Books & Resources

Everybody’s Got Questions Rap

Added: Nov 4, 2016

Spread the power of science curiosity with this catchy rap video created by music loving, eighth-grade science teacher Tom McFadden. A parody of the song “Choices,” by rapper E-40, the song video features cameos by 76 scientists, engineers, and educators, including Bill Nye. The lyrics highlight each of the NGSS Science and Engineering practices, as well as the importance of asking questions about the world. The video, song lyrics, and a list of featured scientists and educators (and their occupations) are all available online.

STEMStudy

Added: Nov 3, 2016

Florida Polytechnic University’s website and app provides a centralized source of articles, videos, and interactive content dedicated to guiding high school students to STEM-focused careers and helping them through the college preparation and the application processes. The website features student timelines, application checklists, a STEM scholarship guide, a STEM career glossary, and a quiz that helps students identify their STEM passion with a related career path.

STEM Lesson on Gray Wolves

Added: Nov 2, 2016

How do you create a balanced, unbiased STEM lesson plan about a controversial topic like gray wolves? You invite all stakeholders to the table (hunter, wilderness advocate, Native American, wolf-watching ecotourist, rancher, wildlife manager) and collaborate to ensure all perspectives are accurately represented. In Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains: A Conservation Puzzle, an interdisciplinary lesson for students in grades 9–12 produced by Bear Trust International, students use geographic information system (GIS) software to map the geographic distribution of gray wolf packs in the northern Rocky Mountains. Students then analyze the real-world data to determine if gray wolves in the northern Rockies have delisting criteria. As a capstone activity, student teams participate in a stakeholder meeting about gray wolf conservation. Watch an introductory video about the lesson and access lesson materials, including teacher guides, answer keys, and student pages at the website.

Gotscience.org Teacher Discussion Guide

Added: Nov 1, 2016

Targeted for grades 7–9, this online guide can help teachers enrich instruction and spark conversation in science courses. Created by nonprofit publisher Science Connected, the guide contains articles and video clips on a range of real-world science topics from birdwatching and how bees make honey to explorations of how airplanes work and how to extend the life of a mobile phone battery. Accompanying each resource are comprehension questions that help students process the resource content; discussion questions that expand students’ thinking on the topic; and hands-on projects to reinforce students’ understanding.

EdCircuit Education News and Information

Added: Oct 31, 2016

EdCircuit features audio and video news interviews, as well as opinion pieces written by some of education's well known thought leaders. Recent content of interest to K-12 teachers includes Technology in Special Education: One Teacher's Journey; Shaping Mathematics to Be Creative, Entertaining, and Rewarding; and How 3D Printing Gives Affordable New Possibilities for STEAM Education. The site also contains content for higher education and early career teacher audiences.

Science Wars, an Acapella Parody

Added: Oct 30, 2016

The NSTA member and middle level teacher who shared this video told us, "Here is a link to a video I used at the beginning of the year to introduce the different branches of science and math that we'll be discussing." In this parody, the ASAP Science acapella singers begin with "Welcome to Science WARS!/Chemistry-Bio-Physics-Mathematical/But which field is best?" Have your students debate this after watching the video!

Climate Generation Curriculum Guides

Added: Oct 29, 2016

Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy has gathered resources that could help extend learning about climate change and why it is important. This website has downloadable curriculum guides for grades 3-12, with content that can be integrated into other subjects.

Even Einstein Struggled: Effects of Learning About Great Scientists’ Struggles on High School Students’ Motivation to Learn Science

Added: Oct 28, 2016

This study from ED’s Institute of Education Sciences What Works Clearinghouse examined whether students who read stories about the personal or intellectual struggles of famous scientists had higher science grades than students who read only about the scientists’ achievements. The study authors randomly assigned students in four New York City high schools to three groups within the same science classrooms. One group of students was assigned to read about the personal struggles of Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Michael Faraday, while another read about their intellectual struggles. A third group was assigned to read about their achievements without mention of their struggles. The study authors reported that students who read stories about the scientists’ personal or intellectual struggles had higher science grades than students who read about their achievements only.

Pack a Waste-Free Lunch

Added: Oct 27, 2016

EPA developed the Waste-Free Lunch activities to help students learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle items in their school lunches. A Waste-Free Lunch Flyer discusses the importance of packing waste-free lunches. Other documents provide tips, a lunch-planning worksheet, and a lunch-evaluation worksheet. Use these materials to get your students interested in a waste-free lunch day at your school.

American Bison: A National Mammal

Added: Oct 26, 2016

Get to know our national mammal, the American bison. Under the recently enacted law, the National Bison Legacy Act, the bison has joined the bald eagle as an official symbol of the United States. At this web page, educators of all grade levels can access 15 fun facts about the animal, covering everything from its biology and behaviors to its connection to Native American history. Did you know that baby bison are called red dogs, or that you can judge a bison’s mood by its tail? Were you aware that bison have been integral to tribal culture, providing Native Americans with food, clothing, fuel, tools, shelter, and spiritual value? The website also includes photographs and links to more information.

USGS Career Cards

Added: Oct 25, 2016

Introduce middle and high school students to science and technical career opportunities at the USGS through this series of descriptive cards. Each card highlights a different job, describing the duties and education qualifications for the position and featuring a photograph of a scientist at work in the field. Profiled careers include ecologist, geographer, geologist, hydrologist, hydrologic technician, and physical scientist.

Tracking Change Over Time

Added: Oct 24, 2016

The objective of the Tracking Change Over Time lesson plan is to get students excited about studying the changing Earth. Targeted for grades 5–8, the lesson plan contains four parts: Getting Started, Understanding Remote Sensing, Using MultiSpec to Interpret Satellite Imagery, and The Modules. The lesson guides teachers and students through the basics of remote sensing and how to use the MultiSpec software; students then apply what they’ve learned in two lesson modules exploring the uses of satellite data to track different types of landscape change over time. In the first module, students examine a series of satellite images from Phoenix, Arizona, taken over time, and use the data to investigate issues of urban land use. In the second module, students use satellite data to explore land changes resulting from natural occurrences such as a flood.

MyPlate Food Group Quizzes

Added: Oct 23, 2016

Test your students’ knowledge of the five food groups with these quizzes from the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and MyPlate program. Designed to both teach and entertain, and appropriate for use with students and adults of all ages, the 10-question quizzes present practical facts and information about the dairy, protein, grains, fruit, and vegetable groups. The quizzes are comprised of multiple-choice and true/falsequestions, but each answer includes an explanatory note with additional information.

The Solar System and Beyond for Kids

Added: Oct 22, 2016

Ready for liftoff ? NASA has created a new playlist to excite elementary and middle level students about space science. Available on the YouTube Kids app for both iOS and Android platforms, the playlist features NASA videos that focus on our solar system and the instruments NASA uses to study the universe. Learn something new about your celestial neighborhood!

Wanted: Mars Explorers!

Added: Oct 21, 2016

Inspire the next generation of Mars exploration with these posters from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Originally commissioned for a 2009 exhibit in the Space Center’s Visitor’s Complex, the posters remind us that Mars exploration encompasses a range of talents and interests:explorers, night owls, farmers, surveyors, teachers, technicians, and builders. Download the posters and join NASA in the Journey to Mars!

NASA STARS en Español

Added: Oct 20, 2016

A new monthly video chat—streamed live in Spanish from the NASA Kennedy Space Center—promotes awareness of NASA’s diverse career opportunities for minority populations and highlights Hispanic professionals as role models working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Produced by NASA’s DigitalLearning Network and Education Professional Development Collaborative, the program is targeted for Spanish-speaking middle and high school students, including those inSTEM classes, Spanish classes, and Spanish clubs. To participate, students can watch the live stream and tweet questions to #NASASTARS, or teachers can register their classes to participate as a remote live audienc for an event. Upcoming programdates include November 10 and December 13, 2016, and January 26, February 23, and March 14, 2017.

Every Kid in a Park

Added: Oct 19, 2016

Sponsored by the National Park Foundation, the Every Kid in a Park initiative is again offering passes for free admission to national parks, national forests, and national wildlife refuges to fourth-grade students and their families. Why fourth grade? Research shows that kids ages 9 to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them. At this age, students are open to new ideas, and they are likely to connect to nature and our history—a prime time to begin exploring our country’s public lands and to begin building a foundation for future park stewardship. The admission passes are good from September 1, 2016, through August 31, 2017.

Centennial Junior Ranger Activity Book

Added: Oct 18, 2016

Happy 100th birthday to the National Park Service! Celebrate our country’s majestic national parks with this interactive activity book for K–8 students. Through photographs, fun facts, games, puzzles, conservation tips, and activities, the 20-page book shows students what it means to be a Junior Ranger and what they can do to help preserve and protect national parks. Students who complete the activity book can turn it in at any national park visitor center to receive an official Junior Ranger Centennial Badge. Or students can mail the completed book to the National Park Service, Junior Ranger Centennial Program Coordiator, 1201 Eye St. NW, Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20005. Students should include their mailing addresses to receive their badges.

Alaska: Biomes of the North

Added: Oct 17, 2016

Experience the unique biomes of northern Alaska from the comfort of your own classroom! Through this distance-learning program from the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Fairbanks, Alaska, students can meet an NPS ranger and learn about the diversity of Alaska’s habitats. Targeted for students in grades 5–12, this 50-minute lesson explores the tundra and boreal forest biomes of Northern Alaska, particularly the nonliving factors that create these unique ecosystems and the animals that call these extreme environments home.

Biographies of Women Scientists For Girls and Young Women

Added: Oct 16, 2016

Science is for women, too! Share this list of books about famous and contemporary female scientists with the girls and young women in K–12 classrooms! Available from the LOC’s Science Reference Services, the list presents books written in English within the past 20 years and offers titles appropriate for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels. The list also includes science book series and links for additional information.

Cell Day 2016

Added: Oct 15, 2016

“Cell”ebrate Cell Day 2016 with a web chat with scientists from NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences. On November 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time, scientists will answer middle and high school students’ questions on cell biology,biochemistry, research careers, and related topics. .

Shipwreck Science

Added: Oct 14, 2016

NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary offers science, technology, engineering, art, and math lesson plans for K–12 educators. For example, Mock Shipwreck: Mapping thePast, a lesson for students in grades 9–12, challenges teams of “divers to create sectioned, scaled drawings of a mock shipwreck site. Student users develop skills in science, math, technology, and history and mode the processes of how real scientists document the discovery of an actual shipwreck. The lesson plan includes learning objectives, teacher background information, student activities and discussion questions, extensions, vocabulary words, additional resources, and student handouts. In another lesson, Shipwrecks as Reefs: Biological Surveys, students in grades 6–8 model the real-world marine science practice of using a shipwreck site as an artificial reef. Students “dive” a mock shipwreck site (i.e., the artificial reef ), conducting biological surveys of fish populations using the methods of visual census transects and stationary quadrats. Students practice data sampling, collection, and analysis techniques, observing similarities and differences between surveys and drawing conclusions from the data.

NSA Day of Cyber

Added: Oct 13, 2016

Celebrate National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October with your students with NSA Day of Cyber, an online cybersecurity career exploration platform sponsored by NSA and powered by LifeJourney. Student users will sit virtually beside the NSA Cyber Threat Director and test drive a day in the life of six NSA cyber professionals. Students will participate in challenging real-life cyber scenarios, discover the skills and tools used by NSA cyber professionals, explore the vast number of careers in cybersecurity, and generate their “Cyber Resume.” The program contains approximately two hours of content that students can do during class or at home. (Preview it at http://wi.st/2c3Xy93.) No teacher training is required; students will only need computer and internet access. Teachers should register at the website. Once you have registered and activated your account, you will be taken to your Instructor Dashboard, where you will retrieve the Student Registration Key and URL to share with students. In addition, teachers can access an Instructor Resource Guide.

eMachineShop's 3D Part Modeling Software

Added: Oct 12, 2016

Introduce students to 3D modeling, and teach them how to design custom 2D and 3D parts. The essentials of eMachineShop's free CAD program can be easily learned, and with a sizable educational video library, students have ample resources to help them through any difficulty they might encounter. If needed, the designed parts can ordered and created as real-world physical prototypes.

Review Quiz, PacMan style

Added: Oct 11, 2016

"Gamify” your review sessions—and excite students of all ages about studying content—with a customized quiz game from ClassTools.net. Simply type in a series of questions and answers, click a button, and receive a link to a personalized quiz in the format of a“PacMan” game. The game runs like ordinary PacMan (i.e., PacMan travels through a maze eating dots and fruits, trying to avoid being eaten by a ghost), but with a twist. In the quiz version, when PacMan is eaten by a ghost, students must answer a series of multiple-choice questions from the database to gain an extra life and a chance to continue. The computer generates the answers for the multiple-choice questions based on the other answers in the database, but teachers can choose to add alternative answers to the multiple-choice questions if they prefer..

Brains On!

Added: Oct 10, 2016

This weekly science podcast series for kids ages 6–12, produced by Minnesota Public Radio and Southern California Public Radio, celebrates students who are “serious about being curious.” Each episode tackles a puzzling, student-submitted science question such as these: Why are no two snowflakes the same? Why does tickling make you laugh? What makes paint stick? What are mosquitoes good for? Experts from appropriate fields provide the answers; with its extensive range of question topics, the series introduces students to a variety of science professionals, including snake handlers, food scientists, and astronauts. Visit the website to hear the podcasts, submit a question for a future episode, and find extras like interviews with scientists, experiment ideas, videos, and science songs.

The Fractal Foundation

Added: Oct 9, 2016

The foundation offers hands-on curriculum and “fractivities” for K–12 audiences that teach fractal concepts and combine science, math, and art learning in a fun way. Teachers can access fractal animations and hands-on activities such as Fractal Scavenger Hunt and Fractal Bingo (grades K–12), which challenge students to find examples of fractals in the natural world. Other activities develop model-building skills, such as Fractal Tetrahedrons (grades 1–7), in which students create a three-dimensional tetrahedron from mini-marshmallows and toothpicks.

Exploring Infectious Diseases

Added: Oct 8, 2016

Targeted for the high school level, this website presents learning modules and online resources, including background stories and links, to deepen students’ understanding of infectious diseases and their spread. The modules—About Infectious Disease, Seeking the Cause, Viruses Go Viral, and Treatment and Prevention—can be taught as a coherent unit or individually as separate topics. All of the resources incorporate an overarching storyline of recent Ebola and measles outbreaks, helping students to make real-world connections to the content.

Molecule Man’s Making Science Make Sense Activity Book

Added: Oct 7, 2016

Follow the adventures of chemistry-loving Molecule Man and Molecule Dog, and jump-start a chemistry investigation with elementary and middle level students. In this guide developed by Bayer Corporation, students learn facts about polymers and conduct experiments exploring chemical reactions (Martian Jelly), paper chromatography (CoolColors), molecular properties (Strange Acting Goop), and plastics (Milk Magic). Additionally, puzzles, mazes, word searches, and activity pages reinforce students’ chemistry understandings.

Chlorine Chemistry

Added: Oct 6, 2016

This collection of resources developed by the American Chemistry Council and its partners explores the role of chlorine in our everyday lives. Primarily targeted for the middle and high school levels, the resources include lessons such as Water: No Dirt, No Germs, which explores the chemistry that makes drinking water safe, and Building Block Chemistry, which examines how chlorine and other elements combine to make everyday products such as soccer balls, tennis shoes, television sets, and vinyl siding. Other materials—such as activity books featuring Chlorin8tor and Little Hector, the Disinfector, and the Chlorine Compound Library (a listing of more than 40 chlorine- containing compounds and their uses)—offer chemistry content along with practical information.

Outdoor Learning Blog

Added: Oct 5, 2016

Make the most of K–12 outdoor learning spaces with articles and tips from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s BirdSleuth Program. This blog presents everything from how-to articles on creating a successful outdoor classroom space to suggestions for using the space to attract birds and engage students in bird-related citizen science projects. Teachers can also find research articles supporting the importance of outdoor exploration for students.

Explore.org

Added: Oct 4, 2016

Watch grizzly bears catching and eating salmon in Katmai National Park in Alaska! See Beluga whales swimming in Canada’s Churchill River estuary! At Explore.org, theAnnenberg Foundation’s multimedia animal education website, these and many other exciting animal sightings are just a click away. Targeted for K–12 teachers and animal lovers of all ages, the site offers access to dozens of live nature cams from national parks in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, allowing students to observe an unfiltered glimpse of animals in their natural habitats. Along with the live cam feed, teachers can access photographs, videos, key facts about animal species, and “profiles” describing specific animals seen on camera. http://bit.ly/2ctwMZc.

Launching Astronomy Standards and STEM Integration (LASSI) Website

Added: Oct 3, 2016

Educators from the University of Wyoming’s departments of Secondary Education and Physics and Astronomy culled a collection of teaching resources to enhance astronomy instruction and increase STEM integration in K–12 classrooms. Produced by participants from past LASSI workshops, the lessons address various content areas and grade levels. Lessons include Robot Turtles and Coding and Determining the Mystery Planet (elementary); Analyzing Sunspots and Fire Beetle Ecology (middle level); and Inverse Square Law With Lasers and Data Analysis for Finding Planets (high school). Accompanying Content Sheets for the topic areas addressed in the lessons (e.g., robotics, composition of the universe, sky motion, and others) list higher-, middle-, and lower-difficulty outcomes and offer connections to both the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards. (Click on the Activities tab to access the topic Content Sheets.)

The Missing Species Report (MSR) Project

Added: Oct 2, 2016

This arts and science program is designed to raise awareness of severely endangered animals and plants and the importance of their conservation. Developed by the Endangered Species Coalition as part of the Vanishing: Ten Species Your Children May Never See campaign, the MSR curriculum (with versions for early elementary, elementary, middle, and high school grade levels) offers age-appropriate information and activities to learn about how species become endangered and what individuals can do to protect them, the Endangered Species Act, and related topics. After completing the curriculum activities, students can use templates to complete a Missing Species Report about a vanishing species or create and display a Missing Species Flyer about it. Teacher registration is required to access the materials.

Discovering the Genome

Added: Oct 1, 2016

Developed by the University of Pennsylvania, this web-based curriculum provides basicto advanced genomics content for high school students. Focused on the human genome, the content is packaged into plug-and-play online modules ready for use, even by teachers with little genomics background. Module topics include Tour of the Genome, DNA Sequencing, Bioinformatics, and Browsing Genomes. Each module contains videos, activities, discussion questions, and links for additional resources. Use the materials to increase students’ genomics literacy and explore the expanding role of genomics in the fields of healthcare, food production, species management of natural resources, and environmental conservation.

Generation Beyond

Added: Sep 30, 2016

Lockheed Martin’s STEM education initiative for the middle level offers standards-based lesson plans, educator guides, and family activities to motivate students to learn about deep space exploration. The resources introduce a range of STEM-focused careers in space exploration, compare and contrast differences between life in space and on Earth, and illustrate challenges of a future Mars mission. NASA is working toward putting humans on Mars, and the first crew to visit the red planet is likely in middle school right now: They might just be your students!

Science and the Second World War

Added: Sep 29, 2016

Looking to move beyond the textbook to help middle and high school students connect STEM to significant historical events? Two interdisciplinary activities from the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)—“Advancement of Medical Technology DuringWorld War II” (for the high school level) and “I’ll Huff and Puff and Blow Your Ships Up” (for the middle level)—help students build a deeper understanding of issues in the Second World War while learning science content. Teachers who created the lessons researched a fallen American hero buried in an ABMC cemetery. The resulting lesson plans—which present historical context along with learning objectives, materials and preparation steps, student procedures, assessments, extensions, and adaptations—keep memories of the soldiers alive and make history real for students.

Women in Science Card Game

Added: Sep 28, 2016

Essentially a “female scientist” version of the popular card game Uno, this fun resource from luanagames.com introduces players to 44 remarkable women in science and offers inspiring role models for kids. Each card features an illustration of a female scientist and a brief summary of her primary contributions to her field. Scientists include primatologist Dian Fossey, astronomer Cecelia Payne, chemist and X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, anthropologist Margaret Mead, biologist Rachel Carson, engineer and astronaut Julie Payette, and computer scientist Rose Dieng-Kuntz.

The K12 Engineering Education Podcast

Added: Sep 27, 2016

Listen to engineering professionals “dish” on ideas for inspiring engineering thinking in K–12 students. Podcast topics include ways to combat institutional barriers to engineering in K–12 education, innovative ideas to teach engineering, equity in access to engineering, industry needs for engineers, educational technology solutions for K–12 classrooms, and research on how kids learn engineering knowledge and skills.

Campus Ties

Added: Sep 26, 2016

This site offers online science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning for college and college-bound students. Developed collaboratively by educators at Michigan State University, Iowa State University, and Mississippi State University, these bite-sized lessons in biology, chemistry, botany, genetics, and other science fields introduce facts and information through multiple-choice and true/false questions. Students earn points as they move through the lesson “primers” and answer the questions correctly. Students who complete a series of primers (i.e., a course) can earn certificates for their portfolio.

Pad2Pad's Custom Circuit Board Design Software

Added: Sep 25, 2016

Transform your students into printed circuit board designers and electrical engineers with Pad2Pad's free PCB CAD software. Pad2Pad also has a video tutorial library to help students use the software and to teach them real-world electrical engineering skills. Pad2Pad's software has taught students from elementary school to university level how to design their own custom circuit schematics.

Mars Rover Game

Added: Sep 24, 2016

As Curiosity marks its fourth anniversary (in Earth years) since landing on Mars, the rover is working on collecting its 17th sample. While Curiosity explores Mars, gamers can join the fun via a new social media game, Mars Rover. On their mobile devices, players drive a rover through rough Martian terrain, challenging themselves to navigate and balance the rover while earning points along the way. The game also illustrates how NASA's next Mars rover, in development for launch in 2020, will use radar to search for underground water.

Get the free app to play “Mars Rover,” and find out how the game rover compares to real Mars rovers.

Indicators for Postsecondary Hispanic STEM Success

Added: Sep 23, 2016

A Review of the Literature to Identify Leading Indicators Related to Hispanic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Postsecondary Educational Outcomes, a new report from ED’s Institute of Education Sciences, examined recent peer-reviewed studies to identify factors measured in K–12 settings related to students’ postsecondary STEM success, particularly for Hispanic students. The review revealed that the number of high school science and mathematics courses taken and the level of those courses is a consistent predictor of postsecondary STEM outcomes for all student subgroups. However, the literature indicates that minority students, including Hispanics, were less likely to take the highest-level science and mathematics courses. The reviewed research suggests that reducing disparities in science and mathematics preparation between Hispanic and white students and increasing the rates at which Hispanic students take high-level mathematics and science classes has promise for informing interventions designed to improve STEM outcomes.

CitizenScience.gov

Added: Sep 22, 2016

At this website, K–college educators will find information, resources, and tools to get involved in citizen science and crowdsourcing projects. The site offers a searchable catalog of more than 300 federally supported citizen science projects, a toolkit to assist with designing and maintaining projects, and a gateway to the community of federal employees and practitioners involved in developing best practices for crowdsourcing and citizen science. Teachers can search the database by topic (e.g., Animals, Astronomy, Birds, Climate and Weather, Ecology, Food, Health and Medicine, Physics, Pollinators, and others), agency sponsor, and participant age (e.g., elementary, families, general public, middle level, and youth/teen) to narrow project choices to those of interest. A blog, Federal CITSCI, posts updates on the progress of various citizen science projects and highlights projects currently seeking participation from citizens, including students and teachers.

Science Student Discovery Sets

Added: Sep 21, 2016

The LOC’s science-themed Student Discovery Sets teach K–12 students about history and the nature of science through primary source materials: artifacts and one-of-a-kind documents created by the people who experienced the event. Available for Macs and iOS devices, the science sets address Scientific Data: Observing, Recording, and Communicating Information; Understanding the Cosmos: Changing Models of the Solar System and the Universe; and Weather Forecasting. Interactive tools enable students to zoom in for close examination, draw to highlight interesting details, and make notes about what they discover, providing opportunities for another generation of learners to find insight and inspiration from the materials. Read Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten record of temperatures at Monticello, study the first recorded periodic table of chemical elements, zoom in on diagrams drawn by Isaac Newton, or circle details of early weather instruments! A teacher’s guide with background information, ideas for classroom instruction, and other resources is available for each set. And teachers can find more tips and resources on the Teaching With the Library of Congress Twitter feed, @TeachingLC.

Healthy Eating Infographic

Added: Sep 20, 2016

Use the USDA’s “MyPlate, MyWins: Make It Yours” mini-poster infographic to help students of all ages find their healthy eating style. In addition to easy-to-follow tips such as “vary your veggies,” “switch to low-fat milk or yogurt,” and “don’t forget physical activity,” the infographic provides target amounts to consume in each food group: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. The poster is available in both English and Spanish. Other available resources include the 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series fact sheets, which provide guidance on how to Make Better Beverage Choices, Vary Your Protein Routine, Add More Vegetables to Your Day, and more.

Become a Watershed Sleuth

Added: Sep 19, 2016

Produced by EPA and the National Environmental Education Foundation, the Watershed Sleuth program helps K–12 students and their families learn how to solve water-quality problems. Through online lessons and hands-on activities, students learn about their watershed: what it is, why it is important, and what can be done to protect it. Activities include building a model aquifer and taking an interactive quiz to find out where water wasters are. Students earn badges with each successive lesson completed, moving from Watershed Sleuth (i.e., knowledgeable about watershed basics) to Watershed Guardian (i.e., knowledgeable about improving water quality at home), to finally Watershed Hero (i.e., knowledgeable about safeguarding water quality in the community).

WaterSense Kids

Added: Sep 18, 2016

This website teaches elementary and middle level students about the importance of water and why we need to conserve it. Test their knowledge of water conservation with the WaterSense game, or find simple suggestions for saving water, such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth; taking showers instead of baths to use less water; and watering the yard in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Teachers can also access resources to help students promote water conservation at home, including student worksheets to track family water use and a Student and Family Pledge to Filter Out Bad Water Habits.

NPS Distance Learning Programs: Grand Canyon

Added: Sep 17, 2016

Bring the Grand Canyon to your classroom using NPS distance learning programs. The programs cover a range of topics and grade levels: Ancient Life (fossils, grades 2–5), Ask a Ranger (geology, grades 4–8), Canyon Connections (plant/animal adaptations, grades 4–8), Condor’s Flight (endangered species, grades 3–7), and Ranger Careers (park rangers in action, grades 5–12). Registration for the 2016–2017 school year starts on October 5, 2016; requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the website for more information, including distance learning equipment requirements.

NSF's Science360 News Service

Added: Sep 16, 2016

Text, video, audio, or still image—what’s your pleasure? Discover, share, and discuss current science news and research from around the world with NSF’s comprehensive science news portal, Science 360 News. Daily (Monday through Friday) news stories feature a video, an audio podcast, an image of the day, and a Did You Know section. A searchable database also helps visitors find information on almost any STEM topic from reliable sources, including NSF, academia, peer-reviewed journals, science and engineering centers, and researchers themselves. In addition, Science360 has a video library of more than 2,000 titles, 24/7 streaming radio, and iOS and Android apps. The content is refreshed every week, so there’s always something new to explore.

NSF: Generation R (obotics) Starts Now!

Added: Sep 15, 2016

Presented as part of a recent NSF report on robotics, this series of motivational posters from highlights some of the key factors central to advancement in robotics: Commitment, Empathy, Learn, Power, Independence, Communication, Vision, Sustainability, Strength, and Teamwork. Each poster includes a brief description of how the featured word relates to the field and to NSF robotics research. Share the posters with your middle and high school students to inspire the next generation of robotics innovators.

NASA Back-to-School Resources

Added: Sep 14, 2016

K–8 teachers and space enthusiasts of all ages, start your school year off right with a Solar System Bulletin Board from the NASA/JPL Educator Resource Center. The resources include a poster of Saturn’s Titan Moon, taken by NASA’s Cassini mission, along with student activities for grades 1–8; a Solar System Lithograph Set depicting NASA images of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, along with key facts about each celestial body; an Extreme Space Facts Lithograph, featuring a “family portrait” of our solar system along with 16 extreme space facts; and a lithograph, Saturn and Our Pale Blue Orb, which shows Earth as seen at Saturn and describes how the image was captured by NASA’s Cassini mission at Saturn.

NASA Next

Added: Sep 13, 2016

NASA Next, an online space science magazine for students in grades 5–8, breaks down complex science to inform young readers about the latest news and research from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Articles describe Goddard science, including studies of Earth, the Sun, our solar system, and the universe; most articles include links to other NASA web pages, allowing readers to learn more about the missions and technologies. The magazine also introduces students to careers in space science: A recent issue features a Q&A with Gina DiBraccio, a space research scientist at Goddard whose work focuses on how the Sun affects the space environment of Mars. Each issue also includes an Educator’s Page with links to lesson plans to help teachers incorporate the issue’s content into the classroom.

NASA Women of STEM

Added: Sep 12, 2016

Through their accomplishments and dedication to their jobs, women at NASA serve as important role models to young women interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Read career profiles, watch inspirational videos, and find tips to motivate students to stay focused on STEM. It’s not just girls who will be awed, however: With profiled careers as varied as instrument scientists, planetary geologists, research meteorologists, space station payload operations directors, information technology managers, aerospace engineers, system engineers, and mathematicians, all students will recognize that STEM offers something for everyone.

Ocean Explorer Education

Added: Sep 11, 2016

NOAA's Ocean Explorer Education Theme Pages present ocean science topics like Archaeology, the Arctic, Bioluminescence, Cold Seeps, Deep-Sea Corals, Seamounts, and Vents and Volcanoes. Each page has links to essays, lessons, multimedia interactive activities, career information, and associated past expeditions. The Bioluminescence theme page,for example, features essays exploring topics like how living organisms produce light and the visual systems of deep-sea creatures, as well as lessons targeting middle and high school levels on topics like light, color, and camouflage in deep-ocean organismsand adaptations of deep-sea creatures. You’ll also find videos and images of bioluminescent organisms and a video profile of a scientist who studies bioluminescence.

Migration Station

Added: Sep 10, 2016

At this web page from the FWS’ Fish and Aquatic Conservation division, you can learn about the importance of open rivers and the role of migratory fish in nature. Appropriate for fish enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages, the site contains Fish Facts handouts with background information on more than a dozen species of migratoryfish including alligator gar, Chinook salmon, Lake sturgeon, and Pacific lamprey; a slideshow of cartoon-illustrated migratory fish; and a poster, “What Makes Migration Tough for Fish?” These resources and an animated video, Did You Know? Fish MigrateToo!, may be useful to incorporate into biology and environmental science lessons.

Wild About Healthy Vision Agenda Book

Added: Sep 9, 2016

Targeted for the middle level, this NEI publication features eye-related myth busters and facts, an eye chart, eye safety tips, a glossary, word puzzles, and activities to help students learn about parts of the eye and how they work, healthy vision, eye diseases, and eye safety.

NEI for Kids Website

Added: Sep 8, 2016

At the National Eye Institute’s NEI for Kids website, upper-elementary and middle level students (and teachers) can learn about eye health and vision in an easily understandable way. The interactive website presents hands-on optical illusion images that can heighten students’ understanding of how we see. In addition, students can watch video interviews with NEI scientists on topics such as color blindness, nearsightedness and farsightedness, and what happens to our eyes when we sleep. Other kid-friendly resources include a video explaining the visual system, a fact sheet describing the eyes’ natural defenses, and eye diagrams.

Smithsonian Learning Lab

Added: Sep 7, 2016

The lab is about discovery, creation, and sharing. Teachers and students of all ages can create, annotate, and share customized collections culled from the museum’s vast store of digitized resources: more than one million images, recordings, and texts. The lab offers opportunities to make discoveries across disciplines and create new connections. For ideas for integrating your customized collection in the classroom, read the Getting Started Guide for Teachers. (Note: Students younger than age 13 must have parental permission to use the Create and Share features.)

Direct Measurement Videos

Added: Sep 6, 2016

Remember word problems from your high school physics class? For example, students are given a velocity at which a car drives down a road and the length of time it takes, and must find the distance the car will move. Now digital media offers a new and improved “word” problem: direct measurement videos. With this technique, students are given video clips with data to solve the problem instead of a verbal description or drawing and explicitly stated numerical information. At this website, educators will find a library of video problems that teach introductory physics mechanics at the high school or college level. Problems explore forces and motion, rotation, impulse and momentum, energy, waves, sound, light, and other topics. The site also has student activities and tips for teaching with direct measurement videos.

Teaching in Nature’s Classroom: Core Principles of Garden-Based Education

Added: Sep 5, 2016

Read this book to begin a school garden program and deepen elementary and middle level students’ connection to nature, food, and learning. Colorfully illustrated and brimming with engaging stories from the field, the book highlights 15 principles and best practices for successful garden-based education programs. Teachers can also discuss their garden-based learning experiences in an online forum.

Stand Up for STEM

Added: Sep 4, 2016

Teaching Tolerance has created lessons for students in grades 3–5 to address the underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM fields. The lessons can be used together or individually. Titles include Who, Me? A Scientist?, in which students connect with their “inner scientists,” and STEM at Work, in which students explore the work of scientists, technology specialists, engineers, and mathematicians and discuss their common character traits. In STEM by the Numbers, students examine the representation of white, black, Asian, and Hispanic men and women in science and engineering careers; in STEM for All, students consider the advantages of a STEM career and plan activities to support STEM for all.

Engineering Activity Guides

Added: Sep 3, 2016

Produced by the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation and North Carolina State University, these guides introduce elementary and middle level students to the engineering design process and teach them to overcome obstacles through creativity and teamwork. Though the guides were created to use on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, teachers can also use the activities in the classroom. In the Level One NC State Challenge STEM Activity Guide (http://bit.ly/2aA8g3L), students complete team activities, such as constructing a castle with hula hoops and creating a human Rube Goldberg machine. In the Level Two NC State Challenge STEM Activity Guide (http://bit.ly/2alGDuW), students design an effective packaging system for a single potato chip and make ice cream. In the Level Three NC State Challenge STEM Activity Guide (http://bit.ly/2aA9ITY), students design a maze that a NanoBug can successfully navigate and build a rocket that can deliver the most air canisters (i.e., paper clips) to the International Space Station (i.e., the ceiling).

SaveOnEnergy Infographic

Added: Sep 2, 2016

Help students understand the science of electricity with this animated guide. Produced by SaveOnEnergy.com, the guide explains how electricity works, from atoms to power plants.

Understanding Ebola Virus Disease

Added: Sep 1, 2016

This interactive learning experience for high school students—produced by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting, with National Science Foundation funding—explores the factors contributing to the spread of Ebola infection and shows students how these factors interact to produce an epidemic. While the model focuses on Ebola virus disease, the same factors apply to many other viral infections, including those common in the UnitedStates. The interdisciplinary resource connects to concepts related to evolution, mathematics, and social sciences, and addresses selected disciplinary core ideas, science practices, and crosscutting concepts from the Next Generation Science Standards.

Science in the Classroom

Added: Aug 31, 2016

Bring primary sources of scientific literature into your classroom with these annotated research papers from Science magazine. Most appropriate for high school and introductory college science courses, the papers explore key concepts of a study and place it within the larger body of research in a field, helping students to better understand scientific terminology and processes. The annotated papers address studies in biological and physical science; recent titles include The Origins of Immunity, Curiosity Tells All About Mars’ Radiation Environment, and Limb Regeneration: Fact or Fiction? A teacher’s guide—with background information, student discussion questions, and activities based on real data from the study—accompanies each paper.

GotScience.org Discussion Guide

Added: Aug 30, 2016

This e-book from Science Connected has links to articles and follow-up questions to supplement and enrich high school instruction in astronomy, biology, environmental science, physics, technology, and other topics. Accompanying each article are comprehension questions to help learners understand the meaning of the text; discussion questions to spur whole-class conversations and thinking beyond the text; and projects in which groups of students do research and share findings in papers, multimedia presentations, oral presentations, or other formats. Free registration is required to download the book.

Feed, Nourish, Thrive

Added: Aug 29, 2016

An initiative created by the STEM Food and Ag Council to address the challenge of feeding our planet in the future aims to inspire the next generation of innovators in food and agricultural production. To that end, the initiative's website features resources to encourage high school and college students to pursue careers in the diverse fields of food and agriculture. Students can read about developments in the blog and find food projects with which to get involved under Resources. The site also has video profiles featuring young professionals in the industry (click on Careers). Students can learn about careers such as food scientists, animal geneticists, plant breeders, flavor technologists, soil scientists, and sustainable agriculture conservationists.

Atomic Dating Game

Added: Aug 28, 2016

Readorium—an educational software company that designs programs to develop the nonfiction reading skills of students in grades 3–8—has a science–themed mini-game to increase reading comprehension skills while teaching students about atomic structure. Most appropriate for middle level students, the game challenges players to find the best match for a lonely Hydrogen atom. Will the best fit be the noble Helium, perky Hydrogen ion, or shy Deuterium? Students will learn facts about each of the “contestants” as they play.

The RCSB Protein Data Bank

Added: Aug 27, 2016

High school and college teachers can access teaching materials to explore the three-dimensional world of proteins and nucleic acids. Resources are organized by theme: Molecule of the Month, which presents short accounts on selected molecules from the Protein Data Bank; Learn, which features paper molecule models (e.g, insulin and the Zika virus), interactive animations (e.g., The Structural Biology of HIV), videos (e.g., What Is Protein?), and posters (e.g., “How Do Drugs Work?”); and Teach, which offers curricular models exploring Biomolecular Structures and Models, Molecular Immunology, and Molecular View of HIV/AIDS. The Geis image gallery is a digital collection of molecular art with interactive views of DNA, hemoglobin, and other molecules.

BirdSleuth Explorer’s Guidebook

Added: Aug 26, 2016

Use this booklet to get students outdoors and exploring nature! Aligned with the federal initiative Every Kid in the Park, and written for the fourth-grade level, this step-by-step guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology enables families, school groups, andothers to connect with nature while having fun. Try hands-on activities like going on a habitat scavenger hunt, creating a sound map, and identifying bird species.

The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers

Added: Aug 25, 2016

This popular online science series from PBS NOVA, now in its fifth season, aims to change how we view scientists. Through short "humanizing" video profiles, viewers discover the personal stories of notable and charismatic scientists, including Danica McKellar, mathematician and television actress; Chris Hadfield, astronaut and rock star; Geoff Tabin, ophthalmologist and bungee pioneer; and Jessica Cail, addiction researcher and stuntwoman. The series shatters the stereotype of scientists as lab-bound nerds and reinforces the idea that scientists come from all backgrounds and have a diverse range of interests and talents. A Teachers Guide provides teaching tips and web resources for using the content in middle level and high school classrooms.

ReadingFriend.com

Added: Aug 24, 2016

Access more than 500 animated, read-aloud stories, songs, poems, videos, and learning activities to enhance early childhood instruction (students ages 4–8) at this website. Science topics include animals, seasons, metamorphosis, planets, and rivers. Resources include DemBones, an animated song introducing students to the skeletal system; Bountiful Beetles, an online book about the insects that predated dinosaurs by millions of years; and I Like Birds, a nonfiction photo book about birds and their songs. The books also include supplementary materials such as lesson plans, interactive and read-aloud versions, and student worksheets.

Studying the Ocean Using Live Ocean Data

Added: Aug 23, 2016

Challenge middle level and high school students to increase their knowledge of oceans by learning to analyze and interpret live ocean data. With this lesson plan based on the Argo Buoy Project—an international ocean science research initiative employing a system of floats to gather data on ocean temperature, salinity, depth, and other properties—students use an interactive mapping tool to study the temperature of the ocean from the surface to a depth of 2,000 meters and investigate how salinity changes by geography as well as depth. Students then use graphing and printing tools to compare and contrast ocean data collected worldwide.

Careers in Environmental Science

Added: Aug 22, 2016

Wonder what it takes to be an environmental scientist? High school and college students can learn about this exciting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career. Discover what an environmental scientist does, what education is required to become one, the types of jobs available to those with an environmental science degree, and the projected growth and salary information for individuals working in the profession. The site also features interviews with experts working in various areas of environmental science; video lectures on topics such as environmental management and renewable energy; and a job board.

Ayiti: The Cost of Life

Added: Aug 21, 2016

Incorporate this online strategy game as part of your interdisciplinary science and social studies lessons. The game challenges middle level students (and older) to keep the Guinards, a rural family of five in Haiti, alive for four years. It sounds easy, but the Guinards face some difficult challenges resulting from poverty, severe weather, and potential violence. 

Explore the Moon With Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

Added: Aug 20, 2016

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) is a system of three cameras mounted on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) that captures high-resolution, black-and-white images and moderate-resolution multispectral images of the lunar surface. At this website, elementary, middle, and high school educators can access age-appropriate educator’s guides to explore the Moon with students and learn about Moon-related NASA missions. 

"Rehab the Lab" Resources

Added: Aug 19, 2016

"Rehab the Lab"—a school laboratory safety initiative sponsored by the Local Hazardous Waste Program in King County, Washington—offers a suite of resources to help K–12 educators prepare and manage safe school science laboratories. The website offers lab safety videos and suggestions for minimally toxic high school chemistry labs, along with checklists to ensure science lab safety and the safe storage of chemicals in small spaces. In addition, the School Chemical List presents information on nearly 1,000 school chemicals, describing any potential hazards (physical, health, or environmental) arising from acute or chronic exposures; the recommended grade level the chemical can safely be used with; how the chemical should be properly stored; the kinds of experiments the chemical is typically used in; and the appropriate disposal method for the chemical.

Growing School Gardens Forum

Added: Aug 18, 2016

School gardens provide numerous opportunities for K–12 educators to teach students of all ages where food comes from and how food choices can impact their bodies, the environment, and their communities. The Growing School Gardens online community offers a forum for educators, gardeners, parents, and volunteers to share their passion for school gardening and to find ideas and resources for integrating gardening experiences into the curriculum. In addition to having online discussions with fellow gardeners all around the country, members can also participate in interactive webinars on gardening practices and other topics.

Teaching Thinking Skills Within the Common Core

Added: Aug 17, 2016

Read this blog post to see how middle level educator and blogger Bill Ferriter incorporated common core literacy and analytical skills into a sixth-grade science project on pizza box ovens. To “jack the Common Core value of the lesson,” Ferriter employed strategies from the book, How to Teach Thinking Skills Within the Common Core. This book points out how teachers of any subject can help students master Common Core learning standards by explicitly teaching the thinking skills scattered throughout the new curriculum—i.e., skills in analyzing, synthesizing, comparing and contrasting, and evaluating content. To that end, Ferriter created (and shared) two “common core” worksheets to accompany the pizza box oven science project, one a worksheet that teaches students a systemic process for making a determination, and the second a worksheet that teaches students a process for evaluating the effectiveness of the pizza box oven design.

Microfossils Resources

Added: Aug 16, 2016

Microfossils are the fossilized remains of microscopic single-celled organisms and other once-living flora and fauna. What can these fossilized organisms tell us about the history of the Earth and its climate? To answer questions like these, scientists on ocean research vessels like the JOIDES Resolution (JR) analyze the contents of core samples drilled from the ocean floor. Identifying microfossils in a sample helps scientists determine the age of the sediment. Now with educational resources available on the JR website—including a microfossil fact sheet, matching game, and poster and activity guide—middle level students can investigate similar questions in the classroom, learning about microfossils and exploring their role in paleoclimate research.

Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax and PLT

Added: Aug 15, 2016

Dr. Seuss’s popular book The Lorax (and its movie version)—offer educators many opportunities to teach students in grades preK–8 about the value of forests and the importance of sustainable forest management. A Classroom Guide produced by Project Learning Tree can help teachers translate the lessons from The Lorax into their science instruction. Titles include: Who Speaks for the Trees?, which discusses the importance of sustainable management of natural resources; We All Need Trees, which examines how much we depend on trees in our daily lives; Three Cheers for Trees, which challenges students to envision how their would be different without trees; Forest for the Trees, which explores the economic factors that influence management decisions for private forest lands; 400-Acre Wood, which helps students understand the complex considerations that influence management decisions about forest lands; and Plant a Tree, which encourages students plan and carry out a tree-planting project.

Tales From the Poisoner’s Handbook

Added: Aug 14, 2016

Add this interactive online graphic novel to your high school forensic toxicology unit. Produced by WGBH and My American Experience, this novel takes students along with forensic chemist Alexander Gettler and chief medical examiner Charles Norris through New York City in the 1920s as they help solve crimes with groundbreaking forensic science. The novel presents four case studies of lethal poison, and students conduct virtual labs to identify the visual evidence, chemical trails, and supporting evidence to uncover the truth, discovering basics about biochemistry and the impact of poisons on the human body along the way. A teacher’s guide and other supporting materials, including background essay, discussion questions, and teaching suggestions, are available.

Describing and Measuring STEM Teaching Practices

Added: Aug 13, 2016

Aiming to establish a common language to discuss Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teaching at the undergraduate level, this 68-page booklet from the American Association for the Advancement of Science discusses five tools and techniques that individuals or organizations can use to measure STEM teaching: faculty and student surveys, interviews, classroom observations, and teaching portfolios. The best descriptions of STEM practices typically involved more than one technique, the book concluded. With a common language of tools and techniques established, researchers and STEM faculty can then begin to focus on identifying and improving student STEM learning at the undergraduate level and effecting real change.

Captain Planet Learning Gardens Program

Added: Aug 12, 2016

Make the most of a school garden with the interdisciplinary lessons in the Captain Planet Learning Gardens Program. Targeted for preschool through middle level learners, each lesson in this curriculum supports Common Core curriculum standards, encourages inquiry-based learning, and promotes environmental stewardship. Sample lessons include Nature Is All Around (preschool), which features a puppet show that teaches students how to use their senses explore nature; Air Pollution-Detecting Gardens (elementary), which teaches students about bio-indicator plants such as milkweed and what can be learned about pollution from monitoring them; and Garden Wars: Invaders, Protectors, and Partners (middle level), which explores the symbiotic relationships of various organisms in an organic garden.

A Moment of Science

Added: Aug 11, 2016

What do bicycles, footballs, and space shuttles have in common? Can you really learn while you are asleep? These—and literally thousands of other questions about the world we live in—are answered in A Moment of Science, Indiana University's two-minute daily audio podcast that provides the scientific story behind some of life's most perplexing mysteries. Recent stories have investigated the origins of a cat’s kneading behavior, the idea of whether what we eat can change our DNA, and why our eyes get puffy when we cry. The engaging topics are sure to generate interest and spark discussion among middle and high school students; more likely, they’ll inspire students to submit a science question to be answered in a future episode!

Science Apps for 'Out-of-School-Time'

Added: Aug 10, 2016

BOOST Collaborative, a group of educators dedicated to initiating educational change through the support of high-quality "out-of-school time" programs, has culled a list of educational science apps for learners of all ages. The apps address a wide range of science disciplines and interests, offering something for everyone from the preschool teacher to college professor. Highlights include Kids Fish Life (preschool and elementary levels), which introduces children to 15 species of fish that live in shallow waters; Arctic Express (elementary and middle levels), which presents a three-dimensional view of tanker and describes how it floats, its main features, and what goes into building it; and Molecules (high school and college levels), which offers three-dimensional renderings of molecules that students can manipulate with their fingers.

