All About Sea Ice
Launched by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the All About Sea Ice website is designed as an introduction to sea ice: what it is, how it forms, how it is studied, how it affected historical expeditions in the polar regions, and what role it plays in the global climate. The site contains over 80 pages of information on sea ice, including a glossary of sea ice terms and links to more information. The primary focus of the site is as a resource for the general public, educators and students in
Bat talk
This video clip, viewable in RealPlayer, introduces students to the research that Maryland biologists are conducting to assess the status of bat populations in their state. Technologies are discussed that help scientists study the often elusive bats. The clip shows that when researchers descend into a cave to survey the number of hibernating bats there, they discover fewer bats are present than in previous years. The clip also notes that efforts to conserve bat populations are needed. Bats contr
A Private Universe
This site describes and provides access to a twenty-minute video documentary on education research for grade 5-12 educators. With its opening scene at a Harvard graduation, this video program explores why so few students truly grasp basic science concepts. The program traces the problem through interviews with Harvard graduates and their professors, as well as with a bright ninth-grader who has some confused ideas about the orbits of the planets. This site also provides individual program descri
Science Sampler : Rockin' around the rock cycle
The following inquiry-based activities were designed as part of a unit intended to aid students in understanding the rock cycle, with the assumption that, after being taught the lessons in the unit, students would have gone beyond a rote memorization of the rock types and rock cycle. The ultimate goal of this hands-on lesson is that students will know and be able to discriminate between them.
Students Take Center Stage in Classroom Assessment
Using the example of Shelburne Community School in Shelburne, Vermont, the authors emphasize the importance of involving students and parents in assessment and portfolio processes.,Volume 5, Number 2
EdWeb
This hypertext book by Andy Carvin includes chapters on the role of the Web in education, a crash course in HTML, history and explanations of the Internet, educational reform and information technology, successful case studies, and K-12 resources on the net.
Testing, Teaching, and Learning: A Guide for States and School Districts
State education departments and school districts face an important challenge in implementing a new law that requires disadvantaged students to be held to the same standards as other students. The new requirements come from provisions of the 1994 reauthorization of Title I, the largest federal effort in precollegiate education, which provides aid to level the field for disadvantaged students. Testing, Teaching, and Learning is written to help states and school districts comply with the new law, o
Pretzel Predictions
Can students predict how many pretzels they can eat in a minute? This material is part of a series of hands-on science activities designed to arouse student interest. Here students learn that pretzels contain a saliva-absorbing compound and are asked to take that fact into consideration when predicting how many pretzels they can eat in a minute. The activity includes a description, a list of science process skills and complex reasoning strategies being used, and a compilation of applicable natio
Agricultural scientists
What are agricultural scientists, and what do they actually do? This is the introductory page for a set of materials about agricultural science as a career. Here the job of an agricultural scientist is defined and described. In the rest of the resource, students can examine two specialized job titles associated with agricultural scientists: organic specialist/assistant professor and senior research associate. Students can read narratives that are a few paragraphs in length about an organic speci
Solar two
What is a method of active solar energy production? This article, part of a series about the future of energy, describes the use of large reflector power plants in the Mohave Desert. Students are introduced to the use of large solar reflectors to heat molten salt and produce energy for homes. Students view four photographs of different aspects of the solar complex. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Will it Float?
Student preconceptions are one of the greatest challenges we face as science teachers. This Predict, Explain, Observe, and Explain (PEOE) activity challenges students' preconceived notions about why matter floats or sinks when placed in a liquid. The idea behind this model is to do a demonstration that first confirms students' conceptions followed by a second, similar demonstration that provides discrepant information creating cognitive dissonance. Learning happens as students are forced to modi
The Algebra Project
An interactive curriculum designed to help inner-city and rural students better understand mathematical concepts. Developed by Bob Moses, a mathematician and civil rights leader, the curriculum calls for students to follow a five-step process in which they use their physical surroundings as tangible references for mathematical ideas. Jackie Rivers, Algebra Project Coordinator, and Claude Snead, Algebra Project Intern, talk about the benefits of the Algebra Project (476k). Excerpted from NCREL's
Observe some products of a Geographic Information System (GIS)
By combining a short paragraph and six enlargeable maps, this resource explains to students what a Geographic Information System (GIS) is. Introductory text explains that GIS technology enables users to plot multiple data sets onto maps of varying scales. Then six sample maps produced through GIS are provided. Among these maps is one that identifies where energy and mineral resources are located globally and another that highlights and labels the rivers that drain into the Mississippi River. Cop
Tutors in Print Form: Using Study Guides to Develop Multiple Literacies
The value of using study guides to develop multiple literacies is discussed. Strategies of study guides development and the components should be included in the guides are also suggested. Using study guides to develop multiple literacies.,Volume 6, Number 2
Data to Action: Technology's Role in Accountability
The roles of technology in students' performance assessment, teachers' professional development, data management, and teaching supports are discussed.,Volume 8, Number 2
The Spirit of Teaching Learning
Context of teacher learning is described. Strategies are suggested for promoting teacher learning. Maute, J. (2003). The spirit of teaching learning.,Volume 6, Number 3
Curriculum Integration in a Standards-based World
Curriculum integration involves not only helping students make connections across content areas, but also promoting democracy in the classroom. The concepts of curriculum integration are discussed. The reactions of teachers, students, and parents to curriculum integration are reported.,Volume 7, Number 1
The Digital Learning Farm
Across the country, teachers are providing students with the opportunity to use technology to make valuable contributions to their learning communities. Six types of jobs are described in this article: tutorial designers, official scribes, researchers, collaboration coordinators, contributing to society, and curriculum reviewers.,Volume 12, Number 1
Differentiating Instruction: Why Bother?
Differentiating instruction is suggested to meet the needs of different students in a classroom. Strategies for conducting differentiating instruction are provided.,Volume 9, Number 1
Online News: Public Sphere or Echo Chamber?
Two panelists debate whether journalism in a digital age amounts to feast or famine, and differ on even basic questions: Are people just snacking on the news equivalent of junk food, and starving for the kind of information they need to be informed citizens? Alternatively, doesn’t the abundance of information on the internet make
