Ten preparation steps for a successful group presentation
This resource informational piece, part of a series about the future of energy, introduces students to the process of making a successful group presentation. It lists 10 steps for students to follow when making presentations. These include: research and gather information, focus the group's efforts, create a story line, and self-evaluate, among others. Students are given guided questions and checklists for each of the 10 steps to self-evaluate whether they have successfully completed the step. A
Lotto or Life: What Are the Chances?
Students are naturally inquisitive about space science and the topics surrounding the existence of intelligent life in other parts of our Universe. Tapping into this curiosity, this lesson uniquely combines the concepts of astronomy and probability to have students use inquiry, problem solving, reasoning, and communication skills to compare winning the lottery with the likelihood of intelligent life existing elsewhere in the Universe. The site contains all of the information and materials needed
Units and Cylinder Volume
Find the volume and surface area of a cylindical storage tank with a radius of 15 feet and a height of 30 feet.
Viewing media
This informational piece, part of a series about the future of energy, introduces students to a three-stage process for viewing media. The three stages are preparing, viewing and listening, and reflecting. A student tip sheet explains each stage and enables students to work through the processes in a step-by-step manner while seeing how the information is tied together. Students prepare, examine, and critically summarize their new information. A graphic organizer provides students with an opport
Science Sampler : Weathering database technology
Collecting weather data is a traditional part of a meteorology unit at the middle level, but making connections between the data and weather conditions can be a challenge for students. One way to help students make these connections clearer is to enter the data into a database. This allows students to quickly compare different fields of data and recognize which readings are associated with certain types of weather.
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
Copernican revolution : turning points in science
his publication focuses on the evolution of the heliocentric theory of the universe. Resources provided here will facilitate understanding of the early concepts of the universe; the thinking that led to hypotheses in astronomy; the observations and experiments that yielded information allowing for theorizing; reaction to and acceptance of the investigators' findings; and the impacts of the theory on humanity.
Carolina Coastal Science
Use the inquiry method of teaching and this Web site to solve a real-world problem of coastal erosion. Lesson plans and educator's guide are included. Connections are made to the National Science Curriculum Standards.
Quick take on math starters
If you want to hook your class on math right from the start, you may want to consider one of these real-world projects. Students deal with real data in these investigations collecting, presenting, and analyzing their findings. As they work on the NCTM Data Analysis and Probability Standard, they apply school mathematics in contexts arising outside of mathematics, as recommended in the Connections Standard.
National Geophysical Data Center: Relief Globe Slides
This set of 20 slides contains 14 global views of the Earth in full color shaded relief, showing land and undersea topography. The planet is seen from vantage points over the poles and each major ocean and land mass. Also included are a rectangular Mercator projection view of the whole Earth, as well as displays of crustal plates and their relation to world seismic activity. The images are computer-generated from a digital database of oceanic bathymetry and land topography.
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
Sunlight and the Earth : Climate and Weather
These web pages trace the processes involved in the suns impact on weather. This is an exploration of the importance of radiation and reflection of light, both visible and infra-red, and the greenhouse effect. Convection and the role of water vapor are also considered. Global-scale air flows are described, explaining why wind in the continental US usually blows from the west, while near the equator it comes from the east.
Exploring Leonardo
This online exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci includes references and activities about both his scientific and artistic work. The site is divided into several sections, with each section offering background information about da Vinci, links to more in depth articles and classroom activities.
Quick take on action with fractions
Really understanding what fractions are, how they fit on the number line, and how to operate with them-add, subtract, multiply, divide-is central to learning decimals and percentages. According to the NCTM Principles and Standards, students in the middle grades should be expected to acquire a deeper understanding of fractions, decimals, and percents and an increased flexibility in using them to solve problems. Yet students may reach even the higher grades of middle school without a firm grasp of
LEARN
LEARN was created to increase middle school science teacher knowledge of and interest in the atmospheric sciences. The original project began in 1991 with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Much of the instructional and science content foundation for the LEARN workshops came from the teaching modules developed by LEARN teachers in collaboration with more than 60 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) scientists. The modules (Ozone in Our Atmosphere, Atmospheric Dynamics
Fascinating pickle facts
Each of this feature's nine paragraphs describes a fact about food produced through fermentation around the globe. The facts present a mix of history and science. For example, one paragraph explains how pickles were instrumental in Spain's discovery of America, while another reveals why modern-day outdoor fermentation vats are intentionally left uncovered. Another paragraph summarizes how osmosis and the bacteria involved in pickling can make vegetables more vitamin-rich. In addition, historical
Living in Space
NASA's Living in Space Web site allows kids of all ages the opportunity to learn how astronauts cope with zero gravity conditions in space. Everything from eating, dressing, working, and having fun is explained through descriptions, photographs, movies, audio files, and more.
Science News For Kids
This resource is meant to enhance the usefulness of Science News in the middle-school classroom and offer recreational reading and activities for students interested in science. It is comprised of six zones: a weekly brainteaser for those who enjoy solving and inventing puzzles, entertaining science-fiction composition exercises for those interested in writing, and weekly science fair profiles and tips. The GameZone contains a small selection of logic and memory games, implemented as Java applet
Factoring Special Products
Choose the correct steps to factor a polynomial involving perfect-square binomials, differences of squares, or constant factors. Use the feedback to diagnose incorrect steps.
Observe solar eclipses
This Earth science animation helps students compare three types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular. The introduction explains how the type of eclipse is determined by variations in distance and alignment between the Earth, sun, and moon. The animation follows the events of all three eclipses concurrently. Movie controls allow students to repeat, pause, or step through the animation, which can give students more time to compare the eclipse sequences. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National
