Teachers
Elementary Resources: Science & Technology
You will find games, links to hundreds of activities for kids,
descriptions of all the TV episodes, and book recommendations
for educators.
Adventures of the Agronauts is an online science curriculum
for elementary-aged students with an overarching theme: how
can we grow plants on the moon? Children become "Agronauts
In Training" and complete six different standards-based
lessons towards the final goal of growing plants on the moon.
Teacher resources are included. Glossary contains some movies
that demonstrate concepts. Some career information too.
This is a program with both online and classroom components.
It teaches "understanding light" and the "electromagnetic
spectrum" as a foundation for Remote Sensing. The site
is supported with a teacher's guide that includes lesson plans,
classroom activities, and reproducibles.
Produced by KLRU, BACKYARD BUGS reveals why some insects may
actually be beneficial to have around. The Web site includes
a game of matching Texas native species, information about
insect anatomy and much more.
BUTTERFLY SITES:
Produced by KLRU, BACKYARD BUTTERFLIES explores what insects
eat, butterfly habitat and their life cycle. It also includes
a matching game for young children of Texas native species.
This site, selected by the SciLinks Program sponsored by
the National Science Teachers Association, is a wonderful
resource for learning about butterflies. It contains a photo
gallery and a student resource guide containing units such
as butterfly physiology, pupa stage and the difference between
moths and butterflies. en
Español
180 million Monarchs are now on the move! Got Milkweed?
Milkweed plants are the only food source for Monarch caterpillars.
There is a severe shorage of Milkweed and their young will
perish in large numbers. Your opportunity to make a difference
begins right now. Each year Monarchs try to make a 3,000
mile migration from the mountains of Central Mexico to Canada
and back. Monarchs are the only butterflies that travel,
delighting millions, both young and old across North America.
FREE resources available to help you today:
View a searchable gallery of butterflies and moths, learn
how to attract these beautiful insects to your yard and
protect their habitats, access lessons and much more.
Butterfly Webquests
• Monarch
Butterfly WebQuest for First Grades
• Migration
WebQuest for Third Grade
• WebQuests
for Grades 1-3
This site is a participatory, multimedia concept that educates
children ages nine to twelve about ecology and helps them
explore aspects of their natural surroundings – their
own "backyard jungle."
Teachers and students now have access to a matrix of critically
reviewed WebQuests designed around a member of core and supplementary
disciplines -- from basic English, math, and science quests
to business, economics, and even art. Every WebQuest is categorized
by subject and grade level and is evaluated on a five-star
scale that includes such criteria as use of of the web, use
of roles and expertise, engaging writing, and overall clarity.
You'll also be able to read tips on what makes a great WebQuest
and submit your creation for review.
The site includes movies created to explain the human body
and the world around us in an engaging, interactive journey
for kids. BrainPOP is constantly developing new content based
on the National Science Education Standards.
Original lesson plans developed by wNetSchool Master Teachers
based upon outstanding PBS series and around outstanding Web
resources.
Dr. David Thornburg is Director of the Thornburg Center and
Senior Fellow of the Congressional Institute for the Future.
Check back each month for new insight into technology and
how it affects education and your classroom!
The "Hot Technologies Transforming Schools Today"
webcast will coincide with the release of CoSN's next emerging
technologies report this fall,
Hot Technologies in K-12
Education. Emerging Technologies committee members from
the pubic and private sectors pooled their experience and
research skills to identify the leading trends in technologies
that have and will continue to change the instructional process,
improve assessment and evaluation, address diverse learning
styles and student needs, build community in the school environment,
and improve the efficiency of school administration. The webcast
(and report) will assist district administrators and technology
decision-makers in planning for the future. For more information
and to register for the webcast, go to the URL above.
Some of the sessions were videotaped and converted for web
streaming. You did not have to attend the conference in order
to view the material and they are available free of charge. EdTech
Conference Videos.
This site identifies local libraries, community technology
centers and additional neighborhood entities that provide
free or low-cost Internet access, IT (Information Technology)
training and other community technology services.
Check
out the list of free access to computers in our area.
What might digital broadcasting mean for learners of different
ages? Visit an elementary school class, a media specialist,
a homeschool family, a GED learner, special education students,
and a professional development trainer.
