Plop It!
users click to build dot plots of data and view how the mean, median, and mode change as numbers are added to the plot.
Golden rectangle (grades 6-8)
This virtual manipulative can help students visualize the golden rectangle. It shows how a set of golden rectangles is generated by using the golden ratio (the ratio of the longer side to the shorter side of a golden rectangle) to create smaller golden rectangles within an initial rectangle. The size of the initial rectangle can be varied, and the center of the spiral generated by the applet can be seen. Instructions for using this online manipulative are included on the site, as is a link to th
Quilt blocks: geometry with a cultural warmth
This lesson describes how quilting activities can be used to integrate geometry and lessons about various cultures into the classroom. Suggested ways of creating paper quilt blocks include Hawaiian techniques, where many different blocks are brought together to make a quilt; Amish techniques, where shapes are pieced together in an intricate pattern; and African techniques, which have an emphasis on strip textiles made on hand looms and religious symbols. The geometric concepts of symmetry, tilin
How do you light up your bike without reflectors or lamps?
Bicycle safety is a critical matter. This riddle asks students how they can illuminate their bicycles without using reflectors or headlamps. Before they select their answer, students are given a clue. They read about and watch a video clip of two children's attempts to use glow-in-the-dark materials to light up their bikes. The riddle's final page presents students with three clickable answer choices. Brief feedback is given for the incorrect choices. When students select the best answer, a shor
Fibonacci Numbers and the Pascal Triangle
Offered in English, German, and Serbian, this site is a good introduction to the mathematical concepts of Pascals Triangle, Fibonacci numbers, and the Golden Section. Because it is operated in Yugoslavia, there are occasional grammatical errors in the English version. Nevertheless, the information presented gives a valuable account of the significance of these topics. The content of the site includes historical perspectives (with brief profiles of the mathematicians who originated the ideas) and
Seeds of the world : Journey to Forever
Seeds of the world: Journey to Forever - No seeds, no food, vanishing seeds, most crop varieties already lost, rendezvous with extinction, seed saving, biodiversity, world hunger This site discusses the importance of seeds to humans and the global economy. It provides extension information about genetically modified seeds and the Green Revolution.
Review of Middle School Physical Science Texts
This report provides a review and critique of physical science textbooks in middle school with regard to scientific accuracy, an accurate portrayal of the scientific approach, and the appropriateness and pedagogic effectiveness of the material presented for the particular grade level. Also noted are such things as readability, attractiveness, quality of illustrations, and appropriateness of laboratory activities, home activities, exercises to test understanding, and other resources.
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
How are Earth's spheres interacting?
This Earth science investigation leads students through a brief introduction of the spheres of the Earth and an exploration of the interactions among the spheres. The seven-step investigation incorporates a mixture of informational text, questions, and images. After reading about and interacting with an image of the four main spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere), students are introduced to the concept of sphere interactions as part of the larger Earth system. Text, que
Minerals
This site provides an in-depth look at mineral properties and identification. An alphabetical listing of common minerals allows the user to see a picture and view physical properties of the particular mineral. Properties of minerals are explained, including cleavage, hardness, crystal form, and luster. There are also downloadable labs for crystal models and mineral data sheets. Dichotomous and hardness keys are given for easier mineral identification.
Fossil Fuels
How much does the United States depend on fossil fuels? This web page, part of a site on the future of energy, introduces students to fossil fuels as an energy source. Here students read about the uses, benefits, and limitations of fossil fuels. There is also information on how these fuels are distributed geographically and how they affect the U.S. economy through supply and demand. Thought-provoking questions afford students opportunities to reflect on what they've read. Articles about clean co
The beginnings of probability
These pages present, in terms of a fictional story based on true events, the problem that inspired the development of mathematical probability in Renaissance Europe by French mathematicians Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal. Two equally skilled players are interrupted while playing a game of chance for a certain amount of money. Given the score of the game at that point, how should the stakes be divided? Outlined here is, first, the particular solution and then the general solution based on a c
Map Adventures
This site presents seven lessons that allow students in grades K-3 to investigate the concepts of understanding and reading maps. The lessons utilize a story about a little girl named Nikki who visits an imaginary amusement park. A teacher guide for each lesson includes objectives, teaching suggestions, activities, and student worksheets.
PDC Sessions now published on Channel 9 Hey folks, in an earlier C9 team post we explained how we are moving event content from various places (MIX, PDC, TechEd, etc...) into Channel 9 to give you a single repository of as much technical content as we can bring together. Well, phase 2 of that move has occured and 464 PDC sessions from across PDC08, Author(s):
Stand Up Speak Out-Acceptance
This Public Service Announcement was created by a group of Canadians to teach acceptance. The children and teenagers in this video share that we all should be accepted regardless of our looks or religion. The theme is to "Stand Up and Speak Out". It is a brief but good reminder that our differences make us special. Content is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students. (1:02)
ISS Update - April 1, 2011
The International Space Station video update for April 1, 2011.
Introduction to X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
This learning module presents the fundamentals of X-ray Diffraction for characterizing molecular structure in a form useful both as lecture notes and for self-study.
Introduction to Scanning Probe Microscopy
This learning module teaches the principles behind scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The module includes example applications and ample literature citations.
Basic Electronic Tutorials On AC, DC, Semiconductor, and Digital Theory
This website serves as an excellent tutorial on basic AC and DC electronics, semiconductor operation and digital theory. Experiments are included to illustrate these concepts. The material is sufficiently comprehensive and is highly recommended as a starting point for students interested in learning about basic electronics.