Engaging High School Students in Citizen Science

Added: Aug 9, 2016

One way for high school students to investigate the impact of human activity on the environment is to participate in citizen science projects. In this way, students examine an environmental issue from the inside out, interacting with the local environment as they collect evidence, analyze data, and consider an issue’s implications for the community. The article “Our Ecological Footprint: Inquiry and Integration Across the Curriculum,” published in the School Library Journal, is a good starting point for high school educators interested in involving students in citizen science. The article presents links, resources, and teaching ideas on the topic as well as learning standards (Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core) that can be addressed through authentic science research.

Chemistry: Investigating Your World

Added: Aug 8, 2016

Make your own chemistry activity kit, and start Investigating Your World with students! Originally developed as part of the 2011 International Year of Chemistry celebration, and most appropriate for use in middle level classrooms, this teacher’s guide and activity kit provide the tools to teach students about chemical reactions. Through four lessons, tied together by an “international mystery” to solve, students explore chemical reactions resulting in the production of a gas, color change, formation of a precipitate, and temperature change. The lessons build inquiry skills while exploring the meanings of the terms reactant, product, precipitate, exothermic, and endothermic and how they are used in the context of chemical reactions.

DIY Sun Science

Added: Aug 7, 2016

Calling all budding astronomers! Funded by NASA, this app developed by University of California Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science encourages students ages 10 and up and their families to learn about the Sun at school, home, and anywhere. The app features 13 simple, hands-on activities along with images, videos, and more. Try activities such as Make a UV Detector, Cook With a Solar Oven, Solar Flare Flip Book, and Model the Sun and Earth. Students can also see live images of the Sun from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite in the Sun Observatory and view collections of images and videos of the Sun from various observatories on Earth and in space.

Birds of the Mississippi River Delta

Added: Aug 6, 2016

The Mississippi River Delta is home to one of the most unique and important ecosystems in the United States. Take your students on a field trip there through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s video, Birds of the Mississippi River Delta. Most appropriate for use with upper-elementary and middle level students, the 10-minute video lets students observe the ecosystem and its many avian inhabitants up close. The video provides opportunities to explore concepts related to habitats (i.e., How does the Mississippi Delta provide food, water, cover, and space for the birds that live there?); adaptations and diversity (i.e., How are these beaks adapted for different birds’ diets? How are the legs of birds different, and how do these differences allow specific species to survive?); and food chains (i.e., Draw a food chain that includes a bird found in the video; be sure to start with the Sun and end with a decomposer).

Guide to Keeping a Lab Notebook

Added: Aug 5, 2016

Share this short video on the 10 best practices for keeping an accurate laboratory notebook with high school students. While the video relates to keeping notebooks in the patent process, the best practices are applicable to science notebooks in many disciplines. These practices include providing documentation that enables colleagues to make/use the invention; having colleagues corroborate events and facts; writing a complete and objective record; using permanent ink and attaching inserts permanently; and never erasing mistakes or discarding notebook pages, but instead striking through the change and explaining it with a small note. And because the video is presented by a working scientist (and not a schoolteacher), students can see for themselves that the requirements expected in school are the same as those expected in the real world.

Starting Your Own Educational Blog

Added: Aug 4, 2016

If you’ve thought about blogging but haven’t done it yet, these suggestions from BuildYourOwn Blog.net may be what you need to get your educational blog—and your ideas—off the ground to a wider audience. Appropriate for teachers of every level, the site presents basic information about different types of blogs and formats along with ideas for incorporating teaching blogs into the classes you currently teach. The site also includes a step-by-step guide to starting your own blog that covers these topics: The Basics, Setting Up Your Blog, Blog Configuration, Design Your Blog, Learning WordPress, Release Your Inner Blogger!, Promote Your Blog, and Make Money Blogging!

Skin and Bones

Added: Aug 3, 2016

A new app (for iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch devices) from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History takes a fresh look at the museum’s popular Bone Hall Exhibit. The app uses a technology known as Augmented Reality (AR) to superimpose a three-dimensional virtual world onto the physical exhibit, making it possible for users—including students and science educators of all ages—to experience the exhibit in an entirely new way. For example, students can see a virtual bat fly away from the display or observe the bones of an extinct Steller's Sea Cow materialize into flesh. The app also includes natural history challenges and videos that bring the exhibit (and life science lessons) to life.

Carbon Adventures: A Carbon Cycle Game

Added: Aug 2, 2016

Designed for students in grades 6–12, this engaging game helps students understand the complexity of carbon cycle. In the game, students travel around a game board learning facts about carbon and the carbon cycle: what carbon is; the difference between organic and inorganic carbon; what carbon pools are and the various forms carbon can take throughout the carbon cycle; the different ways carbon can move throughout the environment; and the ways humans influence the carbon cycle. By the end of the game, students should understand that carbon can take many forms throughout the carbon cycle and that no set pathway exists in the cycle. Includes a downloadable game board, set of fact cards, lesson plan (with discussion questions and ideas for game modifications), and student worksheets.

Quizziz Online Assessment Tool

Added: Aug 1, 2016

Looking to spice up the assessments in your K–12 classroom? Quizizz, a game-based formative assessment tool that works on any internet-enabled device, can help you do just that. Registered teachers can access assessments created by other users on various topics or use the tool to create new assessments of their own. The quizzes work well with regard to students’ prior knowledge on a topic or as a mid-lesson status report, exit ticket, or homework assignment. Once students have taken the quizzes, teachers can access reports that review student performance either as a whole class or for each individual student.

Here Be Dragons

Added: Jul 31, 2016

Many people—both students and adults alike—accept paranormal and pseudoscientific claims without critique as promoted by the mass media. Here Be Dragons, a 40-minute video written and presented by Brian Dunning—author of Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena—helps viewers begin to think more critically about the science information they encounter. Suitable for general audiences, but most appropriate for use with middle and high school levels, the video presents signs, or red flags, to look for in identifying pseudoscience (e.g., an appeal to authority, reliance on ancient wisdom, confusion of correlation and causation, and others) while also describing for viewers the processes and methods used in real science and their value.

EDpuzzle

Added: Jul 30, 2016

With EDpuzzle, science teachers of every level and subject can create customized video lessons for students. The easy-to-use app—available for iOS and Android platforms—walks teachers through the process of accessing educational videos and editing them to meet specific student needs. Using the app, teachers can search for educational videos on a certain topic or upload a video of their own to customize. Options include cropping a video, adding written comments or audio voiceovers to a video, and creating questions for students to answer as they watch the video. Teachers can also track students’ learning as they progress through the video and assignments. A great tool for flipped classrooms! Watch a video tutorial to get started.

Model Inquiries Into Nature for Teaching Science (MINTS)

Added: Jul 29, 2016

Help K–12 students explore the natural history of their schoolyards, backyards, and parks with this inquiry guide produced by Virginia Tech Science Outreach Program. The MINTS guide centers on the natural history of schoolyards in southwestern Virginia, but most of the plants and animals described in the book are also common in other parts of the United States, making the guide a useful starting point for outdoor inquiry for many teachers and students around the country. The guide’s nine chapters (303 pages in total) cover everything from planning schoolyard inquiry lessons and learning background information on the region's various habitats and organisms to accessing sample inquiry lessons and student data sheets.

Encouraging Better Questioning

Added: Jul 28, 2016

Author and “questionologist” Warren Berger shares ideas for encouraging better questioning among K–12 students and developing their critical-thinking skills in a blog post, “Five Ways to Help Your Students Become Better Questioners.” Written as part of Edutopia’s blog series, Create an Inquiry-Based Classroom, the post shares ideas such as promoting a “safe” culture where all questions are allowed and welcomed, focusing on the fun of questioning, and acknowledging the rewards from thinking outside of the box. Another suggestion reminds students to reflect on their use of questioning strategies, thereby helping students to make questioning a lifelong habit “that sticks.”

Understanding Disciplinary Literacy in Science

Added: Jul 27, 2016

Many educators confuse using literacy strategies in science—i.e., preteaching vocabulary words or doing a close reading of a science text—with the idea of disciplinary literacy in science. Still others confuse these terms with the term scientific literacy. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction educator Kevin Anderson weighs in on the issue by definitively explaining the three terms and their differences in the blog Wisconsin and STEM Education. In one post, Anderson describes the distinctions between each term. In a second post (click on the September 2015 archive), Anderson annotates two lessons—one elementary and one middle level—identifying examples of literacy strategies, disciplinary literacy, and scientific literacy in each.

The Brain Safety Challenge

Added: Jul 26, 2016

In this Teaching Channel video, sixth-grade science teacher Channa Comer takes viewers through an engineering design activity in which students design and test a helmet for their brain (an egg). The students work through the various steps of the engineering design process, including brainstorming, drawing, building a prototype, testing the model, and analyzing results. Along the way, Comer shares her reflections on the experience and discusses some of the benefits for students from participating in engineering design activities, such as developing critical-thinking skills and learning how to work in cooperative groups. Supplemental resources including a lesson plan and a transcript of the video are also available (free registration is required).

NGSS: Conceptual Change Toolkit

Added: Jul 25, 2016

For several years, teachers of science in Montana have engaged in conceptual change, working to re-envision science education so that instruction consistently embraces the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and K-12 Science Framework—Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas—in any and all science lessons. At this website, teachers can access a conceptual change toolkit and a series of podcasts exploring the hows and whys of conceptual change to help them move from one-dimensional (i.e., content-driven) instruction to three-dimensional instruction that fully integrates the NGSS dimensions.

Einstein World 

Added: Jul 24, 2016

This free app for iPads and Android tablets from Fourier Education makes it easy for K–12 educators to incorporate sensor-based science in the classroom. Through the app, students can participate in self-guided, interactive, sensor-based activities in biology, chemistry, energy, environmental science, the human body, and physics, or teachers can visit the Activity Store to download ready-made activities—some of which require the use of sensors and some that don’t—for the classroom. For example, elementary activities such as Turkey Baster Ping Pong (physics), Graphing a Pattern (math), and Pinecone Hygrometer (environmental science) do not require the use of sensors, while middle and high school activities such as Sound Localization (the human body) and Freezing and Melting of Water (energy) do. Teachers can also visit the app’s Activity Maker to learn how to turn non-sensor based lessons into sensor-based activities, then share the lessons online.

Classroom 'Icebreakers' for the First Days of School

Added: Jul 23, 2016

Icebreakers can help students "make friends and form a mutual trust that creates a trusting classroom environment," says a contributor to a discussion forum on NSTA's Learning Center. Among the ones she shared are The What Am I Game, in which students try to guess one another's identities, and The Birthday Lineup, in which students are responsible for lining themselves up in the order of their birth dates/times.

Earth Science Resources for Middle Level

Added: Jul 22, 2016

Culled by middle level educator Deborah Costolnick from East Hartland, Connecticut, and targeted for seventh-grade students, these interactives, animations, videos, and PowerPoint presentations explore processes inside the Earth and on its surface. Watch a music video about the Earth’s layers; learn about Earthquakes 101 with video clips from National Geographic; and view interactive maps showing evidence of plate tectonics from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Other highlights include National Geographic’s multimedia prehistoric timeline showing the evolution of plants and animals; PBS NOVA’s time-lapse video of a glacier moving, filmed from the underside of a glacier; and PowerPoint presentations exploring weathering and erosion.

Lab: Conservation of Mass

Added: Jul 21, 2016

Help middle and high school students understand the law of conservation of mass with this hands-on lab from teachers in the Troup County School System in LaGrange, Georgia. In the lab, students observe examples of both open and closed systems of two chemical reactions—baking soda and vinegar, and water and effervescent tablet (a.k.a baking soda). Students compare the two chemical reactions, and the two systems, learning about reactants, products, and balanced reactions along the way. In addition, the lab can be easily modified. For example, teachers can halve the amounts and use medicine cups and two-ounce condiment containers for the closed system baking soda and vinegar. 

Phys.org

Added: Jul 20, 2016

Access tons of short news articles exploring topics and developments in nanotechnology, physics, Earth, astronomy and space, technology, chemistry, biology, and other sciences. Hovering over any one of these disciplines in the header leads to a menu of subtopics with short summaries of each article. Click on an article of choice, or search for stories by subtopic. Stories are added continuously throughout the day; the site’s front page highlights popular picks from each discipline. Use the stories to spark discussion in middle and high school science classrooms; not only will students develop skills in reading nonfiction text, they’ll begin to appreciate the dynamic nature of science research.

Mission to Space

Added: Jul 19, 2016

NASA and LEGO have worked together to produce an engaging online summer activity. Mission to Space takes kids on a journey through space with visits to the International Space Station, Mars and Jupiter, and gives kids a chance to make their own space creations through an online building challenge.

STEM Resources for Summer Planning

Added: Jul 18, 2016

Guest blogger Anne Jolly—former lab scientist turned award-winning middle level educator and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) advocate—has collected STEM resources for middle level educators covering topics such as STEM Education—What and Why?; Helpful Lesson Planning Websites; Interesting Students in STEM Careers; Computer-based STEM Experiences; and Science Safety. Highlights include a teacher- (and student-) friendly animated cartoon from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine explaining what STEM is and why it is important for your classroom; Generation Stem, a publication from the Girl Scout Research Institute with practical tips for encouraging girls in STEM classes; and the 2016 National STEM Video Game Challenge, which provides an opportunity for students to learn and apply coding skills to a real-world task.

ConnecTomorrow Career App for Students

Added: Jul 17, 2016

As part of the Verizon Innovative Learning AppChallenge, students from West Salem High School in Oregon created this “swipe left or right” game to help kids explore careers, including science careers. Asking simple yes or no questions around interests and hobbies, the app introduces kids to career options. The students also plan to expand the app to allow users to be connected with volunteering and mentorship opportunities in those fields in their community. Check out the video these students created explaining how the app works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0rbo2YDccI&feature=youtu.be.

How To Be a Change Agent

Added: Jul 16, 2016

Each summer, ASCD provides a free digital issue of its magazine, Educational Leadership, as an opportunity for all educators to learn from industry-leading content. The latest issue tackles the topic “How to Be a Change Agent” and features contributions from educators including ASCD authors Jeffrey Benson and Michael Murphy; 2015 National Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples; and U.S. Department of Education teacher leader in residence Maddie Fennell. The contributors look at the complex situations our schools and the teaching profession face and ask, “What must we change?” and “How can we improve on what we do?” Highlights include articles on Project-Based Learning and the new Every Student Succeeds Act.

Climate Change Through the Arts

Added: Jul 15, 2016

This website offers middle and high school educators a unique approach to a study of climate change: through the arts. Here teachers will find a series of clickable illustrations, each relating to a different aspect of climate change. For example, click on Illustration to draw, color, and label steps of the greenhouse effect. Click on Song to watch and sing along with a climate change song. Illustrated Text provides videos and resources on key components of climate change, such as the carbon cycle, the greenhouse effect, and evidence of climate change.

School Gardens Fact Sheet

Added: Jul 14, 2016

The USDA’s Farm to School Program has produced School Gardens: Using Gardens to Grow Healthy Habits in Cafeterias, Classrooms, and Communities, a document that provides a brief overview of the benefits and educational uses of school gardens. It includes links to successful school garden programs and tips for planning, staffing, funding, and maintaining a school garden.

Teachable Moments Blog

Added: Jul 13, 2016

Looking for ways to bring the latest NASA science and mission news into your classroom? Check out the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) Teachable Moments blog, which presents timely and interesting news, activities, and education tips from NASA missions. Consider a recent post from Star Wars Day (May “the Fourth”), which highlights the connection between JPL’s Dawn Mission and Newton’s Laws of Motion—and capitalizes on the popularity of Star Wars. The post, May the Force=mass x acceleration, offers a primer on the physics behind the ion propulsion engines that drive the Dawn spacecraft, as well as a lesson for grades 6–12 that shows students how to calculate additive velocity on a hypothetical ion-propelled spacecraft. The lesson addresses both Next Generation Science and Common Core Math Standards.

Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas

Added: Jul 12, 2016

The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is currently investigating the diversity within the deepwater habitats of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. On this expedition, scientists are closely examining hydrothermal vent sites, mud volcanoes, subduction zones, seamounts, and the variety of organisms found in these areas. Through an Expedition Education Module—complete with standards-based lessons relating to the Marianas and theme pages on Deep Sea Corals, Seamounts, and Vents and Volcanoes—your middle and high school students can share in the expedition discoveries alongside the scientists, in real time. Lesson titles include Exploring Live! (grades 5–12), Viscous Volcanoes (grades 6–8), and Sea Serpentines (grades 9–12). Combining these lessons with the live videos and other images from the expedition gives students a rarely seen view of the deep ocean and its inhabitants.

Rediscover Woodsy Owl, Smokey Bear

Added: Jul 11, 2016

Wildfire prevention and conservation practices can be important lessons during outdoor summer activities, especially for elementary students. Teachers can access songs, activity guides, and other materials featuring the popular characters Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear to start the conversation with students about fire prevention and conservation. Share the history of the Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear campaigns, explore student resources, and find out how to bring Woodsy Owl or Smokey Bear to your school or camp.

Finding My Forest

Added: Jul 10, 2016

Produced by the U.S. Forest Service, this curriculum for grades 3–8 provides teachers with the tools needed to integrate the wonder of forests into the classroom and foster environmental awareness among students. Through four standards-supported lessons, students explore several key roles of environmental stewardship. In Lesson One, students serve as environmental journalists, developing a definition of a forest, researching “urban forests,” and creating an iForest blog. In Lesson Two, students become ecologists, exploring a local forest and discovering how the different elements of the forest interrelate. In Lesson Three, students are environmental scientists, conducting experiments, mapping their urban forest and understanding its benefits, and developing ideas about conservation. By Lesson Four, students are ready to be outdoor educators, sharing their deepening understanding of the importance of and need for time spent exploring and conserving forests. The curriculum also includes a calendar of ideas to explore forests year-round and a Finding My Forest grid students and families can use to track time spent and activities conducted outdoors.

STEM and More from the Partnership in Education

Added: Jul 9, 2016

Housed at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Partnership in Education Program website offers a collection of interest-grabbing movies, apps, games, and curriculum to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction in K–12 classrooms and increase health literacy among students. Created with funding from National Institutes of Health, these innovative resources support national standards and make science topics engaging for teachers, students, and learners of all ages. Consider the topic of evolution: Partnership resources include a virtual Q & A with Charles Darwin himself; with this app, middle and high school students ask Darwin questions about his likes/dislikes, his work, the principle of evolution, and more. Another resource, the Spiral of Life poster series (for all ages), explores evolution from various perspectives, including animals, plants, birds, and DNA.

EarthScope Chronicles

Added: Jul 8, 2016

Meet the scientists from the National Science Foundation’s EarthScope program! This innovative program is essentially a network of observatories acting as an Earth “telescope” focused on the exterior and interior structure and dynamics of our planet. To bring the program to life for students in grades 7–12, TERC and McLean Media have produced the EarthScope Chronicles, a collection of 25 short videos highlighting the work and personal stories of EarthScope scientists that involve students in data-based investigations connected to the scientists’ research. 

Consider the story of geophysicist Jenny Nakai, a graduate student, whose work includes building an earthquake catalog for the Rio Grande Region. Nakai describes her interest in engineering and science as a means to solve problems and stresses the importance of education in the Navajo culture. She further explains how resource extraction such as coal mining has negatively impacted Navajo land, and how in the past, few tribal members had the knowledge or training to deal with related environmental issues. Today, Nakai shares what she has learned with others and helps scientists communicate their findings to the broader community.

MedPix for Biology Lessons

Added: Jul 7, 2016

Want resources to supplement your high school and college biology and anatomy lessons? The MedPix database from NIH’s National Library of Medicine contains more than 53,000 images of medical conditions along with information about the condition’s location (organ system), pathology category, and description. Originally developed for use by physicians, nurses, and other clinicians, the database has proven valuable for high school and college educators and for students interested in pursuing careers in clinical fields.

ClassFlow

Added: Jul 6, 2016

This all-in-one teaching platform allows teachers to synchronize the use of classroom technology—whiteboards, laptops, and tablets—to enhance learning. Teachers of all levels can create and deliver interactive multimedia lessons and assessments that incorporate student responses in real time. The website also offers a database of teacher-created multimedia lessons for K–12 students in core subjects (e.g.,science, math, English, and History and Social Sciences) that teachers can use as a basis for their own lessons. Explore the site and watch an introductory video.

Decoding Cancer

Added: Jul 5, 2016

This standards-supported online curriculum helps high school teachers and students understand the science behind cancer. Produced by Discovery Education, the Val Skinner Foundation, the LIFE Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and the Rutgers School of Public Health, each lesson relates to breast cancer and includes an interactive student component and a teacher’s guide. Students will learn how cancer develops at the cellular level, explore the diagnostic tools used in breast cancer detection and tracking, and consider the role of genetics in cancer development.

Fireworks Safety Videos

Added: Jul 4, 2016

A series of brief animated videos featuring Professor Sparkz inform youth about the dangers of fireworks. Watch two of the American Pyrotechnics Association's animated videos addressing Safe Use of fireworks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rukcqqXbcM&feature=youtu.be) and how to recognize Legal vs. Illegal fireworks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz8od_TZ9oA&feature=youtu.be).

Coloring Nature

Added: Jul 3, 2016

This site offers more than 500 realistically illustrated coloring pages that can be downloaded and printed for use in K–12 classrooms. Choose from categories such as amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, animal homes, pets, biomes and habitats, anatomy, wildflowers, and trees. Use the pages as diagrams, models, or assessment tools, or just for fun.

Rock-Head Sciences

Added: Jul 2, 2016

With its Day in the GeoLife series, this blog offers students the opportunity to learn about the lives of geologists, geographers, and other geoscientists, whether they are working in the field, educating students, managing, interning, or just plain exploring. So far, more than 100 geoscientists have posted about their geo-lives, sharing what’s fun about their job and offering advice to students interested in pursuing a similar career. Users can click on specific categories (e.g., mineralogy, modeling, oceanography, physical geography, sustainability, water management, and others) to learn about scientists working in similar fields. The series is a great tool for showing middle and high school Earth science students the interdisciplinary nature of geosciences and the diversity of careers within them.

Science Fair and STEM Project Guide Using Fruits and Vegetables

Added: Jul 1, 2016

Registered teachers can receive an e-Book with 15 experimental projects using fresh produce. Suitable for students in grades 3–8, the projects cover topics in biology, chemistry, physical science, and physics and emphasize science fair requirements and scientific methods. Each project includes a suggested question and hypothesis, along with tips for customizing the experiment according to students’ interests. Throughout the book, Josie’s Organics Tips encourage students to eat more fresh produce, learn about the produce they grow, and reduce food waste.

Cell City Mystery

Added: Jun 30, 2016

This biology-themed learning game helps middle level students understand how cells function. When playing, students explore science content and practice reading comprehension as they help Sheriff Nucleus figure out what’s causing Cell City’s inefficiencies. Is it a slacking mitochondrion, an over-zealous cell membrane, or a confused ribosome? According to the game’s producer, Readorium—developer of educational software that teaches reading comprehension skills to students in grades 3–8 through scientific texts—more learning games are forthcoming.

Digital Promise’s Research Map

Added: Jun 29, 2016

This interactive tool connects education leaders and education-technology developers with relevant research from nearly 100,000 journal articles in education and the sciences. Designed to help educators and developers easily access information to build better programs and products for K–12 classrooms, the map offers two interactive views showing research topics and subtopics and how they connect to one another. Within each view, teachers can access summaries of key findings in various topic areas, along with curated information. The map’s MyTiles function allows users to save articles and share them with others.

How a Cleanroom Works

Added: Jun 28, 2016

Cleanroom is an engineering term describing a controlled environment where products are manufactured. It is a room within a room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to specific limits. While some high school or college students may have a general sense of what a cleanroom is, few have a deep understanding of how a cleanroom works. This one-page graphic succinctly describes the basic principles. High school and college educators can use the graphic to deepen students’ understanding of real-world engineering and manufacturing processes.

Building Global Interest in Data Literacy

Added: Jun 27, 2016

This new report from Education Development Center’s (EDC) Oceans of Data Institute spotlights the goal to bring data literacy to 100 million students by 2021. Based on a workshop hosted by EDC and IBM that engaged big data analysts and education experts in discussing how to ensure our K–16 education system fosters data literacy, the report includes a Call for Action to Promote Data Literacy that educators can sign. In addition, the report offers a definition of data literacy; describes key activities a data-literate person is able to do; and examines the role of analytical thinking in data literacy and its applications in workplaces.

GemKids

Added: Jun 26, 2016

Get your sparkle on at Gemological Institute of America’s website dedicated to gemology and geology education. Targeted for elementary and middle level students and teachers, the website offers sections such as Gem Explorer, Story of a Gem, and Gem Glossary. Gem Explorer presents information about 24 popular gems including fun facts about color, history lore; name origin; image galleries and micrographs of the gem under different microscope magnification levels; and a localities map. Story of a Gem introduces the science of mineralogy and describes how gems form in nature. The Gem Glossary contains more than 160 gemological, geological, and jewelry terms, offering an audio pronunciation and a descriptive image for each entry.

Channel Islands National Park Webcams

Added: Jun 25, 2016

Channel Islands National Park’s live webcams deliver the park—and its animal inhabitants—to K–12 classrooms in real time. Watch a live stream from the Bald Eagle Webcam at the website, and have students observe and record family dynamics as two bald eagle chicks grow and fly from the nest by late June or early July. In addition, teachers can access videos and information describing the park’s efforts to restore bald eagles to the Channel Islands, as well as archived highlights from previous years’ streams, allowing students to observe eagle chick feeding at different stages of development and a chick’s first flight. The park’s Ocean Webcam (http://1.usa.gov/24is1kx) reveals a kelp forest ecosystem. Have students record observations and learn about the natural history of marine fish, mammals, and invertebrates.

Career Girls

Added: Jun 24, 2016

Targeted for middle level and high school teens and their teachers, this career exploration website makes it easy for girls to find career information based on their interests. The collection contains more than 7,000 video clips featuring 400 female role models. The women work in careers from astronaut to veterinarian nationwide. Each profiled career includes information about what the job is like, the education needed to prepare for it, estimated salary and job outlook, and videos of role models at work. In the Educators section, teachers can access video-based “empowerment” lessons supporting the Common Core. Titles include Career Exploration 101, Why Choose STEM, Science Careers, Technology Careers, Importance of Math, Financial Literacy, Teamwork, and Be Confident.

Summer Teacher’s Calendar

Added: Jun 23, 2016

Make the most of the summer months with resources from the Teacher’s Calendar at Kids.gov. Targeted for K–8 teachers and students (and their parents), the calendar presents monthly videos, activities, tips, and resources that can be used in classrooms and summer camps or at home. July topics address UV Safety Month, Parks and Recreation, Fireworks and Fire Safety, Summer Thunderstorms, and the Anniversary of the First People on the Moon (July 20). Watch a video to learn How Sunscreen Works; increase your knowledge of national parks with the WebRangers website; get lightning safety tips from the National Weather; or be inspired to explore space with photos and images from the historic Apollo 11 mission.

Introducing Bioenergy

Added: Jun 22, 2016

Try this introductory bioenergy activity with your high school biology or environmental science students. Developed by Jason de Koff, assistant professor of Agronomy and Soil Science at Tennessee State University, with funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture–National Institute of Food and Agriculture Capacity Building Grant, the lesson presents an overview of bioenergy; a labactivity in which students investigate which kind of organic material, or feedstock, yeast prefers to make ethanol, a biofuel; and a bingo game that helps students remember the many kinds of feedstocks that can be used to produce biodiesel.

Surrounded by Science Infographic

Added: Jun 21, 2016

This resource for grades K–12 highlights ways science connects the world around us and shows how citizen science helps increase our understanding of the environment. Accompanying each fact on the infographic is a suggested activity that makes the fact real for students, as well as a link to a related citizen science project. An educator’s toolkit provides additional lessons and curriculum guides from environmental and education groups to reinforce the message.

Smart Snacks Food Calculator

Added: Jun 20, 2016

Take the guesswork out of nutrition guidelines with this handy tool from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Simply enter the product information, answer a few questions, and determine whether the beverage, snack, side, or entrée item meets the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Smart Snacks in School Guidelines. The new guidelines balance science-based nutrition information with practical solutions to promote healthier eating in schools nationwide.

Cam Scanner App

Added: Jun 19, 2016

This app, available on iTunes and Google Play, turns your mobile phone into a portable scanner. Basically, it allows you to take a picture, crop it, and make a pdf document, which can then be edited and annotated if desired. Educators of all levels have found many classroom uses for the app from taking a white/blackboard snapshot of a great brainstorming activity to photographing students' written assessment submissions (thus enabling electronic feedback) and much more.

Explorations in Optics

Added: Jun 18, 2016

Most of the optic  "Explorations" in this set of videos and teacher resources produced by the Optical Society of America and the New England Board of Higher Education, have an element of "optical magic" to be explained. Taken together, the materials can serve as an online professional development course in optics for high school educators or as an introductory course in optics for college students. However, when considered individually, several demonstrations can be done with middle level and high school students to generate interest in science and to teach students about the properties of light. Topics include Color, Diffraction, Disappearing Beaker, Fluorescence and Phosphorescence, Laser Light, Pinhole Images, Reflection, Refraction,  Polarization, Skattering, UV Light and Sunscreen, and others. Registration is required to view the videos, but pdfs of the activities are accessible directly online.

Beachapedia

Added: Jun 17, 2016

This website from Surfrider Foundation is similar to Wikipedia, but has articles focusing on beach and ocean issues. Topics include Beach Preservation and Access, Clean Water, Climate Change Adaptation, and more. Check out the Coastal Factoids and contribute links to educational materials on specific subjects. Information is also available in Spanish.

Printable 3D Fossil Collection

Added: Jun 16, 2016

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has released a set of 3D printable files for fossil enthusiasts and educators of all ages and levels.The collection contains several thousand scans of fossils collected from museums across England, and it represents the first time a museum has ever released a large number of free 3D printable scans for public use. The BGS wanted to make the files public so that fossil fans and educators could replicate important pieces of history. 3D-printed models offer students and other the opportunity to engage with a physical facsimile of an artifact, which can transform a person's understanding and also reduce access costs and the need to handle originals.

STEM Labs and Makerspaces

Added: Jun 15, 2016

Celebrate student creativity and encourage the makers and producers in your elementary classrooms with this STEM Lab/Makerspace website from Karly Moura, an ed tech support teacher in California. The site offers a place for teachers to share ideas, tips, tricks, and resources that embrace the Maker education movement in the classroom. For example, read the article "How to Build Your Makerspace" to learn the hows and whys of the movement; find resources to get started with a Makerspace of your own in the eBook MakerED Resources for School Makerspaces; or get energized by creative ideas from colleagues, including Little Bits: Electronic Building (inventing with electronics), Coding Cards (elementary students learning to code), and more.

Earth's Birthday Project

Added: Jun 14, 2016

Earth’s Birthday Project inspires teachers, students, and families to care for the environment by raising butterflies, learning about the natural world, and promoting conservation. Primarily targeted for elementary audiences, the website's resources include hands-on project ideas and student handouts that develop science process skills (Observe, Describe, Draw), teach insect anatomy (Bug Body Parts), and explore various life cycles (Comparing Life Cycles).

Water, the Miracle Drug

Added: Jun 13, 2016

Missouri educator Jane M. Edwards created this webquest to help high school students (grades 9–12) connect to a real-world issue in their lives: the lack of student access to water fountains at school. In the webquest, water is "the miracle drug," and students learn about water's effects on humans and other organisms, as well as the molecular properties that make water unique as a chemical compound. After the webquest, students come away with the knowledge that water is a simple but unique molecule with great power to keep us healthy or make us sick. High school teachers can easily incorporate the webquest as part of lessons in physical science, biology, chemistry, or physiology, or health courses.

Camp Wonderopolis

Added: Jun 12, 2016

Who said summer learning wasn't fun? At Camp Wonderopolis—an online summer learning adventure for elementary and middle level students from the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL)—registered students have a blast and build STEM understandings and literacy skills along the way! This year's theme, "Flex Your Wonder," focuses on health and fitness topics, covering everything from the Olympics to nutrition and more. Students "wonder" through six learning sections at their own pace; each section has videos, activities, Maker experiments to try, and recommended readings.

SITES Resources

Added: Jun 11, 2016

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) offers publications, posters, curriculum guides, lessons, and websites based on museum exhibits for K–12 teachers to use to enhance instruction in their classrooms. Selected highlights from the science-themed resources include the Vanishing Amphibians Activity Sheet (elementary), a bilingual (English/Spanish) resource that provides information on the three types of amphibians (coloring activity), the life cycle of frogs (maze activity), and frog calls/vocalizations; and Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America (for middle and high school), a collection of interdisciplinary lessons in which students examine the impact of sports in America, from considering controversial issues in sports and proposing possible solutions to applying what they've learned in each lesson to design an entirely new sport.

Stream Macroinvertebrate ID Cards

Added: Jun 10, 2016

With funding from a water conservation education grant from the Catskill Watershed Corporation, high school students in career and technical education programs at the Harrold Campus of DCMO BOCES in Sidney Center, New York, have created a set of 26 stream macroinvertebrate identification cards. Each digital card features a picture of a stream macroinvertebrate (an animal you can see without magnification that does not have a backbone) on the front and information about the organism's classification, major identifying features, pollution sensitivity, and ecology and other interesting features on the back. The cards, which will be handy for high school environmental science and biology educators who conduct hands-on stream studies with students, can be downloaded individually, or the entire set can be downloaded as a PDF.

Formative Assessment with Google Forms

Added: Jun 9, 2016

Good formative assessment allows you to be quickly responsive to student needs. With Google Form, a popular tool with educators of all levels available through Google Drive, anyone can create an easy to use web form, test, or survey and tie it to a spreadsheet on which you can track results and post them online. Since all student answers are together in one spreadsheet, educators can quickly get a snapshot of students' understanding. In this blog post, Google Certified Teacher Alice Keeler takes teachers through the steps of creating a formative assessment quiz using the Google Form tool. She also discusses the ways to the tool in the classroom.

Ecoregional Planting Guides

Added: Jun 8, 2016

Selecting Plants for Pollinators is a collection of more than 30 ecoregional planting guides tailored to specific areas of the United States and Canada. Produced as part of the Pollinator Partnership's North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, and originally designed for gardeners, farmers, and other land managers, the guides can also be used in high school biology classrooms to help students understand the importance of native planting and to learn about the habitat and climate of different regions. Each guide includes information about the region's common land characteristics, temperatures, and precipitation levels, as well as information about pollinators in the area and the plants that will attract them.

Planning an Elementary Science Night

Added: Jun 7, 2016

Looking for tips on planning a successful Science Night at your elementary school? Check out this blog post from Burlington, Massachusetts, Science Night veteran and K-5 science specialist Sean Musselman, who outlines his teacher-tested steps to follow for facilitating a successful science event at your school. In addition to providing links to resources and lists for materials that need to be collected, purchased, and/or printed out, he offers advice for involving volunteers, suggests event activities, and presents ideas for promoting the event. While not everything suggested will necessarily fit your specific space and needs, it's a nice starting point to see what can be adapted for a school or district.

Birds Without Borders

Added: Jun 6, 2016

This biology and environmental science curriculum for grades 7–12 provides opportunities for students to explore biodiversity issues and learn how to analyze spatial and quantitative data, examine trends, make predictions, create management plans, and present and defend their results. Registered teachers can receive two lessons from the program: Discovering the Ecological Roles of Birds, which examines how birds affect the environment; and Creating a Conservation Plan, which engages students in environmental stewardship. Each lesson incorporates the use of nonfiction texts and other multimedia resources to provide real-world context and background for the investigation.

For New Science Teachers

Added: Jun 5, 2016

On this blog, teachers can find advice for managing a middle level or high school science classroom. Written by blogger and veteran educator Michelle Brown, a current science specialist and former classroom teacher, the blog presents tips for keeping students engaged in lessons (e.g., use a Science Picture of the Day to spark interest and discussion among students), as well as ideas for how to productively respond to a defiant student in the classroom without disrupting the learning environment (e.g., take time to breathe and mediate to gain control of your emotions before responding in anger). Other blog posts address topics such as giving "wise" feedback and finding additional resources when you need more help.

Storybird

Added: Jun 4, 2016

Encourage K–12 students to write better and read often with Storybird. Used in K–12 classrooms worldwide, free for any educational setting, and compatible with any curriculum or device, this unique language arts tool uses professional illustrations as the spark to inspire students to write (and post online, if desired) their own stories in many subjects, including science. The website provides the tools and illustrations to help students and adults create original works. Typically elementary students create picture books, middle and high school students (and teachers) create long-form chapter books, and students of all ages create poetry works. 

Marcia's Science Teaching Ideas

Added: Jun 3, 2016

This website is chock full of ideas, lessons, advice, and resources to turn your middle level Earth science classroom into a hub of active learning. The site's resources are grouped by topic: Teachers will find everything from practical information and ideas to keep a classroom running smoothly (e.g., Teacher Tutorials, Advice for the New Teacher, Active Learning Games and Puzzles, Tips on Classroom Management, How to Write a Good Science Lesson, and so on) to content resources to add interest and enhance instruction on numerous topics (e.g., Science Safety, Mineral Identification, Rock Cycle, Plate Tectonics, Weather and Climate, Volcanoes). In the words of the site's creator, the goal of these resources (and middle level science teachers in general) is to instill in students a love of science to take into high school and the adult world beyond.

Organic Farming Curriculum: High School

Added: Jun 2, 2016

Georgia Organics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting locally grown food and organic farms, has produced a curriculum for high school students and adults to learn about organic farming and gardening. The curriculum, Fundamentals of Organic Farming and Gardening: An Instructor's Guide, explores the basics of organics—including soils, soil biology, soil management, plant biology, crop management, composting, and marketing—through videos, lab exercises, student activities, and PowerPoint presentations. Teachers can use the curriculum in its entirety, or select sections to supplement a general course on agriculture or gardening. The curriculum is free to download.

Lunder New Naturalists Curriculum

Added: Jun 1, 2016

This year-long, online science and social studies curriculum for grades 6–8 teaches students about biodiversity and Theodore Roosevelt’s (TR) conservation legacy through the completion of three key tasks: a Virtual Plant Collection, TR's Trail, and a Challenge Action Project. The first task gets students outside to collect data on plants, using field guides and apps to identify various plant species and learn about plant characteristics; student then compile the data into a Virtual Plant Collection. The hands-on fieldwork experience prepares students for the second task, TR's Trail, a research investigation in which students learn about TR's legacy of conservation through the examination of his nature journals. The curriculum's final task gives students the chance to explore and implement a solution to a local environmental challenge. The curriculum materials include a project rationale, suggested timeline, student and teacher instructions for each task, and learning assessments and standards.

Critter Cams and More

Added: May 31, 2016

Spark K–12 students' interest in wildlife studies and conservation with the “Critter Cams” and related online activities at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, an animal rehabilitation center that provides veterinary care to native wildlife species. Through live web-streams from cameras around the center, students can observe animal "patients," including hawks, owls, eagles, opossums, and snakes. Students can participate immediately in staff-moderated, live question-and-answer sessions about each animal, or teachers can sign up for a "Cam in the Classroom" session with a center staff member at a specific time. In addition, the Wildlife Classroom Series presents a monthly class on a predetermined topic; past classes (archived online) have explored topics such as Owl Eyes, Snake Anatomy and Biology, Basics of Raptor Identification, Bird Migration, Wild Winter Worlds, and Camouflage.

Emotional Intelligence Apps

Added: May 30, 2016

Research shows that emotional intelligence can be taught, and mastering these social skills can help children stay out of trouble and increase their academic skills and future successes as adults. These apps from the digital game studio Peppy Pals are targeted at children ages 2-8:

• Peppy Pals Beach: https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id957106746?mt=8
• Peppy Pals Farm: https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id840919503?mt=8
• Peppy Pals Play Date: https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1050927812?mt=8

“The Nature of Science” Puzzle Activity

Added: May 29, 2016

Try this activity on the first day of class to get your middle and high school students thinking about the nature of science. Distribute a paper puzzle to each student to work on individually, explaining that each piece represents current scientific data but giving no further instructions. (Actually, the puzzles are missing a piece, but don't tell students this.) In a short time, students will put the pieces together to make a square.

WildFinder

Added: May 28, 2016

Ever wonder exactly where tigers roam or vultures fly? With WildFinder, an interactive tool from the World Wildlife Federation, you can access this information and more with just a click. Most appropriate for middle level and high school biology educators, but of interest to scientists, conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and others, this tool helps users visualize the global distribution of thousands of species that roam the Earth. Search by species to find out where an animal lives, or search by place to see the species living in that area. 

3D Moon Board

Added: May 27, 2016

Middle level educator and self-proclaimed science teaching junkie Shayna Aldrich has created a three-dimensional Moon Board to help middle level students visualize and better understand the cause of Moon phases and comprehend the two different views that are often given on a diagram (i.e., a view from space and the view from the Earth). Built with inexpensive supplies, the board offers an interactive way for students to visualize the phases of the Moon. Students place their head through a hole in the center of a board affixed with Styrofoam balls representing each phase of the Moon; as students do this, they are "seeing" the view from Earth (their head being Earth, or it could be explained that we LOOK out from Earth and see the Moon as it revolves around the Earth). 

Climate Science Investigations (CSI)

Added: May 26, 2016

This series of online learning modules teaches secondary and undergraduate students how to analyze and use NASA data to address commonly held misconceptions about climate change. Sequenced so that students progressively discover the evidence of climate change and human involvement, each inquiry-based module contains related reading and figures along with guided-reading questions and notetaking strategies; a PowerPoint presentation; investigations; and argument practices that allow students to review the content of the module and and also help teachers evaluate students’ understanding of the evidence and explanations. Module titles include Nature of Science, Weather and Climate, Energy: The Driver of Climate, Temperature Change Over Time, Causes of Climate Change, Impacts of Climate Change, What We Can Do, and Addressing Climate Skeptics' Claims.

High School Inquiry: Building Solitary Bee Nests

Added: May 25, 2016

Developed by teachers participating in the National Center for Agricultural Literacy’s (NCAL) program, Translating Applied STEM Research into Secondary Science (TASRS), this lesson provides high school students with an opportunity to carry out an authentic scientific inquiry relevant to agriculture and participate in a citizen science project. In the lesson, students design and test several designs of trap nests (artificial nests for bees) to determine nest features that are necessary or preferable when trying to attract blue orchard bees for pollination services. Students contribute their results to a citizen science project, Native Buzz, based at the University of Florida. Lesson materials include Teacher Notes, Diversity of Bees PowerPoint, Lab Report Format and Rubric, Blue Orchard Bee Information Sheet, Bee Nest and Information Form, and Student Worksheet.

Your Skin Is In

Added: May 24, 2016

This melanoma prevention program produced by the Melanoma Foundation of New England educates high school students and young adults on the dangers of indoor and outdoor tanning and the direct link between UV exposure and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. At the Your Skin Is In website, registered teachers can access informational videos, posters, a melanoma fact card, and a personal pledge form for students to commit to protect their skin.The website also offer sun safety tips and talking points to start the discussion with teens about sun-safe behaviors.

Webinar: Teaching Boys and Young Men of Color

Added: May 23, 2016

Led by J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III, associate professors in the College of Education at San Diego State University and coauthors of the publication Teaching Boys and Young Men of Colorthis recorded webinar discusses findings from a national study of teachers with a documented record of success in teaching Black and Latino males in preK education. In addition to addressing strategies and practices that can support males of color in education, the webinar discusses recommendations for relationship-building, teaching and learning, and classroom management.

Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) Project

Added: May 22, 2016

NVLD is a complicated and poorly understood social and spatial learning disability that can affect children, adolescents, and adults. People with NVLD struggle with a range of conditions but specifically have difficulty with social skills and spatial concepts. A new website provides content and resources to help parents, educators, researchers, and others recognize the signs of the disability and learn about interventions that can most effectively help students with NLVD succeed in the K-12 school setting. In addition, Expert Blogs offer posts with more practical tips for parents and teachers, such as “Advice for Reading Comprehension at School or Home.”

Teaching Channel Videos

Added: May 21, 2016

Health and Climate Education Resources

Added: May 20, 2016

McREL Blog: Science

Added: May 19, 2016

"Teaching Evolutionary Processes to Skeptical Students”

Added: May 18, 2016

During classroom discussions of evolutionary change that occur in introductory college physics or astronomy courses, usually some skeptical students object to some of the scientific results. These students may believe that the long-time scales that scientists have discovered are incorrect. Others may be skeptical because they've heard a lot of misinformation. In this paper, "Teaching Evolutionary Processes to Skeptical Students,” University of Maryland professor and astrophysicist Matthew Bobrowsky shares practical information to help teachers appropriately address misconceptions and deal with perceived controversy around the topic. 

OneZoom Tree of Life

Added: May 17, 2016

This interactive guide to the relationships among all life on Earth raises awareness about the variety of life on Earth and the need to conserve it. Targeted for everyone interested in learning more about biodiversity and evolution, but particularly useful for high school and college biology and environmental science educators, the OneZoom software uses fractals to condense the tree of life into a single, zoomable page. Like an online map, users “zoom in” to areas of interest that reveal further details. Each leaf on the tree represents a different species, and the branches show how they are related through evolution. If a leaf is red, the species it represents is threatened with extinction. Leaves with a dotted outline represent parts of the tree yet to be completed.

Vitamin Bee TV

Added: May 16, 2016

Meet Vitamin Bee, a likeable honey bee and the newest “spokesperson” for encouraging students in grades K–5 to incorporate nutritious foods into their lives! The website offers nutrition-themed resources, including videos, songs, online games, recipes, gardening projects, blog, and links. Students—and teachers—will particularly enjoy the 11 fact-filled videos on fruits and vegetables. Who knew a strawberry is not a berry, but a member of the rose family, or that a single ear of corn typically has about 800 kernels?

Edulastic Online Learning Platform

Added: May 15, 2016

Edulastic enables teachers to access and share assessments modeled after the Common Core tests for grades K-12. Free to teachers, it allows users to create customized next-generation assessments with items from publishers or from their own curriculum. Edulastic’s automatic scoring and instant data saves time and lets teachers know what to teach (or reteach) next.

Bringing Climate Science Into the Classroom

Added: May 14, 2016

Science Friday's Live Online Discussion on Bringing Climate Science Into the Classroom took place April 5, 2016. The web panel discussed challenges and approaches to teaching climate change science in the classroom. Spend an hour hearing what they shared.

Math Science Music

Added: May 13, 2016

Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Herbie Hancock launched a free tool kit that uses music to teach math and science in the classroom. Math Science Music is a collaborative project led by Hancock and the Theolonius Monk Institute of Jazz, together with the support of the U.S. Department of Education and UNESCO.

Trademark Education and Outreach Website

Added: May 12, 2016

Channel your students’ “inner inventor,” and help them develop engineering design skills with resources from USPTO’s Education and Outreach website. Teachers can access activities, videos, links, and information organized by grade level to help K–12 students learn about intellectual property and how to protect it. For example, elementary students can complete the Trademark Activity Book, which presents information about patents and trademarks through games, puzzles, quizzes, and fun facts. Middle level students can explore the patent process through the video Extraordinary Innovations and its accompanying guide, while high school students can learn about careers in the field through the video A Day in the Life of a Patent Examiner. Teachers of all levels will appreciate the illustrated inventor cards, which highlight and recognize patent holders from diverse backgrounds and demographics.