This site is a national voice for young scientific investigators
and the opportunity for them to interact with experienced
researchers.
Mars Stations are earth-bound replicas designed to give everyone
the experience of exploring an unknown world through the eyes
of a robotic rover. The Planetary Society and LEGO Company
have teamed together to establish a network of Mars Stations
around the world. Each station contains a LEGO rover equipped
with a Web camera that you can drive over the Internet! The
page updates constantly to reflect the current condition of
the Rover.
Information about other Red Rover programs, contests, etc.
The eSN Ed-Tech Insider is a free service that gives you
access to leading educational technology experts and education
webloggers. In partnership with Clarity Innovations, eSchool
News Online offers readers the opportunity to discuss ideas,
projects and innovations with like-minded and experienced
colleagues.
This Web site includes lesson plans, teacher resources, and
links to K-4 national and state science standards, as well
as original science articles and a message board where educators
can share ideas and join in discussions with others interested
in sciences. It also has parent resources such as student
worksheets, activities you can do to explore with your child,
and homework help.
Materials, activities and programs for K-12 classrooms organized
by topic area. K-12 and Higher Education student web sites,
grants, degree programs and resources.
A fun site from the museum of science, art and human perception.
The site teaches kids about all sciences in a exciting and
motivating way with plenty of puzzles and games to help in
the learning process.
This website has hundreds of federally supported teaching
and learning resources. Go to the web site and click on "Science,"
and you will find 20 topics ranging from astronomy to technology,
with instructional units, chat rooms with scientists, experiments,
interactive games, field trips, articles, and photographs,
just to name a few examples.
If you have students who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or English
language learners, the Captioned Media Program (CMP) can help
with free-loan, open-captioned videos. It is free to register
for the service and to check out videos online. Teachers can
use CMP videos and their accompanying lesson guides in the
classroom.
Imagine the potential for motivating students, enriching curriculum,
and inspiring research and investigations when you have a
theme around which to weave your garden project.
This nonprofit foundation gathers and disseminates the most
innovative models of K-12th grade teaching and learning in
the Digital Age.
Collaborate with schools throughout the world to determine
how temperature and hours of sunlight per day are affected
by your location and the equator. Involves general science,
mathematics, language arts, and geography. This site is recommended
for ages 11-18. Students will: a) measure the temperature
and record the number of minutes of sunlight per day; b) compare
and contrast the results; and c) determine how proximity to
the equator affects average daily temperature and hours of
sunlight. There is NO FEE required to join this project. Sponsored
by Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE).
GLOBE is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists
working together to study and understand the global environment.
GLOBE students make environmental observations at or near
their schools and report their data through the Internet.
Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback
to the students to enrich their science education.
This PBS Web site encourages kids to explore sustainability and take action wherever they can. There is a free Activity Guide to educators who work with 9 to 12-year olds. How-to information pairs hands-on activities to deepen kids' understanding of topics like recycling and global warming with campaigns to reduce junk mail and get drivers to stop idling cars.
This comprehensive site covers Life History, Anatomy, The
Fishery, Conservation, Medical Uses, Raising Horseshoe Crabs
in the Classroom, and How you can Help.
See what the Hubble Space Telescope sees. News of Hubble's
science and remarkable discoveries; Gorgeous pictures of stars,
planets, galaxies, nebulae; weather on Mars and comet collisions.
Nonprofit professional organization with a worldwide membership
of leaders in educational technology. Dedicated to promoting
appropriate uses of information technology to support and
improve learning, teaching, and administration in K-12 education
and professional development.
Starts August 15, 2003 and is the reverse of Journey North
(
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/).
The journeys of migratory species are tracked. Students share
their own field observations with classrooms across the Hemisphere.
Students are linked with scientists who provide their expertise
directly to the classroom. Several migrations are tracked
by satellite telemetry, providing live coverage of individual
animals as they migrate. As the season sweeps across the Hemisphere,
students note changes in daylight, temperatures, and all living
things as the food chain comes back to life.
