Who Needs Algebra? Everyone! : Northwest Teacher, volume 6 number 1
Learning algebra doesn't have to be painful, and researchers are finding that the process is easier if children are introduced to algebraic reasoning early on. This issue of NW Teacher points out that students who begin learning algebra at the elementary level have a stronger foundation for higher-level mathematics. Algebra also helps pave the way for college and increased career opportunities. This issue helps schools explore new ways of bringing algebra to all students.
Positive Linear Function Machine
This activity allows the user to explore simple linear functions; the function is determined by looking for patterns in the outputs.
14 Writing Strategies
That a relatively small piece of writing such as Albert Einstein's three-page paper of relativity could be so important certainly illustrates the significance of writing to science. A science class is not complete unless it helps students learn to think like scientists, and writing is an essential part of such thinking. This article enumerates fourteen writing strategies that will encourage critical thinking skills and provide legitimate, purposeful writing practice by promoting solid science le
Arithmetic and Algebra
More than 110 games or puzzles having to do with arithmetic or algebra, with extensive discussions and solutions. Most require a browser capable of displaying JavaScript or Java.
Discover areas of highest plant productivity in the ocean
This Earth science animation presents a series of monthly satellite images that track global levels of phytoplankton throughout a year. The introduction explains that the color-enhanced images indicate chlorophyll concentration in the oceans. In addition, the text briefly describes the significance of these concentration values. Students are encouraged to analyze changes in plant productivity that occur over the course of a year. Movie control buttons allow students to repeat, pause, or step thr
Magnetism
This webpage is part of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Windows to the Universe program. It describes the nature and configuration of magnetic fields, which are the result of moving electric charges, including how they cause magnetic objects to orient themselves along the direction of the magnetic force points, which are illustrated as lines. Magnetic field lines by convention point outwards at the north magnetic pole and inward at the south magnetic pole. The site fea
Water Science for Schools
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water resources site provides comprehensive coverage of water related issues, and includes several interactive quizzes and activities for children. Here you will find information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center. Topics include: Earths water, Water basics, Water use, Water Questions and Answers, Activity center, Picture Gallery, Glossary, and Related Water Links. A special topics section tackles current proble
Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster
This webpage offers a discussion of work, energy, and force on a roller coaster as it goes through a loop in the track. It includes an animated image of the roller coaster with appropriate data for each point in the track. A multiple choice practice question using the relevant equations is also available.
Create a Graph
Students will learn how to create area, bar, pie, and line graphs. They are provided with information about what each type of graph shows and what it can be used for. Students are given an example of each type of graph, but they can create graphs using their own data in the interactive tool.
Blue Planet: Sea Vent Photo Gallery
These nine "sea vent" inhabitants were captured on film with a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution high definition underwater imaging system from the Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin. A description of each animal is provided. The vent is in the Pacific about 1,000 miles south of San Diego, California.
Energy : An Introduction
This article presents an introduction to the forms and changes in energy. This lesson discusses potential and kinetic energy as well as introducing the 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics.
Nucleic Acids : DNA and RNA
This lesson is an introduction to the structure and function of DNA including the process of DNA replication. A short multiple-choice quiz is included.
Keeping Cool at Deep-Sea Vents
This Astrobiology Magazine article reports that a research team of marine scientists has determined that water chemistry controls the location and distribution of two species of weird worms inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites: the tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila) and Pompeii worm (Alvinella pompejana). The article includes color images of the worms and monitoring equipment, links to related web pages and other astrobiology resources, and an MP3 machine text-to-speech function.
National Centre for Biotechnology Education Genetically Modified Food
Following the recent decision of Bayer CropScience to withdraw its herbicide-tolerant fodder maize, Chardon LL, the soonest we are likely to see commercial cultivation of any GM crop in the UK is 2008 . This mini-site examines the history of GM food in the UK. This content is appropriate for teachers or as an extension.
Polar Bears International Photo and Video Gallery
This page links to video intervews of the researchers and photographers, videos of polar bears taken with the polar cam, and images of polar bears.
Critical Evaluation of a Web Site : Middle School Level
This is a checklist designed to help middle school users critically evaluate web resources. By answering the questions in the checklist, students can then assess if the site would be a good one to use for their science research projects. There is a series of How does it look? questions and a series of What did you learn? questions that challenge students to think critically about what they are looking at and then summarize the effectiveness of the web site.
T.P. Away
What's a quick way to unroll a roll of toilet paper? This material is part of a series of hands-on science activities designed to arouse student interest. Here students use Bernoulli's principle and an electric leaf blower to force air over the top of the toilet paper to quickly unroll it. The activity includes a description, a list of science process skills and complex reasoning strategies being used, and a compilation of applicable K-12 national science education standards. Also provided are c
Science Sampler : Growth Potential
Students will enjoy carrying out this exciting and challenging research project that combines science with computers and mathematics to investigate how polyacrylate animals change in size over time when placed in water and aqueous salt solutions. The hands-on activity motivates students and provides them with enjoyable and rewarding science project experiences. Here they have an opportunity to solve a problem and use the science inquiry skills of observing, collecting, organizing, and analyzing
Quick take on the wide, wide world of geometry
As the social studies, art, and music classes in the middle school widen students horizons, some of your students may become fascinated with the art, costumes, and customs of other peoples in this and other times. The NCTM Principles and Standards calls for middle school students to be able to recognize and apply geometric ideas and relationships in areas outside the mathematics classroom, such as art, science, and everyday life.
A Sphere's Surface Area and Volume
What is the relation between a sphere's surface area and its volume? How does their ratio change?