SuperTracker Nutrition Lesson Plans

Added: May 11, 2016

The USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, in conjunction with Team Nutrition, has developed SuperTracker, an interactive online nutrition tool and curriculum for high school students. SuperTracker helps teens think critically about food and physical activity choices. Students can get personalized recommendations for what and how much to eat andoptimal amounts of physical activity; track foods and physical activity from a database of about 8,000 foods and 900 physical activities; set nutrition and fitness goals; and measure and share progress on social media. The curriculum provides four stand-alone lessons to help students get comfortable using the SuperTracker tool: Track Your Snack, Three-Day Food Record, Build Healthy Meals, and What’s Your Plan? Each lesson includes preparation steps, learning objectives, teaching instructions, and a handout for students to reflect on what they have learned.

Carl Gets Some Rest

Added: May 10, 2016

This coloring and activity book teaches preK–2 students about transportation alternatives to using “Carl” the car, such as bikes, buses, trains, and skateboards, and the potential benefits for humans and the environment from using them. The book concludes with a parent page that discusses other ways to reduce the use of cars, such as carpooling and trip-chaining (doing several errands at one time rather than taking multiple trips).

Elementary Robotics Activity

Added: May 9, 2016

NASA uses robotic explorers to collect information about places where humans cannot travel. In I Want to Hold Your Hand, a classroom activity for students in grades 3–5, students build and test a robotic-like hand to discover how data can be collected from robotic technology. The lesson plan includes Background Information for Teachers, Concluding Questions, Extension Ideas, and an Answer Key. In addition, teachers can access a video of Robonaut2, a robot collaboratively built by NASA and General Motors that demonstrates hand dexterity.

African American Astronauts

Added: May 8, 2016

This two-page fact sheet lists astronauts of African descent, providing short biographic profiles including their education history, mission(s), and hours flown in space. Share it to generate interest in space exploration and to encourage all students to pursue careers in space science.

New Science of Innovation Videos

Added: May 7, 2016

NSF and NBC Learn debuted six new videos in the Science of Innovation series. From 3D bioprinting that could generate heart tissue to origami-inspired structures built for space exploration, the videos highlight how innovation can turn fundamental science and engineering ideas into significant societal and economic impacts. Most appropriate for middle and high school classrooms, the videos showcase trailblazing scientists and engineers and their inventions; their stories can inspire the next generation of inventors and promote an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.

WebRangers Website

Added: May 6, 2016

The WebRangers website, found at www.nps.gov/webrangers, provides a safe environment for K–8 students to explore the environment, stewardship, and U.S. history. At the site, students can build a customized ranger station and participate in more than 50 interdisciplinary online activities supporting national learning standards. Activities include Arctic Artifacts, in which students examine artifacts from an archaeologist’s perspective, asking questions and using archaeological tools such as metric weights and measures to discover the historical past of arctic people. In Fire Story, students learn about the behavior of fire, including what ingredients are needed to start a fire (i.e., fuel, oxygen, and heat) and how environmental conditions such as fuel, weather, and slope affect the behavior of fire. In Rock Around the Park, students create a timeline to depict erosion over time and learnabout the erosion processes of natural arches and canyons and various rock formations, such as mesas, buttes, and spires. A teacher’s guide explains how each activity correlates to standards in science, math, geography, language arts, history, and social science, providing elementary and middle level teachers with numerous options for incorporat-ing the activities in classroom learning.

Project-Based Engineering Lessons

Added: May 5, 2016

The Instructables Workshop for Young Engineers offers a collection of project-based lessons for students in grades 5–9 that explore basic principles of physics and structural and mechanical engineering. Project-based learning is designed to promote investigation, critical thinking, and hands-on subject matter and allow students to control the direction and pace of their learning. Teachers can access video instructions for student model-building projects of many kinds that meet these criteria, including Slingshot Rockets, Rubberband Helicopters, Extending Grabbers, Tornado Tower, Marble Roller Coaster, Simple Sail Car, and Truss Bridges. The projects can be used in after-school learning environments or in the classroom as enrichment activities.

Research Matters Podcasts

Added: May 4, 2016

Current science education research has vital implications for the classroom, but research journals and articles aren’t always accessible to teachers. NSTA, in collaboration with the Alliance of Affiliates, is working to change that! Each year, NSTA selects the best research from journals including Journal of Research on Science Teaching, Journal of Science Teacher Education, Contemporary Issues in Technology Education, and Science Educator for its Research Worth Reading list. A new podcast, Research Matters—hosted by the University of Missouri and co-produced by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching and NSTA—features conversations with researchers whose work was selected for Research Worth Reading. Authors discuss the significance of their work and how it applies to teachers’ work in classrooms. Included with each podcast is a collection of resources for teachers interested in learning more and exploring how to apply these findings to their teaching. The first two podcasts can be found at this website. In Episode 1, Jennifer Hope and Joe Polman discuss their study of engaging students in creating science news stories and how this helped students cross the actual or perceived lines that divide students’ home, school, social, and personal worlds. In Episode 2, Kelly Ryu and Mar-cia Linn describe the use of dynamic visualizations and the impacts of generating versus reading scientific explanations on students’ understanding of energy transformation during photosynthesis.

WeatherSchool @ AAAS

Added: May 3, 2016

This series of modules was developed by researchers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science to help middle level students explore how different factors—time of the year, location, or elevation—work together to produce the day-to-day weather of a local community as well as the overall climate for the specific region of the world where it’s located. Each module contains a guided activity to illustrate a concept or weather pattern, an open-ended Try It activity to deepen understanding, Quiz Yourself questions to check student understanding, and Expand Your Knowledge links to learn more.

Phenomena for NGSS

Added: May 2, 2016

Phenomena—those “ewwwww, weird, oh man!!” science demos and other activities commonly shared in many science classrooms—can spark science interest and student curiosity, but they are not always academically productive. At the Phenomena for NGSS website, teachers can learn how to choose phenomena that anchor science units and engage students meaningfully in the science and engineering practices of the NGSS. When phenomena are used effectively, as a student digs deep into the phenomenon, he or she uncovers the core science understandings themselves rather than “learning about” these understandings. The website also includes a gallery of interesting phenomena and their descriptions.

Healthy Vision Month

Added: May 1, 2016

May is Healthy Vision Month. NIH’s National Eye Institute (NEI) offers resources like eye-related posters, activity books, infographics, and fact sheets that teachers can use to promote eye health in elementary and middle level classrooms. Use the materials to conduct activities such as inviting a local eye care professional to your class to discuss the importance of eye health and safety; watching selections from NEI’s Ask-a-Scientist video series (at the website http://bit.ly/1RE0hjp), which addresses topics such as color blindness and the science behind optical illusions; or creating an “Eye Spy” scavenger hunt/webquest that challenges students to find answers to vision and eye health–related questions.

Mass Extinctions: Lessons From the Past

Added: Apr 30, 2016

In this eBook published by Howard Hughes Medical Institute BioInteractive, students examine the evidence and causes of mass extinctions and what they reveal about how humans are affecting the planet. Appropriate for high school and introductory college students, and available for iPad, Mac, and iPhone devices, the book explores the topic of mass extinctions through a combination of interactive graphics, animations, and videos.

Dental Health Lessons

Added: Apr 29, 2016

Kool Smiles, a national dental care provider for underserved children and families, offers a series of dental health lesson plans for preschool and elementary classrooms. The lessons—available for grades K–1, 2–3, and 4–5—can help students understand the link between food and candy and oral health issues like cavities and toothaches. The materials include printable activity sheets, experiments, and games. Registration is required to download the lessons.

CHEMSTEM

Added: Apr 28, 2016

Check out these chemistry videos for students in grades 9–12. The website presents videos on many basic chemistry topics (such as atomic structure, isotopes, ions, nomenclature, chemical reactions balancing equations, and gas laws and pressure), as well as videos with chemistry problems for students to solve (problem-solving videos are indicated by a plus sign [+]). Use the site for students’ (or your own) self-guided, blended learning, studying, and review.

Gravitational Waves 101

Added: Apr 27, 2016

This handy guide to gravitational waves and their ripple effects on our understanding of the cosmos was produced by the Perimeter Institute, a Canadian research hub dedicated to theoretical physics. The site offers a primer on gravitational waves: what they are, how they were found, and why they could lead to profound new understandings of our universe. Share the site with high school physics students to generate interest in the discoveries and to help inspire the next generation of researchers.

Common Core Interactive Assessment Grid

Added: Apr 26, 2016

This tool is presented in the form of an Excel spreadsheet with all U.S. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, as well as Mathematics. Teachers can plug students’ names into the grid and manipulate the data on it to examine students’ progress or needs within various standards. Using the filters in different combinations will help teachers develop a deeper understanding of the Common Core and their students’ strengths and needs. Visit the website to explore the grid and how to use it.

Engineering Inclusive Teaching Faculty Professional Development

Added: Apr 25, 2016

This webinar series helps busy engineering educators engage all college learners in the field, but especially diverse women and underrepresented minority men. Learn anew or refresh your memory on the best practices for creating inclusive teaching environments, with guidance from social science experts and master engineering educators. The webinars address topics such as unintended bias in engineering education; dealing with incivility or conflict in the classroom; active learning “live” and online; and a model for creating inclusive teaching environments.

Flipside Science

Added: Apr 24, 2016

These media-rich video units from the California Academy of Sciences engage middle level students in discussions about critical environmental topics like food, water, and energy, empowering them to make a difference for the planet. Each video unit contains a combination of animations, infographics, and interviews with experts conducted by teens, along with supplementary activities and further readings for the classroom. Teachers can use the units to spark peer-to-peer dialogue and help students develop solutions-oriented thinking around environmental issues.

Unit titles include Exploring Energy: Designing a Brighter Future; Our Hungry Planet: Food for a Growing Population; and Fresh Solutions: Water Use and Conservation. The units have connections to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Discovering Farmland

Added: Apr 23, 2016

Give high school students a firsthand look into agriculture, and teach them about critical issues in the industry, such as sustainability, the science behind farming, and entrepreneurship, with these lesson plans, activities, and videos from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and Discovery Education. The lessons support the NGSS, and the videos showcase real farms and the people who work on them, bringing the topic to life for students. Titles include Farming as an Industry, Educated Consumers, Challenges in Farming and Ranching, Professional Careers in Farming and Ranching, and Modern Farmers and Ranchers: Breaking Down Stereotypes.

Maker Ed’s Resource Library

Added: Apr 22, 2016

Maker education—a movement focused on empowering students through learning activities that incorporate creativity and student-centered design and result in novel digital or physical creations—engages students of all ages, K–college, and helps prepare them for successful careers. At this website, teachers can access a host of resources to encourage the “makers” in their classrooms, including activities and tutorials designed for movement “newbies,” research that demonstrates the impact of the maker education movement, and tours and descriptions of successful makerspaces.

Life in a Nest

Added: Apr 21, 2016

High-definition bird cams and four engaging activities from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdSleuth program are just what you need to hook K–12 students on science learning and the study of birds. Through the activities—Introducing Nesting Birds, From Nestling to Fledgling, Create a Field Guide to Local Birds, and Investigating Our Habitat—students learn about the different stages of a bird’s life; explore bird habitats and map their own; and practice tracking bird behaviors and recording the data. Registration is required to download the activities.

The Mystery of Matter

Added: Apr 20, 2016

This six-part PBS science series explores the human story behind the Periodic Table of the Elements and introduces some of history’s extraordinary scientists. Viewers will meet Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier, whose discovery of oxygen—and radical interpretation of it—led to the modern science of chemistry; Humphry Davy, who made electricity a new tool in the search for elements; Dmitri Mendeleev, whose Periodic Table brought order to the growing number of elements; Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking research on radioactivity opened a window into the atom; Harry Moseley, whose investigation of atomic numbers redefined the Periodic Table; and Glenn Seaborg, who discovered plutonium. At The Mystery of Matter website, educators can find resources to explore the series content in high school chemistry classrooms (click on For Teachers), including a Teacher’s Guide that supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the National Science Education Standards, video clips from the series, and supplementary videos that address key chemical concepts and show chemistry at work in social and historical context.

Create Your Own Water Story

Added: Apr 19, 2016

Beyond the Mirage recently premiered on Arizona Public Media. This full feature documentary tells the timely story of water in the Southwest. It unravels a complicated situation and provides the building blocks of information to know what's needed to continue working toward a solution. To accompany the documentary, the film team has also created an interactive, web-based, create-your-own water story tool. You and your students can choose what clips, or stacks as they're called on the site, are needed to tell your own story. If you have any questions, e-mail mirage@cals.arizona.edu.

Oracle Academy's Self-Paced Learning Experiences

Added: Apr 18, 2016

Self-study courses are designed to provide a self-paced learning experience for teachers, students, and interested individuals. Learn how to create games, simulations, and other graphical programs using basic Java programming via free educational Java development environments from Carnegie Mellon University (Alice) and the University of Kent (Greenfoot). No prior programming or computer science experience is required. Oracle plans to invest $200 million for computer science education in the United States in conjunction with The White House’s CS For All initiative.

Environmental Teaching Resources

Added: Apr 17, 2016

On the NSTA e-mail lists, a member wrote: "I am taking my environmental science students to a local college to participate in a water quality study...Unfortunately, I have several students who have elected not to go...I need to make an assignment/project that they would be able to do during that 50-min[ute] class period with a sub." One member suggested, "Try one of these [from BayBackpack.com], maybe the one with online data." Bay Backpack's Teaching Resources section contains Chesapeake Bay-related books, multimedia, curriculum guides, individual lesson plans, and online data sources.

Alice 3D Programming Environment

Added: Apr 16, 2016

Alice allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. An NSTA member recommended Alice on the General Science e-mail list: "...from Carnegie Mellon for middle school students. It is a drag-and-drop platform to teach programming. Kids can create worlds or games. Lots of YouTube videos; their site gives lots of instructions and help. Not difficult if you know just the basics..."

Veritasium

Added: Apr 15, 2016

The leading YouTube channel of science and engineering videos features experiments, expert interviews, demonstrations, and discussions about everything science. Among the video titles are The Most Radioactive Places on Earth and World’s Roundest Object! Videos exploring misconceptions include Misconceptions About Temperature, Why Do Venomous Animals Live In Warm Climates, and Where Do Trees Get Their Mass From? On the lighter side, enjoy science song videos like Atomic Bonding Song, Experiments a Cappella, and What Is Electricity? (Are You Going To Be My Girl?). Creator Derek Muller will be the keynote speaker at NSTA's STEM Forum and Expo, taking place July 27–29 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

SuperSummary

Added: Apr 14, 2016

SuperSummary provides in-depth study guides for a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books and stories. Written by experienced teachers, professors, and literary scholars, the guides include a short plot overview; detailed chapter summaries and analysis; major characters' analysis; commentary on themes, symbols, and motifs; explanation of important quotations; and thought-provoking essay and discussion topics. 

Debut Issue of Connected Science Learning

Added: Apr 13, 2016

NSTA and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) have released the first issue of this online journal for STEM educators. The journal showcases highly effective programs, practices, collaborations, and research taking place between the formal and informal science learning communities.

InTeGrate

Added: Apr 12, 2016

This collaborative initiative focuses on interdisciplinary teaching about the Earth for a sustainable future at the college level. Represented by a cross-section of faculty from higher education institutions, and sponsored by leading science organizations, the program has created course modules to help develop an Earth-literate citizenry and workforce that can address environmental and resource issues facing our society. Selected modules include Soils, Systems, and Society; Map Your Hazards! Assessing Hazards, Vulnerability, and Risk; and Humans’ Dependence on Earth’s Mineral Resources. In addition to course modules, the program offers workshops and webinars to incorporate the teaching of sustainability into your courses.

Digital Notebook Documents

Added: Apr 11, 2016

Sixth-grade science educator and digital notebook fan Nick Mitchell believes teachers should share more of what they do in the classroom. On his blog, The Scientific Teacher, Mitchell discusses using digital notebooks in his middle level classroom, and provides digital documents for units on scientific inquiry, ecology, chemistry, and geology. For each unit, the documents include lessons, homework assignments, and assessments, along with a digital study guide with an overview of the unit standards and many learning resources.

ORC Database of Science Ed Resources

Added: Apr 10, 2016

K–12 science educators can access a searchable database of vetted resources that can be sorted by grade level, topic, resource type, and more. Several resource collections are grouped by theme, including the New Teacher Survival Guide, containing resources to help novice teachers set up and maintain a science classroom; Science Bookshelf, offering guidance for preK–5 teachers about using science trade books in the classroom; and Science Window, which helps teachers of all levels stay current with science issues, practices, news, and discoveries.

Activity of the Month, Grades 3–5

Added: Apr 9, 2016

With spring in full swing, now is the time to try activities from the Elementary Science Program, It’s Science Time archives! Organized by season, the simple activities can spark an investigative spirit among students. Celebrate spring rains with a Puddle Science investigation, or make a rain gauge (Rain Studies) to collect data in your location. Next, celebrate summer with a Photo Safari, or search for the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the season through the Five Senses of Summer. In fall, explore October Changes or Leaf Activities; by winter, you and your students will be ready to stay inside for a little Kitchen Chemistry. Many of the activities listed in each season can be done at any time of year, so get started investigating!

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab

Added: Apr 8, 2016

In this STEM–based animation series for children ages 5–9, Thomas Edison (brought back to virtual life as a hologram) guides a group of students—the Secret Lab Kids—on science- and humor-filled adventures across time and space. Edison “comes to life” to encourage the children in various explorations in physical science, life science, Earth science, space science, and other disciplines. “The Secret Lab” also transforms into a virtual reality environment, transporting the crew to various locations, including the International Space Station, a “fantastic voyage” within the human body, and meetings with visionaries Isaac Newton and Galileo. Watch two sample episodes—“No Volts for Von Bolt” and “The Eagle Has Landed”—at http://bit.ly/1QZYtHB, then visit the series website to access additional episode clips, music videos, printable activities, and games to spark student interest in science.

Real Disney: Theme Park Science

Added: Apr 7, 2016

This site’s videos, slideshows, and games—appropriate for upper elementary and middle level students—explore how science is used to create theme park attractions at Disney. The resources are organized by topics such as gravity, energy, trajectory, magnetism, and electricity.

Earth Day 2016: Procession of the Species

Added: Apr 6, 2016

One way to honor the Earth is to organize a “Procession of the Species,” an inclusive type of community event that helps us celebrate our connection to nature and to one another. An article from Teaching Tolerance offers suggestions for schools interested in organizing a Procession of the Species in their own communities. Ideas include designing the event to involve a diversity of ages, identities, and abilities; encouraging celebration through various artistic mediums, such as music, dance, and 2D and 3D art; and serving as an example of sustainable practices by emphasizing the use of recycled, natural, and donated materials for art project construction.

BloomBoard

Added: Apr 5, 2016

In this online community, educators of all levels can learn, share, and discuss the best teaching ideas to solve everyday classroom challenges and improve their practice. The site offers teacher-curated collections of resources on various topics from content-oriented groupings in numerous subjects (including science/STEM) to collections on pedagogies, classroom management, and more. Teachers must register (at no charge) to search the collections. After registering, the site shows you collections based on your selected interests. In addition, registered teachers can like, recommend, share, and discuss the collections’ content, making the community a truly interactive professional development experience.

UDesign Science Facilities Layout Planner

Added: Apr 4, 2016

Flinn Scientific’s new tool helps teachers plan and design a customized laboratory space. UDesign offers several pre-planned layouts as well as an option to customize it to specific room dimensions. Teachers can drag and drop furniture and equipment icons to create the desired layout and floor plan. An “Item Summary” feature provides a list of the selected furniture and equipment shown in the floor plan along with cost information to help establish and manage the budget.

Geniverse

Added: Apr 3, 2016

Web-based software from The Concord Consortium brings genetics to life with game-like challenges and an engaging narrative. Targeted for high school biology students, but adaptable for use with middle level and college students, the software lets students explore heredity and genetics by breeding and studying virtual dragons. Interactive models, powered by real genes, enable students to conduct simulated experiments, generate realistic and meaningful genetic data, and earn star ratings for efficient experimentation. Geniversity, an accompanying website for educators, offers teacher guides, lesson plans, student handouts, technical tips, and discussion forums to support the use of the software in the classroom. (Registration is required to access the resources.)

Beta Blasters!

Added: Apr 2, 2016

This retro arcade-style game offers a fun way to help high school biology students understand the health benefits of carotenoids, a group of plant chemicals responsible for the colors of many fruits and vegetables that also play an important role in human health. Players must battle Emperor Oxide and the Free Radicals, who are trying to harm the DNA inside the cell nucleus, which would lead to an unhealthy body. As Captain Blake C. Trispora, players use a beta carotene–powered vitamin A blaster and the help of carotenoid allies (e.g., lutein, astaxanthin, phytofluene, lycopene, and alpha carotene) to defeat the emperor. As they do when they are in the human body, the cartenoid allies work better when they work together.

EarthScope

Added: Apr 1, 2016

This project focuses on deep geoscientific exploration of the North American continent and Earth. Scientists collect and analyze data from seismic waves, crustal movements, Earth’s magnetic field, rock and soil samples, and images obtained from aircraft and satellites to help people better understand the materials Earth is made of and how it works, particularly its recurring earthquakes and active volcanoes. Teachers will find animations, video lectures, articles, project data, and other resources to incorporate the project discoveries in middle and high school classrooms and enhance Earth science instruction.

SARE Resources

Added: Mar 31, 2016

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), an organization focused on spreading innovation to and improving the profitability of American agriculture through research and education, has compiled a web page of online resources for K–12 educators. Highlights include the publication Sustainable Agriculture Resources and Programs for K–12 Youth, updated in 2015, which lists more than 50 sustainable agriculture-oriented programs and curricula for students nationwide; and the Sustainable Agriculture Learning Modules for High School Agriculture, created by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which show students what sustainability within agriculture actually looks like through videos of farming operations across Nebraska. In the videos,local high school students interview farmers about what their operation does, how and why they manage it as they do, what makes the operation sustainable, and what can be done to make it more sustainable. Another curriculum for high school students, Toward a Sustainable Agriculture, addresses the environmental, economic, and social impacts of agriculture. The six-module curriculum provides a critical analysis of agricultural and food systems and helps students understand new concepts through hands-on examples.

Shelf Life!

Added: Mar 30, 2016

Dive into the American Museum of Natural History’s collection of more than 33 million artifacts and specimens through this monthly series of original videos. Most appropriate for use in middle and high school classrooms, each video features museum scientists explaining an interesting topic relating to the museum’s collection. Topics include how to transport a giant squid specimen, why salamander embryos allow green algae into their egg cases, where to find the best early carnivorous dinosaur fossils, and many others.

JV InvenTeam Resources

Added: Mar 29, 2016

Looking to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)–based education for students in grades 7–10? Resources from Lemelson-MIT’s Junior Varsity (JV) InvenTeam program can help. In Electronic Textiles, an activity guide, students explore creative applications of circuitry, including light-up paper designs and wearable electronic textiles, discovering firsthand how inventors solve problems along the way. In Shoe Soles, another activity guide, students learn about biomechanics and biomimicry as they make shoe soles and develop skills in sketching and design, making molds, and creating models and prototypes. (Registration is required to access the guides.) 

Hand Hygiene Resources

Added: Mar 28, 2016

Compiled by USDA’s national Team Nutrition program, this website offers a collection of hand hygiene posters and resources produced by various state health initiatives across the country. While all of the resources address the topic of hand hygiene, each is unique and presents the content in different ways. For example, the collection includes posters with large illustrations of the steps of proper handwashing technique, stickers and signs with handwashing reminders (appropriate for use in classrooms and child care centers), posters featuring facts and figures about handwashing practices, and more. Several of the posters are available in multiple languages.

STEM Resources for K–12 Educators

Added: Mar 27, 2016

This website provides access to a database of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) resources for K–12 classrooms. Compiled by the DOE’s Office of Science Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, the resources include vetted labs, activities, videos, and articles from leading science and education organizations, such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and the PBS Education Foundation. Search for resources by grade level, STEM discipline, or resource type. Selected activities from each grade level include Pinwheels, for grades K–2, in which students learn about wind energy, what devices use it, and how wind creates movement; Magnets and Electromagnets, for grades 3–5, in which students make and test electromagnets using size D batteries and a length of wire; Making Stuff Activity Guide, for grades 6–8, in which students conduct experiments exploring the characteristics of materials like strength, electric conductivity, magnetism, and viscosity; and Radiation Makes House Calls, for grades 9–12, in which students demonstrate that some household items are radioactive.

STEM Career Video: Nutritionist

Added: Mar 26, 2016

A career in the food field can go beyond the kitchen. In the latest career video from Kids.gov, you’ll meet Sasha Bard, a registered dietician and nutritionist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and learn the ins and outs of being a nutritionist. Bard describes a day in her life on the job promoting healthy eating and choices for all Americans, shares an app to help students maintain a healthy diet, and offers advice for students interested in pursuing a career in the field.

Think Green Infographic

Added: Mar 25, 2016

Teachers can access a colorful infographic that encourages tweens and teens to “think green.” Through simple, thought-provoking questions—Do You Really Need It?, How “Green” Is It?, Can You Reuse It?, and Can You Buy It Used?—the graphic provides tips and action steps middle and high school students can take to reduce their impact on the environment and promote conservation. It’s a good reminder for Earth Day (April 22) and every day!

Nanotechnology: Super Small Science

Added: Mar 24, 2016

Each short video in this six-part series created by NSF and NBC Learn presents an example of how nanotechnology—the science of manipulating atoms and molecules thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair—can be used as the building blocks of future technology. For example, students learn how scientists are using nanotechnology to capture energy from the Sun, increase the power of smaller microchips and computers, build structures that are lightweight and resilient, and more.

Expedition Videos

Added: Mar 23, 2016

In Summer 2015, the NOAA research vessel Okeanos Explorer studied largely unknown deep-sea ecosystems around Hawaii as part of the Hohonu Moana: Exploring the Deep Waters off Hawai’i expedition. Scientists investigated waters in and around Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, and various seamounts throughout the region. Share the expedition’s discoveries with middle and high school students through highlight videos and images from each leg of the expedition. In the videos, the expedition scientists offer commentary on what is seen on screen, providing students with both a firsthand glimpse of an unexplored deep-sea ocean habitat and real-world insight into what it is like to be an ocean researcher.

Science Webcasts

Added: Mar 22, 2016

These webcasts were created at the LOC’s National Book Festival in September 2015, which featured many book talks and presentations. Among the science-themed presenters were astronaut Buzz Aldrin, author Andrea Wulf, biologist Edward O. Wilson, and weather broadcaster Al Roker. The webcasts, which are appropriate for middle and high school level audiences, offer insight about topics such as Earth science, biology, weather, astronomy, and climate change. To access the webcasts, visit the site and click on the Science and Technology link in the left column.

Climate Education Week Resources

Added: Mar 21, 2016

To help K-12 teachers celebrate Climate Education Week, Earth Day Network offers a Climate Education Week Toolkit: a free, easy-to-use resource with lesson plans, activities, and contests for K-12 students. With the goal of educating students on climate change, this cross-disciplinary resource includes a range of activities from making an energy conservation action plan to reading and discussing Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. The toolkit supports Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. Lesson plans will be added every week before Earth Day (April 22).

Kids.gov Asks NASA

Added: Mar 20, 2016

Are your elementary and middle level students crazy about Star Warsspaceships and technology? Kids.gov asked a few scientists at NASA to share their thoughts about the future of space and space communications—since they happen to know a thing or two about aerospace engineering. Among the intriguing tidbits you’ll learn at the website is the kind of spaceship Acey Herrera, mechanical engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, would design for the Star Wars universe. Herrera is currently working on the James Webb Telescope, which will replace the Hubble Space Telescope in 2018. Other kid-friendly questions addressed include these: What kind of communications tool would you design for the movie Star Wars? Can people live on the Moon?

STEM Careers Video: Wildlife Conservationist

Added: Mar 19, 2016

Do you know a student who loves animals and exploring outside? Introduce him or her to a career as a wildlife conservationist. In this TEDx Talk, Jennifer Owen-White, a manager with the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, shares her transition from pre-medical studies—which her family and teachers wanted her to pursue—to a career in conservation. Now at the refuge, she helps protect wildlife, wildflowers, and water. Her story is a testament to the importance of following your career passion, especially for young women. Share the video with middle and high school students.

Aeronautics for Introductory Physics

Added: Mar 18, 2016

With You When You Fly: Aeronautics for Introductory Physics is a collection of inquiry-based interactive demonstrations, labs, and data/literary analysis activities for students in high school and introductory college science. These activities were developed from peer-reviewed, teacher-contributed articles in The Physics Teacher magazine and combined with NASA aeronautics education resources and current research. The activities, which showcase real-world applications, may be used to teach fundamental physics concepts nd inquiry skills.

Carbon Cycle Visualizations

Added: Mar 17, 2016

NASA recently released a series of new visualizations related to one of Earth’s key cyclical flows of energy and matter: the carbon cycle. The visualizations—available from NASA Wavelength, NASA’s portal to digital Earth and space science resources for educators of all levels—will help high school students understand the role of carbon in the future of climate. Titles include A Breathing Planet, Off Balance; Yearly Cycle of Earth’s Biosphere; and C02 From a High-Resolution Climate Model. Access the visualizations, along with teaching tips and curated lists of carbon cycle lessons at this website.

Environmental Publication Repository

Added: Mar 16, 2016

Looking for environmental education materials for your classroom? EPA’s National Service Center for Environ-mental Publications offers resources including activity books, lesson plans, posters, and other materials grouped by grade range or level (e.g., K–3, K–12, elementary, middle, and high school, and teacher resources). Click on each order form to read annotated descriptions of the items in the group, along with the quantity limit that can be ordered.

To Make an Archipelago!

Added: Mar 15, 2016

In this lesson from NOAA’s Okeanos Explorers Series, students in grades 6–8 explore eight stages in the formation of islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago and how hotspot activity and tectonic plate movement can produce the arrangement of seamounts observed there. The lesson module, which supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts, is based around the 2015 Okeanos expedition, Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deep Waters Off Hawaii.

Preserving Natural Heritage

Added: Mar 14, 2016

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Safeguarding Natural Heritage (SNH) program—a collaboration of the APHIS and Tribal Colleges and Universities—promotes opportunities for Native American youth ages 14–17 to learn how to preserve natural heritage through agriculture, natural resources, and wildlife biology. This two-week outreach program connects students with experts (e.g., APHIS employees, Tribal elders, Tribal professionals, university professors) for hands-on labs, workshops, discussions, and field trips focused on preserving natural heritage. Student activities may include assisting elders with sheep, cattle, or other animals; visiting zoos or bison and wolf sanctuaries; participating in water quality/soil testing; and learning how geospatial mapping can be used to track invasive species.

Science Minute Movies

Added: Mar 13, 2016

Working unobtrusively and mostly out of sight, NPS scientists do the rigorous science needed to document park ecological health and conserve historical riches. Give middle and high school students a glimpse of science in action—and introduce them to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers they might not know about—through Science Minute Movies. In these short videos, students will meet a diverse group of scientists who love their work. Visit with a forest monitoring team as they measure tree mortality at Mount Rainier National Park; follow along with scientists restoring native prairies in San Juan Island National Historical Park; and see North Cascades NPS biologists snare mammal hair for DNA analysis.

Online Course on Grant Writing for Educators

Added: Mar 12, 2016

Developed by the NEA Foundation, this course introduces participants to all facets of grant research, writing, and stewardship. Intended as a self or small-group study, the five-session course covers everything from identifying grant resources, assembling a proposal preparation team, and writing a winning proposal to understanding the grant review process and then following through with reporting requirements and other expectations after receiving a grant.

The 30 Most Amazing Higher Ed Natural History Museums

Added: Mar 11, 2016

Colleges and universities play an important role in preserving history and education. Many function as hubs of research, art, and education, and some are home to amazing natural history museums, harboring fossils, scientific records, and incredible displays of our world’s history. Best College Reviews, a ranking service for American colleges and universities, recently published a list of the top 30 college natural history museums in the United States. The list features an image from each museum, along with a brief description of what can be found there.

Engineering is Elementary (EiE) Video Snippets

Added: Mar 10, 2016

These short videos take you inside the elementary engineering classroom. The clips illustrate relevant processes in the teaching and learning of engineering through vignettes of hands-on classroom engineering. Teachers can use the collection of more than 50 vignettes to explore the science and engineering practices of the NGSS; to see firsthand examples of how developing “engineering habits of mind” supports learning across the curriculum; and to observe real students and teachers engaged in the five steps of the EiE Engineering Design Process (i.e., ASK–IMAGINE–PLAN–CREATE–IMPROVE).

Solar Dynamics Observatory Project Suite

Added: Mar 9, 2016

This comprehensive, NGSS-supported curriculum for middle level students presents an interactive, real-world exploration of solar science and space weather. Through four learning modules, students explore the structure of the Sun (Module 1); how and why the Sun is studied via the electromagnetic spectrum and magnetism (Module 2); the significance of solar activity on Earth’s habitability and the effects of space weather on Earth (Module 3); and how to collaborate to design, produce, and curate a 3D Solar Exhibit. The modules can be completed in successionor as individual activities.

CASES Online

Added: Mar 8, 2016

These investigative lessons, or “cases,” are targeted for K–12 and undergraduate science educators. Developed by science educators at Emory University, the cases use the principles of Problem-Based Learning and Investigative Case-Based Learning (and related student-centered pedagogies) to engage students in exploring the science behind real-world problems. The cases address a range of learning objectives across the sciences and mathematics. Search by subject or grade level to find cases that best meet your students’ learning needs; teachers are also encouraged to submit cases of their own to the collection. Check out the cases at http://bit.ly/1Q7MGXh.

UV Kid!

Added: Mar 7, 2016

Who said scientists aren’t crafty? In this K–8 activity from the Lunar Planetary Institute, students construct a person (or dog or imaginary creature)—dubbed UV Kid!—from common craft materials and ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive beads. Next, they use sunscreen, foil, paper, and other items to test materials that might protect UVKid! (and hence ourselves) from being exposed to too much UV radiation. Upper-elementary and middle school students can conduct the activity independently, but younger students may need assistance from an adult, older child, or teen.

Let’s Code Physics!

Added: Mar 6, 2016

A YouTube channel created by Jacksonville University physics professor Brian Lane is modeled after Let’s Play videos, a popular phenomenon in the gaming world in which a gamer-celebrity records his or her progress through a video game, offering entertaining commentary along the way. Through these “play-throughs,” the viewer learns how to accomplish either all of or critical aspects of the game while being entertained. On Let’s Code Physics!, Lane applies this concept to high school science, offering commentary and providing learning resources along the way to videos based on his programming projects, which study physics situations such as police car chases, planetary orbits, and projectiles.

Elementary Adventures in Chemistry

Added: Mar 5, 2016

Elementary educators, grab your favorite electronic device and start exploring the Secret Science of Stuff! The American Chemical Society developed this “Stuff ” collection to give elementary students a safe place to explore chemistry on their own terms. At www.acs.org/kids, you can access interactive animations and other chemistry resources for students in grades K–5. The animations highlight the chemistry behind kid-friendly “stuff ” such as ice cream, braces, glue, flames, and more. Other resources include videos, multi-leveled games, and science experiments.

What’s My Next?

Added: Mar 4, 2016

An interactive website/curriculum from the American Society of Clinical Pathology introduces high school students to career opportunities in laboratory medicine and pathology and showcases the lifesaving roles that lab professionals play. The website describes various disciplines within the laboratory profession and the education requirements of each one. The program also includes Lab Hero Challenge, an e-learning module that gives students a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the lab roles and related work completed to diagnose and inform the treatment path for a breast cancer patient.

Sustainability and Energy Lessons

Added: Mar 3, 2016

The GreenLearning Canada Foundation provides online education programs about energy and sustainability that empower students from fourth grade to high school to create positive change for our evolving world. The programs require no special software and include lesson plans, teachers guides, video tutorials, and assessment rubrics. Selected modules include EnerAction (all levels), in which students use an online carbon calculator to assess current energy use in their classrooms, calculate reductions, and track success; eCards (middle level), a cross-disciplinary activity in which students research a current energy topic and create and send their own digital eCard; and Re-Energy.ca (high school), in which students build a working model of a renewable energy technology, such as a wind turbine, solar oven, hydroelectric generator, or biogas generator.

Science Snacks

Added: Mar 2, 2016

Developed by the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, California, the Science Snacks website presents more than 150 scientifically accurate, teacher-tested activities for curious explorers. Targeted for students in grades 6–12, but adaptable for younger grades, Science Snacks help teachers replicate in the classroom the concepts and natural phenomena explored in the museum’s exhibits. Each “snack” includes a photo and/or video, a short introduction, and a list of materials. Other sections provide assembly instructions, describe how to use the activity, and explain relevant science concepts. Science Snacks support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); teachers can search for snacks by discipline (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Perception, Nature of Science, and others) or category (e.g., Edible Snacks, Snacks With Mirrors, Exhibit-Based Snacks, Snacks to Build Upon, and more).

Resources for Pi Day

Added: Mar 1, 2016

March 14th is Pi Day, the only holiday for math. Now you and your students can prove Pi yourself with a Sneaky Pi Detector. Grab one free from the Sneakymath.com website, print it, cut it out, and wrap it around a cylindrical item to discover its diameter and circumference--all via the magic of Pi. New for 2016 is a "Sneaky Pi Card" project for educators and students to make for Pi Day. It teaches the principles of Pi, including real-world practical uses, and includes a spinning Quiz Wheel on the front to challenge users.

I’m a Scientist USA!

Added: Feb 29, 2016

In this online American Idol–style competition for scientists, students talk online with scientists over a two-week period and vote for which scientist they think should win. As students interact with the scientists, students become more enthused about science, learn that science and math lessons relate to real life, and see that scientists are normal people. Targeted for students ages 9–18, but most commonly used with middle school students, the website offers a Teacher Pack with lesson plans and a science debate kit to help students prepare for their participation in the event. In addition, teachers can watch an introductory video to see the program in action.

Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers

Added: Feb 28, 2016

This digital learning game produced by EA SPORTS, the National Football League (NFL) Players Association, and Discovery Education uses football to spark middle level students’ passion for math and science. The game has three sections: Explore, Learn, and Game Play. In Explore, students are introduced to football-related concepts, positions, and strategies. Next, students learn specific math and science concepts relating to various offensive and defensive strategies, then apply this knowledge in Game Play. In an offensive scenario, for example, students receive a set of conditions of what is needed to execute a pass between two NFL players and must then select at what angle and velocity the ball should be thrown based on concepts explained earlier. In the defensive scenario, students act as the team’s defensive coordinator and apply probability knowledge to make game-time decisions about what type of defense to use based on the yardage and downs of their opponents.

Endangered Species Day Toolkit

Added: Feb 27, 2016

May 20 is Endangered Species Day. Prepare for the event with a toolkit and other resources for K–12 classrooms available online at the Endangered Species Day website. The toolkit contains event planning tips, stickers, bookmarks, fliers, coloring/activity sheets, and more. Visit the site's Teacher Resource Center for a lesson plan, adaptable for elementary to high school levels, that includes an endangered species slideshow and accompanying teacher script.

Discover the Powerful Peanut!

Added: Feb 26, 2016

Produced by the American Farm Bureau and partners, this resource for students in grades 3–5 contains a dozen easy-to-implement activities exploring peanuts and peanut production. The activities address core subject areas, including science, math, social science, and language arts, and provide students with opportunities to crunch peanut production data, create maps, and dig into science as they learn about allergies, the plant life cycle, and nutrition.

Earth Science Journal for Kids

Added: Feb 25, 2016

Middle level and high school teachers can access an online journal of cutting-edge Earth and environmental science research adapted for students. Several environmental topics are covered in each issue; for example, questions explored in the latest issue include these: What do trees know about rain? How much does it cost when cows burp? The Arctic is melting—so what? Each article features a summary of the research, an index of key terms, new vocabulary for students, and resources to help teachers integrate the content into their classroom, such as a video describing the research, scientific papers (one adapted for students and the original), and student activities and discussion questions.

Booklet About 2017 Eclipse of the Sun

Added: Feb 24, 2016

On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from the United States. The path of the total eclipse is only about 60 miles wide and goes from a beach in Oregon to a beach in South Carolina, crossing the country diagonally. A partial eclipse will be visible to 500 million people in the other parts of the United States and North America. It is not too early to start thinking about how and where best to see this sky event. Eclipse enthusiasts are already busy reserving lodging and viewing space in the narrow region where the total phase can be seen.

NSTA is making available an introduction to help explain the eclipse and how to view it. The free 8-page booklet is available at http://www.nsta.org/publications/press/extras/files/solarscience/SolarScienceInsert.pdf.

Science and Math Puzzles Website

Added: Feb 23, 2016

High school educator (and puzzle master) Avi Ornstein posts weekly puzzles (and answers to the previous week’s puzzle) on his website. Teachers can use the puzzles to spark discussion among students. In addition to the puzzles, the Interesting Excerpts section includes excerpts from books and journals that can heighten interest in science, and the Shared Idea section contains a brief essay written every month on a topic that catches Ornstein's interest. It usually deals with science and/or education.

NASA's S’COOL Project

Added: Feb 22, 2016

NASA has a citizen science project for K–12 students: S’COOL (Students’ Cloud Observations On-Line). The S’COOL Project involves students worldwide in real science through making and reporting ground truth observations of clouds. By doing so, they are assisting NASA scientists in validating NASA’s CERES (Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System) satellite instruments. Teachers first register their school’s address and latitude and longitude on the S’COOL project website (which has an interactive map to help you determine this). Once registered, partici-pants can get a satellite flyover schedule for their latitude and longitude, and the cloud observation reporting can begin. The website has informational tabs to guide you through the processes of observing and reporting your actual data, as well as supplemental resources and activities to increase your knowledge of clouds and weather.

NASA, Students Talk About Mars

Added: Feb 21, 2016

Real space exploration experts from NASA and cast members of the movie The Martian (about a human space explorer stranded on Mars) talked during a 2015 event at Kennedy Space Center about NASA’s push to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. The event included an interactive question-and-answer exchange with students around the country via NASA’s Digital Learning Network.

Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Health Apps

Added: Feb 20, 2016

NIH’s National Library of Medicine has developed three interactive iOS apps for high school biology and chemistry and middle and high school environmental health. The apps address DNA base pairing (Base Chase), the Bohr model of the atom (Bohr Thru), and environmental conservation (Run4Green). In Base Chase, students learn the bases of DNA as they complete unique DNA strands for various animals, with help from DeeNA, a cartoon mascot.In Bohr Thru, users collect and organize protons, neutrons, and electrons to form the Bohr Model and the first 18 elements on the periodic table, learning facts about chemical elements and their structures along the way. Chemistry teachers can use the game in brief in-class sessions to enhance students’ understanding of the periodic table. In Run4Green, middle and high school players learn and reinforce their understanding of topics such as greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energies, and green product purchases as they collect coins and perform environmentally friendly tasks.

Kids.gov Science Page for Teachers

Added: Feb 19, 2016

At this website, K–8 teachers will find educational resources culled from government websites and programs, including activities, lesson plans, and worksheets on topics like physics, chemistry, space, and animals. Teachers also can watch video answers to questions Kids.gov asks NASA.

Coastal Marine Geology Resources

Added: Feb 18, 2016

The USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program’s education web page has resources for all levels (K–college) that demonstrate the many ways science supports the country. Sign up for newsletters to learn the latest news in the field, or peruse the multimedia resources, such as image galleries, animations, videos, and podcasts, which can be used to enhance classroom teaching and student understanding. Students can see a computer-generated animation of what a tsunami looks like, for example, or study coastal change by comparing before and after hurricane photograph pairs. Other noteworthy resources include links to programs like Ask a Geologist, and a tool to generate a customized Mercator projection map of a particular location.

Recycle City

Added: Feb 17, 2016

Want students to understand the link between climate and the environment? Check out Recycle City, an interactive website for elementary and middle level students. The site includes an interactive map, activities, and a game exploring ways homes and businesses can recycle, reuse, or reduce waste. The site also offers ideas for using Recycle City in the classroom. Teachers can use it as a basis for a group scavenger hunt, for example: Teams of students can browse the site looking for items like something made from recycled tires, an electric car, a use for old bricks, a way to reuse coffee grounds, and so on. This activity often sparks interesting discussions among students, particularly about the items they have difficulty finding.

It’s My Environment Blog

Added: Feb 16, 2016

EPA summer intern Maddie Dwyer shares her tips for going green at school, like conserving energy and getting involved in campus projects. Other suggestions include practical ideas such as using recyclable containers to reduce waste and turning off the water when brushing your teeth. The tips were written with college dorm life in mind, but they’re also useful for younger students.

Engineering in K–12 Classrooms

Added: Feb 15, 2016

Want to incorporate real-world engineering into your science curriculum? This instructor guide from the education team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) may help. The guide has videos and supporting text illustrating how real-world engineering at NASA can be applied to the NGSS. Each video shows an example of how JPL applies the standard, offers a lesson plan or activity, and suggests ways to make the standard relevant.

Mars Survival Kit

Added: Feb 14, 2016

Take a classroom journey to Mars with this collection of educational lessons and activities for K–12 students. The kit provides a brief description of the educational activity and information about how the activities and lessons support the NGSS. Titles include Surviving and Thriving on Mars (grades K–5); Mars for Kids and Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! (grades 3–5); Imagine Mars: Survival Kit Edition (grades 3–8); and Make Your Own Mars Rover, Gaining Traction on Mars, and Is Life on Mars Possible and Could Humans Establish Settlements There? (grades 6–12).

Space Place Valentines

Added: Feb 13, 2016

NASA's Space Place website has printable, space-themed valentines that students can give to family and friends. Themes include "Space," "Sun," "Earth," and "Solar System."

When Nature Strikes

Added: Feb 12, 2016

This new video series from NSF’s Directorate for Geosciences, The Weather Channel, and NBC Learn explores the science of natural disasters and the research being done to avert their human and economic toll. The 10-part series, When Nature Strikes: Science of Natural Hazards, spotlights some of the fundamental NSF–funded scientific research that helps improve predictability and risk assessment that will reduce impacts from catastrophic events. Each episode is approximately six minutes long and covers a single topic: On the Front Lines (i.e., understanding Earth’s natural processes), Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricanes, Flash Floods, Landslides, Tornadoes, Space Weather, Wildfires, and Tsunamis.

OceanAGE Careers

Added: Feb 11, 2016

NOAA’s Ocean Careers to Inspire Another Generation of Explorers (OceanAGE Careers) program invites students to learn about the talented people who explore our ocean planet. From underwater pilots to research scientists, these marine explorers provide students with firsthand knowledge of careers through live interviews, profiles, and mission logs. The site presents more than 30 ocean science–related professions and a profile of an individual in that field today. The profiles describe what the scientists are doing now and the steps they took to get there. Additional resources offer more information about the diverse career paths available.

How Our Gardens Grow

Added: Feb 10, 2016

Produced by the Idaho State Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs, this booklet features 10 School Garden Grant sites that offer examples of ways to successfully implement and sustain a school garden program. The booklet begins with an overview of the research showing the benefits of school gardens and the ways school gardens can be incorporated into learning and the school environment. It presents general advice related to funding, starting, and maintaining a school garden. Finally, the book spotlights 10 innovative garden programs in Idaho, with specifics for each garden shown, including size, foods grown, ways the garden is incorporated into learning at the school, how the garden is maintained during the year and over the summer, and contact information. An appendix includes supplemental documents such as Vegetable Planting and Harvest Tips, A Letter Approving School Garden Use, and seasonal planting guides for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Solar-Generated Electricity

Added: Feb 9, 2016

Does the need for carbon-free renewable energy outweigh the potential risks to wildlife habitats, cultural and historical resources, and recreation areas? Middle school teachers can explore this question with their students through Solar-Generated Electricity, the latest teaching guide in the Bureau of Land Management’s Classroom Investigation Series. The unit describes how solar facilities on public lands work, examines the tradeoffs in detail, and illuminates the factors that affect decisions about where to build solar electricity plants. Each activity includes learning objectives and teacher preparation steps, background information, lesson procedures, adaptations to consider, assessment, and student handouts.

