledge and
teaching strategies—making it easier for their students to learn
specific topics. Middle school teachers will find videos targeting
the following three topics particularly valuable in building physical
science teaching skills:
The Flinn eLearning Video Series features
20 award-winning high school chemistry teachers demonstrating
their best activities and sharing enormous amounts of content
knowledge, teaching tips and instructional techniques. Each video
is approximately 40 minutes in length containing multiple episodes
and support materials printable as PDFs and can be viewed multiple
times. Teachers can watch and learn, from home or school, as master
teachers model their styles and discuss strategies that have proven
to be successful.
To view free samples go to: http://www.flinnsci.com
K-12: Science360 News Service: Brought to You by NSF - http://news.science360.gov/
Science360, published by the National Science Foundation (NSF),
aims to deliver the full-spectrum of what’s new in global science
to everyone who has ever wondered what’s going on in scientific
research and discovery. The news service gathers news from wherever
science is happening–scientists, college and university press
offices, popular and peer-reviewed journals, dozens of National Science
Foundation science and engineering centers, and funding sources that
include government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and private
industry–and makes it widely available on the Web, via email
and RSS.
K-12: News of a different kind! April, 2009 is
Math Awareness Month - http://www.mathgoodies.com/mam/
Math Awareness Month is held each year in April, and is sponsored by the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics. This year's theme is Mathematics and Climate. Scientists use mathematics to better understand oceans, the atmosphere, and polar ice caps. You are invited to go on a WebQuest to answer these questions:
* How long will summer Arctic
sea ice survive?
* Are hurricanes getting more intense?
* How much will sea level rise as ice sheets melt?
* How do humans impact on climate change?
* How is global climate monitored?
Mathematics and Climate are very relevant to our world today, so join the group and explore these important issues!
Gr K-8: Do you need a Dynamic, Online Destination to Advance STEM Education? - http://www.FuelOurFutureNow.com
Igniting imaginations and fueling student curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math topics, the United States Department of Energy, the X PRIZE Foundation and Discovery Education have created, a new dynamic, online knowledge center inspired by the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE.
Introduced to educators during an interactive workshop presented at the National Science Teachers Association’s National Conference in New Orleans, La., http:///www.FuelOurFutureNow.com is an empowering resource that engages students in the science of alternative fuels and energy-efficient engineering. Featuring targeted curriculum and lesson plans for all grade levels, as well as high-quality video, dynamic interactives and additional resources from the United States Department of Energy, teachers can use the online knowledge center to achieve their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) goals.
The goal of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Together, parents and students can explore a variety of grade appropriate STEM topics through a number of exciting activities.
K-2 students will be challenged to find out what makes cars go, while students in grades 3-5 will focus on building the skills needed to learn about force and motion and efficient energy transfer within a vehicle.
Students in grades 6-8 will investigate fuel efficiency and develop a futuristic, energy efficient vehicle, and high school students will be tasked with analyzing patterns in mass transit issues.
For more information about Discovery Education, visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com or call 800-323-9084.
Gr 5-9: WGBH Teachers' Domain News on Adolescent Literacy - http://tinyurl.com/teachersdomain
Teachers' Domain is pleased to announce a new adolescent literacy special collection funded by the Leon Lowenstein Foundation. These self-paced classroom activities use history and science topics to enhance the literacy skills of struggling readers in grades 5-8. Each activity engages students in a topic such as "slavery and emancipation," or "behavioral adaptations," through videos and interactives, then encourages them to build on what they learn by completing a reading and writing assignment. An online glossary helps build vocabulary, and an online note-taking area encourages writing and active thinking.
All fifteen activities address a range of
literacy skills:
* synthesizing
* constructing and asking questions
* developing vocabulary
* connecting prior knowledge to new learning
* developing a topic in writing
Science topics include:
* Exploring the Everglades Environment
* Newton's Third Law: Action-Reaction
* Reproductive Strategies
* Snake Jaws: A Lesson in Evolution
* Behavioral Adaptations
* Continental Drift: Idea to Theory
* Transitional Fossils
All About Frozen Ground
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has released a new educational
website on frozen ground: All About Frozen Ground. For more information,
visit the site at: http://nsidc.org/frozenground/.