This site was created by the Defenders of Wildlife, an
organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild
animals and plants in their natural communities. This interdisciplinary
site has wonderful animation, color and sound. It contains
a variety of activities and lessons that are appropriate for
grades K-12.
Ever wondered what makes bubbles round or what causes a lightning
flash? Check out this great site!
Get the latest surveys, reports and data on how technology
is changing the way we teach and learn.
Elementary/Middle School
Blast off with this fun site from the Canadian Space Agency.
Have some fun with space poems, jokes, games and songs, explore
space careers, get an introduction to space science and more.
This database offers over 200 lesson plans that will help
you integrate instructional video and Internet into your curriculum.
Maggie's Earth Adventures provides free online lessons, animated
stories and games for primary and intermediate elementary
school teachers and students. The stories and activities that
comprise each unit in Maggie's Earth Adventures introduce
students to actual environmental issues and motivate students
to delve deeper into the issues presented. Standards based
activities are an important part of each of these adventures.
Teachers will find online activities and printable lessons
in the Teachers Lounge section to correlate with the animated
stores. Requires Flash.
An all NEW Zoboomafoo "Animal Alphabet" game and
the "Paint by Number" Activity.
A freely-accessible publication with new satellite imagery
and scientific information about our home planet. The focus
is on Earth's climate and environmental change.
Elementary/Middle School
Space food has come a long way since freeze dried ice cream
and Tang. This site explores current research into feeding
astronauts -- including the challenges of providing food for
very long missions -- with articles, activities and lessons.
NASA's Kids Science News Network! (KSNN) is a standards-based
program that uses the Web, animation, and video to introduce
science, technology, engineering, math, and NASA concepts. Each
news break includes a follow-up written explanation, inquiry-based
activities, related print and electronic resources, and a computer-graded
quiz.
Also
available in Spanish.
This site seeks to motivate students to become critical thinkers
and active problem solvers. Each program contains a 60-minute
broadcast, a companion educator guide, and an interactive
web site targeted for students in grades 3-6.
This is NASA's main website for the unmanned exploration of
the solar system. The site offers information on the planets
and bodies in our solar system and the robotic missions sent
out to explore these worlds. To determine the scope of this
massive site, try the
site
map. Also in
Spanish.
Excellent resources on weather, climate change and our
planet, oceans and coasts, planets and space.
The Nation's online library of resources for science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education and research.
Resources and programs for K-12 educators – whether you
are teaching in a traditional classroom, nature center, or
other youth service facility.
WHRO has created an online archive of video segments filmed at local schools, illustrating "best practices" in technology integration across subjects and grades. The videos are also designed to help increase community understanding of technology integration efforts funded through the No Child Left Behind EdTech Grant and its effect on student performance.
Quick access to more than 500 of NOVA's educational resources
in its expanded Teachers site that includes a searchable database
of program information, activities, and other classroom tools.
A site full of all the information any bird lover would need.
Articles on everything from feeding to migratory patterns.
Cisco Systems has unveiled an online village for students
ages 8 to 14, called Packetville, that uses interactive video
games and other activities to encourage students' interest
in math, science, and information technology (IT). The site's
interactive games demonstrate some of the many ways that technology
serves useful functions worldwide, while preparing students
for higher education and careers in IT. Helping to navigate
users through Packetville are Peter and Penny Packet, animated
characters who take on the role of heroes to help clean the
environment, spread education, and promote good health, among
other activities. Packetville also includes resources for
parents and educators, including teaching aids and lesson
plans that are mapped to International Society for Technology
in Education (ISTE) standards. "This is a great opportunity
for younger students to get involved in technology early,"
said Gene Longo, senior manager of the U.S. Cisco Networking
Academy Program. "[Through] fun activities, friendly
characters, and games, students are given the opportunity
to develop a positive perspective toward math, science, and
IT. In addition, students gain a broader outlook on technology-related
careers, while developing important life skills that will
support them regardless of which education or career path
they eventually choose to pursue."
This comprehensive site includes instruction on how to use
TV programs in the classroom, thousands of classroom activities
and lesson plans, education and technology news, links to
other Web resources and discussion guides.
Go
to Science & Technology resources.
Platitudes with Attitudes get students to examine local sayings
and then to "prove them" using the scientific method.