Everglades Mountains and Valleys

Added: Feb 8, 2016

Everglades National Park is home to diverse and dynamic habitats. Small changes in elevation influence the difference between dry and wet habitats. Explore the Everglades’ “mountains” and “valleys” from a fresh perspective with expert guides along the way. This kid-friendly video series features seven main habitats within the park, including sawgrass prairie, slough, mangroves, cypress, and Florida Bay. In each approximately 10-minute video, students explore the habitat with the help of a park ranger, who shares his or her knowledge of the environment and the habitat’s unique features. Lesson plans supporting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are included for grades K–9.

Gross Science

Added: Feb 7, 2016

Increase your trivia knowledge with interesting and bizarre stories from the slimy, smelly, creepy world of science! Produced by WGBH for PBS Digital Studios, the web series inspires all ages—especially middle level students and those with a scatological bent—to enjoy science, see it as a story, and ask lots of questions about the world. Each approximately three-minute episode tackles an unusual question or topic, such as Why don’t these cicadas have buttocks? What can you learn from ancient feces? Could kangaroo flatulence curb global warming? How far do sneezes and vomit travel? Visit the website to view episodes and subscribe to the series.

Gamify Your Curriculum

Added: Feb 6, 2016

The Mac Lab provides resources and video tutorials to help high school teachers “gamify their curriculum.” Using the Game On plug-in application from WordPress, high school teachers can set up assignments as multi-stage missions or quests in which students can work at their own pace in a game-oriented learning environment. The environment includes opportunities for students to earn points, badges, and even gold, which can then be spent or exchanged in a teacher-designed classroom economy. The app also provides tools for teachers to monitor student progress, allowing teachers to move students ahead or revisit content as necessary.

Using Digital Notebooks

Added: Feb 5, 2016

Want to go paperless in your middle level classroom and use digital notebooks? Read educator Nick Mitchell’s blog for ideas for transforming your classroom into a digital one. Mitchell discusses using digital notebooks in his classroom, including basic information on why digital notebooks are useful and how to set them up. He also shares digital notebook documents from sixth-grade science units on scientific inquiry, ecology, chemistry, and geology.

OpenStax College Textbooks

Added: Feb 4, 2016

Three new textbooks—for courses in college algebra, chemistry, and trigonometry—have been added to Rice University’s OpenStax College collection of open educational resources (OER). The resources are available for web viewing and as EPUB and PDF files. OpenStax includes textbooks for biology, physics, anatomy and physiology, and other subjects. In addition to saving students money, OER allow instructors to customize course con-tent by rearranging, modifying, or enhancing sections.

Project Search

Added: Feb 3, 2016

If you want to incorporate more Project-Based Learning (PBL) into your classroom, check out the database of PBL projects from The Buck Institute for Education in California. Known as Project Search, the database presents curated PBL projects for elementary, middle, and high school levels gathered from online project libraries nationwide. The interdisciplinary projects address various subjects and are meant to inspire your ideas or be adapted to fit the needs of your classroom. A broad topic search of “All sources/Science/” turned up more than 200 projects; teachers can further refine the search by grade level and other parameters.

Citizen Science Opportunity: Collective Search Behavior by Ants on Earth

Added: Feb 2, 2016

Last year, eight groups of ants flew to the International Space Station, boosted by a rocket and the curiosity of Stanford University biologist Deborah M. Gordon, who studies collective behavior. Results from that mission, recently published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, showed that the collective search behavior of ants in microgravity had some interesting twists. To follow up on the findings, Gordon is inviting high school students to collaborate in further research, this time studying the collective search behavior of ants on Earth. A lesson plan to guide students through this citizen science project is available online. Through the project, students ask scientific questions, collect and analyze data, and develop explanations about ant colonies and how ants work together. Students then enter their data on the project website and compare it with others on different ant species worldwide.

BioMusic in the Classroom

Added: Feb 1, 2016

Expanding the study of sound beyond human experiences to other animals’ uses of sounds encompasses the interdisciplinary work of scientists in the emerging field of BioMusic. In BioMusic, scientists study the sounds created by living organisms with particular emphasis on patterns, pitch, and rhythm, as well as the use of sound for both aesthetics and communication. At this website, K–12 educators can access a teacher’s guide and other resources to explore this new field in the classroom. To begin, students can take a virtual tour of a traveling museum exhibition, Wild Music, which examines the biological origins of music. The exploration continues with various activities from the teacher’s guide, as students learn to listen to “silence” (grades K–12), create a sound map (grades 5–8), represent sounds with our senses (grades K–12), and reflect on Wild Music (grades 7–12).

Discovery Education’s Virtual Field Trips

Added: Jan 31, 2016

Take K–12 students to some of the world’s most iconic locations for rich and immersive learning experiences—no permission slips required! Tour the National Archives, see how an egg farm works, explore NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, or hear from the President of the United States. Preview featured virtual field trips, or peruse the collection of archived field trips by subject (e.g., science and engineering, social studies, literacy, math), grade level (K–5, 6–8, 9–12), or theme (e.g., “Earth and Space Science,” “Plants and Animals,” “Careers,” “Technology”).

Keep Wild Animals Wild

Added: Jan 30, 2016

The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) new Animal Action Education program, Keep Wild Animals Wild, addresses three instructional levels (grades K–2, 3–5, and 6–8) and meets learning objectives in life science, language arts, geography, and economics. The program’s lessons, videos, and activities explore what makes wild animals wild; why wildlife trade threatens animals, ecosystems, and people; and how to keep wild animals wild. Each set of instructional resources includes a teaching guide with assessments, lesson plans with student worksheets, student magazines, classroom videos, a wall poster, and more.

Investigating Evidence

Added: Jan 29, 2016

This newly redesigned curriculum from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdSleuth program can help you bring science inquiry to life in your classroom. Targeted for students in grades 4–12, and supporting the Common Core and NGSS, the curriculum helps teachers guide students through the processes of making observations, crafting and testing hypotheses, collecting and graphing data, drawing meaningful conclusions, and sharing their work through citizen science and student publications.

sciphile.org

Added: Jan 28, 2016

Developed by Guy Blaylock, associate professor of physics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this website offers a searchable library of demonstrations, experiments, activities, and lessons on STEM topics to help educators of all levels spice up traditional lectures and in-class materials. Featured lessons include Measuring the Density of a Penny, Slow Motion Magnets, and Upside-Down Water. While the lessons have “flexible” age ranges (e.g., 8 to 99), the content seems most appropriate for use in middle and high school classrooms.

Seeds for K–4

Added: Jan 27, 2016

Plant the seed of botanical interest with young students with this sample lesson from the National Gardening Association’s investigative science curriculum for grades K–4, Botany on Your Plate: Investigating the Plants We Eat. In Seeds, students dissect and compare bean and almond seeds, observe the tiny plant embryos surrounded by food for the baby plant, and test the seeds for the presence of natural oil. They then create a Venn diagram to organize their seed observations.

Become a Teacher Liaison!

Added: Jan 26, 2016

Are you a space aficionado who wants to generate interest in space in your classroom? Join the Space Foundation’s Teacher Liaison Facebook group! You’ll have access to master teachers who use space in their classrooms to inspire their students. To access the group and join, login in to Facebook, then search for Teacher Liaisons.

Nancy’s Brain Talks

Added: Jan 25, 2016

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) neuroscience researcher Nancy Kanwisher presents more than a dozen short video lectures on the human mind and brain. The lectures address topics in broad categories such as How Can You Study the Human Mind and Brain; Face Perception; fMRI: Imaging of the Human Brain at Work; and What Kinds of Minds and Brains Do We Have? Watch the lectures in order within each category, or jump around to suit your interest. The lectures don’t require science background and are targeted for the general public, particularly motivated high school students.

My American Farm

Added: Jan 24, 2016

This online game platform for K–5 students offers games and classroom resources on STEM topics. The game support core content instruction, and several science games explore energy and agricultural issues. For example, students learn where food, fuel, and fiber come from in Fact or Fairytale (grades K–2) and delve into energy in Power Up (grades 3–5). The classroom resources include standards-based lesson plans, activity sheets, eComics, and videos addressing energy and agriculture topics. Lesson titles include Shapes in Agriculture and Window Wheatgrass (grades K–2) and The Science of Seeds and Hands, Horses, and High Tech Machines (grades 3–5).

Climate Generation (CG) Resources

Added: Jan 23, 2016

CG offers energy and climate change resources for grades 3–12, including downloadable curriculum guides, online curriculum, and supplemental resources. The curriculum guides successively increase students’ knowledge of climate change issues from elementary through high school levels. For example, Our Changing Climate (grades 3–6) begins with a study of global climate change processes and presents communication strategies to help students share their knowledge; the version for secondary students (grades 6–12) presents global climate change processes along with the importance of the Arctic to global climate, the potential effects of global warming in the Arctic, and what could/should be done in response. Other CG curriculum guides address the causes of global temperature change (Next Generation Climate, grades 6–8) and global climate solutions (Citizen Climate, grades 9–12). All guides feature lesson plans, worksheets, connected blogs, and additional resources.

Community Science Workshop (CSW) Network

Added: Jan 22, 2016

CSW provides opportunities for students in underserved communities in California to tinker, make, and explore their world through science. Students nationwide can do the same using CSW’s collection of demonstrations, experiments, and “make-and-take” projects. Search the database by project type; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content; Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) connection; or time involved for the project. Selected experiences include demonstrations such as Cardboard Box Camera Obscura and Edible Cell Model; experiments such as Combusting Candles and CD Greenhouse; and build-your-own projects such as Canjo, Wind Tube, Circuit Game, and Cartesian Divers.

Find Your Park, Love Your Park

Added: Jan 21, 2016

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service in 2016, the National Geographic Society created five educational modules to teach students about the importance of U.S. national parks and empower them to preserve and protect them. Designed for fourth graders, but adaptable for younger and older students, the module activities include such experiences as documenting animal tracks at local parks, geocaching scavenger hunts, using digital maps to explore different parks, and discussing concrete ways students can help solve challenges facing national parks. In addition, educators, students, and their families can take a pledge to visit, protect, and love specific parks on the interactive Pledge to Love America’s Parks map.

Early Childhood Astronomy Lessons

Added: Jan 20, 2016

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory offers a sequence of lessons for preK–3 students that teach about shadows and how they form. The lessons begin with reading the children’s book Moonbear’s Shadow, by Frank Asch, which engages students in questions about why shadows change and move. Students then use flashlights to learn about the properties of light traveling in a straight line and to explore how the direction of light on an opaque object affects its shadow. The lessons conclude with outdoor activities that explore the relationship between shadows and the Sun’s position in the sky. Along with the activities, the site presents links to additional resources, related reading, and relevant research.

“Lab Cleanup in 15 Minutes a Day”

Added: Jan 19, 2016

This article from the American Association of Chemistry Teachers journal Chemistry Solutions offers practical tips for whipping a high school chemistry lab into shape and making it safe. The article breaks down the sometimes overwhelming process of organizing a lab into manageable chunks for teachers. For example, the author suggests that teachers begin small by making a list of the labs taught in each course, then identifying the chemicals (name and formula) needed for each lab. The article then shares advice on reading chemical labels, storing chemicals, organizing chemicals, and properly disposing of unused chemicals.

Habitat Earth in the Classroom

Added: Jan 18, 2016

The California Academy of Sciences’ award-winning film Habitat Earth takes viewers on a journey through the vast networks of life on Earth and shows them the surprising ways that human and ecological networks intersect. At this website, teachers can access educator guides, video lessons, and collaborative activities for students in grades 3–12 that extend the film’s concepts to the classroom. For example, teachers can use the video clips and other resources to explore key ideas such as photosynthesis, the microscopic world within soil, and how ships carry invasive species across global waters while connecting human societies worldwide.

Mars Fiction With “Reasonable” Science

Added: Jan 17, 2016

Many scientists and writers have written stories and novels about future Mars exploration. Check out this list of titles that you and your middle, high school, and college students might enjoy. Compiled by Foothill College astronomy professor Andrew Fraknoi, the one-page, Mars-themed document features 15 written works, along with a brief annotation describing each. The document is part of Fraknoi’s larger list of science fiction works with “reasonable” science, Science Fiction Stories With Good Astronomy and Physics: A Topical Index (http://bit.ly/1zjuijj).-

Aquarium Webcam Resource Kits

Added: Jan 16, 2016

To expand the reach of its educational programs, the Aquarium of the Pacific has created inquiry-based curriculum kits based on its live animal webcams. The online kits contain lesson plans, activities, online resources, and educational videos. The kits, which are targeted for the grade ranges of the NGSS, encourage students to make observations using one of the aquarium’s live-streaming webcams, including Tropical Pacific (grades K–2); Shark Lagoon, Sea Dragon Habitat, or Penguin Habitat (grades 3–5); and Blue Cavern Kelp Forest (grades 6–8).

The Story of Climate Change

Added: Jan 15, 2016

Earth Day Network’s interactive, digital textbook for middle level students offers a stimulating foundation in both climate change issues and solutions. Through this multimedia resource, students can watch glaciers melt, dive into the world’s coral reefs, and explore bike-share programs—all from their tablet. The book moves students beyond pages and vocabulary words to practical applications of climate science. It features six chapters—each with photos, animations, and videos; critical-thinking activities; and discussion questions to reinforce unit concepts—and includes a corresponding teacher’s guide (http://bit.ly/1OajImQ).

Kea: Learn Birds Through Play

Added: Jan 14, 2016

This app for iPhone and iPad helps students learn to recognize birds and their calls through games. Beginner mode is for young students (grades K–5) or those just starting out with birds, while timed and scientific names mode keep the game challenging for more advanced students (grades 6–12). In addition, the app offers access to Kea’s entire species database, with thousands of bird photographs and sound recordings, covering North America, Europe, Costa Rica, and Australia.

Introduction 2 Design: Engineering Design Courses

Added: Jan 13, 2016

SparkFun Electronics and Colorado University (CU) at Boulder have created introductory engineering design courses for the high school and collegiate levels. The semester-long courses teach the fundamentals of engineering design through three components: lectures that deliver technical content like mechanical design, electronic design, and software design; hands-on activities that develop skills necessary for prototyping; and long-term, team-base design projects that require the production of a functional prototype. The courses were field tested in a Colorado high school and at CU; students in both groups reported increased confidence in technical knowledge required of the manufacturing process and in their problem-solving abilities. See this website for the high school course; the college course is available at http://bit.ly/21c1s1W.

Energy Lessons

Added: Jan 12, 2016

Created by the recipients of the 2015 SaveOnEnergy.com teacher grants, this site’s innovative lessons for elementary and middle levels can increase students’ awareness of energy issues and the environment. Elementary lesson titles include Do Me a Flavor: Growing Fresh Organic Herbs; Energy 101; Energy Conservation; and Lights! Camera! Action! Save Energy! Middle level lessons include Cooling Costs and Insulation and Understanding Energy Costs. In addition, the website offers kid-friendly tips on saving energy, electrical safety, living a “green” lifestyle, and other topics.

Scientists in the Classroom

Added: Jan 11, 2016

An initiative from the National Center for Science Education’s teacher network connects middle and high school teachers and their students with experts in the fields of evolution and climate change. In the program, teachers are matched with a local scientist who visits the classroom during the semester and collaborates with the teacher to create meaningful learning experiences on climate change science and other challenging-to-teach topics. Students and teachers learn valuable content from the scientist, and students are exposed to new careers in science. Teachers can visit the site or e-mail Kate Heffernan, Scientists in the Classroom intern, at Heffernan@ncse.com for additional information.

Quantum Spot Academy

Added: Jan 10, 2016

High school student Parker Ruth started this service project as a way to spark interest among young people in modern and contemporary physics. Discouraged by what he found to be a lack of approachable, entry-level resources in modern physics, Ruth produced a series of 15-minute videos exploring modern physics concepts in an approachable, understandable way. The videos address concepts such as relativity, black holes, cosmology, quantum mechanics, the Standard Model, and antimatter.

Ask Dr. Universe

Added: Jan 9, 2016

Have a baffling science question? Ask Dr. Universe, an inquisitive cat who loves to answer tough, smart questions from curious kids worldwide. Produced at Washington State University, this resource for all ages provides answers to science questions of all kinds: Do animals dream? How are magnets made? What’s under a volcano? Users can search a database of answered questions organized by category (e.g., Brain and Body; Culture, Earth, and Sky; Food and Health; History and Geography; Plants, Animals, and Bugs; and Technology, Engineering, and Math) or submit a new question of their own.

Promoting STEM

Added: Jan 8, 2016

STEMJobs.com and the National 4-H Council have collaborated to produce resources for generating interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and careers among students ages 13–18. The materials include Motion Commotion, an experiment exploring the physics of distracted driving, and the STEM Type Quiz, which helps students discover how their skills relate to STEM. And stay tuned: More resources are expected to be released soon, including articles, blog posts, videos, lesson plans, fast facts, and infographics exploring topics like avionics, geoscience, music technology, toy design, biotech, beauty, extreme sports, and extreme environments.

Bringing Biotechnology to Life

Added: Jan 7, 2016

This resource from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the International Food and Information Council Foundation, for students and educators in grades 7–10, explores biotechnology and its role in food production. Through seven sequential lessons, students answer questions like these: What is DNA? How can we examine DNA? What is selective breeding? What is biotechnology? How is biotechnology used? How do researchers compare DNA? Where would we be without genetically modified organisms (GMOs)? The resource also contains a research and public presentation module that guides students through the process of sharing what they’ve learned with an audience outside the classroom. The lessons support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and include student handouts.

Connecting Science With Nature

Added: Jan 6, 2016

In this video, Texas science teacher Laura Wilbanks explains how she helps students develop an interest in STEM by teaching them about nature and local environmental issues. Wilbanks has been developing innovative environmental education programs for her students for more than 25 years. Through field investigations and partnerships with local science agencies, her students are learning to understand the science behind environmental issues in their community, from arsenic in drinking water to the impacts of climate change.

Understanding the Clean Water Act

Added: Jan 5, 2016

In May 2015, EPA and the U.S. Army finalized a rule under the Clean Water Act to more clearly protect the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources. Now educators can access fact sheets, videos, and other resources to help students of all ages (and themselves) better understand what the rule does and does not do and learn more about the importance of clean water in our lives. For example, the infographic WHY #Clean Water Rules illustrates how streams and rivers are critical for agriculture, healthy communities, the economy, and people; an interactive map shows the percentage of populations that get drinking water from protected streams. The resources could be used in environmental science and biology lessons that involve students in examining and interpreting real data.

Career Spotlight: Brain Scientist

Added: Jan 4, 2016

Are your students fascinated by the amazing brain and how it works? If so, they might have found a future career path! In this Career Spotlight video targeted for elementary and middle levels, students meet Dave Thomas, a brain scientist from NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse. Through his work, Thomas studies how the brain becomes addicted to drugs and seeks ways to lessen the grip of addiction by changing the brain.

NOAA in Your Backyard

Added: Jan 3, 2016

At this site, you can find out about NOAA guest speakers, field trips, and professional development in your area. Regions include Alaska, Central, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, New England, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. Information for the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean will be added soon, according to the website. Learn how to connect with National Weather Service offices for school visits, forecast office tours, and student and educator resources; with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System for field trips, professional development, and educator resources; or with the Integrated Ocean Observing System for curriculum, real-world data, and multimedia. Other organizations featured include NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries and the National Sea Grant Program.

Science on a Sphere Explorer

Added: Jan 2, 2016

With NOAA’s release of Science on a Sphere Explorer, the desktop version, students can experience an interactive, 3D Earth in the classroom. The software, available to download for PC or Mac and most appropriate for use in middle level and high school classrooms, lets students view the Earth in 3D and provides weather, geological, environmental, geographical, and astronomical visualizations. The visualizations show information provided by satellites, ground observations, and computer models and rapidly animate through real-time global data. The display is interactive: Students and teachers can zoom into, probe, and graph the data, as well as add supplementary material including websites, videos, pictures, and placemarks. Watch an introductory video about the software’s capabilities and find ideas on how to use the software in the Earth science classroom at the website.

Learning Is Fun: Forest Education Resources

Added: Jan 1, 2016

Educators will find K–12 resources to explore U.S. forests and grasslands and how we benefit from them. Students can connect with Forest Service programs for young adults, enter the Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest (for grades 1–5), and learn more about forestry science and careers in the field. Elementary and middle level teachers can find ideas for the classroom as well as multimedia resources, such as Critter Cams (e.g., a bald eagle nest), virtual field trips (e.g., Boise National Forest in Idaho), and live distance-learning adventures about pollination, climate change, wetlands, and other topics.

“The Easy Energy Action Plan Checklist”

Added: Dec 31, 2015

Promote energy awareness and energy conservation with this DOE checklist. The poster presents 10 Simple Ways to Use Energy Wisely, from familiar ideas like turning off lights and computers when not in use to less common tips such as using “smart” power strips and unplugging chargers when not in use. Interested teachers might host a schoolwide contest to see which classroom can have every student complete the checklist activities in one month; teachers can post the winners on Facebook with the hashtag #ActOnClimate.

Women@Energy Series

Added: Dec 30, 2015

This series showcases profiles and videos of inspirational women in STEM careers at the DOE. The women share what inspired them to work in STEM, what they do each day on the job, what they appreciate about working for the DOE, and what ideas they have for engaging others in STEM. Introduce your middle level and high school students to Amber Hames, a graduate fellow at Argonne National Laboratory who works on recycling used nuclear fuel using pyrochemical processing; Simona E. Hunyadi Murph, a principal scientist for Savannah National Research Laboratory who specializes in nanomaterials research; or Linda Silverman, senior adviser in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C., whose interests in math, finance, international business, and international relations led to her current position. 

Teaching With the LOC

Added: Dec 29, 2015

Read this blog to discover the most effective techniques for using LOC primary sources in K–12 classrooms. Teaching strategies, outstanding primary sources, lesson plans, teacher resources, and current thinking on effective classroom practice are all open for discussion. One recent discussion addressed the topic of brain science and concussions using current and historical primary sources about football. Another discussion explored how three digitized artifacts from the LOC collection—a map from 1977, a poster from 1944, and a newspaper article from 1915—can be used to support a key theory in Earth science.

Alaska, Virtually

Added: Dec 28, 2015

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is an environment of extreme temperatures, tall mountains, and glacial landscapes. The climate and landscape might be very different from where you live. If the park is too far away to visit, you can bring Denali to your classroom! Through several distance-learning programs, targeted for grades K–6, students can meet Denali Park staff via Zoom or Skype videoconferencing connections and learn about the park and the Alaskan environment. The programs support national teaching standards and address topics such as the geology of the mountain, what makes the park unique, and the science of sled dogs. Visit the website to register for a digital learning experience and to learn more.

Hungry Pests Invade Middle School

Added: Dec 27, 2015

An interdisciplinary curriculum from the USDA teaches middle level students about 18 invasive species threatening the nation’s trees, plants, and crops. The curriculum supports Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards and can be used in science, math, language arts, and history classes. Through the curriculum’s lessons and online resources, students explore pests including the emerald ash borer, khapra beetle, Mediterranean fruit fly, and Asian longhorned beetle, and learn ways to stop the spread of invasive species. In the lessons, students closely read relevant texts, participate in team research projects, develop interactive maps, and share knowledge in class discussions. Other activities include creating comic strips and writing news articles about the pests. Teachers can also download a set of invasive species cards with photographs of each pest, of the harm it causes, and action steps to prevent its spread. See http://bit.ly/21pNIk6.

Living in the Age of Airplanes Educators Resource Guide

Added: Dec 26, 2015

Seven standards-based activities help students in grades preK–12 explore the social and scientific advances in the speed and distance of human travel, as well as NASA’s contribution to aviation. From comparing walking speeds to flying speeds and calculating how long it will take to reach certain destinations (middle and high school levels), to playing an air cargo game and creating map projections (elementary and middle levels), the interdisciplinary activities incorporate science, math, and geography concepts and show students how air transportation has changed the world. This guide was developed as a supplement for the IMAX feature film Living in the Age of Airplanes, released in 2015 by National Geographic.

We’re With You When You Fly: Aeronautics for PreK

Added: Dec 25, 2015

This educator’s guide introduces preschool children to aeronautics and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Each lesson is built around a popular children’s science trade book and addresses one of six themes: Gliders in Nature, Parachutes, Kites, Helicopters and Airplanes, and World Flyers. The integrated lessons include both pre-reading activities to help students build background knowledge and follow-up inquiries that allow young students to explore firsthand the science concepts introduced in the story. In Gliders in Nature, for example, students begin by discussing what they know about flying animals and investigating photographs of birds and animals that fly or glide. After reading The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony (1997), students continue learning through activities such as a seed sort, an interactive maple seed demonstration, and two simple inquiries (e.g., Wind and Wings and Paper Whirly-Birds).

Laboratory Safety Resources

Added: Dec 24, 2015

This website offers K–college educators a comprehensive guide to web resources in laboratory safety. Produced by NIH’s National Library of Medicine (NLM), the page includes links to safety information for clinical, academic, and school labs, as well as resources for the safe handling of chemical, biological, and nanotechnology materials. The guide also provides links to safety-related blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Scholastic's Top Teaching Blog

Added: Dec 23, 2015

PreK-12 teachers will find lesson ideas, classroom strategies, book lists, videos, and reproducibles in this daily blog by teachers of all subjects. Recent STEM content includes Frosty, Frozen STEM Fun and Computer Coding Takeaways.

Spiral App for Social Learning

Added: Dec 22, 2015

Spiral, which allows students to communicate via personal devices and have their answers appear on a whiteboard, combines three apps for social learning. Quickfire enhances question-and-answer activities, enabling teachers to receive the responses of the entire class in real-time. Discuss encourages students to share ideas with one another. Team Up lets teachers facilitate group work, with students sharing ideas and building team presentations. Spiral encourages student participation, allows teachers to follow up on individual responses, and provides data teachers can use to enhance the learning experience.

Greening STEM Learning Center

Added: Dec 21, 2015

The National Environmental Education Foundation's Greening STEM website brings environmental topics and discussions into STEM lessons to frame subject matter in the context of real-life environmental examples. This helps draw big-picture connections for students that extend beyond the textbook or classroom, influencing the way students think about the world and the way they view their connection to it. Here you will find information to help you increase your own understanding about the many connections between STEM and the environment and the tools you need to help educate others. Resources for both teachers and students are included.

Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures YouTube Channel

Added: Dec 20, 2015

This YouTube channel includes illustrated talks on astronomical topics, including a personal preview of the New Horizons encounter with Mark Showalter, a Dawn mission review by Marc Rayman, and a discussion of black widow pulsars by Roger Romani. The talks in this series have now had nearly three quarters of a million views from around the world. They are free for any educational use. This series is co-sponsored by NASA’s Ames Research Center.

Funology's Science Activities

Added: Dec 19, 2015

Funology is for parents and teachers who are looking for fun activities they can do with kids in the “real” world, away from the computer and television screens. Choose from biology, physics, chemistry, and weather experiments, geared toward elementary students. Make a London Fog, Spikes on a String, Scuba Diver in a Bottle, or Homemade Greenhouse. Activities use everyday, inexpensive materials.

Star Wars in the Classroom

Added: Dec 18, 2015

Star Wars in the Classroom provides resources for transdisciplinary teaching and learning with the Star Wars saga. Visitors will discover how to integrate the Star Wars saga into history, English/Language Arts, and science classes at the middle school and high school levels. From studies in mythology, history, philosophy, and the arts, to hands-on experiments in physics and engineering, the site's resources can spark learning and the imagination by providing engaging and relevant experiences for students of all ages inspired by the characters and stories from the Star Wars universe.

Explorations Through Time

Added: Dec 17, 2015

University of California Museum of Paleontology's series of interactive modules for grades K-12 explore the history of life on Earth, while focusing on the processes of science. Each module contains suggested lesson plans and an extensive teacher’s guide. Modules include The Arthropod Story, The Evolution of Flight, Understanding Geologic Time, and What Did T.rex Taste Like?

BJ's Science and Math Resources for Grades 6 and 8

Added: Dec 16, 2015

Middle level teachers who visit this site will find numerous science and math resources on topics such as Diversity of Living Things, Motion, Air and Flight, Mechanical Efficiency, Fluids, Optics, Water Systems, Electricity, Space, and Cells to Organ Systems. Resources include labs, unit overviews, activities, charts, fact sheets, word searches, crosswords, and much more.

Videos for Preschool Math Games

Added: Dec 15, 2015

Learning math and numerical concepts can be a challenge for young children, but one early childhood professor is pioneering a series of how-to videos showing parents how they can use fun and simple games to help their preschoolers learn math. “Pre-K is an extremely important time for young children,” said Charles Bleiker, an early childhood education professor at Florida International University’s College of Education. “Introducing math concepts in a fun and engaging way can lead to long-term success in math and science. This in turn opens up a whole world of possibilities in the emerging STEM careers.”

The three videos highlight a few of the games in Bleiker’s NumberWays program. The games focus on teaching children four key concepts: number equating, number naming, number sequence, and number writing.

• In the Bowling game, children will learn number naming and number sequence.
• In Kitty and Bear, children will learn number counting.
• In the Tracing Game, children will learn number writing.

overeducate.com Student Career Website

Added: Dec 14, 2015

overEducate, an education technology startup, has launched this site to simplify the stressful college search process. The idea for the site stemmed from common questions from prospective college students such as "In an environment of skyrocketing tuition, is college worth the cost?" and "When will I be able to climb out of debt?" The site presents information about colleges and trade schools, areas of study and degrees, and careers, including STEM careers. An advice section and a blog cover topics like salaries and college applications.

Monarch Magic! Companion Website

Added: Dec 13, 2015

The children's book Monarch Magic! by Lynn Rosenblatt has won numerous awards, including the Parent’s Choice Honor Award. For the classroom or butterfly enthusiast, the companion website features photographs and scientific information on the monarch life cycle, preservation of milkweed habitat, the incredible 3,000-mile migration, and more.

Science Underground Podcasts

Added: Dec 12, 2015

This two-minute science podcast for middle and high school students aims to awaken the inner scientists in all children and support educators in making science fun. The series features host, scientist, and author Ainissa Ramirez, who has spoken at NSTA's STEM Forum. Read Ramirez's NSTA blog post about the series here: http://nstacommunities.org/blog/2015/11/12/bringing-ngss-topics-to-life-with-a-2-minute-science-podcast. Past topics have included How Leaves Change Color and How Bubbles Catch Comets. The podcasts are also available on iTunes and Sticher.

Story Time From Space Videos

Added: Dec 11, 2015

Here’s an out-of-this-world idea for combining literature with science education: Story Time From Space! In this program, astronauts read space-themed stories and conduct related science demonstrations—all while aboard the International Space Station (ISS)! Watch the first installment, Max Goes to the Space Station, written by educator and astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett and read by astronaut Mike Hopkins in the cupola of the ISS. A video of Hopkins reading Bennett's Max Goes to the Moon is also available for viewing.

The Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures

Added: Dec 10, 2015

These podcasts from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (an NSTA Associated Group) feature complete talks from noted astronomers. Speakers have included Nobel-prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences, the first woman in history to discover a planet, an astrophysicist who is an award-winning science fiction writer, and many other well-known scientists explaining astronomical developments in everyday language. The lectures are also available as audio podcasts at www.astrosociety.org/education/past-silicon-valley-astronomy-lectures.

Making Indigenous Peoples Equal Partners in Gene Research

Added: Dec 9, 2015

In this article from The Atlantic, two members of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) make the compelling argument for inclusion and diversity in STEM fields—like genetics. While indigenous populations are frequently the focus of genetics research, the level of engagement and oversight given to the communities who are the subject of this research themselves is shockingly low, according to the article. Author Ed Yong reports how indigenous groups are taking charge of their fates in the world of modern genetics.

Junior Naturalist Manual

Added: Dec 8, 2015

Download Ontario Nature's Junior Naturalist Manual for information about administering a Junior Naturalist program. Information about administration, programming, and sample activities are included. All that's needed for a successful junior naturalist program is a leader, a place to meet, youth, and enthusiasm. The aim is to foster young people’s interest in natural history, and to make them more aware of the natural world. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing 25,000 members and more than 135 member groups across the province, connecting individuals and communities with nature.

NCSE Climate Change Education Website

Added: Dec 7, 2015

The National Center for Science Education launched this initiative to defend and support the teaching of climate change. The site has four sections: Climate Change 101, Teaching About Climate Change, Climate Change Denial, and Taking Action.

International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education

Added: Dec 6, 2015

Published by the North American Association for Environmental Education, IJECEE features scholarly written works pertinent to the education of all young children (birth to eight years). Articles include book reviews, educational approaches, evaluation models, program descriptions, research investigations, and theoretical perspectives—all anonymously and expertly peer-reviewed. Scroll down the page for links to the three issues published so far.

Newsela.com's News Stories and Text Sets

Added: Dec 5, 2015

At newsela.com, middle and high school teachers can access current news stories that can be modified for multiple reading levels from fourth grade to college. The stories are organized by category (e.g.,Science, Health, Kids, War and Peace, Money, Law, and Arts) and can be incorporated into lessons on almost anything—from stink bugs to sugary drinks to archaeological finds in Seattle. One benefit of using multiple versions of a story at varying text difficulty levels is that students don’t know they are reading an “easier” text, so teachers can discuss the issue with the whole class, leading to richer, more participatory student conversations.

To help teachers bring science to life in the classroom--in Spanish and English--Newsela.com offers science–focused text sets that support Next Generation Science Standards. Content from Scientific American and other media is translated not only into Spanish, but into five level-appropriate versions, so it’s the scientific content that engages kids (while they’re working on literacy at the same time).

SPIE's Monthly Planner for 2016-17

Added: Dec 4, 2015

Women working in optics-related fields offer their insights and inspirations in a monthly planner published by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Contributors include women studying anything from cancer research and physics, to Mars and Jupiter, in positions such as professors, CEOs, scientists, PhD students, optics specialists, and more.

Free Book Notes

Added: Dec 3, 2015

Looking for study guides, reviews, and summaries for books? This site aggregates literary resources for more than 44,000 books, including many with science themes and content.

Planets App

Added: Dec 2, 2015

The app provides a 3D guide to the solar system for aspiring astronomers. K-12 students and teachers can hold their phone or tablet to the sky, and the new automatic orientation feature of this app provides a virtual reality view using the device’s magnetometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope.

Sky 2D: locate planets with flat view of sky
Sky 3D: planetarium style view of the sky
Visibility: shows times when planets are visible
Globe: rotating 3D globe of planets and moon

Social/Emotional Learning Program

Added: Dec 1, 2015

Six Seconds, a global network supporting people to create positive change, has created a special InspirED eLearning program for educators to develop additional social emotional learning skills. Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The InspirED Educator Toolkit includes more than 20 practical, effective online lessons for teachers wanting to foster school environments where children learn from their emotions, rather than keeping them hidden.

The goal of InspirED is to give educators simple ways to implement social emotional learning in their schools. The program supports teachers in being more satisfied and effective in their roles in the classroom. Additionally, InspirED seeks to improve classroom climate and student success.

Education in the Era of Big Data

Added: Nov 30, 2015

The Fall 2015 issue of Biomedical Computation Review (BCR) is a special issue focusing on the theme "Education in the Era of Big Data." BCR is published by the Mobilize Center, one of the National Institutes of Health's Big Data to Knowledge Centers of Excellence. Articles include "Career Paths: A Seller’s Market for Biomedical Data Science Jobs"; "Early Blast Off: Bringing Bioinformatics to Secondary Schools"; "The Ever-Expanding and Heterogeneous Landscape of Bioinformatics Education"; and "Learning Engineering: Leveraging Science and Technology for Effective Instruction."

Teacher Resources for Jurassic World

Added: Nov 29, 2015

On NSTA's General Science e-mail list, a member noted that the National Education Association announced educator resources to tie in with the 2015 film Jurassic World. The website also lists books, printables, and videos related to the film. Lessons and activities include

• Dinosaurs--Lesson 7: Nature and Change, a cross-curricular lesson (math, science, language) for K-3 students in which they observe change in nature, including extinction, by making comparisons and by using mathematics. 
• Dinosaur Breath, in which students in grades 6-8 investigate the role of dinosaurs in the carbon cycle and the storage of carbon in chalk. 
• Click and Clone, an interactive animation of cloning for students in grades 9-12 to reinforce their understanding of how somatic cell nuclear transfer works in cloning.
• Should Dinosaurs Be "Cloned" From Ancient DNA?, a case study for small groups of grades 9-12 students to explore the scientific, technical, environmental, and ethical issues raised by the creation of dinosaurs.
• Lesson plans for the 2015 Inventure Prize, which guide grades 9-12 students through the design and creation of a product. (This framework could be adapted to simulate a team creating a dinosaur or a dino-amusement park.) 
• Make a Chickensaurus Skeleton, which provides guidance in assembling a chicken skeleton. (The NEA points out that some of the steps require cooking and the use of harsh chemicals, so the skeleton would be best prepared by a teacher and assembled as a class project.)

Weather Wiz

Added: Nov 28, 2015

At this website, teachers and students can access weather forecasts up to two years out for anywhere worldwide. In addition, the site’s “Wiz School” provides resources for teaching K–12 students about weather and the science of forecasting. You’ll find recommended curriculum by grade level, student activities, background information describing components of weather (e.g., temperature, winds, air pressure, and air masses, fronts, and storms), and practice exercises for forecasting different kinds of weather.

List of U.S. Colleges With Environmental Initiatives

Added: Nov 27, 2015

AffordableSchools.net, a college search and rankings site that centers on unique and affordable offerings within higher education, has published a ranking of the top 25 colleges for environmental initiatives in the country. The rankings are based on a number of prominent environmental and sustainability measures. Only schools achieving a rank of gold or better, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Ranking, were surveyed. Schools were ranked with equal weights given to their scores according to the EPA Green Partnership Ranking (a measure of the largest green power users among higher education), the Green Report Card Ranking, and the Sierra Club "Cool Schools" Ranking.

Wildlife Conservation Society Webinars

Added: Nov 26, 2015

The WCS webinars are a unique opportunity to learn more about global conservation efforts affecting our wildlife health, climate, natural resources, and local livelihoods. Archived webinars are available for later viewing. During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to

learn more about conservation efforts around the world;
discover ways WCS works to save wildlife and wild places through research and conservation;
enjoy conservation stories from WCS field researchers;
view spectacular field photos, video, and presentations; and
explore strategies and resources to enhance your curriculum with wildlife!

Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide

Added: Nov 25, 2015

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide: A planning guide for creating schoolyard habitat and outdoor classroom projects (revised 2011, 132 pp.) outlines the steps for creating a wildlife habitat on school grounds. The guide is useful for K–12 teachers interested in encouraging stewardship through action. The guide begins with a comprehensive Getting Started section with organization and planning steps required for students and teachers. Succeeding sections provide teacher and student instructions for creating Forest, Wetland, and Meadow schoolyard habitats.

You can request a copy of the guide in English or Spanish by e-mailing R8schoolyardhabitat@fws.gov or downloading it at http://www.fws.gov/cno/conservation/schoolyard.cfm.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

Added: Nov 24, 2015

College-bound students seeking information on U.S. schools with engineering programs should check out ABET's website. The site is searchable by school name or program name. ABET accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor, and masters degree levels. ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Flame Tests: Lab Safety Resources

Added: Nov 23, 2015

A chemistry demonstration known as the "rainbow flame" experiment has resulted in a number of serious injuries in classrooms. The experiment is meant to show how various metal salt solutions can create flames of different colors, but it can be unsafe if teachers use highly flammable solvents like methanol or ethanol in the procedure. The National Fire Protection Association published the article "Unsafe Science" in its journal after several science lab accidents around the country resulted in students being burned. The article discusses NFPA's new safety requirements for school science labs and includes links to safety publications and to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board's safety bulletin entitled “Key Lessons for Preventing Incidents from Flammable Chemicals in Educational Demonstrations.” 

C-STEM Studio

Added: Nov 22, 2015

C-STEM Studio is a platform for teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through computing and robotics for integrated learning. It is an engaging way to learn math, coding, and robotics; a simple approach to program a robot; and an easy technology to control multiple robots. C-STEM Studio is a user-friendly platform for using the C-STEM integrated curriculum by university faculty and students, K-12 teachers and students, parents, and others. C-STEM Studio also includes the code, comprehensive documentations, teachers guides, and textbooks used in the C-STEM curriculum.

ArcGIS Online

Added: Nov 21, 2015

Teachers can obtain free web-based mapping tools for classrooms through Esri and the White House ConnectEd program. Esri also offers free geoinquiries, short instructional activities using standards-based, textbook-aligned investigations. A variety of instructional materials is available to enhance inquiry-based learning with students. All activities are completely online. The instructional materials require no installations or logins and are device-neutral. U.S. K-12 schools can request a free account for instruction.

Digital Atlas Activities

Added: Nov 20, 2015

NOAA Ocean Explorer missions are full of surprises because they often occur in places no one has ever visited. To help share the excitement of ocean exploration, NOAA’s National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) provides a map-based atlas that links to information about past expeditions of NOAA’s Ocean Explorer program. The digital atlas (at http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/website/google_maps/OE/mapsOE.htm) can be used to orient students to expedition locations and provide practice in interpreting and analyzing data and associated discoveries from specific expeditions. 

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW)

Added: Nov 19, 2015

Get set for NDAFW, January 25–31, 2016! This annual, week-long observance—created jointly by NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA)—brings together teens and scientific experts at community-based events around the country for discussion about substance abuse and addiction and how to prevent them. Schools, community groups, and other organizations host events, providing a safe place for teens to get questions answered about drug and alcohol use without judgment. 

Every Kid in a Park Program

Added: Nov 18, 2015

The White House’s Every Kid in a Park program invites fourth-grade students in the United States—and their fami-lies—to visit U.S. national parks for free. The program aims to inspire students to become environmental stewards who want to preserve and protect national parks and other public lands. At the website, students and teachers complete an activity introducing federal lands and the importance of preserving them for public use. In the activity, students research a national park of their choice and create an informational brochure about it. Afterward, teachers print free entry passes (valid through August 31, 2016) to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks. In addition to the classroom activity, students can complete an online “adventure diary” to learn more about federal lands, and parents can access trip planning tools, safety and packing tips, and other information to make the most of their visit to the national park.

Natural Inquirer Scientist Card Series

Added: Nov 17, 2015

Introduce middle level students to natural resource science careers with the Natural Inquirer Scientist Card Series. Produced by the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association and the U.S. Forest Service, the cards highlight Forest Service scientists from around the country, including ecologists, social scientists, wildlife bi-ologists, astacologists, entomologists, engineers, and foresters. Each card has a photograph of the scientist in the field as well as a description of the type of science he or she conducts, the research questions he or she answers, the equipment used in the scientist’s research, and favorite scientific discoveries he or she has made. The cards are available in various sets: A full set (100 cards), Women in Science, Classroom (30 cards), and Wildlife Scientists. In addition, teachers can access a standards-based lesson to incorporate the use of the cards in the classroom. In the lesson, students select a card and present information about their scientist to their classmates; they then use the card as a template to create a scientist card about themselves.

‘Do It Yourself’ Watt Balance

Added: Nov 16, 2015

Watch NIST’s 10-minute “mock infomercial”—targeted for high school and college physics students—to see the process of building a LEGO® watt balance. Watt balances are ultra-precise weighing instruments that are playing a key role in the current international effort to redefine the kilogram. Watt balances work by making an indirect comparison between mechanical power and electrical power: They measure the downward pull of a gravitational force on a mass by counteracting it with an upward electromagnetic force; their design makes watt balances capable of ultra-precise mass measurements. The LEGO version of the instrument employs the same basic princi-ples as a full-sized watt balance. Teachers can build a “DIY” watt balance in the classroom using LEGO bricks and basic electronics and provide students with a firsthand connection to the scientific community’s ongoing effort to redefine the world’s basic unit of mass. Visit the website to access the video and an accompanying paper from the American Journal of Physics (AJP), which offers detailed instructions and a list of parts.

Conservation Connect LIVE! Broadcasts

Added: Nov 15, 2015

Connect your students with conservation professionals during the Fish and Wildlife Service’s new broadcast series. Free Conservation Connect web-based videos aim to link youth ages 10–14 with the great outdoors and conservation careers. Students can view a FWS Conservation Connect episode and chat with featured professionals, asking them questions about wildlife, careers, and new technology the FWS uses to study our natural world. Broadcasts take place at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the third Wednesday of the month, November 2015 through May 2016. Educator resources and archived featured videos are available online.

Epic! for Educators

Added: Nov 14, 2015

This growing library offers thousands of picture books, chapter books, early readers, nonfiction books, and graphic novels (including science titles) that elementary teachers can use to complement the curriculum. Registered teachers can receive unlimited access to the books and customized recommendations for their students’ age levels and interests. They also can create up to 30 student profiles and track students’ reading progress. Epic! is available for iPads, iPhones, and Android devices and can be used with any web browser.

AP Lessons in Calculus, Physics

Added: Nov 13, 2015

At edX—an online source for higher education instructional content—teachers can access course modules aligned with the curricula taught in AP Physics and Calculus. The self-paced modules use video segments and interactive activities to develop digital skills and prepare students for their AP exams. The modules were created as part of Davidson Next, an initiative striving to offer supplemental, blended-learning opportunities for AP students, with an emphasis on students who lack access to AP teachers or who are traditionally underserved in college classes.

Growing Gardeners: Lessons for PreK and K

Added: Nov 12, 2015

Help young students discover the joys of gardening with these 16 lessons from George Watts Montessori Magnet school in Durham, North Carolina. The lessons are presented in a traditional Montessori format and can be used to extend students’ science, language, and math learning. Titles include Sensorial Experiences in the Garden; Importance of the Sun, Water, and Soil; The Way Things Grow; and Measuring in the Garden.

Save the Penguins STEM Teaching Kit

Added: Nov 11, 2015

In this kit, middle level students are challenged to design and build a shelter for an ice cube—shaped like a penguin—that reduces heat transfer and keeps the ice from melting. As students work through the kit’s five lessons, they explore concepts related to heat and energy and learn the basics of engineering design. They also develop an understanding of who engineers are: people who design solutions to problems.

Ohiorc.org

Added: Nov 10, 2015

You don’t have to live in Ohio to benefit from the Ohio Resource Center’s wide range of materials for preK–12 science education, organized by topic. The categories address everything from current news on the latest science discoveries to resources for new teacher survival and science safety in the lab. Science Bookshelf (grades K–5) presents noteworthy children’s trade books, and Science Mini-Collections (grades preK–12) features online resources focusing on specific topics.

3D Printing in the Classroom

Added: Nov 9, 2015

Educational technology guru Kathy Schrock has a web page of resources on 3D printing. The page contains publications, lesson plans, videos, and tutorials about 3D printers and how they can be used in K–12 classrooms. Highlights from the page’s many resources include the infographics The History of 3D Printing and How 3D Printing Works, and two Pinterest boards with images of 3D printing developments and successes around the globe.

Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace/STEM Curriculum Materials

Added: Nov 8, 2015

The Civil Air Patrol has a web page with Aerospace/STEM Curriculum Products for elementary through college levels. While some of the resources are free only to CAP members, others are available to all for free download. These include Introduction to Cybersecurity, an online module for grades 6-12; Aerospace Education Excellence for Middle School Physical Science; Advanced Math, for grades 6-12; Aerospace Careers Module, for grades six and older; and Fun in Flight, for grades K-6.

Dynamic Periodic Table

Added: Nov 7, 2015

As high school students learn more about the impact of various elements (heavy metals, gases, acids, etc.), you can use this virtual interactive periodic table to teach them more about the elemental players. Watch a demo and learn how to make the most of this resource in your lessons.

Next.cc for Integrating Art and Science

Added: Nov 6, 2015

Growing evidence suggests that arts integration can enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills and spark creativity. How? Read the blog post at the design learning website Next.cc, which discusses how the NGSS’ crosscutting concepts promote innovative thinking through science and art integration. The goal is to help educators see how the new science standards promote informal and cross-disciplinary learning.

NEXT.cc is an eco web that develops ethical imagination and environmental stewardship. NEXT.cc introduces what design is, what design does, and why design is important. It offers activities across nine scales: nano, pattern, object, space, architecture, neighborhood, urban, region, and world. NEXT.cc’s journeys introduce activities online, in the classroom, in the community, and globally. NEXT.cc journeys and activities are supported with links to museums, institutions, and contemporary practices.

Speaking of Chemistry

Added: Nov 5, 2015

A production of the American Chemical Society’s Chemical and Engineering News, this program features short (two- to four-minute) videos on weird and otherwise interesting chemistry issues. Topics include biodegradable wipes (Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?), a flower’s scent (Stop and Smell the Volatile Organic Compounds), pesticides and strawberries (Are Strawberries Going Away?), and itching (Why You Itch—And Why You Shouldn’t Scratch). Middle and high school teachers can use the series to spark science conversation in their classrooms. Subscribe to the series at this website or follow it on Twitter @CENMag.

Build a Model Seaplane

Added: Nov 4, 2015

In this engineering design activity, teams of upper-elementary students build a model glider based on a Navy-Curtiss NC-4 Flying Boat—the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Students then test the gliders to see which one flies the farthest, learning about engineering design and trial and error (and success and failure) along the way. The activity includes student instructions, suggestions for modifications to balance the plane, and a photograph of an actual Navy-Curtiss NC-4 Flying Boat to label. Click on Elementary School Projects.

Inside Science Lesson Plans

Added: Nov 3, 2015

Spark excitement in the physics classroom with attention-grabbing videos and accompanying standards-based lesson plans from Inside Science, the American Institute of Physics’ news and information service. In the video Ping Pong Balls Break the Sound Barrier (http://bit.ly/1hj6Qgr), students observe how an hourglass-shaped nozzle on an air cannon can accelerate a ping-pong ball to supersonic speeds, propelling it through wood and soda cans and even denting steel. In the video Bubbles, Bottles, and Breakage (http://bit.ly/1GqRfCb), students observe how a rubber hammer striking the mouth of a glass bottle filled with water can cause the bottom of the bottle to shatter or fail. Accompanying lesson plans, adaptable for grades 7 to 12, provide ideas for using the videos in multiple ways, such as for bell ringers, exploration activities, and reading and writing activities that build scientific literacy.

The GeoMentors Program

Added: Nov 2, 2015

As part of the national Connect ED Initiative, Esri—a Geographic Information System (GIS) software company—is offering its digital mapping and data analysis program, ArGIS Online, to K–12 educators in the United States. The software can be incorporated into any subject or grade level to support curriculum standards and enhance students’ experience with technology. The program also provides a GeoMentor (see www.geomentors.net)—an educator or other professional skilled in using the ArGIS program—to help teachers use the software effectively in their classrooms. GeoMentors can suggest ideas for incorporating the software into the curriculum and provide access to instructional resources that use the software within existing science curricula. For example, Earth Science GeoInquiries are short activities that use advanced digital mapping technologies to extend map-based concepts presented in leading middle level Earth science textbooks, including topographic maps, remote sensing, landforms, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other topics.

Think Earth

Added: Nov 1, 2015

Teach students in grades K–3 about the environment and how to protect it with these lessons from Think Earth Environmental Education Foundation. Core concepts include learning about the benefits of trees and the importance of conserving natural resources (kindergarten); using resources wisely (grade one); finding ways to minimize pollution (grade two); and understanding how waste from the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of products contributes to pollution (grade three). Family Activity Sheets reinforce the lesson content and help students continue Think Earth behaviors at home. Additional units for grades 4–9 are in the works.

Aviation 101

Added: Oct 31, 2015

This online course features nine video lessons on aviation fundamentals, such as aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight instruments, radio communication, aeromedical effects, and aviation weather. Teachers and high school students can watch the videos to explore aviation concepts in the classroom or learn about careers in the field. Students (and others) who complete the course receive a certificate of accomplishment.

Energy and Agriculture

Added: Oct 30, 2015

Show students how energy education and agricultural literacy connect through curriculum units from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Available in middle level and high school versions, each unit provides five comprehensive lesson plans that support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), along with resources for further learning. The high school curriculum, which includes hands-on activities and a lab investigation, explores topics such as energy flow and transmission, where commodities come from, renewable energy comparison and analysis, biodiesel, and issues surrounding farming with renewable energy. The middle level curriculum addresses energy forms, energy input and food production, energy distribution, and energy careers.

Resources for Atmospheric Sciences

Added: Oct 29, 2015

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Center for Science Education provides K–12 educational resources and teacher professional development in the field of atmospheric sciences. Educators can access multimedia web content, videos, games, interactives/simulations, and lesson plans on weather, climate, and other atmospheric phenomena. The materials can be used in the classroom or as a “refresher” for teachers who want to deepen their understanding of atmospheric science. Popular topics include clouds and the layers of the atmosphere as well as units on severe weather, climate change, and pollution impacts. Don’t miss the virtual “Teaching Boxes,” which present curated materials on a single topic (e.g., air quality, climate and water, El Niño, greenhouse effect, nature of science, and others) in an accessible format.

Guidebook for Girls and Women in Computer Science

Added: Oct 28, 2015

This website was created to help spark interest in computer science in young girls and to help women pursue an education and career in the field. Readers will find tips for picking a computer science college, lists of women-only computer science scholarships, expert sources, and other resources. Teachers will find Planting the Seed: Encouraging Interest in Computer Science of special interest.

Make Your Own Bird Feeders

Added: Oct 27, 2015

Birds need steady sources of food throughout the year to survive cold nights, migration, and harsh weather. This Cornell Lab of Ornithology site describes simple feeders that can easily be made with household items.

Years of Living Dangerously Education Website

Added: Oct 26, 2015

The National Wildlife Federation has developed a website devoted to educating about climate change in tandem with the science and issues presented in the Years of Living Dangerously series on the National Geographic channel. Teachers will find guidelines for teaching climate change concepts to middle and high school students, including classroom activities. A slideshow for grades 5–12 and presenter’s guide can be downloaded, and links to additional web resources are also included.  Each lesson includes detailed standards documents.

The site also provides tools and resources for colleges and universities to elevate the conversation on climate change and for students and faculty to demonstrate leadership in advancing sustainability.

Essential Lens: Analyzing Photographs Across the Curriculum

Added: Oct 25, 2015

This multidisciplinary professional development resource for middle and high school teachers from the Annenberg Foundation explores photography’s role in documenting history, change, and hidden worlds. Through videos, curated photograph collections, background information, and thematic classroom lessons, teachers (and their students) analyze photographs to understand the different ways images can impact our lives and views of the world. Climate change, environmental issues, microbiology, Earth and space science, and history are among the subjects investigated through the photograph collections.

How-To Guide for Schoolyard Habitats

Added: Oct 24, 2015

Learn how to create and maintain a successful and sustainable wildlife garden on school grounds with this online guide from the National Wildlife Federation. Divided into seven sections, the guide walks educators of all ages through the entire process of creating a schoolyard habitat and provides K–12 lesson plans. Teachers will find information about the benefits of having a wildlife garden on campus, gardening basics, tips for choosing an appropriate outdoor learning site, guidance for ensuring continued success at the space, and more.

DIY Lake Science

Added: Oct 23, 2015

Let young scientists investigate lakes and other freshwater ecosystems at home or school, or anywhere they go! Produced by University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science with National Science Foundation funding, and targeted for upper-elementary and middle level students, this app presents 12 hands-on indoor and outdoor “field adventures” using everyday items; videos; and a simulation exploring how lakes change. Sample activities include making a viewscope to look for underwater plants and animals, and crafting a Secchi disc to measure water clarity. The app is available for iPhones and iPads, iOS 7 and above.

First Look: Second Grade

Added: Oct 22, 2015

Findings From the Second-Grade Rounds of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11, a recent report from ED’s National Center for Education Statistics, examines the overall second-grade achievement of students who attended kindergarten for the first time in the 2010–11 school year and were in second grade in the 2012–13 school year using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11. Science, mathematics, and reading assessment scores in the fall and spring of second grade are shown, both overall and by selected child and family characteristics.

Color Me Safe

Added: Oct 21, 2015

Meet the Safes, the stars of a new CDC safety coloring and activity book for grades preK–1. Students read (and color) along with the Safes, who promote safety at home and on the road by activities such as installing smoke alarms and using child safety seats. Teachers can integrate the book into early childhood reading lessons and share copies with parents and children at health and safety events. Available in both English and Spanish.

Farm and Garden Produce Safety Resources

Added: Oct 20, 2015

Introducing a one-stop shop for resources on farm and garden produce safety for preschools and schools. The resources are culled from leading nutrition and school gardening programs nationwide. For example, teachers can access videos, fact sheets, and PowerPoints on produce safety from the Institute of Child Nutrition; learn the Farm to School Network’s best practices for using produce from school gardens; and find online food safety training for child-care professionals and food service staff developed by the University of Massachusetts and University of New Hampshire.

ToxInvaders

Added: Oct 19, 2015

What happens when a gaming expert has a knack for chemistry and environmental health science? An app for middle level students that explores chemical structures, chemicals that help our environment, and the health effects of toxic chemicals! In ToxInvaders, a new game from NIH’s National Library of Medicine, students eliminate toxic chemicals in a “Space Invaders” meets Jeopardy environment. Players use launchers to destroy toxic chemicals as they fall from the sky, earning points for every chemical structure hit. But don’t let a roaming toxic element land on the launcher, or you’ll automatically lose the game. If a good element lands on the launcher, that’s okay: This earns shields to protect you from falling toxic elements. To advance to the next level, players must answer questions about the chemicals in the just-completed level. Questions range from identifying chemical formulas to determining the potential health effects of exposure to the chemical.

FBI Kids Page

Added: Oct 18, 2015

With age-appropriate (and interest-grabbing) games, stories, and interactives for grades K–12, the FBI Kids Page is the place to learn about the agency and what it does. About the FBI, an interactive for elementary students, tells the history of the agency and describes some of the jobs there, including special agents, language specialists, fingerprint experts and computer specialists; students can try their hands at cracking codes like an FBI cryptanalyst and record their results on the Special Agent fitness test. Middle and high school students can follow a case from start to finish in the interactive How We Investigate, learning about various units in the FBI Lab along the way, or see what it’s like to be a special agent in the interactive A Day in the Life.

Thomas Jefferson’s Vegetable Market Chart

Added: Oct 17, 2015

Even in the early 1800s, recording and analyzing data was an informative and useful practice. Teachers can access Thomas Jefferson’s Vegetable Market Record from 1801, along with ideas for incorporating this primary source into middle and high school science, math, and social studies lessons. Suggestions include creating a vegetable market chart to track, as Jefferson did, seasonal availability of produce in your location, and comparing your findings to his, and brainstorming factors that have contributed to the transformation of American eating habits since the early 19th century.

Faces of EPA Video Series

Added: Oct 16, 2015

Students may not always know about the many and diverse careers available in the environmental field. Now middle and high school students can meet EPA’s staff and learn about possible careers through the video series Faces of EPA. Each two- to three-minute video spotlights a different EPA employee. Students will meet special agents, ocean explorers, former members of the military, and many others, all of whom discuss their career paths and passion for their work and the environment.

Diving Deeper

Added: Oct 15, 2015

Commissioned in 2008, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is the only U.S. federal ship with the sole assignment to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purposes of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. In a lesson for grades 6–12, students learn how to access exploration observations, images, and other data collected through remotely operated vehicle dives during Okeanos Explorer missions. The lesson contains the Diving Deeper student worksheet, background information, learning procedure, assessment ideas, additional resources, and connections to the Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts.

Monarch Curriculum Webinars

Added: Oct 14, 2015

Learn about monarch resources and curriculum through two FWS web seminars. Targeted for both formal an nonformal educators in K–12 and other settings, the introductory seminar covers the basics of the monarch life cycle and migration, threats facing the species, and ways to help the monarchs. The second, Monarchs in the Classroom, presents ideas for both elementary and secondary levels that use monarchs as a basis for the units of study in life cycles, migration, ecology, systematics, and conservation.

Habitats and Wildlife

Added: Oct 13, 2015

This middle level teaching guide helps students understand why habitat conservation is important, how changes to habitats’ health affect wildlife, and how the BLM monitors and promotes healthy habitats. Four activities offer students speaking, research, and teaching roles as they progress through the unit. Afterward, students design an experiment based on their research of Western wildlife and habitats in the previous activities. The unit can also be adapted for high school and upper-elementary levels.

STEM on Station: NASA Website

Added: Oct 12, 2015

Celebrate the mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This website helps K–12 educators bring space into the classroom with lesson plans, videos, and more. For example, students and teachers of every level can take the European Space Agency’s online tour of the ISS; watch a video about a day in the life aboard the ISS; learn and share the ISS Benefits for Humanity with students; and check in with the Space to Ground web series, which features a short wrap-up of the week’s activities aboard the ISS every Friday.

What is it like to live and work in space? How do astronauts brush their teeth, eat breakfast, and sleep aboard the ISS? Check out the Day in the Life series, which showcases astronauts answering these pressing questions: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stem-on-station/dayinthelife.

The lesson plans are most appropriate for middle and high school levels. Of particular interest is the ISS L.A.B.S. Educator Resource Guide, which contains a collection of activities for students in grades 5–8 in which they assume the roles of a scientist, engineer, or astronaut to explore the different aspects involved in building and operating the ISS. High school students will appreciate the lessons in the Science in a Box Educator Guide, which ask them to model the behaviors of ISS astronauts and conduct experiments in a glovebox, a device that provides a sealed laboratory setting. Astronauts (and in this case, students) place their hands inside glove inserts to operate the experiment in the box.

Sun Science

Added: Oct 11, 2015

Each month, NASA solar scientists and education experts join middle level and high school educators online to discuss Sun science topics and share educational resources and experiences. The community is passionate about solar science, and members have forged a strong bond; however, they would love to have more educators and scientists join the group! All that’s required is the desire to learn about Sun science (heliophysics) and how to bring it to student audiences. To learn more about the group, watch this video or contact Andi Nelson at anelsonsmd@gmail.com.

Eyes on the Earth

Added: Oct 10, 2015

This software shows real NASA satellite data from Earth-orbiting missions that monitor everything from carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide to sea-level elevation to changes in Earth’s gravity over time due to precipitation and glacial melting. You can even see computer models of the spacecraft that collected the data. Don’t have computers in your classroom? The Earth Now app (for iPhones or Androids; search for Earth Now in the app store) has the same data as Eyes on the Earth.

Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected

Added: Oct 9, 2015

This informative documentary highlights ongoing efforts in communities nationwide to develop, produce, and provide bioenergy. From farmers and families in the Midwest to researchers and business owners on the coasts, the video provides firsthand views and personal stories describing bioenergy-related projects and how they work to create new jobs and lessen humans’ impact on the environment. Share the video with middle and high school students; it provides a new look at many careers in the energy industry.

National Park Fair

Added: Oct 8, 2015

The NPS celebrates its centennial in 2016. Inspire students and families to discover America’s national parks by hosting a national park fair at school. In this lesson, written by classroom teacher and park ranger Kristen Bergren, students research a national park and create a visitor center display with souvenir items to share with classmates. The lesson is written for third grade but can be adapted for all grades.

The Radix Endeavor

Added: Oct 7, 2015

Motivate middle and high school students and supplement STEM learning with this massively multiplayer online game. In The Radix Endeavor, students enter the fictional world of Ysola ruled by evil, science-hoarding overlords, the Obfuscati. Students encounter Ysola’s citizenry and embark on various STEM quests, such as finding a cure for a deadly disease or using math to reinforce weak buildings, while avoiding the Obfuscati.

Space Girls Space Women

Added: Oct 6, 2015

A new app for iOS and Android devices produced by the European Space Agency and Sipa Press features “the stories of girls and women passionate about space, all around the world.” Designed as part of a multimedia component to a traveling museum exhibition of the same name, the app allows users to create their own Space Girls profile and test their knowledge of space. The app also includes video profiles and interviews with a variety of women studying and working in space science and technology, making it a tool to inspire middle and high school students and others to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Thingiverse

Added: Oct 5, 2015

In this thriving design community for discovering, making, and sharing 3D printable things, educators of all levels are encouraged to get on a 3D modeling program or 3D scanner and create, construct, and innovate! Build something, then upload the file to Thingiverse and tell the community about it. The Thingiverse community has uploaded more than 100,000 3D models.

Progressive City Planners

Added: Oct 4, 2015

In this interdisciplinary science and social studies lesson, middle level students create imaginary cities, deciding where to place amenities such as parks and libraries, and deal with drawbacks such as environmental hazards. Then students compare their imaginary cities to the real world, where resources and hazards often aren’ t distributed fairly and certain areas and populations suffer disproportionately from environmental burdens. The lesson promotes discussion about the issue of environmental racism and empowers students by having them propose solutions.

AAPT's ComPADRE Digital Library

Added: Oct 3, 2015

This network of resource collections supports physics and astronomy education at all levels. The collections are organized by user group and course (e.g., K–12 Physics, Faculty Resources, and Higher Education Resources) and contain many resources within each category. For example, the Open Source Physics collection offers tips activities, and curriculum for using computer models and simulations in physics. The Interactive Video Vignette collection presents short, online tutorials exploring introductory concepts like projectile motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, centripetal force, and electric charges—ideal for use in flipped classrooms or as online assignments. Refer to www.compadre.org/index.cfm?.

Reproduction 101

Added: Oct 2, 2015

Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine offers a MOOC focusing on teaching high school and college students about their reproductive health. In a series of short (two- to five-minute) videos, students will learn about the rise and fall of hormones, fallopian tubes, STDs and how to avoid them, sexual violence, and much more. Specific lecture titles are 1) Reproductive Anatomy and Hormones; 2) Menstrual Cycle, Oocyte Maturation, and Sperm Activation; 3) Sexual Biology, Fertilization, and Contraception; and 4) Reproductive Health and Disorders. The course can be accessed by anyone, anytime and anywhere, and delivers a biological, anatomical context to sex and reproduction. For more information, watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ijBlnRpZU.

InterestID

Added: Oct 1, 2015

This tool from NextLesson.org can encourage differentiated instruction in the classroom by helping teachers discover students’ interests and providing standards-supported lesson topics students love. Through the online tool, students share favorite interests within categories such as sports, books, movies, food, music, and gadgets. Teachers view a results summary displaying the top categories, most popular interests within those categories, and recommended lessons from NextLesson based on student interests. Teachers can view summaries for individual students or classes as a whole, and track changes over time. (Free teacher registration is required.)

FoodMASTER Program

Added: Sep 30, 2015

The FoodMASTER initiative is a compilation of hands-on and virtual programs that use food to teach math and science skills. Subjects covered include biology, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, and health, as well as math concepts such as numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and problem solving. The program offers material for grades 3-5, 6-8, and college students.

Timely Pick: Science News Resource

Added: Sep 29, 2015

Timely Pick displays curated current popular science content from around the web. Sources include NBC News, KQED Science, Popular Science, National Public Radio, phys.org, and New Scientist.

Theories of Everything, Mapped

Added: Sep 28, 2015

Quanta magazine’s recent interactive map of fundamental physics is a resource for high school and AP Physics students. Built by interactive developer Emily Fuhrman, the map provides concise descriptions of highly complex theories relating to quantum gravity (including general relativity and quantum mechanics), dark matter, black holes, and other physics topics, along with proposed solutions to each question. Users can learn more about each theory by exploring the links to dozens of related articles and videos and cast votes for the solutions or ideas they believe to be most elegant or promising.

LinkEngineering

Added: Sep 27, 2015

A new website from the National Academy of Engineering helps preK–12 educators implement engineering education in classrooms and out-of-school settings. With videos, interviews with engineering and education professionals, lessons, links to professional development, and opportunities to connect with fellow engineering education enthusiasts, the website provides teachers with models of engineering instruction in educational settings as well as background information on engineering and engineering design.

Citizen Science With SciGirls

Added: Sep 26, 2015

Teachers can access activities for grades 5–8 that involve students in real scientific research. Designed as a accompaniment to the PBS Kids television series SciGirls (which focuses on citizen science this season), students can create a food web to model an ecosystem (All Tangled Up); observe and identify neighborhood birds (Bird Is the Word); explore cloud characteristics (Cloud Clues); create a field guide (Out and About); look for phenomenal phenology in the community (Season Seeking), and identify frog calls (Wetland Band). In addition, an online game, Rule the Roost (http://to.pbs.org/1UxD9VT), encourages students to participate in monthly citizen science challenges, creating and submitting their own creations as part of the game. Students have created homemade boats, animal sketches, cloud observations, and more.

The Science Game: Electromagnetism

Added: Sep 25, 2015

Unleash your inner Einstein! This app lets high school students learn about electromagnetism by doing—on their tablet! In the app, students explore electromagnetism concepts through challenges involving magnets, dynamos, motors, and more. As they play, helpful hints and guides explain phenomena such as electric currents and fields and how things like microphones, televisions, and electric bells work. Students can reinforce science understanding through quiz questions and probes (i.e., mini-games) that review the concepts and can keep students engaged. An applications section shows examples of how electromagnetism theories are used in real life. The app is available for both iOS and Android platforms.

EDC Earth Science

Added: Sep 24, 2015

For teachers seeking materials supporting the NGSS, this activity-driven high school course is aligned with the National Research Council’s Framework for K–12 Science Education. In four sample activities from the curriculum, students analyze climate data, study patterns in surface currents, learn the Peru Current phenomenon, and examine issues surrounding water shortages in U.S. communities. Each activity is set in a real-world context, involves the use of authentic data, and is designed to build critical data-using skills.

In the NGSS Classroom With Kristin Mayer

Added: Sep 23, 2015

These eight videos introduce science teachers to important strategies based on the Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Genereation Science Standards (NGSS). The collection highlights the major shifts in science instruction, explores the new role of the teacher, and demonstrates new instructional strategies in the high school classroom. The videos show what “NGSS looks like in the classroom” and provide related lesson plans. NSTA led the project with funding from Disney; video and lesson development was led by the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, in partnership with the Concord Consortium and the University of Michigan.

Bears of the World: Interactive Range Map

Added: Sep 22, 2015

Bear Trust International’s interactive world map shows students and educators in grades 9–12 where eight different species of wild bears live. The map includes photos, facts, and lesson plans for America and Asiatic black bears, brown bears, giant pandas, polar bears, sloth bears, and sun bears. Students can use the resources to develop skills in interpreting and analyzing data, answering questions like these Which bear species has the widest range? Is this bear species declining, increasing, or stable?

News Literacy Model Curriculum in Science

Added: Sep 21, 2015

A collection of science lessons for students in grades 7–12 teaches news literacy through science. In the News Literacy project, professional journalists teamed with educators affiliated with NSTA, the National Council for the Social Studies, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to create a curriculum that develops critical-thinking skills so students can better analyze the reliability of news and information in core subjects and apply these skills in everyday problemsolving.

Let's Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies

Added: Sep 20, 2015

September is National Preparedness Month, and Sesame Street's Let’s Get Ready! app has tips for grownups and fun activities for kids to help the whole family be prepared for emergencies. Download the app from iTunes (http://apple.co/1KmO4wM), Google Play (http://bit.ly/1Gp3UUF), and Amazon (http://amzn.to/1Flw8FY).

The World's Largest Lesson Introductory Video

Added: Sep 19, 2015

The World's Largest Lesson seeks to raise the horizons of teachers and students worldwide by teaching them about the latest UN development goals and how we can all help fulfill them. For starters, check out the World's Largest Lesson introductory film, written by Sir Ken Robinson and introduced by Malala Yousafzai (leading Pakistani advocate for women's education, the youngest-ever Nobel laureate, at the age of 17). The three Permaculture Ethics are integrated: Care for the Earth, People, and Share Fairly.

Teaching and Learning Math With the Common Core

Added: Sep 18, 2015

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and The Hunt Institute have produced a series of videos to enhance understanding of the mathematics that students need to succeed in college, life, and careers. Beginning in the primary grades, the videos address the importance of developing a solid foundation for algebra, as well as laying the groundwork for calculus and other postsecondary mathematics coursework. The series also covers the Standards for Mathematical Practice elaborated in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and examines why developing conceptual understanding requires a different approach to teaching and learning.

Space Station Research Benefits

Added: Sep 17, 2015

NASA’s new book, Benefits for Humanity, tells how research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) helps improve lives on Earth while advancing NASA’s human-exploration goals. The book describes benefits in areas such as human health, disaster relief, and education. For example, ISS research has produced devices to help control asthma and sensor systems that improve our ability to monitor and respond to natural hazards and catastrophes.

The League of SI Superheroes

Added: Sep 16, 2015

This animated cartoon series offers a way for middle and high school students to develop fluency with the SI, or metric, measurement system—an essential skill in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. The heroes use their awesome powers of measurement to fight uncertainty, imprecision, and inaccuracy and to improve daily life. In their latest adventure, “Running Out of Time!,” the League encounters Major Uncertainty, who is meddling with the atomic clocks responsible for the accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The episode highlights the importance of precision timekeeping in the widely used GPS and shows students how measurement enables the GPS system to work. Meet the characters in the pilot episode, “Desperate Measures!” (http://1.usa.gov/1DT2kdO).

Titanic Classroom Resources

Added: Sep 15, 2015

The tale of the Titanic is not just a tragedy. It’s also an example of countries collaborating to prevent future sea disasters. Shortly after the sinking, countries on both sides of the Atlantic agreed to create new lifeboat requirements, better communications standards, and an ice patrol to help ships avoid icebergs. These requirements exist today. Protecting the Titanic wreckage is also a joint-nation effort, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leading U.S. involvement. 

The Dust Bowl

Added: Sep 14, 2015

LOC Student Discovery Sets feature historical artifacts and unique documents on a range of topics. Designed for iOS devices and Mac platforms, the books have interactive tools allowing students to zoom in, draw to highlight details, and conduct open-ended primary source analysis. The latest addition to the collection is The Dust Bowl, which presents songs, maps, and iconic photographs documenting the daily ordeals of rural migrant families during a disastrous decade. Teachers can incorporate the set into interdisciplinary science and social studies lessons that encourage critical thinking and develop students’ abilities to consider multiple sides of an issue.

Preschool/Child Care Garden Resources

Added: Sep 13, 2015

The USDA Team Nutrition program’s website contains resources to help early childhood educators and child care professionals promote better nutrition through gardening. Culled from various organizations with nutrition education and school gardening programs, the resources include curriculum, fact sheets, videos, and gardening safety tips. For example, the Institute of Child Nutrition’s More Than Mud Pies curriculum offers more than 50 age-appropriate activities exploring growth, nutrition, and food preparation. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Got Dirt? explains the basic steps of starting and maintaining a youth fruit and vegetable garden, and gives examples of successful school gardening, community, and child care projects.

Carbon Footprint Calculator

Added: Sep 12, 2015

How much of your daily activity results in greenhouse gas emissions, which comprise a household’s “carbon footprint”? EPA’s updated calculator estimates your footprint in three main areas: home energy, transportation, and waste. Carbon footprints vary by location, habits, and personal choices. Small actions add up. Have middle and high school students track their footprint and learn new ways to reduce their impact. They’ll develop an awareness of energy issues and understand how to be more active in energy conservation.

Water Science School

Added: Sep 11, 2015

At the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science School, K–12 educators can access information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an activity center that lets users share opinions and test water knowledge. An interactive Water Cycle diagram—available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels—allows students to “mouse around” the parts of the water cycle and view explanations, pictures, and more. Other highlights include The Story of Dryville, a class play for upper-elementary students that helps them understand how water is critical to developing a new town.

Energy Literacy Framework Webinar

Added: Sep 10, 2015

Want to “energize” the teaching of energy in your middle or high school science classroom and earn an hour of professional development credit? Watch this on-demand webinar exploring the nature and role of energy in our lives. Led by DOE education specialist Erin Twamley and middle level science teacher Josh Sneideman, the DOE’s 2013–2015 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, the webinar covers how to teach about energy from the natural to the social sciences using the Energy Literacy Framework. Teachers will see demonstrations of hands-on activities, videos, interactive tools, and resources to engage students on energy.

Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Education Page

Added: Sep 9, 2015

Looking for educational activities and games or outdoor skills websites for K–12 students? Among its many resources, this FWS site offers FAC fact sheets, a Salmon Dissecting game, information on FAC careers, and a booklet on Outdoor Discovery Zones.

Cell Day

Added: Sep 7, 2015

Enrich your cell biology or biochemistry classes by joining the free Cell Day web chat on November 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Middle and high school students can get real-time answers to questions about cell biology, biochemistry, and research careers from scientists at NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Last year, Cell Day fielded questions like these: How many cells are in the body? How do scientists study cells? How do we stop bacterial infections that can’t be controlled with antibiotics? Visit the website to register for the chat and access Cell Day materials, including an interactive cell diagram.

Fracking and Energy, a Classroom Guide

Added: Sep 6, 2015

Wall Street Journal reporter Russell Gold has covered fracking, a drilling technique used to extract oil or natural gas from deep underground, for more than a decade. He recently released The Boom, a book on the history of the practice, which presents both the pros and cons. An accompanying Readers Guide provides thought-provoking questions that present various perspectives of this complex energy issue, making it particularly suited for use in high school environmental science and other classes to promote students’ critical-thinking skills. Find the guide at http://bit.ly/1KMiT2Z.

Careers in Computer Science

Added: Sep 5, 2015

Middle level and high school teachers can learn the “dets” on careers in computer science (CS), such as schools with CS degree programs; job descriptions, certification requirements, and salary information; and a personality quiz to discover where you might fit best in the field. The site also offers guides to encourage specific populations to pursue careers in the field for all students (http://bit.ly/1D93h0f); women (http://bit.ly/1Cserkx); and African American and Hispanic students (http://bit.ly/1JxnNPJ).

Web Literacy Tools

Added: Sep 4, 2015

Mozilla Education offers new tools and curriculum to help learners of all ages—including K–college educators—achieve web literacy, or the ability to read, write, and participate online. For example, Webmaker, an open source Android app (available at http://bit.ly/1TSJgWp), teaches the art of digital storytelling, helping users create content like scrapbooks, photo galleries, memes, and comic strips. In addition, Mozilla presents lesson plans and tutorials on topics such as learning how to code, understanding why privacy matters, and creating open-license content.

Henry’s Handwashing How-To

Added: Sep 3, 2015

Promote hygiene with Henry the Hand! This short video is a fun way to remind elementary students about the importance of washing hands to reduce the spread of germs and the risk of infection or illness. The video discusses four principles of hand awareness: Wash your hands when they are dirty and before you eat; do not sneeze into your hands; do not cough in your hands; and do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth. In addition, the video shows students the proper technique for handwashing.

Race and DNA

Added: Sep 2, 2015

To speak meaningfully about race, we need to truly understand its various perceptions and definitions—and how they all fit together. This article from Teaching Tolerance.org contains a biological, social, and ancestral breakdown, along with a link to a toolkit that provides a professional development framework for educators for examining common misconceptions surrounding race and ancestry. With these resources, teachers an administrators can begin debunking misconceptions and building identify-safe classrooms and schools.

Living Schoolyard Month Activity Guide

Added: Sep 1, 2015

Creating “green” or “living” schoolyards is a growing movement in California and elsewhere that gets students outside to connect with nature, develop curiosity, and become stewards of their school and neighborhood environments. With this guide from Green Schoolyard America, preK–12 educators have more than 40 hands-on explorations that promote outdoor learning. Culled from leading environmental and education organizations in California, the guide presents activities in categories such as WildlifeHabitat (e.g., Butterfly Habitat Hunt), Watershed Stewardship (e.g., Calculating Rainwater Runoff ), Schoolyard Agriculture (e.g., Roots and Shoots), Energy and Climate (e.g., Make a Solar Etching), Thoughtful Use of Materials (e.g., Compost Gourmet), Place-Based Understanding (e.g., Reflection Writing in Your Green Schoolyard), Art (e.g., Creative Painting with Garden Paintbrushes), Recreation (e.g., Photosynthesis Tag), and Health (e.g., Jump Rope Activities).

Mysteries of the Brain

Added: Aug 31, 2015

An eight-part video series produced by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) presents the latest research in neuroscience and profiles the scientists who are leading it. Each video segment explores a different aspect of how the wonderfully complex brain functions. For example, viewers will learn about how the brain works to learn and remember, how emotions are formed and processed by the brain, how neural circuits develop, and how the brain works during sleep. Accompanying lesson plans from NSTA for middle and high school students will be posted soon.

EDC Earth Science Activity: Patterns in Surface Currents

Added: Aug 30, 2015

Give high school students valuable practice in working with data visualizations while learning about Earth’s physical processes. This activity from the Education Development Center helps students understand that uneven heating of the Earth by the Sun provides the energy that drives the ocean currents. Using maps representing average sea surface temperatures during a one-month period, students compare the temperature patterns in April and July, 2011, and relate these patterns to the movement of ocean water via warm and cool surface currents. Then they consider the impact of ocean currents on the climate of coastal communities.

Adventures in Ecology

Added: Aug 29, 2015

This publication features three environmental science activities for middle level and high school students. Produced by TERC, a nonprofit research and science education organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the activities explore what can be inferred from animal skulls (Bony Skulls), the factors involved in an animal’s energy use (Moose Are Not Mice), and the effects of predation on communities and ecosystems (Predator and Prey). The activities are drawn from TERC’s full-year curriculum, Ecology: A Systems Approach, and include both teacher and student guides.

Nobel Conferences on Science Topics

Added: Aug 28, 2015

Every year, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, hosts The Nobel Conference on a selected theme featuring speakers who are among the world’s best in their fields, including one or more Nobel Laureates. The talks are streamed live and archived. Accompanying conference materials prepare high school and college students for the content of the talk (e.g., background information), and post-conference activities summarize understanding afterward. This year’s conference explores the science behind addiction; however, educators can also access materials from past conferences, which have examined topics like The Universe at Its Limits, Our Global Ocean, The Brain and Being Human, and Where Does Science Go From Here? (click on Past Years).

FunScienceDemos

Added: Aug 27, 2015

Imagine a YouTube channel with nothing but attention-grabbing science demonstrations exploring the Big Ideas in science that every elementary and middle level student should know. Produced by George Mehler, Jared Hottenstein, and the science education lead teachers of the Central Bucks (Pennsylvania) School District, the channel offers demonstrations in Physical Science (Matter, Motion/Forces, Energy, Sound, and Light), Earth/Space Science (Weather, Rocks, Our Solar System, Water on Earth, and The Changing Surface of the Earth), and Life Science (Organisms, Habitats, Life Cycles, Recyclers, The Human Body). Each demonstration connects to a concept from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The videos can be used as stand-alone presentations or a professional development platform for elementary and middle level teachers. .

Mosa Mack Science

Added: Aug 26, 2015

The latest tool for educators interested in addressing gender and cultural diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning is this library of inquiry-based science units for middle level students. The units begin with an interactive cartoon starring Mosa Mack, an ultracool African American heroine who models scientific thinking and processes and breaks the mold of the “average” scientist. Each cartoon presents a mystery and ends with a question that challenges students to solve the mystery using evidence from the cartoon. Students are then launched into a series of hands-on science and engineering activities to help them do just that. Topics include Climate Change, Food Chains, Adaptations, Diabetes, and Cells. Free registration is required to download the units.

ActivEpi Web

Added: Aug 25, 2015

This multimedia electronic textbook for high school and college students and health professionals presents the fundamentals of epidemiology while emphasizing the links between health and medical sciences and mathematics and statistics. Developed by David Kleinbaum, professor of epidemiology at Emory University, the interactive resource includes 15 narrated lessons with video and animation; interactive study questions and quizzes; and homework exercises. Topics include study designs, measures of frequency and effect, potential impact, overview of validity, selection information and confounding bias, effect modification, analysis of 2x2 tables, options for control of variables, stratified analysis, matching, and introduction to logistic regression.

Journey to Pluto

Added: Aug 24, 2015

This interactive course from Versal, a platform for online course creation, brings the excitement of the NASA New Horizons mission to Pluto to the classroom. Open to all, but most appropriate for the high school level, the course features 12 lessons covering everything from mission launch in 2006 and spacecraft and instrumentation to the Jupiter flyby, the history of Pluto, and early discoveries from New Horizons. The course can be easily embedded into most websites and includes both public domain and Creative Commons–licensed content from NASA. The course also includes original content and interactive exercises, such as timelines, diagrams, flashcards, and quizzes.

Geoscience Careers Videos

Added: Aug 23, 2015

Two new videos for high school students from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) spotlight the diversity and potential of careers in groundwater science. In the animated Groundwater Is Cool, students learn about the importance of groundwater as a freshwater resource for humans and the environment through arresting facts and statistics. In Geoscience Careers, students, professors, and professionals in the field discuss the benefits and unique qualities of groundwater careers. Both videos reflect the key factors that research has shown to influence students in pursuing careers in geoscience: i.e., taking a geoscience course or lab, having an influential teacher/professor, and desiring to work outdoors.

4SciFunFree

Added: Aug 22, 2015

Targeted for preK–6 students, this iPad app presents simple but intriguing hands-on science experiments that kids can do (with parental supervision) using materials found in and around the house. The experiments address Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Space topics and include activities like making a Canister Rocket, Balloon Kebab, Bottle Tornado, Slime, and Solar Oven. Each experiment features “How-To” instructions, a “Why” explanation, and a follow-up “Quiz” that reinforces understanding.

The True Size Mapping Site

Added: Aug 21, 2015

Bob Riddle, Scope on the Skies column editor for Science Scope, NSTA's middle-level journal, says, "I found a neat mapping site that allows for size comparisons between countries. This would help correct the visual misconceptions like Greenland is so large, for example. Enter a country name, get the country size, and then drag that country next to another one for a visual comparison. [The site] uses Google Maps so you are able to switch between satellite and outline views, zoom in, and so on."

Good Thinking! The Science of Teaching Science

Added: Aug 20, 2015

Who said cartoons were just for kids? This original web series from the Smithsonian Science Education Center brings K–12 teachers in on the fun, too. Short, animated videos examine pedagogical ideas relating to challenging science topics like energy, cells, and gravity, as well as cognitive research findings on topics such as student motivation, or the myth of left- and right-brained people. Viewers join science educator Isabella Reyes in her classroom as she and a host of unconventional “classroom guides” (e.g., the knowledgeable gum wad “Gumerson”) explore the inner workings of student minds, learning how to uncover and address common student misconceptions as well as develop new scientific understandings.

The Future Postponed

Added: Aug 19, 2015

This MIT website was developed to increase understanding of the untapped potential of basic research. Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the website provides freely downloadable case studies about science that provide examples of a growing U.S. innovation deficit in areas that have high significance for national security or economic competitiveness. Recent case studies explore Re-inventing Gravity, Mapping the Human Exposome, Space Exploration, and Infectious Disease.

The Edublogger

Added: Aug 18, 2015

Learn how to use new technology for successful blogs. Get tips on how to engage students in classroom blogs and social media. Edublogger offers teacher guides on Twitter, Flipboard, Feedly, and more.

Get Caught Engineering

Added: Aug 17, 2015

Four free engineering activities have recently been added to Get Caught Engineering's lessons page. The website features resources and references for grades K–6 and a link to a Science and Children article on planning family engineering nights. In addition, the blog page offers ideas for integrating STEM into the classroom. “Like” the accompanying Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GetCaughtEngineering to receive continual updates on engineering resources.

Resources From Quanta Magazine

Added: Aug 16, 2015

Quanta Magazine's video series offers a simple, visual introduction to some of the biggest mysteries in science. New videos will appear monthly. The first three in the series are

What Happens If You Fall Into a Black Hole?
Where Did the Universe Come From?
How Did Life Begin on Earth?

Teachers are free to embed these videos from Quanta Magazine's YouTube channel on their class websites.

The magazine also features a puzzle column that might be fun for advanced math students or math clubs. A free T-shirt is awarded for the best answer each month.

Putting New Life in an Old Lesson

Added: Aug 15, 2015

From a member on NSTA's NGSS e-mail list: "NSTA had a great article in the October 2014 edition of The Science Teacher [our high school journal; see The Science Teacher web page] about modifying your old lessons for NGSS. It's free to download if you are an NSTA member...I found this article more helpful than any lesson plan template that I've found in my own searches. It helped me to modify the lesson plan template that I was already familiar with to meet the expectations of the NGSS."

Guided 'Tour' of the Rainforest

Added: Aug 14, 2015

Rainforest Concern's "E-Flet" for kids in upper-elementary grades and up explains what rainforests are, why they are important, why they are being destroyed, and how people can help them. The "guided tour" also covers rainforest plants and includes a sounds of the forest game, a quiz, and a riddle.

PhET Interactive Simulations

Added: Aug 13, 2015

More than 130 interactive simulations for chemistry, physics, biology, Earth science, and math from the PhET Interactive Simulations Project at the University of Colorado are posted on this website. The project has been actively converting these simulations to HTML5 (so many are iPad and Chromebook compatible). The PhET teacher community has contributed numerous free activities, concept questions, and related materials to the website. Additionally, in the Teaching Resources section, you'll find many video examples, tips, and written guides for using the simulations with your students.

NASA's Imagers Program

Added: Aug 12, 2015

The IMAGERS (Interactive Multimedia Adventures for Grade School Education Using Remote Sensing) Program is NASA's comprehensive Earth science education resource for the introduction of remote sensing and satellite imagery to children in grades K-8. The program is comprised of two multimedia websites: Adventures of Amelia the Pigeon and Adventures of Echo the Bat.

NASA Mars Trek

Added: Aug 11, 2015

This NASA website allows for several methods for analysis of Mars data by students, including measuring distances and elevation. Views are available in both 2D and 3D.

Education Matters

Added: Aug 10, 2015

The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education has created Education Matters, a monthly bulletin, to inform parents, students, educators, faith-based and community representatives, and others about key information and issues around education. The information will contribute to creating a culture of education excellence in the various communities. The first Education Matters bulletin deals with Children’s Brain Development and can be accessed online under the Resources tab.

Identifying and Supporting Productive STEM Programs in Out-of-School Settings

Added: Aug 9, 2015

This report from the National Research Council's Board on Science Education identifies features of productive STEM programs in out-of-school settings. The NRC found a connection between well-run out-of-school programs and learning outcome; STEM programs are expanding, although gaps still exist; and evidence of impact is difficult to prove. Read the report free at the National Academies Press website.

All About Bird Biology–Sound Lessons

Added: Aug 8, 2015

Bird songs inspire students to listen and wonder! Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a companion for educators wishing to use its All About Bird Biology’s All About Bird Song module. Also available is a free downloadable lesson, Bird Communication, designed for grades 3-8.

Muskox Maneuvers

Added: Aug 7, 2015

Do you teach about adaptations in predator-prey relationships? Check out this Council for Environmental Education resource, which gets students in grades 5-8 to model how muskox form groups to survive.

Resources on Systems Thinking

Added: Aug 6, 2015

What is systems thinking? According to thwink.org, it's "the art and science of making reliable inferences about behavior by developing an increasingly deep understanding of underlying structure." An NSTA member on the Next Generation Science Standards e-mail list shared this web page to help teachers help their students become system thinkers. The page includes "The Top Ten Systems Thinking Words Every Problem Solver Should Know."

Kahoot! Online Quiz Maker

Added: Aug 5, 2015

This online quiz–game maker has many classroom applications. It can be used with upper-elementary and higher grade levels and with mixed grade-level teams. Registered teachers can modify question sets shared by other teachers or create question sets of their own. (Students can also create quizzes for one another!) On review day, log into Kahoot, select the chosen review questions, and generate a game pin. Students log in with the game pin, then play the game on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. As they answer each question, the fastest responder (with the correct answer) is rewarded with the most points. The longer a student takes to ring in, the fewer points he or she earns. When the quiz is finished, teachers can print out data about how students answered each question. Watch out: Students get competitive with this game, according to NSTA members.

Scholars Online Videos: Climate Change

Added: Aug 4, 2015

Although Scholars Online videos are designed to accompany curriculum units (available for purchase), they are also excellent stand-alone resources for college courses. Climate Change and Questions for Justice explores the causes and effects of global warming and delves into questions of who is most responsible for and vulnerable to the changing climate. Students consider how to respond to climate change at local, national, and international levels in ways that are both effective and fair.

Resources on Data Analysis

Added: Aug 3, 2015

An NSTA member shared these resources on the association's e-mail list, saying, "...I can see [this article] becoming an essential component in the discussion of which graph to choose for DATA analysis: http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002128. Indeed, my students...often prefer the bar graph. Why? Probably because it is simple to do, and it looks 'clean'...But as we know and teach our students, if the type of data we have is good for a scatter or a line graph, we must choose to use these plots, since they are more informative, enable [us] to see more patterns, trends. (A very good article about this, 'The Graph Choice Chart,' was in the November 2014 issue of The Science Teacher: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/4/tst14_081_08_37).

"What would be often missing in this discussion are examples from 'real science' that would show how using the wrong plot can mislead. Well, here is an article from the recent PLOS magazine that will provide us with examples of peer-reviewed publications (mostly in physiology) [when] bar graphs are misused. The reasons, however, would not be ease or esthetics, but (allow me to interpret) a means to disguise flaws in the experimental design (e.g., too few data points) or in the data interpretation (e.g., disguise outliers). I'd like to tell those writers: Guess you didn't take my class!"

Grant Writing Resource

Added: Aug 2, 2015

Many educators have found that outside funding, in the form of grants, allows them to provide their students with educational experiences and materials their own districts can't afford. This article at the Education World website shares teacher experiences, how-to tips, sources, and a "grant match rubric" that can help you determine how close a match various funders might be.

VolunTEEN Nation

Added: Aug 1, 2015

To involve your students in science-related service projects, simply type in your zip code to find hundreds of opportunities and ideas that you might support in your community. The VolunTEEN Nation team consists of middle school, high school, and college students from across the country. Its database of volunteer opportunities is searchable by interest, location, and age restriction. Find community-service related grants and scholarships through its website and social media feeds.

Using the Pluto Flyby as a Teachable Moment

Added: Jul 31, 2015

JPL/NASA Educational Technology Specialist Lyle Tavernier wrote a blog post about how educators can use the Pluto flyby as a “teachable moment.” In addition to providing background on the flyby and what it means, the blog post also includes math problems and links to various activities and resources across JPL and NASA websites. 