All About Frozen Ground provides comprehensive information about the
importance of frozen ground. Frozen ground and permafrost, or ground
that stays frozen for at least two years, is key to understanding climate,
frozen ground ecosystems, and the interaction between land and atmosphere.
Explore All About Frozen Ground to learn about the science behind frozen
ground and why frozen ground matters to people, plants, and animals
all over the world. Read an interview with permafrost expert and NSIDC
Senior Scientist Tingjun Zhang, and browse a list of reading and classroom
activities for K-12 learners. While at the site, submit your comments
on the feedback form
K-12: National Engineers Week Foundation
http://www.eweek.org/Home.aspx
It features over 50 ways you can get your students involved in engineering!
New Space Mathematics
The Space Math Web site has 25 new math problems for the winter quarter
on a broad range of space science topics (e.g., Angular Size and
Velocity; The Big Bang - Cosmic Expansion; Modeling a Planetary
Nebula; and Stellar Temperature, Size and Power). To support the
International Year of Astronomy, an 'International' math page
has also been added to the Web site and math problems have been
translated into Italian, Russian, German, Spanish, Finnish and
Swedish.
http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Digital Planetariums
With help from a $488,000 NASA grant, the University of Alaska Museum
of the North and scientists at the UAF Geophysical Institute are
joining forces to bring the state's only digital portable planetarium
to communities in rural Alaska. For more information:
http://www.uaf.edu/news/headlines/20081114155829.html
PBS Article-How One Preschool Science Program is Developing
Young Scientists
This article provides suggestions on how to incorporate science into
your early childhood classroom by creating opportunities for children
to explore science objects. A list of additional resources in included.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/articles/science.html
GLOBE Student Research Campaign on Climate Change
Planning for the GLOBE Student Research Campaign on Climate Change
will occur over a 2-year period, beginning in January 2009, and
will enlist the support of internationally renowned climate change
scientists, science educators and educational outreach experts,
as well as businesses, foundations and policy makers. Student
research activities will commence in 2011, with final results
of the campaign to be presented at an international student conference
in 2013.
The Campaign goals are to: (a) involve over 1,000,000 students in climate
change research; (b) enhance environmental and climate literacy for
millions of people around the world; (c) empower students, teachers,
and community members to take action on climate-related environmental
issues; and (d) create a compelling model for 21st century environmental
science education based on grade-level appropriate research and learning
experiences.
The project is currently developing strategic collaborations to make
this campaign a success. For more information, go to: http://globe.gov/r/html/climatechange or email: ClimateChangeCampaign@globe.gov.
EPO’S CHRONICLES – NEW WEEKLY WEB
COMIC
In conjunction with the GLAST launch, Sonoma State University has premiered
a new educational Web comic, entitled "Epo's Chronicles." The
guiding concept behind the project is developing an engaging storyline
with fictional characters that teaches real science both to students
and science enthusiasts of all ages. This weekly Web comic follows
the adventures of Epo, a sentient spaceship/observatory, in the distant
future. Alkina, a humanoid alien, joins Epo as they quest to regain
their memories and learn science along the way. The first series of
'eposodes' focuses on galaxies and is available in English, French
and Spanish. New eposodes appear each Monday, read the most recent
eposode at: http://epo.sonoma.edu/EposChronicles/.
Additionally, there is a special GLAST launch ‘eposode’ available
at: http://epo.sonoma.edu/EposChronicles/?cat=16?=en .
NEW EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
AVAILABLE AT NASA.GOV
The Educational Materials section of NASA's Web site offers classroom
activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources that
are available for use in the classroom. The materials are listed by
type, grade level and subject. The following items are now available
for downloading.
Getting Dirty on Mars – Grades 5-12
Students will measure the soil moisture content, compare soil colors,
look for biomarkers and measure pH to make their comparisons. They
will then present a “Soil Properties Report.”
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Getting_Dirty_on_Mars.html.
Wall-E Learns About Proportion Video – Grades
K-8
Students calculate the diameter of the moon with the help of Wall-E
the mischievous robot.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Wall-E_Learns_About_Proportion.html.
