UniGene
Created by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, UniGene is "an experimental system for automatically partitioning GenBank sequences into a non-redundant set of gene-oriented clusters." In addition to gene sequences, this Web site also offers thousands of novel expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences, a useful gene discovery resource. Organisms currently cataloged include human, rat, mouse, cow, zebrafish, clawed frog, fruitfly, mosquito, wheat, rice, barley, maize, and cress. Users
GLOBIO: Mapping human impacts on the biosphere
A joint project of the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and the United Nation's Environmental Programme, Global Methodology for Mapping Human Impacts on the Environment (GLOBIO) aims to "present a simple visual overview of the cumulative impacts of increasing resource demands on man and the environment." Hundreds of environmental impact studies were synthesized with satellite imagery, infrastructure data, etc. to create this "visual overview" of past, current, and potential future conditi
BigChalk.com
BigChalk.com's goal "is to be the single education destination that's trusted by teachers, used by students, and relied on by parents." This education mega-site contains excellent resources ranging from lesson plans and homework help to in-depth articles. For example, the physical science subject page contains over twenty subjects that lead to well written explanations and visually pleasing illustrations, along with links to pages with further information. Containing far too much to mention, Big
Fairly Fundamental Facts about Forces and Structures
Students are introduced to the five fundamental loads: compression, tension, shear, bending and torsion.
The United States National Arboretum: Invasive Plants
The US National Arboretum offers this straightforward guide to invasive plants that gardeners and property owners in general should watch for. The Web site begins with an explanation of what the term "invasive" really means, followed by photos and descriptions of species to avoid planting altogether (such as purple loosestrife), and those that are less problematic if managed wisely (like English ivy). The site also describes the origin and current distribution of some of the most commonly encoun
Ireland
This Topic In Depth focuses on the land, science, and scientists of Ireland.Offered by Enchanted Learning.com, the first site (1) gives kids a brief introduction to Ireland's geography through a description of its location, size, and major rivers; online and printable maps; and a quiz. The next site is called the Irish Scientist (2), which is an online version of a yearly publication that "provide a means for Irish scientists and technologists to describe -- to colleagues, legislators and the ge
Ozone depletion interactive lab
What is the process by which CFCs destroy ozone? This informational piece, part of an interactive laboratory series for grades 8-12, explores the destruction of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons. Here students view a four-step animation that shows how ultraviolet light breaks chlorine free from a CFC molecule. The chlorine then destroys an ozone molecule. Additional steps show how the process can be continuous. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Tessellation Tutorials
A complete guide to templates and tutorials for making tessellations is available here. Includes scholarly information on tessellations and their connections to math, geography and history. Some lessons feature ClarisWorks, Geometer, HyperCard, HyperStudio, LogoWriter, PCPaintbrush or PCPaint software programs. This site also includes a forum for teacher feedback and examples of student work.
Number line bounce (grades 6-8)
This online number line game for summing numbers challenges the student to find a sequence of operations with four numbers that results in a given target number. The numbers are illustrated as bouncing balls on a number line. Each bounce can be in either a positive or negative direction. The student can use a guess-and-check approach to solving the problem or a more sophisticated strategy. After finding a correct sequence and reaching the target number on the number line, the student forms the n
Using technology to support Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) students' learning experiences
This article examines the challenges and rewards related to using technology as a tool to increase learning for limited English-proficient (LEP) students. The article is based on the belief that students' content, linguistic, and technology skills should be developed in tandem. Strategies and standards for technology use are featured along with suggestions for enhancing LEP students comfort level in content classes. Access and equity and the redefinition of teacher roles are also discussed. Impr
Assessment in Math and Science: What's the Point?
This 8-part video workshop covers all aspects of science assessment: embedded and authentic assessment techniques, integrated math/science assessment, and extensive information about assessment reform initiatives. This material is intended for K-12 teachers and is periodically offered as a free satellite broadcast through Annenberg/CPB channel. Supplemental materials, such as a workshop guide, are available for free downloading.
Soil as Living Skin
In this two-minute radio program, a soil scientist introduces listeners to reasons why soil is crucial to the planet. The scientist lists functions of soil that include nutrient cycling and water filtration, and he also uses living skin as an analogy for soil. The program, part of the Pulse of the Planet radio show, is available here in text and audio formats. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
1900 Air Pollution
Examine this graph from FRONTLINE/NOVA: Whats Up with the Weather? Web site to see dramatic increases in three greenhouse gases over the last two hundred years.
Shape builder
This interactive applet operates in one of two modes: auto draw and create shape mode, allowing the user to explore the area and perimeter of non-standard shapes. Immediate feedback is given on answers entered.
Scope on Safety - Safety contracts : Let it be written, let it be done
Student safety contracts are an important tool for teachers to use in helping to prepare for and maintain a safe working environment. They also serve an additional means of showing that the teacher was working in good faith when dealing with safety issues, should litigation be on the agenda. The following is an example that is used at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury, Connecticut, for physical science courses.
Mathematics Education in the Middle Grades: Teaching to Meet the Needs of Middle Grades Learners and
In September 1998, the Math Science Education Board National held a Convocation on Middle Grades Mathematics that was co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Middle School Association, and the American Educational Research Association. The Convocation was structured to present the teaching of middle school mathematics from two points of view: teaching mathematics with a focus on the subject matter content or teaching mathematics with a focus on the whole chi
Image Tool
This activity allows the user to measure angles and explore the concept of scale as it pertains to maps, images, and drawings.
Funny putty
In this activity, students are introduced to the properties of solids, liquids and gases. Students will learn that colloids are mixtures which display the properties of more than one of these states, make putty (a colloid), and experiment with its properties. In addition, students can use different glues and test how the properties of the putty changes.
Ready to Teach (RTT) interactives library
This web site offers access to four interactive software tools designed to help teachers and students of algebra visualize and experiment online with key concepts related to linear and piecewise functions. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans
Here is an overview of PET (polarized emission tomography), a brain scanning technique. The web page offers a description of how PET scans are conducted and an example of the kind of image they can produce. The science behind PET's ability to document levels of brain activity is also briefly addressed. As part of a set of materials about brain scanning technologies, this overview also points out how PET differs from earlier types of brain scans. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