Astute Hoot's Resources for Common Core

Added: Jul 30, 2015

Astute Hoot offers educational resources for teachers and parents, including a collection of free teading and math resources. Freebies of interest to teachers include a student-friendly math problem-solving rubric, Common Core President Research Report, and Common Core Phonics Activities for Multisyllabic Words.

20 Summer STEM Activities From Project Lead The Way

Added: Jul 29, 2015

PTLW has created a list of fun and creative STEM activities that will make the summer months a time of learning. Even doing just a few of these projects will help children increase their STEM skills and get prepared—and perhaps even get ahead—for the start of next year.

National Survey on STEM Education 2015

Added: Jul 28, 2015

Covering topics ranging from the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to priorities for science and STEM courses, the 2015 Educator Edition: National Survey on STEM Education provides educators with valuable insights on the current landscape of science and STEM education in the United States. The report, which is written by IESD, Inc., an independent market research firm, and sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology, can be downloaded for free.

OSU's Changing Climate Resources

Added: Jul 27, 2015

Ohio State University's Changing Climate web page offers a range of resources for classrooms and informal education settings. These resources include reports and articles on climate change topics, archived webinars, and Ohio Sea Grant's Great Lakes Climate Change Curriculum.

Bioenergy Technologies Activity Book

Added: Jul 26, 2015

BioEnergize Me, an activity book for students in grades 3–5 from DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, explains what bioenergy is, where it comes from, and how renewable energy can play a role in the future. The book features fun facts, coloring pages, crossword puzzles, mazes, and more.

NCES First Look: K–1

Added: Jul 25, 2015

This report from ED’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)—Findings From the First-Grade Rounds of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11 (ECLS-K:2011)—provides a snapshot of the overall first-grade science, reading, and math achievement of the students who attended kindergarten for the first time in the 2010–11 school year and advanced to first grade for the 2011–12 school year. The report uses new data from the study. Science, reading, and mathematics assessment scores in the fall and spring of first grade are shown, both overall and by selected child and family characteristics.

Ed Tech Developer’s Guide

Added: Jul 24, 2015

Ed Tech Developer’s Guide: A Primer for Developers, Startups, and Entrepreneurs can help developers apply technology to transform education in America and increase opportunities for all students. Based on years of input from educators, developers, and researchers, the guide highlights 10 specific areas for developers to focus on for greatest impact, including improving mastery of academic skills, increasing family engagement, designing effective assessments, improving educator productivity, making learning accessible to all students, and closing achievement gaps. The guide also discusses what to avoid when developing digital materials. For example, the value of technology for transforming learning is lost if technology is used only to digitize traditional materials (e.g., scanning worksheets makes them digital, but doesn’t improve the learning experience). Instead, the guide encourages developers to use technology to create opportunities for students to engage differently with the content.

StarChild

Added: Jul 23, 2015

This website for young astronomers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center explores the solar system, “space stuff,” and the universe with elementary (Level One), and middle level (Level Two) learners. Each topic features age-appropriate content, activities for students, and a glossary. Teachers will especially appreciate the Question of the Month, (e.g., What Makes Polaris the North Star?), which can be used to spark science discussions in the classroom.

Imagine the Universe!

Added: Jul 22, 2015

Targeting students ages 14 and older (and others with an interest in astronomy), Imagine the Universe!, a website from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, presents a dynamic picture of the universe through news stories, background science, lesson plans for middle and high school levels, links, and an option to Ask an Astrophysicist. The website also includes Special Exhibits with unique insight into the field. For example, in You Be the Astrophysicist!, a webquest, students “walk in the shoes” of an astrophysicist to learn what the job entails.

3D Printing Resources

Added: Jul 21, 2015

NASA has debuted a page of 3D printing resources applicable in education settings from middle level to college. You can print 3D models of spacecraft (e.g., Chandra X-Ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope) and other space objects or events (e.g., Block Island, Hurricane Katrina). The website presents articles about 3D printing and invites educators to share their experiences in printing the models, particularly any “tweaks” or adjustments required to print them. Visit the page at .

Join the Lorax Activity Book

Added: Jul 20, 2015

Join the Lorax to Help Save Energy, Water, and Protect the Planet! Written in rhyming verse and featuring illustrations from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, this activity book from EPA’s EnergyStar and WaterSense initiatives for kids makes it fun for elementary students to learn important conservation tips and messages. It features a crossword puzzle with facts and tips about saving water; a maze of energy-saving facts and conservation suggestions for the home; an environmentally themed word search to practice vocabulary; and a Seuss-inspired matching game that reminds students of simple conservation steps they can take. Access the book at http://1.usa.gov/1EsONss.

Marijuana: New Resources for Teens and Parents

Added: Jul 19, 2015

Help middle and high school students and their families sort marijuana myths from science-based facts with booklets from the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Marijuana Facts for Teens discusses the health consequences of marijuana use, its effect on the developing brain, its addiction risk, and its potential as a medicine. Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know presents tips for parents on how to tell if their child is using marijuana and how to talk about the issue with their teen in a climate of heated public debates over legalization. Along with updated data and research-based information, both guides cover the dangers of K2/Spice (often referred to as synthetic marijuana) and new research that shows smoking marijuana regularly as a teen can lower IQ. The guides also include information on the science related to potential therapeutic uses for chemical compounds found in the marijuana plant.

Career Spotlight: Wildlife Biologist

Added: Jul 18, 2015

Do you have elementary or middle level students interested in careers working with animals? Share the story of Chelsea McKinney, a wildlife biologist with the FWS at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. In this short video, McKinney discusses the types of animals she works with and how she uses data to help protect animal populations and conserve animal habitats. The subtitled video includes parenthetical definitions of many environmental vocabulary words (e.g., species, ecology, habitat), making the video a useful resource for differentiated learning.

Crystal Island: Lost Investigation

Added: Jul 17, 2015

This educational video game and curriculum for the middle level explores microbiology concepts and develops students’ literacy skills. Created by education and computer science researchers at North Carolina State University, and supporting state standards, CCSS, and NGSS, the game engages students as medical field detective investigating an infectious disease outbreak on a remote island. Students use their critical-thinking skills to solve problems about the source and impact of the outbreak, test hypotheses using virtual laboratory equipment, and complete a diagnosis worksheet to record their findings. To solve the mystery, students synthesize and apply knowledge from complex informational text and piece together clues provided by virtual characters.

GIS Lesson: Conserving Asiatic Black BearsI

Added: Jul 16, 2015

In this lesson for grades 9–12, students use real-world Geographic Information System (GIS) data and ArcMap GIS software (downloadable for free) to map location data for wild bears, estimate home ranges, graph data, calculate habitat use and selection, interpret findings, and answer questions that have conservation implications for endangered wild bears living in Taiwan. Afterward, students share findings globally in a virtual poster session. Designed for beginning GIS users (both teachers and students), the lesson supports the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and NGSS and provides everything needed to learn how to use GIS: introductory video, teacher guide, student pages, data, and answer keys.

STEM Teaching Toolkit

Added: Jul 15, 2015

The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future’s (NCTAF) Learning Studios program has produced a toolkit to help K–12 district curriculum coordinators and teacher leaders improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum design through authentic, collaborative, PBL experiences. The toolkit provides a set of design and evaluation tools, protocols, rubrics, and case studies to help education stakeholders improve STEM curriculum and make connections to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in three ways: by engaging outside content experts to bring real-world content, data, and experiences into teaching and learning; by developing cross-curricular teams that explore STEM integration; and by integrating subject areas to strengthen science learning for all students.

Take Action Project (TAP)

Added: Jul 14, 2015

TAP is a project-based learning (PBL) curriculum that guides students through the process of taking informed and effective action on a science-related issue of their choice. Developed by California middle level educators Sue Boudreau and Karen Snielsen and others, the curriculum emphasizes critical-thinking and workplace skills. Students complete their chosen PBL projects within a traditional school schedule, taking about 20 lessons spread over a semester. Boudreau blogs about how she implements the curriculum in her classroom, providing a useful model for interested educators to follow. (Click on TAP Curriculum in the list of categories to find the blog.)

The Curiosity Machine

Added: Jul 13, 2015

This virtual STEM curriculum and mentoring program for K–12 students focuses on engineering design challenges inspired by nature. Developed by Iridescent, an education nonprofit that aims to bring science and engineering to underserved children and families, the curriculum not only presents project ideas and instructions, but also provides a mentoring system to connect students and families with working scientists and engineers. Selected challenges include Build an Edible Skyscraper, Camouflage an Animal, Engineer a Bird Beak, and Make a Pine Cone.

Extreme Weather 101

Added: Jul 12, 2015

Educators can get help in understanding and preparing for the impacts of extreme weather and climate change from this online course created by the National Environmental Education Foundation. Students learn “the basics” about extreme weather and climate change through videos, quizzes, and toolkits with tips and links to preparedness resources. The course draws on the Third National Climate Assessment and other trusted federal agencies and peer-reviewed sources to address how scientists know the climate is changing, how climate change impacts extreme weather, national and regional weather trends in the United States over various time scales, the health and environmental impacts of extreme weather and climate change, and weather preparedness.

Ocean Literacy Short Course

Added: Jul 11, 2015

Explore the ocean and its features through this ocean literacy short course from Ocean Classrooms. The course covers the seven essential principles that explain fundamental concepts about the ocean, including physical and living components, local and global effects, and human connections and discovery. The course also emphasizes the importance of making responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources. Materials include an oceanliteracy book, student guide, quiz, glossary, and data chart describing how the course supports the NGSS.

Scratch

Added: Jul 10, 2015

At the Scratch website, educators of all ages and levels can program interactive stories, games, and animations and share their creations in an online community. Click on For Educators to access tips and resources for using Scratch in the classroom, including an introductory video, how-to tutorials, a webinar, and a curriculum guide with lesson plans, handouts, and sample projects. Teachers can also join the ScratchEd community (available at http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu) to connect and collaborate with educators using Scratch.

Citizen Science on Twitter

Added: Jul 9, 2015

Science educators can find citizen science projects during the monthly #citscichat (taking place on the last Wednesday of the month, 2–3 p.m. Eastern Time) presented by @SciStarter and @CoopSciScoop. Hosted by biologist Caren Cooper, who is writing a book on citizen science, and the @SciStarter folks, whose motto is, “All citizen science. All the time,” the chat lets you “meet” the experts, ask questions, and get started with citizen science.

Academy of Model Aircraft (AMA) Educator Resources

Added: Jul 8, 2015

Astronauts Neil Armstrong’s and Robert “Hoot” Gibson’s childhood love for model aircraft was a key factor in their pursuit of careers in space science. To inspire the next generation of model aircraft (and STEM) enthusiasts, AMA offers programs and K–12 resources that use model aircraft to teach STEM-based education. One resource, About Flying Models, presents a brief history of model aircraft and descriptions of model types and other aircraft information. Teachers can also find instructions and how-to videos for building a foam glider, an egg carton glider, and other models.

Digital Science Lessons for K–6

Added: Jul 7, 2015

E-Learning for Kids presents more than 200 interactive digital science lessons, searchable by grade level or keyword, addressing a range of topics and disciplines. The animated lessons have a global flair that students will enjoy. For example, students can visit a Mexican diner to learn about the human body (kindergarten); explore habitats and their properties in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (grade 2); travel the globe with Larry Lava to learn about volcanoes (grade 4); and practice sorting mixtures in a pizzeria in Italy (grade 6).

Engineer Something Amazing!

Added: Jul 5, 2015

This suite of engineering awareness materials from the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) includes a magazine, a brochure for parents and teachers, a poster, and a guide to college engineering programs. With editions for both middle and high school levels, and available in both English and Spanish, the materials are designed to spark students’ interest in engineering. Students can learn about how engineers have changed the world, the types and rewards of engineering, and the path to becoming an engineer.

STEM Activity App's Summer STEM Activities

Added: Jul 4, 2015

STEM Activity App will release 12 new STEM Activities beginning on July 8. Wheelock College Aspire Institute Team's STEM Activity App connects young minds and their families to fun and engaging activities all summer long! Use this link to sign up: http://stem-app.wheelock.edu/signup. Or find it on twitter: @STEM_app. 

Prepare for NGSS: Immerse Yourself in Authentic Science Research

Added: Jul 3, 2015

On the Teaching Channel's Tchers' Voice blog, middle school science and STEM teacher Tom Jenkins has written about implementing the Next Generation Science Standards: "One specific area of concern is how to address Dimension 1: Practices. Practices, according to NGSS, describe behaviors that scientists engage in as they investigate and build models and theories about the natural world, and the key set of engineering practices used to design and build models and systems." Jenkins discusses how to locate resources related to authentic science research and engineering design.

Literacy Squared®: Valuing Bilingualism

Added: Jul 2, 2015

In this video, Colorado University-Boulder School of Education Professors Kathy Escamilla, Lucinda Soltero-González, and Sue Hopewell discuss Literacy Squared^®—a program designed to accelerate the development of English as well as maintain and develop Spanish in emerging bilingual children—as well as suggest research-based strategies to make the most of the rich multicultural resources of children in the United States and encourage bilingual literacy.

Standardized Testing and Special Needs

Added: Jul 1, 2015

In this video, Colorado University-Boulder School of Education Professor Derek Briggs discusses the pros and cons of standardized testing for children with special needs. He also explores the features of the newly designed large-scale assessments that all Colorado students will be taking in Spring 2015 and discuss how these features may address frequently raised concerns about standardized testing.

How Students Learn Math and Science

Added: Jun 30, 2015

In this video, Colorado University-Boulder School of Education Professors Edd Taylor and Valerie Otero reveal aspects of math and science learning environments that are inviting and empowering and demonstrate how math and science appeal to curiosity and problem-solving instincts. Taylor and Otero also discuss the rationale for current changes in math and science classrooms (e.g., solving problems in nontraditional ways), as well as the changing roles for parents in this somewhat unfamiliar space.

A Welcome Letter to New STEM Students

Added: Jun 29, 2015

MiddleWeb blogger Anne Jolly created this letter for teachers to use to show students what to expect in their science, technology, engineering, and math classes. The letter, which Jolly says teachers can adapt to fit their own courses, details "the what and why of STEM, what they will be doing during the lesson, what STEM lessons will require of them, plus other important fundamentals."

NOVA Labs for Educators

Added: Jun 28, 2015

Connected with the popular PBS science series, NOVA Labs include Energy Lab, Sun Lab, Cloud Lab, RNA Lab, Cybersecurity Lab, and Evolution Lab. Every NOVA Lab presents a particular subject and allows students in their teens to develop their own questions and investigations around that subject. Each Lab will have a research challenge or activity that allows students to explore a new data set and/or scientific phenomenon. While the challenges will vary—some being more open-ended, others being more structured and game-like—they encourage users to conduct their own scientific analyses and investigations. Labs are accompanied by a collection of free videos that provide the background information necessary for students to succeed in the Lab's research challenge, along with related opportunities and career exploration resources relevant to teens.

NOVA Labs provides an online community on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, in which you and your students can share, ask questions, or just "listen in" as experts and students discuss recent observations or ideas from the various fields of research. Teachers also will find additional ideas and materials for educators that are specific to that Lab and subject area.

Free Technology for Teachers

Added: Jun 27, 2015

The purpose of this award-winning blog is to share information about free resources that teachers can use in their classrooms. Blogger Richard Byrne is a former high school social studies teacher who piloted 1:1 laptop use at his school and is a five-time winner of the Edublogs Award for Best Resource Sharing Blog. Recent science-related resources mentioned on the blog include a TED-Ed lesson explaining how modern x-rays and CT scans work and 10 Resources for Teaching and Learning About Weather.

CheckOut MyPlate Video Search Entries

Added: Jun 26, 2015

The CheckOut MyPlate Video Search gave kids an opportunity to showcase their creative thoughts and ideas about food and health. The video search was created and implemented by a group of MyPlate National Strategic Partners to help educate and empower children to take healthy eating and physical activity into their own hands and bring it to life via video. Parents and teachers of kids ages 2-18 in three age groups (2-10, 11-13, and 14-18) were challenged to create a 60-second video demonstrating a MyPlate-inspired healthy eating message and a physical activity tip. The video search resulted in upwards of 100 submissions featuring kids across America. Winning entries were announced on www.CheckOutMyPlate.com, where you and your students also can view the other entries.

Samples From Women's Adventures in Science Book Series

Added: Jun 25, 2015

The National Academies Press has compiled 10 books that illustrate the lives of women who are leaders in various scientific fields. Samples from each book are available to read online at no charge. Each book focuses on the life of one woman scientist and her professional journey and highlights the most prominent moments in her career. The books give a deeper understanding of what it means to be a female scientist today while inspiring students to pursue various scientific occupations.

Position Paper: The Importance of Dual-Enrollment Earth Science Courses

Added: Jun 24, 2015

The National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA), in partnership with National Association of Geoscience Teachers, recently crafted a position statement about this topic. These groups believe enrollment (also called concurrent enrollment) courses are a win-win-win for students, high schools, and colleges. Such courses can attract high-performing students to the geoscience career pipeline, meet the rigors and spirit of the Next Generation Science Standards, help build strong postsecondary education geoscience departments, expand the diversity of the geoscience community, and increase the number of geoscience-literate citizens.

Indiana Expeditions!

Added: Jun 23, 2015

From a real-life dinosaur dig to a bizarre suit made from diet soda, Indiana Expeditions, a public television series for elementary and middle levels (grades 3–7), opens students’ eyes to the incredible science around us every day. Hosted by Indiana science educator Rick Crosslin, the series shows students how real science impacts their daily lives. Current and past episodes have addressed topics such as Medical Miracles, Green Science, and the Science of Sound. Each episode includes bonus videos and accompanying lesson plans.

“D.O. More”

Added: Jun 22, 2015

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) launched the “D.O. More” campaign to encourage undergraduates to apply to colleges of osteopathic medicine. In osteopathic medicine, physicians treat patients holistically, integrating the individual into the health care process as a partner and focusing on community health and preventative care. The awareness campaign, which includes a downloadable Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, works across social media channels and motivates students to consider the field through high-impact graphics, infographics, real-life testimonials, and photographs.

Summer Brain Games Education Guide

Added: Jun 21, 2015

Blast off into space with the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, as it launches its free, online Summer Brain Games program on June 22. The eight-week, space-themed program will keep kids combating the “summer brain drain” with astronauts, astronomy and other space science and engineering concepts through weekly at-home experiments. The free Summer Brain Games activity guide is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded starting on June 22. The activities are a great way to learn about astronauts, astronomy and other space science and engineering concepts. Learn about pressure as you launch a rocket into the sky, become an engineer and design a protective landing pod for an “egg-stronaut,” and much more. It’s a great way for families with kids of all ages to stay active and enthused as they learn more about the world around them.

ipadapps4teachers

Added: Jun 20, 2015

Science educator Mike Eby knows his science and his apps. Check out his blog about iPad use in the classroom, where he shares applications that he has tried and tested in his middle level classroom. The apps are classified in more than a dozen categories from organization and general teaching categories to subject-specific collections. Science categories include Astronomy, Earth Science, Elements and Atoms, Lab Apps/General Science, Life Science/Biology, and Physical Science.

Family Science activities

Added: Jun 19, 2015

Check out these sample activities from the Foundation for Family Science in Portland, Oregon. Available in both Spanish and English and targeted for K–6 students (ages 5 to 13), the simple activities can be done at home with inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. Topics explore surface tension (Wet Surfaces), camouflage in predator–prey relationships (Map Habitats), static electricity (Charge It), and observation skills (Details).

Guidelines for Safe Owl Pellet Dissection

Added: Jun 18, 2015

Several years ago, fifth-grade students at a Massachusetts elementary school were sickened with bacteria-related illness resulting from cross-contamination of the dissection of pellets from the wild in the cafeteria. The state responded to the incident by establishing guidelines for safe dissection of owl pellets for Massachusetts educators. The guidelines are now available online for educators everywhere. The guidelines address proper safety procedures for conducting the activity, including appropriate measures for setup, cleanup, glove use, and tool use.

Science Fair Resources and more

Added: Jun 17, 2015

The Society for Science and the Public, which oversees several science fair competitions, has resources for young scientists of all levels from beginning researchers in middle school to advanced science students in high school. Of particular interest is the Great Science Projects Series, a five-part primer on achieving excellence in independent research, covering how to think like a scientist (Part 1), find inspiration for your project (Part 2), identify the basic elements common to successful science projects (Part 3), conduct background research for your project (Part 4), and learn the necessary terminology (Part 5).

Big History Project

Added: Jun 16, 2015

Register your class to learn 13.8 billion years of history told through engaging videos, animations, articles, and classroom activities targeting middle and high school level students. Funded by Bill Gates, the online course supports Common Core State Standards, the C3 Framework for Social Studies, and state standards and integrates the entire history of the universe and with history up to today. In addition to videos and activities for students, the course provides teacher resources such as instructional guides, lesson plans, training sessions, and videos.

Seven Strategies for Engaging Middle-Schoolers in Complex Text

Added: Jun 15, 2015

Produced by New York–based educational technology company AmplifyELA, this seven-page guide provides insight from curriculum and early adolescence experts on the best ways to help students develop close-reading skills: the ability to dig deeply into challenging texts, analyzing every detail and grasping both literal and inferential meanings. The strategies include the following suggestions: Choose short excerpts and read them in class together—do not assign reading them as homework; have students work with the same complex text, but vary the scaffolding support to meet individual student needs; and provide gamelike activities to help students translate the text.

KidWind

Added: Jun 14, 2015

This website offers resources and curriculum for middle level and high school teachers to learn and teach about renewable energy. The materials include PowerPoint presentations on renewable energy basics (e.g., wind power, solar energy, motors and generators), quick lessons on specific energy concepts (e.g., What is a watt? How do wind blade turbines work? What is the relationship between the angle of the Sun and the energy available from sunlight?), videos on creating and using wind tunnels to explore wind energy in the classroom, WindWise curriculum activities, and background readings. KidWind can be a starting point for understanding renewable energies.

Center for Student Work

Added: Jun 13, 2015

Produced collaboratively by faculty at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Expeditionary Learning (EL), a leading preK–12 education nonprofit, this searchable database of exemplary student projects was created as a tool to inspire and guide teachers as they conduct projects, provoke thinking, and pursue instructional excellence in their preK–12 classrooms. The student work—which includes videos, writing samples, and other materials—is drawn from various elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and disciplines; each resource includes a description of the context in which it was created and the associated learning standards it meets. Science projects include Colorado Fish Field Guide Poster (elementary); Food for Thought (middle level); and Chemistry and Conflict (high school).

Connect4Learning

Added: Jun 12, 2015

C4L is an interdisciplinary early childhood curriculum (preK) that focuses on science and math while incorporating literacy connections along the way. Developed by a team of education researchers at Denver University and other institutions, with support from the National Science Foundation, the research-based curriculum blends academics, social and emotional development, and play for preschoolers with high expectations for learning for teachers and students. See C4L in action: In this video, young students learn their shapes and numbers within a science lesson about sea creatures.

Resources for Teaching Electrical Energy and Electricity Generation

Added: Jun 11, 2015

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) offers Ontario teachers resources to help teach electrical energy and electricity generation to students in grades 1, 6, and 9. OPG has developed the resources in consultation with science educators across the province. The resources align to expectations in the current Ontario Curriculum. All resources are available in electronic format, and some are available in printed format as kits.

Kits are available for grades 1 and 9. They contain a teacher's guide and sufficient student guides and pens or pencils for a class. The kits are free and are in English only. OPG has run out of grade 6 kits and offer just the student and teacher guides in PDF format. Student and teacher guides for grades 6 and 9 are also available in French in PDF format.

Fun-A-Day Top Ten Summer Science Experiments for Kids

Added: Jun 10, 2015

Parents can keep children active in science all summer with this list of 50 at-home science experiments ranging from bubble concoctions and weather experiments to cold chemical reactions and sandy science. Blogger Mary Catherine, an early childhood educator and parent, assembled the list, which includes activities she has blogged about and others that she has done with her son. Though most of the activities are geared toward young children, Mary Catherine notes that teachers of older students have also used the activities.

Fossil Hominid Casts

Added: Jun 9, 2015

View fossil hominid casts from Bone Clones in full detail using a simple set of tools. No hard-to-follow directions or discs are required; all you need is internet access. With this tool, educators can show the skull rotations to students in the web-enhanced or online classroom. The series includes Homo sapiens (Cro-Magnon), Homo erectus (Peking man), and Homo neanderthalensis. Instructions for viewing the rotations are included.

NGSS: A Vision for K–12 Science Education

Added: Jun 8, 2015

Learn more about the three dimensions of the NGSS in this seven-minute video from the Teaching Channel. Targeted to all K–12 science teachers, the video shows teachers engaging in the types of activities that students will conduct in the classroom and discusses how the NGSS represent a shift in science education. It also discusses how the three dimensions of NGSS—disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts—work together.

Guide to Implementing the Next Generation Science Standards

Added: Jun 7, 2015

This report published by the National Academies Press is designed to assist district and school leaders and teachers charged with developing a plan and implementing the NGSS as they change their curriculum, instruction, professional learning, policies, and assessment to align with the new standards. For each of these elements, the report presents recommendations for action around key issues and cautions about potential pitfalls. In addition, the report identifies overarching principles to guide a successful planning and implementation process.

Science in California’s Public After-School Program: Exploring Offerings and Opportunities

Added: Jun 6, 2015

The third article in this edition of the Journal of Expanded Learning Opportunities articulates the importance of staffing structure, staff knowledge, and external partners as key factors associated with effective inquiry-based science opportunities in expanded learning programs. The article is based on a study that examined the types of science learning opportunities in California’s public after-school program and the extent to which they are available to students throughout the state. Drawing on a statewide survey of program directors, the article reports on the science opportunities available to youth in after-school settings, and identifies three features associated with sites that offer inquiry-based science learning experiences: staffing structure, staff knowledge, and an external partner. The authors argue that these represent levers for change that policymakers, after-school providers, and funders can use to increase the quality of science in public after-school programs.

Girls Who Code Clubs

Added: Jun 5, 2015

The Verizon Foundation Women in STEM Programs announces these clubs, which offer computer science education and tech industry exposure to 6th–12th grade girls nationally throughout the academic year. Clubs are taught by Verizon Foundation volunteer instructors who are trained and supported by Girls Who Code staff. Girls Who Code Clubs represent a scalable approach to computer science education and include 40 curriculum hours paired with project-based, group learning. Clubs have launched nationally in over 20 states and have helped hundreds of girls gain exposure to computer science education.

To start a club, go to the Girls Who Code website. Any girl under the age of 13 interested in starting a club must have a parent apply on her behalf.

K–12 Energy Resources

Added: Jun 4, 2015

The EIA’s Energy Kids website offers a wide range of resources for teaching elementary, middle, and high school students about energy: what it is and where it comes from. Educators will find energy lesson plans organized by grade level; learn the keys to a successful science fair project; get links to K–12 energy experiments, and watch a cartoon, Prepare for the Science Fair; and visit energy sites like an offshore oil rig and a hydropower plant with Energy Ant. Click on Teacher Guide for extension activities using the Energy Kids website in math, language arts, and social studies lessons.

Metric Education Resources

Added: Jun 3, 2015

NIST has assembled a page of engaging lessons and tools to help students learn and remember the International System of Units, more commonly known as “the metric system.” You’ll find printable activity cards, bookmarks, and other metric resources, including the lesson Presidents and Measurement, in which students examine height data (in metric measure) from 10 U.S. presidents and graph the results, incorporating their height (in metric measure) into the data as well. Visit http://1.usa.gov/1CyKZEZ.

Earthquake Data

Added: Jun 2, 2015

This page from the USGS lists earthquakes that have occurred worldwide over the past 24 hours and are greater than a 2.5 magnitude. Click one of the earthquakes to reveal its longitude and latitude positions and its depth. High school educators can use the page to create geography and Earth science lessons that give students practice in working with and understanding real data.

School Garden Checklist

Added: Jun 1, 2015

Before starting a garden of your own, read and download this step-by-step guide to safely growing fruits and vegetables with students. Created as part of the presidential initiative Let’s Move!, with material from the USDA’s People’s Garden program, the checklist covers all aspects of developing a school garden at any level: evaluating the available space, finding resources and establishing partnerships, checking soil health, designing the garden, understanding the plant palette, and creating and using the garden.

Spacesuit Interactives

Added: May 31, 2015

A spacesuit is a personal, mini-spacecraft equipped to enable an astronaut to survive, communicate, and work in the harsh space environment. Educators can access an interactive learning experience about spacesuits—created by NASA and appropriate for all ages—that explains the mechanics behind these “personal spacecraft” and how they work to keep a person alive in space. Want to know more about spacesuits? Check out a photograph of a spacesuit (http://1.usa.gov/1OeTDB8) that allows you to click on its individual parts (e.g., pants, helmet, tethers, cuff, arm, layers) to read a description of the part and learn what it does.

Discovery Science and Engineering

Added: May 30, 2015

NSF has launched three communication vehicles to promote discovery science and engineering: video interviews with NSF–funded scientists and program officers; conversational feature articles with leading scientists; and a weekly weekend video wrap-up of NSF–funded science news. The video interview series—Science and Engineering on Sofas and Other Things—presents NSF researchers and their work and motivations. You’ll hear from scientists like Margaret Murnane, an expert in ultrafast lasers, and Mark Bowles, founder of EcoATM, a multimillion-dollar business that recycles old electronics and helps the environment at the same time. The articles, known collectively as the After the Lecture series, present personal perspectives and interesting anecdotes from some of the most respected names in science. Capping off NSF’s new communication efforts is the ICYMI (“in case you missed it”) video wrap-up, which offers some of the week’s most compelling research news, presented in a lively and conversational fashion.

Bees and Climate Change

Added: May 29, 2015

NASA has released a five-minute video on phenology of plants and bees that discusses the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite finding that springtime greening is happening one half-day earlier each year and correlates this to bee pollination field studies. The video is narrated by NASA research scientist Wayne Esaias, who uses honeybees as tiny data collectors to understand how climate change is affecting pollination. Esaias’s citizen-scientist project, Honey BeeNet, compares bee data from across North America to satellite imagery to gain a big-picture perspective of how our warming climate is affecting both plants and pollinators. The video can be shared in high school environmental science and biology classes as a tangible example of the effects of climate change to which students can likely relate.

MissionSTEM Diversity Tool

Added: May 28, 2015

Unconscious Bias in STEM: Addressing the Challenges is an online tool for STEM grantees from NASA’s Mission STEM program. The multimedia presentation helps STEM faculty, students, program administrators, and staff understand what unconscious bias is and how it can impact the STEM environment. In addition, the tool explain how grantees can avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias and maintain compliance with the law.

Scientific Images and Videos From NIH

Added: May 27, 2015

Enhance your biology lessons using photos and videos of molecules, cells, and model organisms. Captured by researchers using state-of-the-art techniques, these images reveal the beauty of health and complexity of disease and provide insight into the process of biomedical discovery. Profile articles and interviews with scientists educate students about careers in the field. These resources are freely available for educational uses.

Be a Bioengineer

Added: May 26, 2015

How do you keep an artificial limb attached to the body? What lab-grown organ have scientists successfully transplanted into patients? You can find answers to these and other questions in Want to Be a Bioengineer?, a game for high school and college students designed by NIH’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Through a series of questions and answers, the game shows students how bioengineers are improving people’s lives, from helping paralyzed individuals stand, to regrowing fingertips, to finding new ways to see inside the body. The game promotes the pursuit of STEM careers, introducing the fields of rehabilitation engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomedical imaging.

Training on Digital Dissection Software

Added: May 25, 2015

Teachers can receive personalized interactive online training on computer-based animal dissection software. Sessions will cover educational efficacy, economic benefits, ethical considerations, and current laws and policies regarding the use of animals in science education. Participants will gain hands-on experience with popular digital dissection software programs. Training sessions are led by Samantha Suiter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who teaches biology at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina. To schedule a training session, contact Suiter at SamanthaS@peta.org or 843-771-2394.

Climate Change Indicators in the United States

Added: May 24, 2015

EPA has released the third edition of Climate Change Indicators in the United States, which presents observed data on key measures of our environment. The third edition adds more years of data, new indicators, and new features that connect observed data records to local communities and areas of interest. The report focuses on long-term trends for key measures of our environment for which high-quality data exist. Each indicator and the report itself were peer-reviewed by independent experts, and extensive technical documentation accompanies the report. Consult the site to watch a slideshow highlighting the report’s key findings, download a brochure summarizing these findings, or access the full report.

Women of EPA: Robyn Conmy

Added: May 23, 2015

Women serve in numerous leadership roles at EPA and are an integral part of the agency’s decision making. In this video spotlighting EPA careers, students meet Robyn Conmy, a research ecologist working at EPA’s Cincinnati labs. She describes how she became interested in STEM fields and why her work is important. Share the video with your middle and high school students to generate interest in STEM and encourage students, especially girls, to pursue STEM careers.

Owlie Skywarn’s Weather Book

Added: May 22, 2015

NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) produces outreach materials to help elementary and middle level students and teachers understand weather science and how to prepare for weather emergencies. Educators can download Watch Out...Storms Ahead! Owlie Skywarn’s Weather Book, which presents age-appropriate facts and information on staying safe in hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning, and winter storms. The coloring book–style publication ends with quizzes, puzzles, and other activities on each topic to help students reinforce what they learned about weather emergencies.

Mapping Diversity of Arctic Marine Microbes

Added: May 21, 2015

Between January 2015 and August 2016, scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks will be using next-generation DNA sequencing technologies and cutting-edge bioinformatics approaches to explore the largely unknown molecular diversity of microbes associated with Arctic sea ice and seafloor habitats. The project aims to provide baseline microbiological community data for one of the Earth’s most rapidly changing regions, the Arctic. To bring the science and excitement of this project into middle and high school classrooms, NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research has launched a web page and learning module, Mapping the Uncharted Diversity of Arctic Marine Microbes, on its Ocean Explorer website. The Expedition Education Module contains the project’s purpose, fact sheets on microbes, and an Arctic-themed page featuring essays from past Arctic expeditions, lessons, videos, career interviews, and links to past expeditions with an Arctic focus.

Attitudes Toward STEM: High School

Added: May 20, 2015

Gender Differences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Interest, Credits Earned, and NAEP Performance in the 12th Grade, a Statistics in Brief report from ED’s National Center for Education Statistics, describes high school graduates’ attitudes toward STEM courses (specifically, mathematics and science), credits earned in STEM fields, and performance on the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics and science assessments. Key findings include the following: In 2009, compared to males, lower percentages of female high school graduates reported they liked mathematics or science. Compared to males, higher percentages of female 2009 high school graduates took advanced biology, chemistry, Algebra II, precalculus, and health science/technology courses. In general, among 2009 high school graduates who had earned credits in specific mathematics and science courses, males had higher average NAEP mathematics and NAEP sciencescale scores than females. Learn more at http://1.usa.gov/1AlHmRz.

Accessible Television Portal

Added: May 19, 2015

ED’s Accessible Television Portal Project has made it possible for students with visual or hearing disabilities to be able to watch programs like Ocean Mysteries, Magic School Bus, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, including some programs in Spanish. Part of the ED-funded Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), the portal offers video on-demand content provided at no cost by the major television networks, as well as producers and distributors like PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, and Scholastic Media. Teachers, school personnel, parents, and other professionals working with qualified students can visit the site to register for free access to the portal.www.dcmp.org/accessible-television.

Teaching With Documentaries

Added: May 18, 2015

High school educators and film aficionados of every level can access a large collection of nonfiction films in science, the environment, and other teaching disciplines. Uniquely browsable—i.e., teachers can search the resources by topic but also by “featured” picks, highest rated, most shared—the website encourages educators to rate and share comments about the films. Set aside time to peruse the site; a search of science categories turned up numerous titles of interest, such as Space Station Tour; Tesla: Master of Lightning; Cancer: The Forbidden Cures; and Living Among the Gorillas, to name a few.

Global Competency Lessons

Added: May 17, 2015

View and download lessons designed to develop students’ global competency skills. The interdisciplinary lessons were created by National Education Association (NEA) Global Learning Fellows and offer numerous possibilities for integration with science, social studies, and language arts classes. Lessons are available for all levels along the K–12 spectrum. Selected titles include Environmental Portraits: More than Face Value! (elementary); Life-boat Earth a Global Perspective (middle); and Magnetic Levitation Train (high school). The site features an annotated list of all the lessons.

The Wolfram Demonstrations Project

Added: May 16, 2015

This database of interactive applets created in 2007 is the largest open repository of professionally vetted, instructional interactive content online. With more than 10,000 demonstrations representing a wide variety of grade levels and disciplines—from elementary math counting games to medical image processing and more—the site has something for every educator, K–12. Teachers can search the resources by topic or by Common Core–supported learning standard; registered teachers can join the Demonstrations Project and submit their own interactive resources to the site.

STEM Connections

Added: May 15, 2015

The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association’s (ITEEA) monthly electronic newsletter (formerly known as Inside TIDE) features news, professional development opportunities, information about legislative efforts, and networking opportunities for K–college educators that highlight the importance of a STEM education for all students. ITEEA seeks to increase students’ technological literacy and help schools include technology and engineering education to fully prepare today’s students for the 21st-century workplace. Visit the website to register to receive the newsletter or read archived issues.

Hank Green, Internet Guy

Added: May 14, 2015

Need some “zip” for your middle and high school science lessons? Check out the Green Brothers’ educational video-based platforms on YouTube: SciShow (grades 5–8, http://bit.ly/1DLOg5l) and Crash Course (grades 7–11, http://bit.ly/1fgbch0). These high-energy educators have created and posted hundreds of videos on science, history, and other topics. The videos, which range anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes in length, exemplify the motto “learning should be fun,” and are meant to be incorporated into lessons or viewed at home to reinforce classroom learning. Titles include Do Plants Get Cancer?, How Do Fingerprints Form?, and A Brief History of Robotics (SciShow) and Water: Liquid Awesome, The Periodic Table, and Cycles in the Sky (Crash Course).

Rising Stargirls

Added: May 13, 2015

This site offers Universe: More Than Meets the Eye, an interactive astronomy workshop for middle school girls (grades 6–8) from traditionally underrepresented groups in science. The National Science Foundation–funded workshop integrates creative strategies such as theater and writing to connect students’ individual life experiences to the universe they learn about. The workshop explores constellations in the night sky, planets in and outside of our solar system, and the universe’s unseen mysteries. It can complement an existing curriculum or be completed in an after-school program. Learn more at this website, or e-mail program founder Aomawa Shields at ashields@astro.ucla.edu.

BookMentors

Added: May 12, 2015

Connecting teachers, librarians, and students in need of books with donors supporting literacy, reading, and education, BookMentors uses micropatronage (i.e., directly supporting the work of others by making donations via the internet) to solve book access problems in high-poverty schools. At the site, educators from all levels and disciplines request books they need. Donors can select a request to fulfill or create an “offer page” highlighting the book or books they want to donate. A site feature called virtual book drives allows teachers, parents, and community organizations to request and donate books, using leaderboards as a charitable gamification incentive.

Looking at Data and Education

Added: May 11, 2015

Last year, the Education Development Center’s Oceans of Data Institute convened a panel of experts to determine the skills and knowledge required of a big data–enabled specialist. The ability to think critically, apply statistical methods, and understand algorithms, as well as a desire to seek patterns, were among the key skills identified for success in the field. This blog examines the occupational profile and presents a vision for building K–16 students’ abilities over the course of their schooling to achieve data literacy by the time they graduate.

“What If There Were No Moon?” Poster

Added: May 10, 2015

Spark high school students’ interest in STEM fields with this information-packed poster and lesson plan that highlight ways to use math, physics, and geology to calculate the mass of the Moon. Created by the Florida Institute of Technology, the poster emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of STEM fields. Access this and other STEM-themed posters with student appeal—e.g., “Gridiron Science,” which explores the math and physics of football, and “The Power of Math,” which looks at the science and math behind speedboat design at this website.

STEM on TV

Added: May 9, 2015

At www.stemon.tv, you’ll find four STEM education video channels, each with a different focus to serve the complete K–12 learning community of students, teachers, and administrators. Channel One presents videos for teachers based on trainings from the National Center for the Advancement of STEM Education. Channel Two, The Science Center for Inquiry, features videos such as Exploring Magnets, Some Cloudy Questions, and Gravity Car, which get students excited about thinking and doing science. Channel Three, the Physics Pharm, offers an online learning adventure for anyone who can multiply and divide with decimals. Channel Four, named STEMon Episodes, highlights resources, demonstrations, and events of interest to STEM educators and learners everywhere.

SciGirls

Added: May 8, 2015

This public television series for students ages 8–12 highlights tween girls who are putting science and engineering to work in their everyday lives. Each 30-minute episode follows a different group of middle school girls as they solve their own design and engineering problems, such as how to design shoes for safer walking on icy streets and how to program and control the LED lights sewn into dresses at a local fashion show. The program’s website offers on activities related to the episodes, as well as tips and resources for teachers to spark girls’ interest in STEM.

STEM Jobs for the Classroom

Added: May 7, 2015

A video series tackles the top challenges educators face in encouraging middle and high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These challenges include defining STEM in the classroom setting (Flipping the Script on STEM), addressing STEM-subject anxiety (I Hate Math!!!), and connecting STEM learning within the context of STEM careers (Do What You Love!). With plenty of action and practical advice for both students and teachers, each 15- to 20-minute video makes it clear that STEM fields are dynamic and suit diverse skills and interests. Teachers can also download the STEM Teacher Guidebook, which presents seven principles to follow to interest students in pursuing STEM careers.

Fight BAC!

Added: May 6, 2015

Teach elementary and middle level students safe food-handling practices and how to avoid foodborne illnesses with games and activities from the Partnership for Food Safety. For example, in BAC Blaster, players clean, separate, cook, and chill foods to keep bacteria from contaminating their picnic feasts. In BAC Drop, students learn about core food safety practices and the “10 least wanted pathogens,” then complete a story template to show what they know.

NSTA Press Teacher Appreciation Week Sampler

Added: May 5, 2015

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from NSTA! In addition to all the goodies we hope you’ll be getting from your appreciative students (and their parents), NSTA wants you to know how much we love the teachers who weare honored and privileged to know and work with. Thank you for your efforts in the classroom, and for including us on your professional journey as an educator. With our compliments, download the free sample chapters that follow (from our six newest NSTA Press books), and enjoy.

The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

Added: May 5, 2015

This collection of classroom-ready educational resources for K–12 teachers aims to increase students’ awareness and understanding of agriculture issues. Developed as part of the Agriculture in the Classroom website, this online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map includes standards and objectives, lesson plans, companion resources, and assessments on numerous agriculture topics, from identifying plant parts to knowing where food comes from to understanding our role in food safety. Teachers can search lesson plans by grade level, location, or content area; teachers also can submit their own successful agriculture lessons to the matrix. The matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards.

Healthy Vision Month

Added: May 4, 2015

May is Healthy Vision Month (HVM), so use these resources from NIH’s National Eye Institute to promote eye health for K–12 students and families. Teachers can find tips and information about protecting eyesight, such as by wear-ing glasses, getting a dilated eye exam knowing your family history, using protective eyewear, and leading a healthy lifestyle. For downloadable posters for the classroom that reinforce these eye health messages, click on “Spread the Word” on NEI's HVM website. In addition, NEI has activity books, posters, and a fun fact calendar to teach elementary and middle level students about the importance of eye health at http://1.usa.gov/1aJkwPy.

Ancient Technologies, New Tomorrows

Added: May 3, 2015

Check out AntiquityNOW’s blog for students in grades 3–8. This blog highlights ancient inventions and ideas and shows how influences and events from the past are shaping our lives today. Recent posts include Blowing Their Tops: The Destructive History and Amazing Science of Volcanoes; Ancient Weather, Modern Predictions; and the blog’s number-one, most-read post, The Invention of the Wheel, which through its accessible content and follow-up student activities that reinforce understanding, both engages and educates.

Project Noah

Added: May 2, 2015

Project Noah missions provide opportunities for students in grades 4–12 to participate in citizen science and share their observations and experiences with wildlife in a meaningful way. By contributing to Project Noah missions, students are not only learning about the environment, but also taking action to protect it. Teacher-tested lesson plans—e.g., Tracking Alien Species, Writing Goes Wild, and a Self-Guided Tree Tour—will help you get started with Project Noah in the classroom.

STEM Resources for Community College

Added: May 1, 2015

ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education has compiled a list of resources and opportunities for students and teachers in community college settings. The resources are culled from agencies such as NASA, NOAA, and USDA. Many are aimed at increasing research opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds or for teachers working at minority-serving institutions.

Climate Kids: Galleries of Change

Added: Apr 30, 2015

NASA’s Climate Kids presents eight image galleries that show rapidly changing climate conditions on Earth in a novel way—through photographs. Most appropriate for middle level students, the images showcase the factors involved in climate change, including weather and climate, fresh water, air, oceans, energy sources, plants and animals, and technology. Photo captions describe how the image relates to climate change. In the plants and animals gallery, for example, students can view an image of an unhealthy coral reef; its caption states, “Global warming can cause a coral reef to bleach, a process that makes [it] lose [its] vibrant colors.” For comparison, the gallery offers a photograph of a healthy coral reef.

Every Kid in a Park

Added: Apr 29, 2015

ED’s new presidential initiative encourages students and families to go outdoors and experience the benefits of learning in the “living classrooms” on U.S. public lands. As part of the program, starting in September 2015, every fourth-grade student nationwide will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass good for free admission—for the student and his or her family—to all of America’s federal lands and waters for a full year. In addition, the program provides access to K–12 outdoor education science labs, lesson plans, and field trip guides from the National Park Service and helps cover transportation costs so schools with the greatest financial need can visit nearby national park sites.

Educational Resources Search Tool

Added: Apr 28, 2015

Looking for a lesson plan about the planet Jupiter? Need a poster with information about the Wright brothers’ first flight? Hunting for information about NASA’s deep space missions? NASA’s Educational Resource Search Tool at can help you find lesson plans, posters, educator guides, and other materials to supplement your science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Search hundreds of resources by subject, grade level, type, and keywords. You’ll find materials for everyone along the K–12 spectrum, as well as for informal and higher education audiences.

The Space Place’s 3D Image Gallery

Added: Apr 27, 2015

What’s it like to stand on Mars’ surface, float outside a space shuttle, or walk on the surface of a massive asteroid? While we might not get to experience these activities firsthand, Space Place—NASA’s educational website about space and Earth sciences and technologies for students in grades 3–5—has the next-best option: 3D images of them! Create a science center with a laptop and red-blue 3D glasses in the classroom, and have students visit the 3D image gallery. Students can view NASA images from our solar system in 3D, including the surface of Mars, ash from a California wildfire, a crater on the planet Mercury, and Saturn’s moon Dione.

Air Science Resources

Added: Apr 26, 2015

EPA’s outreach efforts in schools, museums, and other locations teach students about air quality and the ways EPA and its partners are working to protect the air we breathe and provide the knowledge and scientific tools to respond to a changing climate. As part of these efforts, researchers have developed classroom hands-on air science activities for middle and high school levels. Teachers can access a Particulate Matter Air Sensor Kit, which introduces the atmosphere and its components through the lesson Build Your Own Particle Sensor, and an EPA engineer–led webinar entitled Do It Yourself Air Monitoring. Both resources include information about current research at EPA about air quality and monitoring. In addition, teachers can access Generate!, an interactive board game in which students explore the costs and benefits of energy choices; what happens if the mix of energy sources changes in the future; and what energy choices mean for our climate, air, water, and overall environmental quality.