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Technical
Knockout DVD – Grades K-8
In today's world of high-tech devices, the Tree House Detectives discover
that technology has its flaws when everything electronic stops working.
Eager to solve the problem of this electronic blackout, the detectives
follow the wind to the nearest star…the sun.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Navigational_Uses_for_Global.html.
NASA SCIence Files™: The Case of the Phenomenal
Weather DVD – Grades K-8
Follow the Tree House Detectives as they plan a trip to the Caribbean
and encounter problems trying to predict the weather. In this case,
the Tree House Detectives will learn about violent storms such as hurricanes
and tornadoes, weather fronts, global wind patterns, and climates.
While solving the case, they will discover that predicting the weather
is not predictable at all!
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Learning_About_Clouds.html.
NEW WEB RESOURCE GUIDE ON WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY
An updated, expanded resource guide to the role women have played and
are playing in the development of astronomy is now available through
the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The guide includes both printed
and Web-based materials, and has general references on the topic plus
specific references to the work and lives of 32 women astronomers of
the past and present. All the materials are at the non-technical level
and thus appropriate for student papers, curriculum development, or
personal enrichment. The guide makes reference to 178 different Web
resources, as well as books and articles that are either in print or
found in many larger libraries.
This resource guide is part of a series that can be found on the Society's
Web site, on such topics as the astronomy of many cultures, debunking
astronomical pseudo-science, and resources for astronomy education. http://www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/womenast_bib.html
Sally Ride Science (http://www.sallyridescience.com/schools)
To help teachers educate the next generation on the science and solutions
for global climate change, Sally Ride Science announces the launch
of the Climate Change Classroom Set.
Developed for upper elementary and middle school students, the Climate Change Classroom Set brings the impacts of climate change to their world. The four books in the set ˜ Ecosystems, The Atmosphere, The Oceans, and The Poles ˜ blend the latest science and environmental concerns with current ideas and solutions for facing our climate challenge and creating a healthier planet. http://www.sallyridescience.com/for_educators/conferences/climate/resources
JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH
Today's news headlines tell of a world facing increased hunger, water shortages, massive floods, and species extinction because of climate change and sea level rise.
In response, educational institutions are introducing courses dealing with the most pressing of these environmental issues. And to help educators explain to students the science behind these new environmental challenges, over 1,500 universities, colleges, and schools in North America have added to their media libraries the environmental video series JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH.
Funded by the National Science Foundation for PBS, JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH is the only video series that helps educators explain to students the science behind the headlines. Find out why publications like The School Library Journal, Booklist, The Journal of Academic Librarianship and the California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse hail the JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH series as the best and most comprehensive environmental series ever produced! The series comes in a 56-minute version and a 25-minute version re-edited specifically for grades 6-12.
To receive a 30-day free preview of the entire 10-episode
series or individual episodes simply reply to this e-mail -- screenscope@screenscope.com
-- with your name, institutional mailing address and phone number.
Or visit our website for more information about the series:
http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth
Here's a quick description of each episode:
STATE OF THE OCEAN’S ANIMALS takes a hard look at why nearly half the world's marine animals may face extinction over the next twenty-five years. Locations: Pacific Northwest (whales, salmon and sea otters), Florida (sea level rise and its effect on loggerhead turtles), the Antarctic (threats to Emperor Penguins), and Africa (coastal fisheries). Narrated by Matt Damon.
STATE OF THE PLANET’S WILDLIFE -- Explores what scientists are calling the “sixth great extinction” of our world’s plants and animals. Locations: the Arctic, Montana, China, Kenya, Brazil, Singapore, and the Everglades. Narrated by Matt Damon.
STATE OF THE PLANET -- Looks at how population, climate change, and economic pressures affect the world’s resources such as food and water. Locations: Kenya, India, Israel, Bangladesh, the Amazon, Mexico, China, and the United States. Narrated by Matt Damon.
FUTURE CONDITIONAL -- Looks at the spread of air pollution from disparate locations such as the Arctic, Uzbekistan, Mexico, and California, and how contamination in one area can affect people thousands of miles away. Narrated by Matt Damon.