A unique blend of history, language arts and science! Basically
you: 1) Assign or have students choose sayings; 2) research
the etymology of their sayings; 3) use the scientific method
to either prove or disprove the saying; 4) post a web page
showing students work. Comes complete with lessons, discussion
board, chats, Education Standards, and updates.
The Texas Department of Transportation hosts a publication page where kids can have fun learning about safety and transportation terms with word challenges.
This site provides interactive activities for children, families
and educators that encourage outdoor experimental learning
in earth and environmental science.
A Professional Association and Journal Publisher for Teacher
Educators and Teachers of K-12 Science and Mathematics.
Grant awards of $500 to support exemplary teaching and curriculum
projects that focus on connections between mathematics and
science.
According to a new FCC report, 23,388 K-12 schools are using
Internet2, which offers connections 100 times faster than
the fastest T1 line. Internet2's crisp video capabilities
afford students and teachers tremendous opportunities to conduct
virtual field trips and interact with peers worldwide.
eSchool
News (10/18)
SciGuides is an online "science toolbox" for science
educators. It features specially developed guides to quickly
locate science content information on the web. Each subject-specific
SciGuide includes teaching resources from NSTA-reviewed science
web sites. NSTA says teachers can use SciGuides to transform
content offered on the site into effective classroom resources
by locating and incorporating online lesson plans, tips for
teaching the subject matter, and effective student assessments.
Sci4Kids is about what scientists do at the USDA Agricultural
Research Service (ARS). It is geared to show 8-13 year old
kids that science is part of daily life.
Ciencia
pare niños
This site provides lesson plans and ideas for teachers
of young children that include hands-on science activities
and instruction that connect science to reading and writing.
A series of five posters (in both English and Spanish) that
present preschool teachers and parents with questions to activate
children's' science and mathematics conceptual thinking.
The Science Spot, a teacher-creates site based on Illinois
standards, has lots of useful information: 1) Science Classroom
– offers lesson planes, activities, worksheets, and
project ideas for middle school science educators. 2) Science
Club – offers favorite club events, fundraising ideas,
and links for Olympiad Events. 3) Career Center – students
experience life from an adult’s point-of-view. Students
are required to choose a career, develop a monthly budget
based on their annual salary, gain money management skills,
study consumer education topics, and experience the challenges
of parenting. Project is spread out over a six-week period.
Part of the Jefferson Lab Games and Puzzles section. Science
Vocabulary Hangman offers an array of choices. Vocabulary
areas include: 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Science, 5th Grade Math,
Geometry Basics, 2nd Grade Matter, Basic Atomic Structure,
Machines and Force, Electric Circuits, Meteorology Basics,
Basic Astronomy, Cell Basics, Seed Plants, Difficult Medical
Terms, and many more.
A newly enhanced scientific-only search engine gives students,
scholars, and other academics another tool to conduct effective,comprehensive
internet searches to find bonafide scientific information.
The search engine, Scirus, is free to users.
Go on an exoskeleton exploration with these activities.
This
site contains a treasure trove of aquatic science resources
for K-12 teachers and student. SEA brings the Philippines
to life for your students. Teachers will find searchable lesson
plans, fact sheets, and interactive activities such as Build-a-Fish
based on the Wild Reef exhibit at Shedd Aquarium. Some materials
available in Spanish.
The Smithsonian Education Resource Library is a finding aid
to the many education resources provided by the Smithsonian.
It allows searching for lesson plans, labs, field trips, and
more by grade level, subject, keyword, media, and institution.
The Smithsonian Education site is subdivided into sections
for teachers, students, and family. This finding aid is a
great way to search all sections.
Space day is all about Math, science, technology and engineering
and nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm. The Challenger Center
for Space Science Education, one of 74 Space Day partners,
provides Space Day with the Design Challenges for grades 4
through 8. Interdisciplinary in nature, the Design Challenges
encourage children to use teamwork to solve real-life problems
facing our space pioneers. In the process students learn to
think like scientists and engineers, employing concepts like
math, science, and technology, initiating independent research,
and through the magic of the Web, connecting directly with
some of the best minds in the business, government and education.