Drinking Water Resources

Added: Apr 25, 2015

EPA has an education resource website for K–12 students and teachers with information, activities, and games exploring drinking water and groundwater at http://1.usa.gov/1GCndfJ. Organized by grade bands, resources include Thirstin Builds an Aquifer (grades K–3), a classroom activity in which students make model aquifers to understand how water is stored in an aquifer, how groundwater can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water source. The Water Treatment Cycle (grades 4–8), an interactive illustration, lets students follow a drop of water through a water treatment plant, clicking on the various steps of the process (e.g., coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and storage). Students in grades 9–12 can test their knowledge of water facts through an interactive Q&A game.

NOAA Education Outreach on Facebook

Added: Apr 24, 2015

NOAA’s Office of Education has launched a Facebook page. Of interest to formal and informal K–12 educators and the general public, the page disseminates NOAA news and highlights newly published or revised materials from NOAA’s Education Resources website. For example, the page currently features images of ice coverage on the Great Lakes from NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory; Owlie Skywarn’s weather website for elementary students, which explores weather phenomena and safety through games and activities; and a news story about the recent launch of DSCOVR (Deep Space Climate Observatory), NOAA’s deep space solar monitoring satellite.

Classroom Investigations: Native Plants

Added: Apr 23, 2015

In this unit from the BLM, middle school students do three activities to investigate native plants: what their benefits are, how they are threatened, and how they affect public land-use decisions. In the first activity, students learn how native plants slow soil erosion, maintain balance among organisms, and diversify the food supply. The second activity makes students aware of threats to native plants, such as wildfires, climate changes, and invasive plants. The concluding activity poses a land-use challenge for students, who must choose among proposals for hiking trails that will have varying levels of impact on native plants. Each activity includes background information for teachers, student procedures adaptations to consider, in-the-field suggestions, assessment ideas, and student handouts.

Fire Safety

Added: Apr 22, 2015

Teach K–12 students about fire safety practices with information and activities from the U.S. Fire Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and other agencies. You’ll find information about smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, kitchen safety, fire safety plans, and visits to a fire station at http://1.usa.gov/1BR8uiz. In addition, teachers can access online activities such as word searches, puzzles, and interactive quizzes that reinforce important fire safety messages.

Career Spotlight: Federal Wildlife Officer

Added: Apr 21, 2015

Meet Gabriel Harper, who works to protect wildlife. He is a Federal Wildlife Officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. See him in action in a brief video for K–5 students from Kids.gov. In the video, Harper discusses his duties and the tools he uses to help protect the Patuxent refuge’s natural habitat and the animals that live there. Other career spotlight videos (available at http://1.usa.gov/1GfT5t4) include marine pilot, veterinarian, astronaut, ocean expert, wildlife biologist, and rare book conservator.

Energy Literacy Video Series

Added: Apr 20, 2015

Looking for ways to explore energy in your science, language arts, or math class? Check out the Energy Literacy Video series from the DOE, American Geosciences Institute, and the National Center for Science Education. Targeted for middle and high school levels, the series examines energy through the lenses of natural science and social sciences. Each video highlights an essential tenet of energy literacy, including principles such as “energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws” (Video 1); “physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system” (Video 2); “biological processes depend on energy flow through the Earth system” (Video 3); and “various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and often this energy must be transferred from source to destination” (Video 4).

K–12 Science and Health Resources

Added: Apr 19, 2015

NIH’s National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides free K–12 resources, lesson plans, and projects for science educators. At this NLM web page, you’ll find links to materials to help introduce, reinforce, and supplement science and health education programs. Topics cover environmental education and science, including biology and environmental health science/chemistry. The page also contains Spanish-language resources and information about careers in the health sciences. Several resources are designed to grab students’ interest. For example, Frankenstein, Penetrating the Secrets of Nature, a series of lesson plans for middle and high school levels, uses the story of Frankenstein as a framework for discussing the ethics involved in scientific research. Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health, for students in grades 3–12, presents lessons that inspire students to explore how communities worldwide work to improve quality of life.

Trading Cards: Kansas Scientists

Added: Apr 18, 2015

Give upper-elementary and middle level students these cards to spark their interest in STEM fields. Produced as part of the Ad Astra Kansas Initiative, the cards showcase scientists who have contributed to Kansas’s history, past or present, through STEM. The cards include biographical information about each scientist, their area of research or achievement, and a fun fact. The featured scientists highlight the diversity within STEM; the scientists represent more than 50 fields from aerospace medicine to zoology.

GemKids for Schools

Added: Apr 17, 2015

Be a rock star! This interdisciplinary curriculum for grades 3–5 explores how gems form in nature, how they are mined, how civilizations have valued gems throughout history, and the future of the “bling business.” Produced by the Gemological Institute of America, the curriculum is meant to supplement existing elementary Earth science programs and build students’ love of science while demonstrating how subjects intersect. The curriculum includes Common Core–supported handouts and can be found at http://bit.ly/1NbyAzU.

Paper + Clickers = Plickers

Added: Apr 16, 2015

In this video, middle school educator Nancy Foote explains how she uses Plickers—a paper (and thus much less expensive) student response system similar to clickers—in her classroom. The 15-minute video takes viewers through the Plicker process from initial setup to card creation and using the tool and the data it reveals in the classroom. Foote uses Plickers with middle level students, but the tool can be used with any age group.

Science Fiction Stories with "Good" Astronomy and Physics

Added: Apr 15, 2015

Science fiction stories featuring “good” astronomy and physics. Check out the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s recently updated index of interesting science fiction stories with “reasonable” astronomy and physics. Organized by science topic, the list can be used by middle and high school teachers seeking literature that contains content to help teach or reinforce understanding of astronomy or physics concepts. The list includes both traditional science fiction and (occasionally) more serious fiction titles that derive meaning or plot from astronomy or physics ideas.

Train Like an Astronaut

Added: Apr 14, 2015

This program can excite students ages 8–12 about science, fitness, and nutrition. In the program, students complete “mission assignments” (i.e., physical activities) similar to astronauts training for space exploration. The missions let students practice muscle endurance, hand-eye coordination, heart and lung endurance, balance, spatial awareness, aerobic and anaerobic activity, communication, and more. Students also complete hands-on science activities to understand how physical activities and nutrition affect the human body on Earth and in space. The program materials include student and teacher handouts, mission handouts, and instructional videos.

Content Through Board (and Other) Games

Added: Apr 13, 2015

Invigorate your science lessons with the science-themed board and other games. Created by homeschool educator and author Ellen J. McHenry, the games are most appropriate for students in grades 3–12 and address various concepts related to plants, animals, the human body, chemistry, Earth science, physical science, and other subjects. Highlights include The Periodic Table, a board game that introduces students to the arrangement of elements on the periodic table and reviews the idea of valence, and 3D Ocean Bingo, which teaches students about the ecosystems that exist at various levels of the ocean.

EarthEcho Expedition: Beyond the Dead Zone

Added: Apr 12, 2015

EarthEcho International, the environmental education and youth leadership nonprofit organization co-founded and led by Philippe Cousteau, Jr., offers a collection of educational materials and documentary videos on its second youth expedition. In September 2014, Cousteau led scientists, researchers, and students from South Florida and Latin America on an expedition to explore how human-driven development and agriculture have impacted Southern Florida’s natural ecosystems. Videos depict the impacts of agricultural runoff on the Everglades and the connection to water quality and coral reef health downstream; focus on the careers of a marine biologist and a research scientist; and detail how groups of youth are taking action to mitigate environmental issues in South Florida. Lesson plans and activities explain science concepts explored during the expedition, including the urban water cycle and ocean acidification. Action Guides include EarthEcho’s RainCheck Action Guide, which contains stormwater audit tools and other resources to help youth manage stormwater in their greater community.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Resources

Added: Apr 11, 2015

High school teachers and students can find directions in CTE and STEM fields using the resources at this website. Explore vocational and technical careers, check out the skills employers really want, find a trade school, research technical topics, and examine the current job market.

STEMJOBS: Do What You Love

Added: Apr 10, 2015

Two websites for middle, high school, and college students and teachers serve as resources for finding information and generating enthusiasm about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Read STEM Jobs Magazine; analyze your STEM type; or access teacher guides and lessons that foster interest in STEM. Age-appropriate posts for each target audience are available: “Prank Your Friends Using Science” (middle level), “Learn to Animate” (high school), “Ten Things Women in STEM Are Tired of Hearing” (college), and “Seven Effective Ways to Address STEM Anxiety” (teachers).

The JFK Challenge

Added: Apr 9, 2015

In this iPad app for students ages 8–12 from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Archives, players are NASA and Peace Corps trainees who accept President Kennedy’s charge to accomplish great things and make a difference in the world. Students become virtual astronauts in the Space Race mission, traveling back in time to train for the Apollo 11 flight. They try on a spacesuit, steer the spacecraft, and explore the Moon’s surface while learning about NASA, space travel, and the first moonwalk. Back on Earth, a Peace Corps mission takes young volunteers on a trip to 1961 in Colombia, where they learn Spanish words, explore the local culture, and study world geography. Students then use these skills to navigate mazes and other games to help build pathways for clean drinking water and houses in a virtual village. The app incorporates primary sources from the library archives and fosters student interest in the sciences, exploration, volunteerism, and cultural exchange.

The Oceanscape Network

Added: Apr 8, 2015

A web-based application from the Oregon Coast Aquarium uses technology to connect high school students and teachers to science, nature, and outdoor experiences. Through the network, students can explore the Oregon Coast or the larger Pacific Ocean, visit major landmarks and ecosystems, submit sightings of wild animals, or use the Global Positioning System for high-tech exploration of outdoor areas. In addition, educators can create online student communities, facilitate guided inquiry projects, and access lesson plans that address ocean literacy principles.

The Global Oneness Project

Added: Apr 7, 2015

Bring world culture to your classroom through digital stories and lessons. Targeted for high school and college levels, the interdisciplinary stories—in the form of short documentary films, photo essays, and articles—examine global themes with a humanistic lens. Supporting national and Common Core State Standards, the accompanying lessons facilitate critical thinking, reflective writing, and in-class activities in the environmental sciences, physics, biology, English, history, the arts, and other subjects. Every month the project releases a new digital story and lesson plan. Visit the website and browse the collection.

Capturing Data in the Classroom

Added: Apr 6, 2015

Discoveries made by students can inspire deep and lasting learning, but it can be challenging to find activities thaT capture and use data in real time. To address this need, Aecern, a nonprofit education organization based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and its partners have jointly developed a learning platform and opportunities that do just that. At this website, teachers can access a learning platform that facilitates data capture through a mobile app (currently available for iPad and iPhone). Data is automatically made available online through the website, where it can be then be reviewed, shared, and incorporated into classroom learning. Click on Apps and Lessons to access lessons for middle and high school students that incorporate the technology, such as My Estuary and Exercising Well.

Batty for Bats

Added: Apr 5, 2015

Bats are vital to the health of our environment, eating tons of insects nightly, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees. Help K–12 students understand why we should love bats through a five-minute cartoon describing bats and their benefits. Extend student learning with resources from the BatsLIVE website, which offers webinars, curriculum activities, and opportunities to involve students in bat conservation efforts (http://batslive.pwnet.org).

Space Science Videos

Added: Apr 4, 2015

Students and teachers in grades 6–12 can learn about astronomy and planetary science in a video series produced by NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. These webinars feature Education Outreach specialists discussing topics ranging from stellar evolution to star and planet formation, applicable for Science Olympiad competition preparation as well as classroom use.

Women of National Geographic

Added: Apr 3, 2015

Encourage middle and high school girls to pursue their scientific dreams by introducing them to the female scientists involved with National Geographic. Listen to “Her Deepness,” Sylvia Earle, discuss the role of women in science. Learn about the solar power breakthrough National Geographic Emerging Explorer Xiaoling Zheng is working on. See how Big Cats Initiative grantee Amy Dickman is transforming lives—human and feline—in Tanzania. Then consider why it’s important to draw more women to science, and how to remove barriers to their success.

Clue Into Climate

Added: Apr 2, 2015

Check out this four-part e-book series on climate change from KQED Education. The four interactive volumes are designed primarily for middle and high school students. The books address the causes of climate change (Volume 1); the effects of climate change on precipitation patterns and our frozen landscape (Volume 2); shifts in the distribution of plant and animal species due to climate change, and the effects of increased carbon dioxide emissions on the ocean (Volume 3); and how communities are preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change (Volume 4).

Science Ambassador Program

Added: Mar 30, 2015

In this program, middle and high school educators collaborate with CDC scientists to develop challenging and innovative public health–based lesson plans. The lessons are produced during a five-day workshop each summer and provide a real-world focus to concepts taught in many biology classrooms. Past lessons include Have You Heard About Immunity (middle level), which uses hands-on activities to teach students how immunizations protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases and why some people are not immunized, and Focus opn This: The Biology of ADHD (high school), in which students review and strengthen their understanding of neuron physiology and neurotransmission, and connect these concepts to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Career Spotlight: Physical Therapists

Added: Mar 29, 2015

In this video, three physical therapists from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center share how a love of sports and science can be combined in a physical therapy career. See how the physical therapists work to help injured military personnel. The video was produced by the GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies and is available on the kids.gov web portal.

Farm to School Efforts Video

Added: Mar 28, 2015

In Healthy Habits Take Root—Engaging the Community in Farm to School Efforts, the fifth in a five-part series, Farm to School practitioners nationwide talk about how they engage their entire communities in creating a healthier next generation, and describe who the most unlikely partners—corporations, state departments of agriculture, and other unexpected groups—have turned out to be.T he short video aims to inspire educators to get involved in Farm to School efforts, like planting and harvesting school gardens, so that students understand where their food actually comes from.

NASA Apps

Added: Mar 27, 2015

“App” up your smartphone, iPad, tablet, or other device, and “amp” up your science knowledge in the process with these apps showcasing the range of activities and projects at NASA. From Deep Space Exploration missions to the solar system to commercial spinoffs resulting from NASA research projects, educators will surely find something of interest here. Many apps can be used in K–12 learning environments. For example, NASA TV allows students of all ages to share in live events taking place at NASA; elementary students can learn about the process of launching through Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Services Program Activity Book; and middle and high school students can explore lunar topography with the Moon Tours app. Access the list, which is organized by topic, at this website.

Field Trip to Mars

Added: Mar 26, 2015

Students can explore Mars through NASA’s downloadable virtual field trip, an immersive multimedia application that supports student exploration of areas on Earth identified as analog sites to regions on Mars. Analog sites are those areas that share some common traits with sites on Mars and have been identified based on their significance and importance to NASA. Most appropriate for use with middle and high school students, users navigate around the site selecting various objects and clicking on scientists to learn more about how and why this site was chosen, how it relates to Mars, and why it is of interest.

SciJinks Adventures

Added: Mar 25, 2015

Meet Theo, a curious kid with a taste for science and hijinks (a.k.a. SciJinks!), and Bill, his serious-minded ground-hog and mentor. They are characters in SciJinks Adventures, a web comic series highlighting weather phenomena and featuring a revolving cast of intrepid weather explorers. The latest addition to SciJinks, NOAA and NASA’s kid-friendly weather website for middle level students and teachers, the comic keeps students engaged while providing links to site content. For example, in the first adventure, Theo builds a robot from recycled materials and brings it to life using energy from lightning. The storyline includes links to content about getting started on a science fair project and facts about how lightning works.

EPA Digital and Print Materials

Added: Mar 24, 2015

Looking for an educational, technical, or scientific resource? EPA’s National Service Center for Environmental Publications offers more than 66,000 digital and 1,500 free print materials. Educators can search the database using the keywords “science education” or “environmental education” to find relevant documents. Go to https://www.epa.gov/nscep/teacher-order-forms-epa-environmental-materials for annotated order forms listing materials grouped by grade range (K–3, K–12, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and General Information for Teachers). Each form has a picture of the item, title, brief description of the item, and the quantity limit that can be ordered.

Understanding the Cosmos E-book

Added: Mar 23, 2015

Have your students ever traced the orbits in Copernicus’ map of the solar system? Zoomed in on Galileo’s drawing of the Moon? Compared different ways of looking at the skies from across 700 years? An interactive Library of Congress (LOC) e-book makes all this possible. This new Student Discovery Set, Understanding the Cosmos: Changing Models of the Solar System and the Universe, lets anyone with an iPad explore astronomers’ models of the cosmos as they evolved over several centuries, with images from the LOC’s collections. Interactive tools let students of all ages zoom in for close examination, draw to highlight details, and make notes about what they discover. Download this e-book for free on iBooks. For a blog post about how a library media specialist used the e-book with fifth graders, see http://1.usa.gov/1CYG3LI.

Native Voices Website

Added: Mar 22, 2015

NIH’s National Library of Medicine has resources to help you teach students about Native American health, medical beliefs, and ties to the environment. The website Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness, which complements an exhibit of the same name, describes the ways indigenous people work with the environment to preserve it, show respect for all living things, and harness the power of indigenous plants to help heal disease. Resources include a timeline of Native history, K–12 lesson plans incorporating exhibit materials, suggested readings, online activities, and news stories relating to Native American health issues. The site has video interviews with health professionals, community leaders, traditional healers, and others working to improve the health of native peoples. Teachers can incorporate these materials into their science, health, and social studies classes.

Ocean Science Resources

Added: Mar 21, 2015

Teachers can find education resources on ocean science topics, organized by theme at this website. Most appropriate for middle and high school levels, each theme page provides links to content essays (background information), lessons, multimedia activities, career information, and images from associated past research expeditions. For example, the Seamounts (ancient underwater volcanoes) page contains a profile of Tim Shank, a deep-sea biologist who participated in several research missions studying underwater volcanoes. Related classroom lessons include Mapping Deep Sea Features (middle level) in which students create 2D and 3D maps of underwater volcanoes, and Watching in 3D (high school), in which students learn how multibeam sonar uses the properties of sound waves in water to study the topography of the ocean floor. Other theme pages explore Archaeology, Deep-Sea Corals, Deep Sea Canyons, Mesophotic Corals, and Vents and Volcanoes. More themes are expected soon: Look for pages on Cold Seeps, the Arctic, and Bioluminescence.

Ocean Exploration Curriculum

Added: Mar 20, 2015

Our ocean’s landscape ranges from tropical underwater volcanoes to the Arctic Ocean floor, and is home to organisms from bioluminescent corals to deep-vent worms. Educators can bring the excitement of ocean science research to middle level and high school students with NOAA’s Learning Ocean Science Through Ocean Exploration: A Curriculum for Grades 6–12. The lessons in this interdisciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum address topics such as the geologic formations that cut across expeditions (seamounts, ridges and banks, canyons and shelves, and mid-ocean spreading ridges), using models to understand structures and functions, and using scientific data in the classroom to model scientific work and thinking. An accompanying website gives teachers and students a direct connection to the scientists whose work they are modeling in the classroom.

Bird Quest

Added: Mar 19, 2015

This booklet from Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdSleuth program helps K–12 students participate in citizen science bird projects by guiding them through six challenges using resources from eBird. The tasks include getting comfortable with eBird citizen science, using online resources to find your state bird, looking for birds that fit into different groups, practicing bird counting and entering data online, extracting data from eBird about local birds, and taking action to improve bird habitat in your area.

Fruit and Vegetable Fact Sheets

Added: Mar 18, 2015

These fact sheets from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension’s Nutrition Education Program provide information about 30 fruits and vegetables. Each sheet includes an illustration of the fruit or vegetable along with nutrition information, uses, description, varieties, and where the fruit or vegetable was first cultivated. The sheets could be incorporated into K–12 biology, health, or nutrition lessons or shared with students’ families to help promote healthy eating habits.

Desmos Graphing Calculator

Added: Mar 17, 2015

This online calculator has many uses in science and math settings, from graphing functions, plotting tables of data, and evaluating equations, to exploring transformations and more. Desmos.com is also available as a smartphone app. Read the Desmos blog for tips and ideas for using the calculator in the classroom.

Guidelines for Biosafety in Teaching Labs

Added: Mar 16, 2015

Developed for use in undergraduate labs, but also appropriate for use in high school and other lab environments, these guidelines present best practices for safely working with microorganisms in a laboratory setting. The guidelines were developed by the American Society of Microbiology, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in response to serious microbiological contaminations in teaching labs that could have been avoided. In addition, teachers can watch a webinar to help them integrate the recommended and required practices into their teaching laboratories.

Common Core and the Arts

Added: Mar 15, 2015

The J. Paul Getty Museum and Teaching Channel have produced a video series highlighting innovative strategies that integrate the arts into Common Core State Standards and other subjects. In the video collection, educators from various grade levels, subject areas, and contexts share the creative ways they are using art to help students gain and express understandings. For example, Studying Balance in Art and Science shows how elementary students can learn to make claims about the health of an ecosystem based on observations of a painting.

STEM Connections

Added: Mar 15, 2015

The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association’s (ITEEA) monthly electronic newsletter (formerly known as Inside TIDE) features news, professional development opportunities, information about legislative efforts, and networking opportunities for K–college educators that highlight the importance of a STEM education for all students. ITEEA seeks to increase students’ technological literacy and help schools include technology and engineering education to fully prepare today’s students for the 21st-century workplace. Visit the website to register to receive the newsletter or read archived issues.

Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI)

Added: Mar 14, 2015

This open-access journal publishes original research in the biological and physical sciences written by middle and high school students. JEI enables students, with guidance from a teacher or advisor, to receive feedback on their research and to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Sample papers include What’s in a Name? Do Labels Influence People’s Liking for Cookies? (middle level) and Does Gaming Improve Cognitive Skills? (high school). The site also has a Featured Scientist tab, where student authors describe their experiences conducting and publishing research.

Elementary Chemistry Experiments

Added: Mar 13, 2015

Check out Education World’s kid-friendly chemistry experiments for the elementary level. The experiments—meant to spark interest in chemistry and teach students about scientific methods—require only inexpensive materials and can be done easily in the classroom or at home. Titles include Water Molecules on the Move, Baking Soda and Vinegar Chemical Volcano, and Color Splash.

Fly to Learn: Aviation Education Resources

Added: Mar 12, 2015

Introduce upper-elementary (grades 4–5) and older (grades 6–9) students to STEM topics through the curriculum and resources (e.g., lessons, videos, PowerPoint presentations) from Fly to Learn. This program enables students to fly virtual aircraft and learn about energy and forces in the process. Students engage in the engineering process as they modify existing aircraft designs to improve aircraft performance and use math and graphs to predict performance and make informed design decisions.

Habitat

Added: Mar 11, 2015

Promote ecologically sustainable habits among elementary students (ages 7–12) with this educational app from Elevator Entertainment (see www.habitatgame.com). Using the app, students adopt an endangered animal (i.e., a virtual polar bear) and must keep it happy and healthy. Students earn points through games and by completing real-life “missions,” like recycling or “checking in” at national parks, zoos, and other iconic sites worldwide. In addition to promoting outdoor activities, the game encourages students to reduce their carbon, water, and land use and shows their impact through an ecological footprint calculator. An accompanying Sustainability Learning Guide provides classroom lessons on ecological footprinting, animals and their habitats, alternative energy and renewables, climate science, and more.

Kindle Direct Publishing for Educators (KDP EDU)

Added: Mar 10, 2015

This resource from Amazon.com helps K–college educators and authors of every age prepare, publish, and promote eTextbooks and other educational content for students to access on a range of devices, including Fire tablets, iPad, iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets, Mac, and PC. Educators can use the Kindle Textbook Creator to turn PDFs of their textbooks and other course materials into Kindle books—complete with features such as flashcards, dictionary lookup, highlighting, and notetaking. Once the book is ready, teachers can upload it to KDP in a few simple steps.

Blaze and the Monster Machines

Added: Mar 9, 2015

In Nickelodeon’s new television series, children ages 3–6 follow the adventures of eight-year-old A.J. and his incredible monster truck, Blaze, as they solve challenges and explore STEM concepts. Each action-packed episode is filled with monster trucks, physical humor, and songs highlighting scientific principles such as adhesion, friction, force, trajectory, and magnetism. Blaze encourages viewers to think about how things work and why they work that way, thus helping students to develop critical-thinking skills and understand how engineering and technology can provide solutions to everyday problems. You’ll find videos, a curriculum, and activities at this website.

Endangered Species Day: May 15

Added: Mar 8, 2015

K–12 teachers can find a toolkit and other student-friendly resources to celebrate Endangered Species Day and help spread the message of the importance of protecting endangered animals at this website. In addition to fact sheets with background information about endangered species, teachers can download lesson plans incorporating the use of Endangered Species Playing Cards, as well as an Endangered Species Slideshow (and script) featuring images of animals needing protection. Educators can also watch videos and read articles from teachers describing various ways they have incorporated the teaching of endangered animaks into their classrooms.

Legends of Chemistry: George de Hevesy

Added: Mar 7, 2015

Since ancient times, scientists have tried to peek inside the living body. Chemist George de Hevesy’s work in this area transformed medicine: His discovery of radioactive tracers earned him a Nobel Prize. He also happened to trick the Nazis along the way. For these and other amazing stories from the history of chemistry—good for sharing with middle and high school students—check out the latest episode of Reactions’ new Legends of Chemistry series. Reactions, a program from the American Chemical Society, produces videos for K–12 educators and the general public that bring everyday chemistry to life.

Science Forward

Added: Mar 6, 2015

Produced by Macaulay Honors College and City University of New York Advance, Science Forward Open Educational Resources presents seven short videos introducing scientific skills and current scientific issues. The videos support active, inquiry–driven basic science courses for high school and college levels and include teacher resources and classroom activity suggestions focusing on practicing scientific literacy and skills development. Titles include The Challenge of Food, Science Senses, Urban Ecology, Evolution, Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence, and What Is Science?

The Ultimate STEM Guide

Added: Mar 5, 2015

Here you'll find 239 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) links and resources for K–12 students, divided by age and interest. Compiled by Mastersindatascience.org to generate excitement about STEM everything, especially careers, the website features games and apps, contests, awards, career resources, and opportunities. Highlights include GeoWalk: 3D World Factbook (elementary), an app that piques students’ curiosity about places around the globe; iON Future, a game exploring STEM careers (middle level); and Planet Connect Student Grants (high school), which offers grants of up to $1,000 to implement projects or participate in wildlife and natural resource–themed internships.

Museum of Natural History, Virtually

Added: Mar 4, 2015

Want to take students to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., but find the cost and logistics of the trip impossible? Now you can visit the museum for free without leaving the classroom! Students can take a room-by-room walking tour of the museum from their desktop computer or mobile device. Browse a list of past exhibits (e.g., Geology, Gems, and Minerals; Fossils; Egyptian Mummies; Bones; African Voices), then navigate to the room of choice by clicking its location on a map or by following blue arrow links on the floor. In the desktop version, camera icons highlight hotspots to click for a close-up view of a particular object or exhibit panel.

Getting the Picture: Our Changing Climate

Added: Mar 3, 2015

The adventures of scientist–photographer James Balog and the Chasing Ice team come to life in this climate science education resource. Targeted for middle and high school students, the interactive, multimedia experience presents the latest developments in climate science through lessons featuring animations, time-lapse videos, and firsthand accounts from research scientists. Lesson topics explore climate science basics, glacial ice, the role of water in climate change, the effects of climate change on plants and animals, the impacts of climate change on people and society, and action steps to address climate change. The site includes a glossary of climate science terms and links for students and educators.

The Getting The Picture Teacher's Forum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/583651478414284 provides a platform for educators to share ideas, activities, and the latest in climate science education.

2015 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12

Added: Mar 2, 2015

NSTA the Children’s Book Council collaborate annually to select a list of Outstanding Science Trade Books (OSTB) for Students K–12. Heartwarming and engaging stories exploring topics from Batman Science to Dung Beetles are on this year’s OSTB list. Check out the list to find titles to support your science instruction.

Redefining the Kilogram

Added: Feb 28, 2015

This 12-page website includes everything middle and high school science teachers and students want to know about the impending redefinition of the kilogram. Written for a lay audience with links to additional resources for more technical readers, the website examines the history of the kilogram from its birth as a standard measure of mass in the French Revolution to its future as a unit based on a constant of nature and thus measurable anywhere in the world. Since redefining the kilogram is ongoing research, revisit the website for updates.

EXCITE Public Health and Epidemiology Curriculum

Added: Feb 27, 2015

Excellence in Curriculum Innovation through Teaching Epidemiology (EXCITE) is a collection of educational resources developed by CDC to promote student interest in public health and epidemiology. Targeted for middle, high school, and college levels are apps, videos, fact sheets, and lessons to help educators enlighten students about the study of diseases and epidemiology. For example, Solve the Outbreak, an online game and app, shows middle and high school students what it takes to become a “disease detective.”

Women in Transportation History

Added: Feb 26, 2015

Motivate K–12 audiences, especially girls, to think big and make a difference in the world with these resources highlighting women’s contributions to the field. A collage features women who have helped transform the ways we think about and use transportation. Click on the blue dots to reveal the specific contributions: Amelia Earhart (1932, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic), Alice Hayler Ramsey (1909, first woman to drive coast to coast), Sally Ride (1983, first woman in space), and many others. The timeline depicts policies and individuals from the 1700s to 2000s who have paved the way for enhanced career opportunities for women. Notables include Jacqueline Cochran, first woman to break the sound barrier, and Dana Ulery, first female engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Beginning Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Activity Guides

Added: Feb 25, 2015

The BEST activity guides bring engineering design principles to K–8 students. Teachers can use the activities, which can be completed as a set or individually, to supplement in-school curricula or in after-school clubs. The guides are divided into three grade groups (K–2, 3–5, or 6–8), but all groups complete the same set of engineering design challenges. Activity titles include Build a Satellite to Orbit the Moon, Prepare for a Mission, and Design a Lunar Buggy.

Historical and Environmental Education Readings

Added: Feb 24, 2015

History buffs and science educators alike will appreciate the historical documents and environmental education readings found on the NPS Education pages. The collection features an eclectic mix of 29 education resources from various national park sites; for example, Fort Necessity National Battlefield offers a teachers kit with primary documents and artifacts from the French and Indian War, while Lake Mead National Recreation Area presents a video, Diving to the Aggregate Plant, which explores archaeological finds beneath the waters of the Hoover Dam. The materials can be incorporated into interdisciplinary science and social studies lessons throughout K–12 settings.

The Lost French Fleet of 1565

Added: Feb 23, 2015

Last summer, NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research launched an ocean expedition, Search for the Lost French Fleet of 1565. Students can explore the expedition online. Most appropriate for middle and high school levels, the expedition examines the tools, techniques, and importance of marine archaeology, past and present, while also introducing 16th-century history. The website includes an expedition overview, content essays, and images, along with an education module with standards-based lessons exploring technologies similar to those used on the expedition. Students also can learn about careers in ocean research through interviews with the scientists who participated in the expedition.

Protecting the Environment at School

Added: Feb 22, 2015

The EPA offers resources to help K–college teachers create safe and healthy learning environments for all students. The resources include articles, fact sheets, information, and websites relating to environmental health issues at schools, such as classroom safety; indoor air quality; the use of chemicals, cleaning products, and pesticides at schools; and waste reduction at schools. The site also contains information about current environmental regulations and laws.

PEERx: Resources for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention

Added: Feb 21, 2015

NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers middle and high school educators a free flash drive with fact sheets, two Choose Your Path interactive videos, and other educational resources for preventing prescription drug abuse among teens. In the interactive videos, students assume the role of the main character and must make decisions about whether or not to abuse prescription drugs. These role plays give students practice in handling peer-pressure situations. To obtain the flash drive, e-mail peerx@iqsolutions.com.

SEPA Educational Resources

Added: Feb 20, 2015

The Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) encourage collaborations between the biomedical and behavioral science community and the education community to develop projects that improve student understanding of the health sciences in K–12 education and increase the public’s understanding of science. Many of these innovative projects have produced resources for K–12 classrooms, including curriculum, museum exhibits, websites, and other tools. For example, teachers can access hands-on activities from University of California, Berkeley’s project Family Health: Explorations for Schools and Communities (grades K–12) or find animations and other multimedia resources from the University of Utah’s Genome Education Program (grades 6–12).

ABCmouse.com for Libraries and Schools

Added: Feb 19, 2015

Age of Learning’s Education Access Initiatives provide U.S. public schools, libraries, and Head Start programs with free access to ABCmouse.com, an award-winning online early childhood curriculum for learners ages 2–6. The curriculum contains 450 lessons and more than 3,000 individual learning activities (e.g., books, puzzles, games, art activities, and printables) in science, math, language arts, social studies, art, and music. Visit the website for more information and to set up your free accounts.

Computer Science (CS) for Middle Level

Added: Feb 18, 2015

Code.org and Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically) have partnered to create a standards-based, online computer science curriculum for middle level students. The program, which consists of four curricular units and accompanying professional development, embeds computer science practices and concepts within the context of life, physical, and Earth sciences and prepares students for formal CS courses in high school. Module titles include Introduction to Computer Modeling and Simulation, Water as a Shared Resource, Ecosystems as Systems, and Chemical Reactions.

Sea Turtle Lessons

Added: Feb 17, 2015

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has lessons and activities to introduce elementary students to sea turtles and their conservation. Of particular interest are the WebLessons exploring sea turtle adaptations (Turtles Times Three), nesting behaviors (Turtle Nesting), nest protection (The Trouble with Turtles), and the care of sick or injured turtles (Turtles Under Human Care). Another lesson, Nest Observation and Relocation, shows students why scientists sometimes need to move a sea turtle nest and how they do it without damaging the eggs; students then simulate this procedure themselves using “eggs” in “sand.” Many of the lessons are accompanied by videos.

Expedition: Insects

Added: Feb 16, 2015

Discover giant, deadly hornets; stealthy, crawling stink bugs; and other mesmerizing insects in this iBooks textbook written, illustrated, and animated by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Designed for use both in the classroom and at home, and targeted for students in grades 3–5, the book takes readers around the world to visit six different types of insects in their natural habitats. Along the way, students learn how evolution is responsible for the insects’ characteristics. Available for iPad or Mac.

Astronomy Resource Guides

Added: Feb 15, 2015

Prepare for the Great American Eclipse of the Sun in 2017 with educational resources from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). Compiled by Andrew Fraknoi, the Eclipse Resource Guide includes books, articles, and websites exploring the science and history of eclipses, as well as resources related to the upcoming total eclipse. In addition, Fraknoi has updated ASP’s Good Astronomy and Physics: A Topical Index with Reasonable (i.e., “more or less accurate science”) Astronomy and Physics (organized by science topic).

Solution Generation

Added: Feb 14, 2015

This national council engages higher education leaders in climate change solutions by providing tools and resources to help university administrators and others lead by example and implement climate strategies that empower students, faculty, staff, and peer leaders. Resources include Communicating on Climate: 13 Steps and Guiding Principles, which offers practical tips for engaging the learning community in climate change solutions, and “Tools to Make an Impact,” a list of simple climate-minded actions university leaders can incorporate campuswide, such as providing sustainable transportation options and landscaping with native plants.

Light and Laser Lessons

Added: Feb 13, 2015

At the Laser Classroom, K–12 educators will find hands-on science activities exploring light. For example, Follow the Beam teaches elementary students that light travels in straight lines and that light spreads as it travels. In Introduction to Optical Engineering, middle and high school students use gelatin and cookie cutters to learn about lenses and the properties of light. Other middle and high school lessons, such as LASERS and Gummi Bears and Fluorescence: Beauty and Brains, explore basic light-matter interactions (absorption, transmittance, and reflection) and the science behind fluorescence, respectively.

CADRE (Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education)

Added: Feb 12, 2015

This network for STEM education researchers, funded by the National Science Foundation’s Discovery Research K–12 program, connects K–12 educators seeking to improve STEM education inside and outside schools. Join the community and use the Project Smart Search tool to identify STEM projects in an area of interest, meet the innovative educators behind a project, or find a STEM resource. Click on the Resources tab to access projects organized by categories: Early Childhood; Games and Simulations; Formative Assessments; Next Generation Science Standards and Environmental and Earth Sciences; New Measurement Paradigms; and others.

Breakthrough Science: 3D Printing Molecules

Added: Feb 11, 2015

3D printers are driving a new wave of engineering and design. Chemists are building a better understanding of the world at the molecular level using this burgeoning technology. A short video from the American Chemical Society, Breakthrough Science: 3D Printing Molecules, describes some advantages of using this tool to transform2D images of molecules into 3D models to learn from and hold in your hands.

Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Video Series

Added: Feb 10, 2015

Get inspired and find ideas to incorporate into your classroom by watching innovative educators. Videos feature “wobbly thumbs” strategies (high school chemistry, Rebecca Austin-Datta), greenhouse gases and the 5Es (high school environmental science, Scott Sowell), math raps (elementary, Natalie Pelham), Paideia language in the classroom (middle level, Apryl Shackleford), and more.

Nanotechnology Learning Modules

Added: Feb 9, 2015

Nano-Link: Center for Nanotechnology Education offers learning modules and other resources to explore nanoscale phenomena with students. Primarily targeted to middle and high school learners, the modules feature slides explanatory material, activities, experiments, videos, and other media on nanoscale topics. Modules include Unit Cells and Structures, Thin Films, Nanoscale and Sunscreen, Polymers, Memory Metals, and Nano-Treatment (registration is required). While the modules are most appropriate for use with middle and high school learners, the center also holds hands-on workshops and online courses introducing nanotechnology concepts to teachers at any level, K–14.

Nanotechnology Video Labs

Added: Feb 8, 2015

Developed in collaboration with the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin and the Interdisciplinary Education Group, the video labs explore the structure and properties of materials at the nanoscale level of atoms and molecules. Most appropriate for advanced high school and college students, the labs are classified as basic (e.g., Disassembly of a Liquid Crystal Watch), intermediate (e.g., Preparation of a Fuel Cell), or advanced (e.g., 3D Printing) and feature step-by-step procedures with accompanying videos.

Arctic Adventures

Added: Feb 7, 2015

K–12 teachers and students can harness the allure of Arctic dogsled expeditions and Arctic research to explore natural and social sciences and learn about Arctic cultures firsthand. In the program, students and teachers follow the progress of an Arctic expedition in the classroom and conduct related activities on environmental issues pertinent to the expedition’s locale and associated indigenous cultures. Field data is incorporated in the curriculum, allowing students to participate in an authentic science experience with real scientists and real data.

Air Force Collaboratory

Added: Feb 6, 2015

A new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiative from the U.S. Air Force and Discovery Education invites high school students to collaborate with the Air Force to solve real-world technological challenges. The program involves students in three highly engaging projects. Search and Rescue 2.0 involves developing new technologies through rapid prototyping to save individuals trapped in collapsed structures; Mind of a Quadrotor focuses on building a system to enable a helicopter-like robot to navigate its surroundings with minimal human intervention; and the Launch of GPS IIF engages students in searching for the optimal spot to launch the next Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. A Teacher Guide provides background information and additional resources for each project.

To the Moon, Virtually

Added: Feb 5, 2015

Elementary students can visit the Moon with up-to-date, interactive resources from the Connections Academy Blog. Students explore Moon-related multimedia resources available on Google Earth, then conduct a hands-on experience tracking Moon observations. The “trip” continues as students re-create the surface of the Moon using simple ingredients from the kitchen and concludes with students accessing additional Moon-related websites to learn more.

Developing Students’ Global Competency Skills

Added: Feb 4, 2015

National Education Association (NEA) Foundation Global Learning Fellows have created K–12 lesson plans to develop students’ global competency skills. The interdisciplinary lessons cover a range of topics and grade levels and offer possibilities for integrating science, social studies, and language arts. Titles include Made in China (grades K–2); Recycling: It’s a Global Solution (grades 6–8); and The Chemistry of Rammed Earth (grades 9–12). Access an annotated list of all the available lessons at http://bit.ly/1I41RqA.

Environmental Education for Young Learners

Added: Feb 3, 2015

Check out the Winter 2014 issue of the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education. This peer-reviewed journal for early childhood educators highlights effective practice, research, and policy relating to environmental education for young children worldwide. This issue includes articles about using scaffolding as a tool to teach environmental topics to young children; integrating technology in early childhood environmental education; and examining global perspectives on current research in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability.

Rain Bird’s Explorations Into Water

Added: Feb 2, 2015

The hands-on activities, classroom demonstrations, and projects in this curriculum for grades 3–6 help students understand why it is important to manage, conserve, and preserve water. Students explore the properties of water through activities such as Hard Water/Soft Water Experiment and The Universal Solvent. Another activity, Runoff: From Fields to Water Supply, demonstrates how pollutants enter our waterways. Students create a model field, then examine the effects of a “pesticide” (vinegar) on it. Every activity includes background information for teachers and thought-provoking questions for analysis.

Caring for Plants and Animals Fosters Empathy

Added: Feb 1, 2015

"As in most other areas of social emotional development, empathy and caring need to be nurtured through direct involvement in meaningful activities. Involving children in the care of plants and animals is an excellent example of how to do this," says Ruth Wilson in this article in Teaching Tolerance. She shares some specific ways in which teachers of all grade levels can foster empathy and caring in the classroom through involvement with plants and animals.

MovieSheets.com

Added: Jan 31, 2015

Showing videos and the occasional Hollywood film in K–12 science classrooms can be an engaging way to demonstrate concepts and expose common misconceptions while providing a change of pace for students. This website offers a treasure trove of teacher-created, classroom-tested guides and worksheets for hundreds of popular science-themed videos and films. With worksheets for resources addressing a range of themes from Astronomy to Technology, the website can be a valuable timesaver for educators of all levels looking for vetted materials to enhance learning when viewing media in the classroom.

eBooks for Students Interested in STEM Careers

Added: Jan 30, 2015

iD Tech offers a series of free online eBooks for kids and teens interested in pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. These educational tools are designed to engage students in technology and demystify tech professions, such as Game Design, Filmmaking, Software Engineering, and more. Want to become an expert Animator or start your own Indie Game studio? Students can learn how in 10 steps. Check back for additional tech eBook releases.

Coral Bleaching Module

Added: Jan 29, 2015

NOAA’s Data in the Classroom Project provides curriculum modules designed to help middle level teachers and students use real scientific data to explore dynamic Earth processes and understand the impact of environmental events on a regional or global scale. In the newest module—Investigating Coral Bleaching Using Real Data—students in grades 6–8 examine the process of coral bleaching, construct a model coral head, identify sea surface temperature (SST), and participate in a coral reef survey using SST as an indicator to locate areas where corals may be at risk of bleaching. The module helps students understand the importance of coral reefs while also teaching them to use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret real data to answer a research question.

Merlin Bird ID

Added: Jan 28, 2015

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology app (for iOS and Android devices) helps K–college educators spot bird species. After asking a few simple questions, Merlin reveals a short list of birds matching the description of birds in your location. Pick the bird, then delve into more photos, sounds, and identification tips about your bird. The database includes 400 of the most common birds in North America.

RocketSTEM

Added: Jan 27, 2015

This space-themed magazine and website is most appropriate for middle and high school educators, students, and parents, and is brimming with content to inspire the next generation of explorers. The publication presents articles on the history of space (past, present, and future) alongside interviews, lessons, astronomy news, games, puzzles, and more. Highlights from a recent issue include a beginner’s guide to planetary photography and an article describing the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.

Resources for National Drug Facts Week

Added: Jan 26, 2015

Looking for resources you can use in your classroom in connection with the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) National Drug Facts Week? Warning: Take Only as Directed, a short film musical and teacher/professional resource, is based on a personal tragedy that will serve to reduce teen prescription drug abuse. It is the brainchild of writer and executive producer Trish Glowacki and honors her son Charlie, who lost his young life in 2011 due to a drug overdose after being introduced to prescription opioids. An educator's guide with lesson plans, pre- and post-viewing discussion questions, and resource materials is available on the film's website, along with a student packet and guide and a parent companion guide. The guides contain NIDA resources.

NSTA Press offers a related resource. This Is Your Brain: Teaching About Neuroscience and Addiction Research presents 10 comprehensive, ready-to-use lessons about contemporary real-world issues involved in drug use and abuse. Following scientific principles, the 45-minute lessons guide your middle school students through brain structure and function as well as the neurobiology of drug addiction. In addition, the unit explores the role of biomedical research in understanding addiction and prevention, and the ethics of including animals in biomedical research. Read a free sample chapter here.

Space Racers' Space/STEM Educator Toolkit

Added: Jan 25, 2015

Space Racers® is an original animated TV series that provides young children (grades preK-3) with exposure to key aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricula. Produced in collaboration with NASA experts, the series follows a group of talented young spaceship cadets at the Stardust Bay Space Academy. Kids will travel with speedy Eagle, strong Hawk, smart Robyn, brave Starling, and competitive Raven as they soar through the solar system learning about the power of scientific investigation and observation, the wonders of space exploration, and the importance of working as a team.

Lesson plans may be previewed and downloaded from the “Parents & Educators” section of the Space Racers website at http://spaceracers.org/en/parents-educators. For more information on Space Racers, go to www.SpaceRacers.org. Submit questions about these materials and the Space Racers series to press@spaceracers.org.

Speedometry

Added: Jan 24, 2015

An inquiry-based STEM curriculum for fourth grade from University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education and Mattel Children’s Foundation lets students explore velocity, gravity, and kinetic energy using Hot Wheels toys. The curriculum supports the CCSS and NGSS and is available in both English and Spanish. 

ELL Resources and the Standards

Added: Jan 23, 2015

The Understanding Language team at Stanford University offers resources for teaching English language learners in lessons designed around the CCSS in English language arts and mathematics and the NGSS. Of particular interest to science educators is a Venn diagram that highlights the relationships and convergences of the three content areas: CCSS for ELA and Literacy, CCSS Mathematics (practices), and NGSS (science and engineering practices). The diagram’s explanatory note offers additional important information.

Alternatives to Classroom Dissections

Added: Jan 22, 2015

The National Anti-Vivisection Society’s BioLEAP website provides resources for students, teachers, and school districts looking to introduce dissection alternatives in the classroom. The website features information about cost- effective and humane alternatives to animal use in the classroom, as well as student choice laws and policies that protect students’ rights to use dissection alternatives.

TeachUNICEF

Added: Jan 21, 2015

This collection of global education resources was designed and collected by The U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Education Department. Appropriate for use in both classroom and after-school settings, the resources span the preK–12 spectrum and include units, lesson plans, stories, videos, and multimedia on a range of topics from the Millennium Development Goals to poverty and water and sanitation. Educators can search the collection by grade, topic, or resource type. Unit titles include Do You Want Paper or Plastic? (elementary); When Disaster Strikes: Humanitarian Response (middle level); and Gender Equality: An Introduction (high school).

STEM Teaching Tools

Added: Jan 20, 2015

This website from the University of Washington’s Institute of Science and Math and partners helps K–12 educators and administrators stay informed on issues in teaching STEM. The “tools” are actually Practice Briefs that summarize STEM issues relating to the teaching of the NGSS, such as Implementing Meaningful STEM Learning With Indigenous Students and Families; Why Should Students Investigate Contemporary Science Topics—and Not Just “Settled” Science; and How Can I Get My Students to Learn Science by Productively Talking With Each Other?The content in each brief is chunked into digestible sections and includes recommended actions for educators.

A concise discussion about “Why is 'the scientific method' mistaken?” is Practice Brief #32 in the collection. Access it at http://stemteachingtools.org/brief/32.