ON THE BRINK -- Investigates a growing national security threat throughout the world: how environmental pressures can lead to terrorism and regional conflict. Locations: Haiti, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, Peru and along the United States/Mexico border. Narrated by Matt Damon.
SEAS OF GRASS -- Examines the devastating environmental, political and economic effects of the degradation of the world's grasslands, which make up 30 percent of Earth's land surface. Locations: Argentina, Inner Mongolia, Kenya, South Africa, and North America. Narrated by Matt Damon.
HOT ZONES -- Explores how recent trends in globalization and the altering of ecosystems have led to dramatic increases in the spread of infectious diseases. Locations: Kenya, Peru, Bangladesh, New York City, and Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. Narrated by Matt Damon.
RIVERS OF DESTINY -- Investigates problems associated with the tampering of the natural environment of rivers. Locations: Mississippi, Amazon, Jordan, and Mekong Rivers. Narrated by Kelly McGillis.
THE URBAN EXPLOSION -- Explores ways to sustain burgeoning urban populations without destroying the environment. Locations: Mexico City, Istanbul, Shanghai, and New York City. Narrated by Kelly McGillis.
LAND OF PLENTY, LAND OF WANT -- Examines how farmers can feed Earth’s growing population without impoverishing the land. Locations: Zimbabwe, France, China, and the United States. Narrated by Kelly McGillis.
Series Price: $1099 (set of ten) $599 (any five) or $149 per episode. Includes Teachers Guide. Each one-hour episode is also available in a re-edited 25-minute version.
Kimberly Klinger
Educational Outreach Manager
Journey To Planet Earth
Screenscope, Inc.
4330 Yuma Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Tel: (202) 364-0055
Fax: (202) 364-0058
E-Mail: kklinger@screenscope.com
NASA announces a new Web-based educational project
offered free to every student and educator in the country, from
kindergarten level through lifelong learners
Capitalizing on today's technology, NASA eClips are short, five- to
10-minute video segments available on-demand via the Internet for the
2008-2009 school year. Over 220 video segments are projected to be
available. This project highlights NASA's commitment to providing important
science, math and engineering educational materials in a useful video
format that can be used in the classroom, at home, and by informal
education institutions such as museums, Boys and Girls Clubs, and scouts.
With a goal of increasing science literacy, NASA eClips are designed
to inspire students to learn more about science, technology, engineering
and mathematics and to understand the application of these subjects
in the real world -- all in an accessible, on-demand way.
Additionally, the K-12 (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) NASA eClips project is separated
into grade-appropriate topics that tie into standards-based instruction.
Each level is designed as a resource for classroom teachers; downloadable
video segments and teacher guides illustrating effective instruction
in the 21st-century classroom provide valuable enhancements to teacher
lesson plans.
Students, teachers and the public can look forward to new video and
educational content highlighting current research and innovations throughout
the school year. The video clips are available for streaming on the
NASA Web site at http://www.nasa.gov/education/nasaeclips.
The NASA Web site permits educators and the public to download and
save the video clips as well as stream them. In addition, the NASA
Web provides lesson plans and instructions for educators on how to
use these videotapes in the classroom.
Are you looking for a way to engage kids in science? Start a TOYchallenge team today!
TOYchallenge is an exciting way to bring imaginative kids together to create a new toy or game. TOYchallenge can be used in schools, after-school programs, home school families, or as part of any youth-based organization. A team consists of 3 to 6 members, at least half of whom must be girls. One adult is the team coach.
Sign up today at http://www.toychallenge.com or
call 1-800-561-5161. Registion is $60 .
K-12: From the National Institutes of Health: a monthly journal
available online
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2073
Environmental Health Perspectives is a monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health. Learn about dengue, modifiers of health effects of air pollution, World Trade Center rescue worker mental health morbidity, iron metabolism genes as predictors of children's blood lead, satellite snapshots of global pollution, China's growing organic market, estimating community drug abuse by wastewater analysis, and more.
