Gasping for truth : tracking the spread of SARS around the world
This is a lesson plan in which students investigate global responses to fighting the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Students will read a newspaper article to discover what is being done to curb the spread of the deadly disease. Then, students will use a variety of different media to track the spread and other statistics related to the disease. Students will write news reports advising citizens of what to do in affected areas.
Geothermal
What part does geothermal energy play in satisfying energy demands? This informational piece, part of a series about the future of energy, introduces students to heat within the Earth as an energy source. Here students read about the uses, benefits, and limitations of geothermal energy. Articles and information on places around the world that use geothermal energy and geothermal use by schools in Iowa are available from a sidebar. A link to a map of geothermal hotspots around the world is provid
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
Will it Float?
Student preconceptions are one of the greatest challenges we face as science teachers. This Predict, Explain, Observe, and Explain (PEOE) activity challenges students' preconceived notions about why matter floats or sinks when placed in a liquid. The idea behind this model is to do a demonstration that first confirms students' conceptions followed by a second, similar demonstration that provides discrepant information creating cognitive dissonance. Learning happens as students are forced to modi
Valley Springs Snow Cream
Middle School, difficulty level 2. Compare the volume of a sphere, cone, and cylinder using ice cream.
Science Sampler : Fossil detectives
Middle school students are transformed into Fossil detectives as they examine the fossil record and use evidence about paleo-environments to develop an understanding of structure and function in living systems and changes over time in Earths history. In this enrichment activity, students work in teams to research an assigned geologic time period. They determine available habitats, food sources and types (animal, plant; woody, herbaceous, etc.), cover sources, methods of getting food, defense, an
Ernest Rutherford : Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1908
This biography was first published in the book series Les Prix Nobel. It was later edited and republished in Nobel Lectures, Chemistry 1901-1921, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1966. A photo is included.
Ozone in the atmosphere : ozone production
Why is ozone needed in the atmosphere? In this informational piece, part of an interactive laboratory series for grades 8-12, students read about the structure and function of ozone in our atmosphere. In one activity, students investigate how altitude affects ozone concentration. A discussion of the zones of the atmosphere provides information on the amount of ozone found in each layer. An animation explores the processes by which ozone is produced and destroyed by ultraviolet light. A second ac
El Nino vs. La Nina
This site offers images and animations showing global sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height (SSH) during El Nino of 1997-1998 and La Nina of 1998-1999. Images show the difference between the normal SST for that time of year and the actual temperature, clearly showing the higher and lower Pacific temperatures associated with the El Nino and La Nina events of 1997-1999 respectively. Thus the annual cycle and climatology have been removed from the data. Animations use Pathfinder and
Nickel Karate
How can a quarter be removed from the bottom of a stack of quarters without lifting or moving the other coins? This material is part of a series of hands-on science activities designed to arouse student interest. Here students investigate the properties of inertia and Newton's first law of motion. 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 provid
Geoboard : measurement (grades 6-8)
This virtual manipulative enables the student to form and manipulate shapes on an online geoboard. A virtual geoboard is not limited by the number of bands or the manual dexterity of the student. Additionally, a measure function generates area and perimeter for shapes and, for single bands connected to two pegs, distance and slope. The formed shapes may be colored as a way to sort or enhance them. The activities link offers six exercises that explore area and perimeter or regular and irregular s
The inclusive classroom : teaching mathematics and science to English-language learners
This electronic document contains a PDF version of a booklet for K to 12 teachers that explores the specialized languages of mathematics and science and highlights strategies that link second-language acquisition techniques with content instruction. The booklet is part of the IT'S JUST GOOD TEACHING series produced by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Each booklet in the series contains a summary of the research and current literature on a topic along with a discussion of effective
Observe some products of a Geographic Information System (GIS)
By combining a short paragraph and six enlargeable maps, this resource explains to students what a Geographic Information System (GIS) is. Introductory text explains that GIS technology enables users to plot multiple data sets onto maps of varying scales. Then six sample maps produced through GIS are provided. Among these maps is one that identifies where energy and mineral resources are located globally and another that highlights and labels the rivers that drain into the Mississippi River. Cop
Cynthia Lanius' Fractal Unit
Cynthia Lanius, a former mathematics teacher who currently serves as Technology Integration Specialist for Sinton Independent School District in Sinton, Texas, has posted numerous lessons online. This website features a Fractals Unit for elementary and middle school students (although adults are also welcome to enjoy the lesson). The lesson includes a discussion on why one might study fractals and then provides step-by-step explanations on how to make fractals using Java, along with some challen
Able Sports
This activity focuses on getting students to think about disabilities and how they can make some aspects of life more difficult. The students are asked to pick a disability and design a new kind of sport for it.
Building Tetrahedral Kites
Working in teams of four, you and your team will build a tetrahedral kite following a specific set of directions and using specific provided materials. You will use basic processes of manufacturing systems – cutting, shaping, forming, conditioning, assembling, joining, finishing, and quality control – to manufacture a complete tetrahedral kite within a given time frame. Evaluation of your project will involve the efficiency of your team as well as your finished product.
Don't Crack Humpty
Student groups are provided with a generic car base. The groups then design a device/enclosure that will protect an egg on or in the car as it is rolled down a ramp at increasing slopes. Students will be expected to perform basic mathematical calculations using their data.
Engineering and the Human Body
The Engineering and the Human Body unit covers the broad spectrum of topics that make-up our very amazing human body. Students are introduced to the space environment and learn the major differences between the environment on Earth and that of outer space. The engineering challenges that arise because of these discrepancies are also discussed. Then, students dive into the different components that make up the human body: muscles, bones and joints, the digestive and circulatory systems, the nervo
Wind Chimes
Using their knowledge of physics, students will build a wind chime. Mathematical computations will be done to determine the length of the pipes.
4.3 Business and enlightenment: Manchester 1789–99
Childcare, education, working conditions, healthcare, crime … these issues are hotly debated in today's society. They are also issues that Robert Owen, seen by some as a visionary and by others as a knave and a charlatan, sought to address in the early 1800s. This unit uses a series of essays written by Owen to explore the ideas of this important and controversial figure.