Soil Science for Teachers and Kids

Added: Jan 19, 2015

Get the “dirt” on soil with two informative websites from the Soil Science Society of America, which is celebrating the 2015 International Year of Soils. The teacher website presents K–12 lessons, fact sheets, career profiles, and posters to help you bring the study of soil into your classroom. At www.soils4kids.org, K–12 students can “Dig Deeper” into the topic through age-appropriate online games, soil experiments, and information about careers in soil science.

The New Media Consortium Academy

Added: Jan 18, 2015

The academy offers personalized professional development for educators in grades 6–16 (middle level through undergraduate). Teachers can take a range of self-paced mini-courses that emphasize online learning technologies and are designed to inspire and transform teaching practices. The courses are hosted by education institutions and address topics in STEM, teaching, creativity, technology, entrepreneurship, and technology futures. Selected courses from the STEM collection include Challenge-Based Learning on Climate Change: A Mini-MOOC (massive open online course) and Applications of Social Media for STEMx Teaching. You can read annotated descriptions of all the available mini-courses online.

Techs in the Classroom

Added: Jan 17, 2015

Code.org and Skype.com have teamed to inspire students to learn more about computer science. The program pairs participating K–12 classrooms with technology experts—i.e., coders, developers, program managers, product designers, and other professionals—who design the tech products we use every day. Through classroom visits, via Skype, tech experts inform students about computer science and their jobs, such as what their daily responsibilities are, how they found their way into the tech field, and why they love their careers. Watch an introductory video about the program, or register to participate (tech professionals or teachers).

Exponential Outbreaks: The Mathematics of Epidemics

Added: Jan 16, 2015

The New York Times’ Learning Network blog has resources to help students understand the mathematical principles involved in the spread of diseases, such as Ebola. Most appropriate for the high school level, the blog shows students how exponential functions can be used to model how a disease spreads among a population. Students then apply these mathematical understandings to calculate and graph various disease transmission rates. The lesson concludes with a discussion about the limitations of mathematical models.

FunScienceDemos on YouTube

Added: Jan 15, 2015

Bring more science into the elementary classroom with video demonstrations from Pennsylvania master teacher Jared Hottenstein and his colleagues. The demonstrations present science concepts from the NGSS and emphasize the big ideas in science. The videos can be used as stand-alone presentations or as professional development for teachers. Titles include Balancing Balloons—Air Has Weight (physical science); Plate Tectonics—Heat Moves Matter (Earth and space science); Why Does a Leaf Change Color? (life science); and Cottonball Catapult—Design Challenge (technology/engineering science).

Smithsonian Science How?

Added: Jan 14, 2015

Bring scientists into your classroom with these free 30-minute, live webcasts from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Each program provides students in grades 6–8 with positive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) role models, information about science careers, and pathways to cutting-edge research. Your students will be able to interact directly with the scientist by participating in live polls and submitting questions to be asked and answered on-air. Each live program is aligned with national standards and is accompanied by free supplementary teaching resources.

All previously aired programs are free and available online. Webcasts explore Earth, space, and life science topics such as paleontology, geology, anthropology, zoology and more.

STEM Conservation Lesson: Are Grizzly Bears Ready for Delisting?

Added: Jan 13, 2015

In this lesson for grades 9–12, which supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), students become grizzly bear scientists and “discover” the answers to real-world research questions through scientific inquiry. Using demographic data collected over 30 years on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, students work individually, in teams, and as a class to determine whether or not this grizzly bear population is biologically ready for delisting. Teacher materials include an introductory video, real-world data sets, student pages, and an answer key.

The Cavalcade o’ Teaching

Added: Jan 12, 2015

High school chemistry educators can access worksheets, labs, lecture notes, quizzes, practice problems, and more—all designed to spark students’ interest in chemistry and to make teachers’ lives easier. Teachers can conduct labs like Snow Globe, in which students apply the rules of solubility to make their own snow globes; peruse homework assignments given to students over the duration of a year-long chemistry class; or grab a quick worksheet on atomic structure. The Cavalcade o’ Chemistry, the student section, offers kid-friendly tutorials on numerous chemistry topics.

Algodoo

Added: Jan 11, 2015

The simple two–dimensional simulation software lets students of all ages “play” with physics. Most applicable for middle and high school classrooms, the program allows users to create interactive scenes, build inventions, and design games incorporating physical systems like fluids, springs, hinges, gears, ropes, and chains, as well as concepts such as friction, gravity, refraction, and attraction. Video tutorials provide instruction for using the software; teachers can join the forum discussion to find and share ideas about classroom uses of the program.

ChemIDplus

Added: Jan 10, 2015

Making the abstract concrete is challenging for high school and college chemistry educators. Though models help,manipulating them doesn’t always benefit students: Because they enjoy playing with models, their play often overshadows learning about the chemical structures. One solution is the NLM’s ChemIDplus, a digital modeling program and website. ChemIDplus allows users to see 3D models in full color. Teachers can rotate an image to show the cis and trans isomer models and study 3D properties of chemical structures. In addition, teachers can view different model types from ball and stick to spacefill to wireframe. ChemIDplus houses more than 400,000 chemicals (names, synonyms, and structures) and links to NLM and other databases and resources, including federal, state, and international agencies. An online tutorial can help users navigate the program.

Environmental Health Student Portal

Added: Jan 9, 2015

This web portal from the NIH’s National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers student-friendly information on air pollution, chemicals, climate change, and water pollution. Each broad category is subdivided into topics that contain articles, videos, games and activities, and links for further learning—all targeted for the middle level student. The portal includes animated videos that bridge health and science. These animations can be used in the classroom to help students better understand the health effects associated with topics such as lead, mercury, ozone, pesticides, and particulate matter Of particular interest is the animation Mercury and Our Health (click on Chemicals/Mercury/Videos), which details how mercury is used and how overexposure impacts health.

Earthquake Tips From Virginia

Added: Jan 8, 2015

Millions of people were startled by a rare magnitude 5.8 earthquake in central Virginia in 2011. In 2014, the community celebrated the reopening of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa County, right at the earthquake’s epicenter. In this video marking the event, students relate their experiences, school officials stressthe importance of earthquake awareness, and USGS highlights earthquake research and science’s role in informing preparedness. The video is both powerful because students are sharing personal experiences, and useful in elementary and middle level science and social studies lessons as an authentic document.

Accessing STEM Data

Added: Jan 7, 2015

The NSF’s National Science Board released a digital research tool that al-lows teachers, administrators, parents, and students to access data on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, education, and trends. Covering levels from preK through the workforce, the STEM Education Data Resource provides data to answer key questions about STEM. Through interactive charts and maps, users can find federal data and analysison topics ranging from student proficiency and college degrees in STEM fields to school financing and careers in science and high-tech occupations. View a quick demo at http://bit.ly/1yfjYZj.

Teaching With the LOC

Added: Jan 6, 2015

What do scientists do? Educators participating in the LOC’s Seminar for Science Educators last summer investigated this question using papers from Alexander Graham Bell at the LOC. Their goal was to see if the real work of professionals across the sciences could come to life with primary sources generated by and about Bell. Read about their experiences at http://1.usa.gov/1ybFkYX, and use that material to model the process of employing primary and secondary source documents effectively with your students. Be sure to read the comments from teachers who have visited the site; they shared ideas for incorporating similar experiences in their classrooms.

Clean Energy Coloring Book

Added: Jan 5, 2015

Get K–4 students thinking about green energy this winter. The DOE’s coloring book, Get Current: Switch on Clean Energy, introduces students to solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass energies and suggests good energy efficiency habits to practice at home and around the community. The book is available in both English and Spanish.

Wind Career Map

Added: Jan 4, 2015

An interactive map can introduce middle and high school students to energy careers, particularly those in the expanding wind industry. The tool highlights occupations ranging from technicians who install and maintain wind turbines to educators who will train the next generation of wind engineers and business leaders. Click on a dot on the map for a job description and possible route to advancement. Click on Job Details to learn information about the education required for the position and estimated salaries in the field.

Biological Assessment Website

Added: Jan 3, 2015

Middle and high school educators can find information on conducting biological assessments of local water bodies at http://1.usa.gov/11MI2Wx. The site covers macroinvertebrates and identification keys for them, stressors that can affect water body health, and sampling methods, along with classroom and field activities. Additional pages extend the learning in the classroom and beyond: For example, What Do the Data Mean? contains an assessment index and an example that guides students in ana-lyzing what their macroinvertebrate data indicates about the waterway’s health. Next Steps offers suggestions for usingthe collected data in science fair, service learning, and interdisciplinary projects.

Sesame Street Fire Safety Station

Added: Jan 2, 2015

The U.S. Fire Administration and Sesame Workshop have created a fire safety education program for preschool students, ages 3–5. Available in both English and Spanish, and featuring the Sesame Street characters, the curriculum contains an activity booklet for families, a poster, and songs and stories that spread the message of fire safety and what to do in the event of a fire.

Gov2020 Website's Future of Education Section

Added: Jan 1, 2015

Gov2020 features the best of Deloitte Public Sector Research and expertise from across the globe to start a discussion on what is probable, and even more importantly, what is possible. The website offers a treasure trove of analysis and creative visualizations about the future. The Future of Education section says, "Virtual learning, digitization, and augmented reality make obsolete our old definitions of a classroom in 2020. Unbundled, personalized, and dynamic education is the new normal." Visit the Future of Education section to learn about the latest trends.

Science and Math Resources from Schottenbauer Publishing

Added: Dec 31, 2014

Science and math educational resources include

Blogs with Free Graphs, Discussion Questions, and Videos--Science of Music (Science of Music Performance)

Sport Science--Summer Sports (Ball Sports, Track & Field, Gymnastics, Fencing, Archery & Shooting Sports, Yoga, Pilates, Dance, & Ballet) and Winter Sports (Snow Sports, Ice Skating)
Lesson Plans with Graphs and Discussion Questions: Science of Music (Where Does Sound Come From?); Sport Science (The Science of Ice Skating)

Math Education: Lesson Plans--Geometry (Coordinate Systems and Angles) PDF File and Video. The lesson plan is also available as a YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYuSk-XH3zU&feature=youtu.be.

Overcrowding in the Instructional Space

Added: Dec 30, 2014

Kenneth R. Roy, Ph.D, NSTA's Chief Science Safety Compliance Consultant, pointed out in a discussion on one of the association's e-mail lists that the NSTA Safety Advisory Board has produced this paper, which teachers can use to advocate for appropriate class sizes in science classes and labs. It covers both legal safety standards and better professional practices.

Peep and the Big Wide World Educator Resources

Added: Dec 29, 2014

This public television animated series features science for preschoolers. The series follows a newly hatched chicken named Peep, and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck), on their daily adventures. Each half-hour episode contains two stories that highlight specific science concepts, plus two live-action shorts presenting real kids playing and experimenting with these concepts. The PEEP science curriculum invites preschoolers to actively investigate their world by exploring water, sound, plants, color, shadows, and ramps (movement). The educators section of the website offers video-based professional development for preschool educators on the topics of Science Talk, Learning Environments, Individualized Instruction, and Documentation and Reflection.

Science on Stage Canada Online Newspaper

Added: Dec 28, 2014

Science on Stage Canada employs the Paper.li content curation service, which enables people to publish online newspapers based on topics they like and treat readers to the latest news. Science on Stage Canada aggregates photos, videos, articles, and other news and information related to science, STEM, and education, as well as the #scichat and #mathchat Twitter hashtags.

Discover Science

Added: Dec 27, 2014

Explore the resources and experience of San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences museum. Visitors can access the museum's multimedia collections and lectures, and research conducted by the academy's scientists. The site also provides current science news videos, and scientists and curators blog about their research experiences. The Science Heroes section highlights persons who work for the academy.

POGIL Classroom Activities

Added: Dec 26, 2014

Discover POGIL: Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning. These engaging, student-centered activities for high school Chemistry, Biology and AP Biology can improve student mastery of core science concepts. POGIL enables teachers to

Bio-Engineering/Synthetic Biology Resource

Added: Dec 25, 2014

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is dedicated to education and competition, advancement of synthetic biology, and the development of open community and collaboration. The foundation fosters scientific research and education through organizing and operating the iGEM Competition, a student synthetic biology competition. The organization promotes the advancement of science and education by developing an open community of students and practitioners in schools, laboratories, research institutes, and industry. The iGEM community has a long history of involving high school and college/university students and the public in the development of the new field of synthetic biology. To read an NSTA Reports story about iGEM, visit http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=59252.

The Science of Cooking: Candy

Added: Dec 24, 2014

"Making candy is a delicious and fun art! But it’s also a fascinating and precise science. When you’re making candy, whether you know it or not, you are a chemist—transforming matter from one state to another!" At this Exploratorium website, learn how to make candy at home, explore a sucrose molecule, visit factories where lollipops and fudge are made, and discover the types of candies eaten around the world.

Lawson Test of Scientific Reasoning

Added: Dec 22, 2014

This short, multiple choice test helps answer this question: Do you think like a scientist? For the answer key, contact Jane Jackson at Jane.Jackson@asu.edu.

NSTA Learning Center's PD Indexer

Added: Dec 21, 2014

NSTA has a tool called the PD Indexer, which can be found in the Learning Center. The PD Indexer assesses content knowledge in science content areas and suggests resources to help teachers develop their content knowledge, as needed.

Science Activities for Young Children

Added: Dec 20, 2014

The November 2014 edition of NSTA's Encouraging Young Scientists e-newsletter featured science craft activities for young children. These websites were mentioned:

http://happyhooligans.ca/20-science-activities-toddlers-preschoolers
http://babbledabbledo.com/science-for-kids
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/50091/preschool-science-experiments

Symbols for the NGSS Crosscutting Concepts

Added: Dec 19, 2014

A California science teacher has created visual representations that clarify the concepts and remind students to connect big ideas across science topics. Peter A'Hearn, a K-12 science specialist in the Palm Springs Unified School District, developed the idea based on USC education professor Sandra Kaplan's "depth and complexity icons," used in many gifted education classrooms to get students thinking more deeply. The website includes descriptions of the many ways teachers, students, and curriculum developers can use the symbols.

EngageNY's Resources for Science, Other Subjects

Added: Dec 18, 2014

EngageNY, a comprehensive website for New York State’s educators, parents, and other interested stakeholders that is run by the New York State Education Department, has become a source for comprehensive classroom materials aligned to new college- and career-ready standards adopted by most states. The website also is home to both free high-quality professional development resources, such as a library of instructional videos for teachers, and practical tools for parents including suggestions for educational activities they can do with their children. Many teachers use them as the starting point for creating their own lessons. State leaders say New York will keep the site running after its Race to the Top money is spent. This link takes you to the results of a keyword search for “science."

PD Resources for New Teachers

Added: Dec 17, 2014

Every new teacher has unique professional development needs. Yet schools have limited time and resources to support this variety. Learn about free, research based, online-modules from Sanford's Inspire program that are being developed to meet the range of needs and increase impact of new teachers. These self-guided, online courses are research-based and target content in five domains. Each micro-course can be completed in 60 minutes or less and includes a tool that teachers can immediately implement in the classroom. Upon successful completion, teachers earn a certificate documenting professional development hours earned.

Weekly Tweet Chat on Bio and More

Added: Dec 16, 2014

Interested in a weekly Twitter chat about science and learning with a global PLN? Join #biochat every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 8:30. Topics range from biology-specific content, to general learning strategies, professional development, and involving parents--all from the lens of a science educator.

Common Core Lessons for STEM Teachers

Added: Dec 15, 2014

This website from Achieve the Core is full of free content designed to help K-12 educators understand and implement the Common Core State Standards. It includes lessons, units, and assessments for teachers of science and the technical subjects.

The Changing Face of Agriculture Education

Added: Dec 14, 2014

To attract nontraditional students and encourage them to consider careers in agriculture and agronomy, universities are developing programs especially for these students and reaching out to them via social media. This article from Agronomy.org describes what colleges and universities are doing to increase the number of students enrolling in agriculture degree programs.

Climate at Your Doorstep

Added: Dec 13, 2014

The Daily Climate, a nonprofit online news source, launched an interactive, online community to significantly expand its coverage of climate change impacts occurring right now in readers’ own backyards. The Climate at Your Doorstep project connects readers directly with leading climate change experts through social media to share information on this complex topic. A panel of distinguished scientists and experts specializing in climate change will monitor the hashtag #ClimateDoorstep and other Daily Climate social media channels. The scientists will directly respond to readers’ questions, photos, and videos about environmental changes they may be experiencing in their own communities.

Gardening With Kids Pinterest Board

Added: Dec 12, 2014

Just because the temperatures have dropped doesn’t mean the growing stops! Check out the National Gardening Association's Pinterest board for indoor gardening techniques to grow all year round.

Globio's Glossopedia

Added: Dec 11, 2014

This free, interactive, online science encyclopedia for elementary school science and general studies applications is comprised of a series of interlinked, informative multimedia articles written specifically for children ages 8–12. Use the map to discover wildlife and nature around the world, or click on a topic to see pictures, watch videos, and find fun facts. Accompanying Learning Activity Guides are available at http://www.globio.org/educator-resources. For a Science and Children article about using Glossopedia, visit http://bit.ly/1sUvu6Y.

Foundations, Inc. Click & Go Games

Added: Dec 10, 2014

These science, technology, engineering, and math games include Beach Ball Math, Egg Observations, Paper Plate Math, STEM Identity, and STEM Process Tool. The site also features games related to other subjects, such as reading and theater.

TurfMutt Environmental Education Resources

Added: Dec 9, 2014

This program from Scholastic provides teachers with science lesson plans for K–5 students, as well as educational videos, activities, and puzzles that encourage environmental stewardship. 

2015 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12

Added: Dec 8, 2014

Since 1973, NSTA and the Children's Book Council have collaborated to select an annual list of Outstanding Science Trade Books (OSTB) for Students K–12. Heartwarming and engaging stories that explore a host of topics from Batman Science to Dung Beetles are on this year's OSTB list for K–12 students. Explore the 2015 list, where you will find not only traditional science content, but also books that allow children to explore engineering and design. Two of the books—Neighborhood Sharks and Star Stuff—also made the New York Times' special Book Review section on children's titles.

You can find this list, and lists from years past, at NSTA Recommends (www.nsta.org/recommends), where you can generate an Excel file of your favorites. To help you select and use these outstanding teaching tools, NSTA also has developed a Guide to Science Trade Books, available free of charge at http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/guidetochoosingkidsbooks.aspx.

National Science Digital Library on iTunes U

Added: Dec 7, 2014

NSDL provides access to audio, video, and other multimedia resources for science and math education through Apple's iTunes Store. iTunes U is a free service that gives users of iTunes access to audio and video from leading educational institutions. The Beyond Campus section of iTunes U includes museums, public radio and television stations, and other nonprofit educational providers.

PBS Learning Media

Added: Dec 6, 2014

This digital platform for preK–college educators offers more than 12,000 learning objects to supplement classroom curricula. The standards-aligned resources include videos, documents, images, and activities in science,  mathematics,  social studies, and other core subjects. With objects as diverse as a video clip exploring measurement with Curious George (K–2) to an audio podcast discussing climate change in Africa (grades 7–college), the website offers pertinent material for a wide audience. Visit Teaching Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Engineering Design Through Media, a collection of media-based resources that illustrate and deepen teachers’ understanding of NGSS and help them bring engineering alive for students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Education in Chemistry

Added: Dec 5, 2014

The UK's The Royal Society of Chemistry has an online magazine dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of chemistry at all levels. It has news, articles, editorials, and features for school or university chemistry teachers.

Academy Scope: Free National Academies Resources

Added: Dec 4, 2014

AcademyScope is a visualization of all of the reports that are available on the National Academies Press website NAP.edu, allowing you to browse through the reports of the National Academies by topic area and seeing relationships between titles. Check out resources on the biology, history, the future trends of infectious disease--and the Education section, which contains resources for K-12 teachers.

Electronic Practice Assessment Tools (ePAT)

Added: Dec 3, 2014

Looking for online practice tests for computer-enhanced tests or other sources of computer-enhanced science questions? Pearson offers electronic Practice Assessment Tools (ePAT). ePATs familiarize both students and staff with the content and format of computer-delivered tests.

School Garden Evaluation Tips

Added: Dec 2, 2014

The Vermont Community Garden Network provides suggestions for measuring your garden program's success, through activities such as journals, photo journals, interviews with students, and taste tests.

CDC Science Ambassadors Lesson Plans

Added: Dec 1, 2014

These lesson plans were developed by educators and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientists during the CDC Science Ambassador Workshops, held every summer. These plans are designed to be used in middle and high school classrooms. They bring relevant public health topics into the classroom and challenge students to think about science and mathematics in a new way. Spanish versions are available as well.

Stanford on iTunes U

Added: Nov 30, 2014

Stanford on iTunes U is an archive of audio and video content from schools, departments, and programs across the university on Apple's iTunes platform. The project includes

the new iTunes U app featuring Stanford audio and video recordings of lectures (plus supplemental materials, assignments, exams, and posts) from actual courses offered to Stanford students; and
the main Stanford on iTunes U site, which includes Stanford course lectures, faculty presentations, event highlights, and more.

Skype in the Classroom Science Lessons

Added: Nov 29, 2014

Skype in the Classroom offers dozens of science lessons for all grade levels, including Earth and space science with NASA, geology and ecology with Yellowstone National Park rangers, and STEM with Captain Barrington Irving's Flying Classroom. The service enables teachers and students to connect with classrooms and experts worldwide and to take virtual field trips. Teachers can also set up their own Skype in the Classroom lesson.

Sample Modeling Instruction Lesson

Added: Nov 28, 2014

The American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) supports teachers using modeling instruction in physics instruction. For teachers who are curious about Modeling, AMTA has a free sample lesson in Physics: Mechanics. To learn more about Modeling and the AMTA, visit http://modelinginstruction.org.

'Sneaky Math' Resources

Added: Nov 27, 2014

Cy Tymony, author of Sneaky Math, offers a website with free math-related resources for teachers and parents. "To address the problem students have with fractions, I created and posted two free projects for parents and teachers," he says of his latest offerings. Check out all of his free project ideas by visiting the site.

My.Future, a Technology Website

Added: Nov 26, 2014

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Comcast NBCUniversal have launched My.Future, a technology initiative designed to teach Club members about our digital world and ignite their passion for technology. The website features more than 40 activities that reinforce digital literacy, including areas of exploring the web, communicating with others digitally, and building media. Additional experiences allow members to explore advanced topics, such as robotics, coding, and game design.

College Majors and Occupations

Added: Nov 25, 2014

This interactive graphic from the Census Bureau presents data on the relationships between college majors and occupations—useful information for K–college educators, career counselors, and administrators. The length of each circle segment shows the proportion of people graduating in each college major and employed in each occupation group. The thickness of the lines between majors and occupations indicates the share of people in that major-occupation combination. Lines highlighted in color show the proportion of college graduates who work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. By hovering over a college major on the STEM Majors or Non-STEM Majors tab, you can see which occupations these graduates work in. You can also hover over an occupation to see which majors relate to it. Yhe graphic also lets you examine college major and employment patterns by sex, race, and Hispanic origin. You can compare the relative size of each college major and occupation, as well as the proportion of people employed in STEM by these demographic characteristics.

Teachers With Apps (TWA)

Added: Nov 24, 2014

TWA is a go-to destination for anyone seeking reputable educational apps. The site presents vetted apps organized by category: grade level, special needs, accessories/products, creativity, seasonal, and others. Useful science apps appear in several categories. For example, elementary and middle level students can learn about the human body with the Heart and Lungs Lab app, and high school students can use the Equate Formula Solver as a reference tool for physics, chemistry, and math. What makes the website particularly useful are the embedded comments in each review; it is obvious that the apps are field-tested by real teachers and students during the review process.

American Association of Chemistry Teachers Chemistry Resources

Added: Nov 23, 2014

K–12 teachers can access a library of lessons, labs, and demonstrations organized by grade band (elementary, middle, and high school), as well as a collection of multimedia resources including videos about the founders of chemistry, animations that illustrate microscopic properties on the macroscopic level, and a simulation involving balancing chemical equations. Teachers can also participate in monthly webinars and hangouts with education experts, classroom teachers, and industry leaders.

Student Planetary Investigator Program

Added: Nov 22, 2014

Using distance learning technologies, high school and college students can conduct authentic scientific research alongside NASA mission scientists. In this program, student teams join scientists in analyzing data from the Miniature Radio Frequency instrument, a radar instrument on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter that is mapping the lunar poles, searching for water ice, and demonstrating new communications technologies. Students develop hypotheses and projects based on their data analyses, later presenting their work for peer and science team review. Program participants also work with mission scientists to analyze images and data from the Messenger spacecraft, which is exploring Mercury.

Birding With Kids: Selecting a Field Guide

Added: Nov 21, 2014

The right field guide can develop a budding naturalist’s curiosity into a lifelong passion, while the wrong field guide can lead to frustration and disinterest. How do you know which field guide is best for your students’ needs? This article from Birdsleuth.org offers teacher-tested advice for choosing and using field guides with K–12 students. The article discusses the pros and cons of many field guide features, including a guide’s organization, geographic range, use of illustrations versus photographs, and level.

Gamestar Mechanic

Added: Nov 20, 2014

Students and teachers in grades 4–9 can use this gaming website to learn how to design their own online games. Through the game design process, students develop skills in systems thinking, writing and storytelling, and creative problem solving. The website offers video tutorials and other support materials, including a Getting Started Teacher Pack and sample lessons from teachers that demonstrate how Gamestar can be used to teach game design and core subjects.

Shout Science!

Added: Nov 19, 2014

A comic storybook app for young readers (ages 7–11) introduces three scientists from the Scientific Revolution in Europe and their important discoveries: Anton Van Leeuwenhoek and the Discovery of Microbes; Maria Sibylla Merian and the Lives of Insects; and James Hutton and the Theory of the Earth. The app features vertical scrolling panels with ambient animation, interaction, and sound to enhance reading comprehension and make the story come alive. Each story includes a supplemental page of reference images and timelines.

ScienceWise Lessons

Added: Nov 18, 2014

You’ll find a gold mine for K–12 STEM teaching resources from the Kansas City, Missouri–area nonprofit Science Pioneers at this website. Click on any grade-level button (grades K–4, 5–8, and 9–12) to access lessons created by teacher participants in ScienceWise courses to earn graduate credit. Selected titles include Egg-Cellent Observations (elementary); What’s the Difference Between IVs (Independent Variables) and DVs (Dependent Variables)? (middle level); and The Behavior of Waves (high school). The Lots More Lessons button connects teachers to national websites, each with numerous, vetted lesson plans classified by topic and grade level.

Bioinformatics Resources

Added: Nov 17, 2014

This developer of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education products has produced a variety of resources for high school and college levels in collaboration with the Amgen Biotech Experience at Shoreline Community College, the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (Bio-ITEST), and other National Science Foundation–funded projects. Teachers can access curricular units addressing genetic testing and genetic research, as well as tutorials and professional development opportunities that explore the emerging field of bioinformatics. This science focuses on the use of computational tools and approaches to collect, manage, and analyze large sets of biological, medical, behavioral, or health data.

Space Scoop

Added: Nov 16, 2014

An astronomy news service for students ages eight and older, produced as part of the global Universe Awareness program, can get students excited about astronomy through articles on new discoveries in the field. With attention-grabbing headlines like “Cosmic Crashes Get Galaxies in a Spin” and "Rosetta Makes Friends With a Comet”; real-world images from space; and kid-friendly features in each article, such as “cool facts” and word pronunciation guides, Space Scoop can help teach astronomy concepts and provides students with motivating nonfiction reading selections.

Science Fair Project Resource Guide

Added: Nov 15, 2014

Stymied by science fairs? The Internet Public Library’s Science Fair Project Resource Guide takes teachers, students, and parents through an entire science fair project, step by step, and covers science fairs at every level from elementary to high school. The resources come from leading science and education associations and are organized under the four umbrella topics of Getting Started, Choosing a Topic, Completing the Project, and Displaying the Project. The site also presents useful background information about the scientific process and science tools and research, as well as sample science fair reports to guide students in creating their own reports.

KidsKnowIt Network

Added: Nov 14, 2014

Teachers will enjoy exploring this collection of websites related to subjects such as astronomy, biology, geology, math, and spelling for K–8 students. You’ll find educational games, music, videos, and worksheets to enhance classroom instruction in each subject. For example, students can design their own solar system (astronomy games); sing songs about kinetic and potential energy (physics music); learn about acids and bases and test their knowledge with an online quiz (chemistry movies); or build vocabulary through cloze passages on Earth science topics (geology worksheets).

The Natural Start Alliance

Added: Nov 13, 2014

This coalition of educators, parents, and organizations is dedicated to helping young children (from infancy to age 8) connect with nature and learn to care for the environment. A project of the North American Association for Environmental Education, Natural Start (http://naturalstart.org/about-us) offers articles, videos, guidelines, professional development opportunities, links, and other resources for early childhood teachers that foster environmental stewardship among students. For example, website visitors can tour a nature-based preschool, inside and out; join a working forum on designing effective learning spaces for young children; and access guidelines on Nature Play and Learning Spaces from the National Wildlife Federation.

Global Shark Tracker

Added: Nov 12, 2014

OCEARCH, a nonprofit that researches great white sharks and other large apex predators, developed an app that lets users observe the navigational pattern of sharks that have been tagged with satellite tracking technology—all for the purpose of shark conservation. The app supports researchers and institutions seeking ground-breaking data on the biology and health of sharks, as well as basic research on shark life history and migration. Most appropriate for middle and high school biology classrooms, the app not only teaches students about shark behaviors and patterns, but also involves students directly in the science research process. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

The Physics of Sailing

Added: Nov 11, 2014

In this six–week, project-based learning unit, high school students apply their knowledge of physics concepts and Newton’s Laws to design a sail and keel for a racing sailboat. The unit culminates with the creation of a digital model or poster that shows how the sailboat will be fast but stable—the two constraints in race boat design. Available from Curriki, the nonprofit global community for K–12 educators seeking open learning resources, the project supports Next Generation Science Standards and Engineering for Physics, as well as Common Core State Standards for collaboration and communication.

Science and Safety: Making the Connection

Added: Nov 10, 2014

This Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) publication answers common laboratory safety questions from science teachers of grades 9–12. In addition to covering general laboratory safety procedures, the high school–oriented questions address concerns about how to properly label and safely store chemicals, as well as guidelines for the physical layout/specifications for science labs when building or renovating a new lab space.

Science and Safety: It’s Elementary!

Added: Nov 9, 2014

This comprehensive calendar produced by the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) answers 10 common lab safety questions from K–5 teachers, from “Where can I find a general lab safety checklist?” to “As an elementary teacher, what are my legal responsibilities for science safety?” The questions cover all aspects of science in the elementary setting, including general lab operating procedures, managing chemicals, preventing and minimizing lab accidents, protective lab equipment for students and teachers, using animals or plants in the lab, and safety requirements for field experiences.

K–5 Computer Science Professional Development Workshops

Added: Nov 8, 2014

Elementary school teachers can register for free computer science professional development workshops held nationwide. Taught by Code.org Affiliates who are experienced computer science educators, these workshops will prepare you to teach the Code Studio courses for grades K–5. Workshops last 6–7 hours, with a light meal served. Attendees will also receive free classroom supplies for teaching the courses.

Educational Materials to Accompany the Film "Interstellar"

Added: Nov 7, 2014

Are you a high school science teacher or college science instructor? Visit www.interstellar-education.com for STEM activities for your class, and plan a field trip to the movie! The website features

an Interstellar experience app for students
a study guide for teachers and facilitators
three student science activities for grades 9 through college
a classroom poster about the movie and program
a digital trivia game for students

In addition, you can listen to NSTA's Lab Out Loud podcast with Kip Thorne, scientific advisor and executive producer of Interstellar, at http://laboutloud.com/2014/11/teaching-with-interstellar-our-conversation-with-executive-producer-kip-thorne. Thorne discusses the science in the movie, and how it might inspire us to dream about our future.

RadTown USA

Added: Nov 6, 2014

EPA’s Radiation Protection Program has launched the RadTown USA website, created to allow middle and high school students to explore radiation—where it is found and how it is used—in four different environments: the “Burbs,” Countryside,Downtown, and Waterfront. Click on each environment to learn facts about the radioactive material found there, rules and guidance, what you can do, and where to go for more information. The website also has classroom activities aligned with the Common Core State Standards on radiation topics such as the history of radiation protection, ways to reduce exposure risk, radiation warning and protecting equipment, careers in radiation protection, and the benefits of radiation.

The Water Cycle for Kids

Added: Nov 5, 2014

This interactive diagram produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and the United Nations allows you to “mouse around” the parts of the water cycle and view explanations, pictures, and more. Available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, the diagram introduces an increasing number of terms at each level. For example, the beginner diagram focuses on understanding six essential terms (precipitation, condensation, evaporation, sun, runoff, and groundwater), while the intermediate and advanced versions cover those terms and add others. The intermediate diagram includes terms such as seepage, plant uptake, and transpiration, while the advanced diagram delves into concepts such as sublimation, evapotranspiration, and infiltration. PDF and jpg versions of the diagrams are available for higher resolution printing, as is a version of the diagram as a placemat.

Read the Label Youth Outreach Campaign

Added: Nov 3, 2014

Understanding how to use the Nutrition Facts Label to compare foods is a useful skill for students of all ages. At http://1.usa.gov/1nwWSa8, teachers can access the FDA’s Read the Label campaign, which offers tips and activities for upper-elementary and middle level students to learn about using nutrition labels to make healthy food choices. Resource highlights include Kids’ Action Plan, a colorful infographic reminding students to use nutrition labels to check the serving size, consider the calories, and choose nutrients wisely, and Dishin’ the Nutrition Rap, a catchy rap song that encourages healthy food choices.

Global Carbon Cycle Game

Added: Nov 2, 2014

Check out the latest educational app from NASA’s Space Place: OFFSET! In this game for upper-elementary and middle level students, players help reduce carbon emissions to slow the pace of climate change. As they play, students learn about the global carbon cycle, different sources of carbon, and the ways alternative energy and reforestation can help offset those sources. To succeed, players must also grasp the importance of having quick fingers and strong multitasking skills!

ProTeacher website

Added: Oct 31, 2014

This resource for K-6 teachers offers hands-on activities for a variety of subjects, including science, as well as news, materials, and "The Vent," an online discussion forum.

Biointeractive's Virtual Lab Series

Added: Oct 30, 2014

BioInteractive’s series of virtual labs provides students with the opportunity to practice the skills and techniques of scientific research in a fully interactive, virtual environment. Designed in close consultation with educators and scientists, these virtual labs are fully interactive biomedical laboratory simulations. Students can examine heart patients, analyze DNA sequences, probe the nervous system of a leech, use human antibodies to diagnose disease, and measure physical traits of stickleback fish and anole lizards to examine key concepts in evolution. Each lab provides an interactive environment in which students perform experiments and collect their data, and answer questions to assess their understanding. The labs combine animations, illustrations, and videos to convey key information and engage students in the process of science.

I Have, Who Has? Science Vocabulary Game

Added: Oct 29, 2014

When an NSTA member mentioned on an e-mail list that she was searching for an effective way of teaching vocabulary to students, another member cited I Have, Who Has, a book series featuring card games. This version of the card games by Trisha Callella is for grades 3-5 and includes 14 card games that will help improve students’ auditory discrimination and reinforce standards-based science content.

Hydroponic Gardening in the Classroom

Added: Oct 28, 2014

Bright Agrotech, a vertical hydroponic (soil-less) farming equipment company, has published a free resource for teachers interested in using hydroponic gardening as a teaching tool in their science classrooms. The company's Educator's Package includes three lesson plans and more ideas on how to incorporate hydroponic gardening in the classroom. Interested teachers just have to enter their e-mail address, and a PDF will be automatically sent to them.

In addition, the company offers more lesson plans at the following links:
https://brightagrotech.leadpages.net/the-ph-scale-and-plant-growth-free-lesson-plan-from-bright-agrotech
https://brightagrotech.leadpages.net/what-do-vitamins-do-free-lesson
https://brightagrotech.leadpages.net/recommended-daily-intakes-a-free-lesson-plan-from-bright-agrotech

The Environmental Impact of Human Addiction

Added: Oct 27, 2014

This guide to the environmental impact of human consumption of addictive substances emphasizes that many of these substances offer little or no health or nutritional benefit to the user, but with their consumption and demand increasing, place a huge demand on our natural resources and land.

The GLOBE Program and the NGSS

Added: Oct 26, 2014

To support U.S. schools, districts, and states in the adoption of the new national science standards, the GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) U.S. Partner Community developed A Guide to Connections Between the GLOBE Program and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This document connects GLOBE protocols and resources to the NGSS Framework and can be used as a resource for digital curriculum platforms. K–college educators can access the guide as well as links to professional development webinars and videos about the NGSS.

DOE TED-Ed Video, Lesson on Energy

Added: Oct 25, 2014

Learn about and apply a multidisciplinary approach to energy education—from the natural sciences to economics and other social sciences—using a TED-Ed video and lesson by DOE’s Joshua Sneideman and Erin Twamley. Energy is neither created nor destroyed, yet the global demand for it continues to increase. But where does energy come from, and where does it go? The animated #energy 101 video and lesson plan explain how energy flows through Earth’s system.

NIST Metric Education Resources

Added: Oct 23, 2014

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has compiled a collection of resources to help K–12 students and teachers “think metric.” The site offers links, fact sheets, and charts that provide tangible reference points for understanding SI (International System of Units, or the metric system). For example, Everyday Estimation lists familiar objects alongside their metric equivalents (e.g., a small automobile has a mass of 1,300 kg, while a cotton ball has a mass of 600 mg), giving students a sense of the size of each unit measure. In addition, online games enable students to practice their understanding of metric units of measure and mass.

Debating Conservation: A Lesson Plan With Primary Sources

Added: Oct 22, 2014

What is the purpose of conservation? Is it stewardship of resources? Is it the preservation of wilderness? Analyzing primary sources from the turn of the 20th century can shed light on this longstanding—and ongoing—debate. In The Conservation Movement at a Crossroads: The Hetch Hetchy Controversy, a lesson plan from the LOC for students in grades 9–12, students examine the battle over the damming of Yosemite National Park’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. While this confrontation happened nearly 100 years ago, it contains many of the same arguments used today whenever preservationists and conservationists mobilize. The lesson incorporates the use of primary sources, including environmental writings by conservationists John Muir, Mary Gregory, and others, as well as committee testimony and legislation from politicians of the time. Through these documents, students can tease out the arguments on each side of the issue and measure the consequences of the outcome. The lesson culminates in a mock hearing about the Hetch Hetchy Controversy.

NASA Asteroid Science on YouTube

Added: Oct 21, 2014

OSIRIS-REx is a NASA New Frontiers mission that will launch to asteroid Bennu in 2016 and return a sample of the asteroid to Earth in 2023. To promote the mission and inform the public (and students and teachers) about asteroid science, the NASA OSIRIS-REx team and 321 Science! have produced a series of short videos on the mission. The videos—posted monthly on YouTube and appropriate for use in middle to high school science classrooms—provide entertaining explanations of challenging asteroid science concepts and describe mission goals. Titles include Asteroids vs. Comets; The Long and Short of Comet Periods; What Are Asteroids Made Of?; and Why Go to Bennu? In addition, you’ll find videos introducing the scientists, engineers, and managers on the OSIRIS-REx team, giving students a glimpse into a range of exciting STEM careers.

U.S. Public Lands: Learning Landscapes

Added: Oct 20, 2014

Learning Landscapes, the Bureau of Land Management’s education web page presents a wide variety of resources for K–12 educators to learn about America’s public lands. Get informed about climate change through webinars and an Educator’s Toolkit produced by climate experts from the U.S. Forest Service and the Prince William Network. Introduce elementary and middle level learners to the challenges of managing public lands in the American West with the Junior Explorer Activity Guide: Wild Horses and Burros. Read a summary of BLM’s conservation efforts through various education and youth involvement programs. Download a series of posters depicting the beauty of public lands, produced as part of BLM’s Artists in Residence program. And you also can take virtual tours of many public land sites.

NIBIB Science Education Website

Added: Oct 18, 2014

Teachers, students, parents, and anyone interested in biomedical imaging and bioengineering will enjoy the Na-tional Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering’s (NIBIB) website. You’ll find answers to commonly asked questions about medical imaging and bioengineering technologies and learn about NIBIB–funded research. Featured items include the Bionic Man, an interactive online tool that lets users visually explore some of the latest bioengineering creations from NIBIB-funded research. The Who Wants to Be a Bioengineer game introduces students to the work of bioengineers. The Sixty Seconds of Science video series explains how different types of imaging work in easy-to-understand language and images; How Does a PET Scan Work? is one example. You’ll also find links to websites, organizations, and events that promote science education and encourage scientific discovery.

U.S. Forest Service Fall Colors 2014 Website

Added: Oct 17, 2014

This website features some very useful tools to help plan your adventure to see fall trees and wildflowers this autumn. And there are fun things for the kids to do, as well as information for educators at www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2012/kids.shtml. As the fall season progresses, check back regularly for new and exciting content!

STEM Design Challenge: Edible Cars

Added: Oct 16, 2014

Who knew food could teach us so much about engineering a vehicle? In this Teaching Channel video, middle school teacher Beth Manning and her students create edible cars and test them to investigate whether they are as functional as they are delicious. In addition to applying the engineering design process, the project allows students to work in collaborative groups, research, ask questions, and effectively engage in problem solving. Register at no charge to receive the video’s accompanying lesson materials, which include a supplies list, contest rules, and reflection sheet.

The Teaching Channel has hundreds of videos for all subjects at https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos.

Plum Landing

Added: Oct 15, 2014

Created by WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston with major funding from the National Science Foundation, this multimedia program uses animated webisodes, online games, live-action videos, a mobile app, and hands-on activities to inspire students ages 6–9 to learn about environmental science. At Plum Landing, Plum and his friends model the practices and habits of mind of scientists investigating the natural world. Children are encouraged to follow their lead and investigate their real-world surroundings, documenting their efforts through an online game, Nature Sketchpad, or the app, Plum’s Photo Hunt (available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad). These tools allow students to draw scenes or take photographs, explain their findings, and submit them to the website—just as scientists do.

Create Your Own Field Books

Added: Oct 14, 2014

Third in a three-part series from the Smithsonian Institution exploring writing and other disciplines, this lesson plan and activity, adaptable for students in grades 3–12, teaches observation skills that are essential to science, writing, and visual art. The lesson introduces students to the components of a field journal and the types of observations recorded during field research. Students then apply their knowledge by collecting specimens and producing a field entry for each one. Teacher instructions and instructions for students in grades 3–6 and grades 7–12 are also included.

Zoo Teach

Added: Oct 13, 2014

Interested in involving students in citizen science projects? ZooTeach helps elementary to college educators bring citizen science into the classroom with lesson plans and resources that correlate with the citizen science projects on the Zooniverse (www.zooniverse.org), a website compiling numerous citizen science projects relating to space, climate, biology, and nature. For example, in Do You Hear Me?—a ZooTeach lesson for students ages 8–12—students practice making sounds with water and determining the difference in pitches. Students then use this knowledge to help them classify sounds in the Zooniverse’s Whale Song Project.

NeoK12.com

Added: Oct 12, 2014

With a motto of “Kids learn best by ‘seeing’ and ‘doing,’” it’s not surprising that this website has a wide selection of engaging, educational videos, lessons, quizzes, animated diagrams, and interactive games for K–12 students.The resources cover physical science, life science, Earth and space science, the human body, geography, socialstudies, math, and other subjects; click on a topic within each subject to access annotated descriptions of the available resources and suggested grade levels.

PlanetSEED!

Added: Oct 11, 2014

STEM resources for classrooms everywhere can be found at www.planetseed.com/home, a website of Schlumberger Excellence in Education Development (SEED). Targeted for teachers of students ages 10–18 and science enthusiasts of all ages, the site features articles, laboratory activities, interactive games, and puzzles, organized by STEM field or topic. Read about inventions that changed the world in articles like “‘Thinking’ Like a Computer”; pose challenging questions to STEM experts; connect with colleagues interested in furthering STEM education; and teach students about insulating materials with labs like How Long Can an Ice Cube Last? At PlanetSEED!, the possibilities are endless!

GetEdFunding

Added: Oct 10, 2014

This professional learning community is dedicated to helping K–12 and higher education institutions uncover funds to supplement budgets, expand innovative programs, and close the equity gap in educating students from all backgrounds and circumstances. The community hosts a collection of more than 2,300 active grants and awards, providing members with access to more than $2.3 billion dollars in educational funding opportunities. In addition, teachers can learn practical funding tips through interactive webinars such as Building Your Grant Writing Toolkit and The Funding Outlook in Education.

ChemCrafter

Added: Oct 9, 2014

Chemical reactions don’t just happen: You have to make them happen. This app for iPads from the Chemical Heritage Foundation creates a virtual chemistry lab for middle and high school students. Designed as a series of three interactive books, students conduct virtual experiments in each book, earning virtual coins that can be redeemed for lab materials to use in subsequent experiments. Students must complete each experiment successfully before moving on to the next; explanations of the reactions in each completed experiment are provided.

Sport Science Blogs

Added: Oct 8, 2014

Schottenbauer Publishing has a series of sport science blogs with free graphs and discussion questions. These resources may be of interest to physics, physical science, and math teachers of grades 7-12, plus some college and university classes. A range of sports are covered.

Biology and Life Science Resources

Added: Oct 7, 2014

At Serendip Studio, a digital ecosystem for exploring and collaboration, middle and high school teachers can access hands-on, minds-on activities for teaching biology and life sciences that support the NGSS. The activities address biological molecules, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, cell structure and function, genetics, ecology and evolution, human health, and other topics. In addition, Student Handouts (i.e., analysis and discussion activities) challenge students to actively develop their understanding of biological concepts. Selected high-lights include the simulation Evolution by Natural Selection, and the activity Introduction to Osmosis.

The Possible Worlds

Added: Oct 6, 2014

Want to engage middle level students in learning about photosynthesis, heredity, electricity, and heat transfer and help dispel common science misconceptions about these phenomena? Try the game-based learning modules from the Possible Worlds (http://possibleworlds.edc.org). Developed by the Center for Children and Technology, each learning module presents content through a digital game and includes materials to facilitate the game’s use in the classroom. Curricular Connections provide explanations and support materials about the topic; No Way! activities teach students how to critically evaluate information about the topic; and Activities and Resources provideteachers with a sample instructional sequence and hands-on activities that reinforce topic content.

Turtle Diary

Added: Oct 5, 2014

Visit Turtle Diary for games, puzzles, lessons, worksheets, and storybooks for students in grades preK–3. The site covers the disciplines of science, math, language arts, social studies, and logic. For example, students can learn about how plants grow through animated lessons such as The Plant Life Cycle or develop their strategy and reasoning skills through puzzles such as Connect Pipe, an online puzzle in which students must use logic to connect the pipes in such a way that water flows easily from one end of the pipe to another.

Brainfacts.org Resource Library

Added: Oct 4, 2014

K–college educators can access a wealth of neuroscience resources at Brainfacts.org. The site has articles, videos, images, lesson plans, activities, and other materials organized under the umbrella topics of About Neuroscience; Brain Basics; Sensing, Thinking, and Behaving; Diseases and Disorders; and Across the lifespan. Of particular interest is Neuroscience as a STEM Subject—a two-part video series highlighting the Society of Neuroscience’s teacher workshops at the 2014 NSTA National Convention—which presents hands-on activities for middle and high school educators exploring the structure of the brain’s sensory cortex (Part 1) and the functioning of the brain’s motor cortex (Part 2).

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