Sounds of the Sun: Inside
A solar physicist explains the significance of the solar sounds that play in the background of this two-minute radio program. The sounds were detected by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft. The physicist addresses why the sun's sounds are not audible on Earth. Scientists analyze solar sound waves to learn more about our turbulent sun. The radio program, which is from the Pulse of the Planet show, is available here in text and audio formats. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower Nationa
Better buses
How can city buses be made to run more quietly and produce less pollution? This article, part of a series about the future of energy, discusses the use of hydrogen-powered buses in Chicago and Vancouver. Students read about plans to place hydrogen-powered buses in six of the world's smoggiest cities and the potential for reduced air pollution. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Observe forest fires as seen from space
This Earth science resource shows students how atmospheric scientists use infrared imaging to detect and locate forest fires. The introduction explains how visible-light images recorded by satellites are unable to distinguish smoke from clouds. In contrast, infrared imaging, which detects heat, can detect hot spots that indicate the location of forest fires. The resource provides two different sets of satellite pictures. Students are instructed to toggle between the visible-light and infrared im
How can you go eighty miles per hour on a bicycle?
Is it possible for a human to ride a bicycle at the speed of 80 miles per hour? This riddle asks students how such a feat could be accomplished. On a clue page, students read about and view a brief video clip of two boys experimenting to see if a certain combination of gears can help them bike faster. When students select the correct answer from the riddle's three answer choices, a video clip plays about a unique kind of aerodynamic bicycle. A cyclist talks about the special design features--the
The secret life of the brain
This web site was developed to accompany the PBS television series The Secret Life of the Brain, which explores how the human brain develops and changes from infancy through late adulthood. Among the site's features are a timeline of human knowledge of the brain, an interactive three-dimensional brain model, and illustrated descriptions of various brain scanning techniques. There are also sections devoted to each episode of the TV series that provide an overview of the episode, brief video clips
Factor tree (grades 6-8)
This virtual manipulative challenges the learner to find the prime factors for a pair of numbers. The factors for each number are displayed in a tree diagram from which the student drags the factors to the appropriate areas of a Venn diagram. The Venn diagram offers a useful visual display showing unique factors and common factors for the original pair of numbers. Using the display, the learner must find the pair's least common multiple (LCM) and greatest common factor (GCF). Buttons allow users
Visit Cell City
In this online activity, students search the Web in order to learn about human body cells. After collecting their research, they make an analogy between the structure of a human liver cell and a real city. Included are activity pages, team pages, teacher pages, and a list of electronic resources that students will need to complete the activity.
Examine the sun at different wavelengths
This Earth science resource enables students to observe and compare the sun's appearance under different types of electromagnetic radiation. Students are instructed to move the cursor across the spectrum to see images of the sun under radio and microwaves; infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light; and gamma rays. Each image includes a label that indicates the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength in angstroms and meters, and the layer of the sun in view. Copyright 2005 Eisenhow
Mortality rate of captive-bred and released carnivores is 70%
This January 25, 2008 entry in the NSDL Expert Voices blog Connecting News with National Science Education Standards deals with survival rates of captive-bred carnivore released into the wild. It points to modifications breeders should make to decrease mortality rates. Additional links to teaching resources related to populations, ecosystems, and diversity are provided
Boeing Integrated defense systems : the international space station
The ISS is the largest, most complex international scientific project in history and our largest adventure into space to date. When completed around 2010, the ISS will be comprised of more than 100 major components carried aloft during 88 space flights to assemble the space station.
Fossil fuels : millions of years in the making
What natural processes created oil, coal, and natural gas? This reading, part of a site about the future of energy, describes the conditions under which these fossil fuels were formed. The reading explains that the organisms that went into the making of oil and natural gas are different from the organisms that were converted into coal. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Expedition to the Poles
In this lesson students will pretend they have just returned from a year in the Arctic or Antarctic. They will look at Web sites about these regions and expeditions to them, and they will create posters illustrating their experiences. Students will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining what it would be like to visit the polar region that they did not focus on in this lesson. As they complete this activity students will research the characteristics of the polar regions and the things they wou
Dinosaur Detectives
This lesson plan will help students learn that discoveries about dinosaurs have a long history and that each paleontologist adds his or her work to a body of fossil evidence used to support theories about dinosaurs. In it, students will use the internet to explore the discovery of fossils and dinosaurs. The website includes the lesson plan, extensions, guidelines for evaluation, and MCREL standards alignment.
USGS Real-Time Water Data for the Nation
This USGS site allows students to access a variety of streamflow information. There is an interactive map where the user can select streamflow data for selected stream gaging stations in the United States. Stations can be selected in list form, an interactive state map, or 10 nearest stations to position selected. Each retrieval form allows the user to refine their data search through predefined displays, such as tables, maps, or reports. Tables can be called up and further defined by basin, cou
Spaghetti Bridge
Civil engineers design and construct structures such as buildings, dams, and bridges. We can explore the field of engineering by making a bridge using spaghetti. This bridge is then tested based on the weight it can carry without breaking.
Arctic Region Map
This map shows a political view of the Arctic region as defined by the area where the highest temperature for the warmest month is below 10 degrees C.
Biology
Biology is the science of life, the branch of the natural sciences that studies living organisms.
Waves, sound and light
Teachers can give demonstrations and students can conduct virtual physics experiments related to waves using the Shockwave simulations at this site. Simulations are designed to explore sound wave frequencies, echoes, a phased array, ultrasound, interference patterns, the doppler effect, and more. Students will need teacher assistance as there is little explanatory material with the simulations.
Acids and Bases : Making a Film Canister Rocket
In this video segment, ZOOM cast members mix different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see which combination produces the most carbon dioxide for launching a film-canister rocket.
Quick take on those dicey decimals!
Understanding decimals is a must and practice with them a basic necessity. These digital resources feature games, lessons, and interactive experiences that encourage understanding and practice at varying levels of mastery.