There are 3 challenges this year and solutions must be submitted
by March 5, 2004. This site is full of information and resources
to help you participate.
Do you have software in your classroom, library, or computer
lab that you'd like to use but don't know how? Do you hear
colleagues talk about a particular software application you
wish you had? wNetSchool is here to help.
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)
has released a free online guide designed to help schools
achieve more efficient integration of technology. Funded in
part by the U.S. Department of Education, "Profiling
Educational Technology Integration (PETI): Resources for Assessing
Readiness and Use" provides a suite of tools designed
to assist states, districts, schools, and researchers in profiling
their progress with technology over time, documenting both
readiness and effective use. Resources include a framework
for assessing educational technology; an "NCLB Matrix"
linking technology questions and indicators to NCLB goals;
district, building, and classroom observation tools; a list
of helpful methodologies and protocols; sample reports; and
a roster of corporations and other organizations with information
relative to PETI. Several states, including California, Pennsylvania,
and Arizona, already have begun to utilize the components
of PETI by aligning surveys with the framework and participating
in the pilot of the instruments.
An interactive journey through the theory of evolution from
beginning to end. Teaches about many life science topics while
allowing the children to have control in the learning process.
TeacherLine is a professional development Web site designed
for college instructors, K-12 teachers, and future teachers.
TeacherLine is designed as a source for content, community
and collaboration.
Get ideas for Web-based lessons for integrating technology
in each curriculum area and use our tutorials for fast help
for common applications.
Check out this comprehensive list of Texas school districts,
educational organizations, service centers, technology journals,
Web sites and conferences related to educational technology!
Each month features a live Webcast and a chance to interact
with park rangers and classrooms across Texas and the country.
Lesson plans, classroom activities and additional information
are available.
Learn all about energy, the environment, pipeline and rail
safety.
A great site for science experiments and other science related
information.
This site, created by the Center for Insect Science Education
Outreach at the University of Arizona, is online curriculum
and resources developed to support K-3 teachers interested
in moving from a traditional textbook-driven curriculum to
a more integrated, hands-on, inquiry approach. This site contains
twenty integrated lessons with science and math activities
that use live insects. Lessons are aligned with National Science
Education Standards (NSES)
<Lessons
en Español
Using online real time data investigations and hands-on activities,
students can discover the science behind the factors that
affect weather and climate. Students will learn how to record
weather data and represent it in graphs and maps, how to compare
weather in different places and different times, and ultimately
be able to identify and explain the factors that affect temperature
and current weather conditions, and possibly forecast future
ones. Weather Scope is recommended for students grades 5 through
8 and can be implemented on the 9-12 grade level. Aligned
to National Science Standards. Also in
spanish
Your online resource for native plant information.
The
National Directory of Recommended Native Plant Species database
allows users to search by common and scientific name, plant
family, as well as by state and habitat.
Our Internet Primer is designed especially for K-12 teachers
new to the Web. You'll find tips, interactive templates, and
other resources that will put your knowledge to practice!
Teachers who use instructional video report that their students
retain more information, understand concepts more rapidly
and are more enthusiastic about what they are learning.
K-12th grade science and mathematics education resources and
online adventures.
Brought to you by the Discovery Channel, this site includes
Yucky Fun and Games, Gross and Cool Body, everything you want
to know about worms and roaches, and a place to ask the questions
and get the answers to everything you ever wanted to know
about science. It also contains a Teacher's Center which includes
teaching units that correlate with the science topics kids
love on the Yucky Site and are designed to align with the
curriculum and with national standards.
Compose and perform music on our Tunes & Spoons virtual
xylophone; devise cool designs with the ZOOM Pendulum, an
interactive swinging thingy; and play ZOOMer Flip, a "memory"
game with a ZOOMy twist! Explore over 150 new activities from
the show including games, science activities, recipes, arts
& crafts projects and plays.
Printable activities that are available in English and many
in Spanish. Some examples are: Gum Drop Dome, Paper Bridge
and Electric Gelatin.
KLRU Contact Information
Mary Alice Appleman
Assistant Director
Educational Services Dept.
E-mail: maappleman@klru.org
Voice: (512) 475-9051