K-12: NSF and the Birth of the Internet
http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2074
This is a multimedia story of the creation of the Internet. Learn about
the individuals who began connecting computers in the 1960s. Listen
to Vint Cerf, often referred to as "the father of the Internet," describe
their work. Find out about TCP/IP, packet switching, CSNET, and other
technologies and initiatives. Trace developments back to the first
Internet message (Oct 29, 1969) and the first web page (Aug 6, 1991).
See predictions about what's next.
NASA Launches New Hubble Web Site for Educators
NASA has launched a new Web site with resources for educators on the
Hubble Space Telescope. The site celebrates Hubble as a unique tool
of exploration and as a catalyst of inspiration to wonder -- to ponder
new questions and to seek expressive responses to the magnificent visual
imagery it enables people to "see." This site will continue
to follow the Hubble journey into 2010, Hubble's 20th anniversary year.
The Hubble educational resource site offers activities and resources
for three primary themes: Hubble Careers, From Galileo to the Great
Observatories, and the Hubble Walk: Spacesuits and Spacewalks. Revisit
this Web site often throughout the next year for updates and added
activities, resources, links to complementary sites, and notices of
special events. http://www.nasa.gov/education/hubble.
NASA E-CLIPS: A NEW APPROACH TO LEARNING
NASA eClips are short (5-10 minute) video segments available on-demand
via the Internet. The video clips are designed to inspire students
to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) and to understand the application of these subjects in the real
world. The project is a NASA partnership with National Institute of
Aerospace, Caption Max, Internet Archive, and YouTube.
Students, teachers, and the general public can look forward to new
video and educational content highlighting current research and innovations
each week throughout the school year. The video clips are available
for streaming on NASA’s Web site at http://www.nasa.gov/education/nasaeclipsand
on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/nasaeclips. The NASA Web site
permits users to download and save the video clips as well as stream
them. The NASA Web site also provides lesson plans and instructions
for educators on how to use the videos in the classroom.
SPACE MATH PROBLEMS OF
THE WEEK
Problem 119 GALEX - A Star Sheds a Comet Tail! (Grade
level: 8-10)
The GALEX satellite captured a spectacular image of the star Mira shedding
a tail of gas and dust nearly 13 light years long. Students use the
GALEX image to determine the speed of the star, and to translate the
tail structures into a timeline extending to 30,000 years ago.
[Skills: Image scaling; Unit conversion; Calculating speed from distance
and time]
Problem 120 Benford's Law (Grade level: 8-10)
Students explore a relationship called Benford's Law, which describes
the frequency of the integers 1-9 in various data. This law is used
by the IRS to catch fraudulent tax returns, but also applies to astronomical
data and other surprising situations.
[Skills: Calculating frequency tables; Histogramming; Statistics]
Problem 121 MESSENGER - Ice on Mercury? (Grade level: 8-10)
Since the 1990's, radio astronomers have mapped Mercury. An outstanding
curiosity is that in the polar regions, some craters appear to have
'anomalous reflectivity' in the shadowed areas of these craters. One
interpretation is that this is caused by sub-surface ice. The MESSENGER
spacecraft hopes to explore this issue in the next few years. In this
activity, students will measure the surface areas of these potential
ice deposits and calculate the volume of water that they imply.
[Skills: Area of a circle; volume, density, unit conversion]
Teachers' Domain as reviewed by Education-World
CONTENT:
Teachers' Domain,
produced by WGBH Educational Foundation, provides a free multimedia
digital library of k-12 resources for science teachers and students.
It includes a collection of classroom ready resources, multimedia
lesson plans, and professional development resources.
REVIEW:
Teachers' Domain supports
science-learning experiences with media rich resources that are
high impact, engaging and interactive. Life science is the focus
of the site and topics include ecology, evolution, genetics, the
cell and more. Each of the resources is geared to a specific grade
level and correlated to state and national standards. Teachers
will find classroom ready video clips, interviews, web-based interactive
activities, photographs, animations, images, and text transcriptions
from original sources, along with contextual information and lesson
plans for effective use in the classroom. Registered users can
create sets of resources on a specific topic and save them to
share with their students. Students could also use this feature
to create a multimedia report on a given topic. Additionally,
there are videos of best practice teaching available for professional
development purposes. This is a rich resource that science teachers
will not want to miss!
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