General Interest Publications Online
The US Geological Survey maintains the General Interest Publications Online Web site. The over thirty publications include a range of subjects, with such diverse titles as Acid Rain and Our Nation's Capital; Birth of the Mountains: The Geologic Story of the Southern Appalachian Mountains; Deserts: Geology and Resources; and Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future. Each attractive document, which can be viewed or printed freely, contains non-technical text and interesting photo
The New York Botanical Garden: International Plant Science Center
In "combining modern technologies with a century of field and laboratory research," the New York Botanical Garden's International Plant Science Center "is one of the few institutions worldwide with the resources, collections, and expertise to develop the information needed to understand and manage plant diversity." This website grants considerable access to resources from the Center, including numerous plant databases, digitized rare botanical books, online access to the herbarium collections, a
EERI/IAEE World Housing Encyclopedia
This online Encyclopedia of Housing Construction Types is a joint project between two prominent earthquake engineering organizations. It is intended to help engineers make buildings in regions of high seismic activity less susceptible to damage, and hopefully save lives. A large amount of housing information is given for many different countries. Hazard maps show areas that are most at risk. Building descriptions describe common construction types and structural features, and suggest seismic str
aspectj.org: Crosscutting Objects for Better Modularity
AspectJ is a Java extension with aspect-oriented functions and programming technology. Continuing with the open source movement, the developers have made AspectJ free for download from this Web site. The software implements "the clean modularization of crosscutting concerns" like performance optimizations, debugging support, and more. The compiler, several accompanying tools, and example programs are all provided in the release. There is also extensive documentation and a tutorial to help new us
MIT Space Systems Laboratory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) created the Space Systems Laboratory (SSL) in 1995 to engage in "cutting edge research projects with the goal of directly contributing to the present and future exploration and development of space." Users can find materials on current and past flight projects such as the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) and the Interferometry Program Experiment (IPEX). The website also features SSL's ground programs and re
Learning math : Measurement
This college level course, developed for elementary and middle school teachers, begins with the fundamentals of measurement, then examines standard units in the metric and customary systems. Online workshop sessions cover measurement of a circle, area and volume formulas, angle measurement, and indirect measurement encountered in trigonometry. The final session explores ways to apply these concepts to K-8 classroom teaching. Each of its ten sessions contains video programming, problem-solving ac
Looking at the sky through a glass ceiling : women in astronomy
This article looks at the involvement and acceptance of women in astronomy. Before introducing readers to three significant female astronomers from the 1900s and three from the present day, the article mentions the work of the first known female astronomer--Aglaonike from 200 B.C. Statistics are also provided concerning contemporary women's participation in astronomy. The three astronomers featured from the 1900s are Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Eac
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.
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
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.
Life in the Cold and Dark: Penguin Adaptation
In these two activities, students investigate animal adaptations to a cold environment, specifically how they keep warm and incorporate key findings by designing an organism well-adapted to this environment.
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 : Reading science
Nonfiction books have the power to excite students about learning and fuel their desire to know more about a topic or person. Using a variety of books can differentiate instruction and provide suitable reading to students at all levels and for almost any interest. This article provides a list of recommended reading and some lesson ideas that correspond with the material.
Energy in-depth timeline
The history of energy usage provides an interesting view of the development of technology over time. This informational piece, part of a series on the future of energy, introduces students to the advancement of technology through the use of energy. Students read how energy needs and uses have affected the production of power, manufacturing industries, and transportation methods. This piece focuses on energy systems based on fossil fuels, geothermal, hydrogen, nuclear, solar, and wind energy, and
Rutherford and Bohr describe atomic structure 1913
This page is from PBS A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries. It describes Bohr's contribution to theories of the atom and its relationship to others' such as Rutherford's. Links to relevant pages are provided. An image of Bohr's conception drawn in his notebook is included.
4.3 Optical networking
Optical-fibre communications became commercially viable in the 1970s and innovation continues today. This unit will illustrate how very high data rates can be transmitted over long distances through optical fibres. You will learn how these fibres are linked, examine the technology used and assess the future direction of this continually developing area of communication.
6.1.2 Using a screen reader with PDFs
Frightened of the internet? This unit will help you make effective use of the internet, giving you the basic skills required for using web-based resources. Useful tricks and tips are provided as well as information on web browsers, the main features of a browser window, how to look at websites, using hyperlinks, searching for information on the internet, copying text, avoiding computer viruses, and using PDFs.
The Little Mouse, The Red-Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood Read A Loud
First published in 1984, a picture book in which the Little Mouse will do all he can to save his strawberry from the Big, Hungry Bear, even if it means sharing it with the reader. Each page of the book is shown as narrator reads it aloud. This is a good companion teaching resource to help bring literary characters to life. Content is appropriate for younger elementary students. (2:23)
