Science+Resources

**Science Resources**
Gene Almanac, [[[|http://www.dnalc.org/home.html,|www.dnalc.org/home.html],]] is a masterful site developed by the DNA Learning Center. Here students can use tools to gather their own DNA and investigate the study of human evolution, learn about cancer biology, see animations of key concepts related to the study of DNA, as well as explore a number of other options. A vast number of animation and text resources are included.

Begin exploring the NASA 1SSEarthKAM site, [|www.earthkam.ucsd.edu], by checking out the well-crafted student activities. Here science teachers will find materials designed to help students interact with the range of satellite images housed at the site. These activities also serve as models for using the thousands of images available. Consider using the "Locate This Image" selection under the Student menu as a bell ringer or engagement activity for class. In addition, view the "Slide Shows" in the About menu for ideas of ways to capture student attention. The Atoms Family, [[[|http://www.miamisci.org/af/sln/index.html,|www.miamisci.org/af/sln/index.html],]] is a delightful spoof on the television show The Addams Family, which provides a wealth of information on energy, atoms, light, waves, and particles. Some of the links provide detailed instructions for conducting hands-on experiments with common items. Other links include animations and learning activities. Concept information is very concise and straightforward. Learn about the science of growing food by visiting The Great Plant Escape, [|www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/index.html]. Available in English and Spanish, the site contains six cases for the students to solve. Each case includes a case brief listing the goals and ideas presented; then the case facts are viewed. The mystery consists of a series of questions designed to see if the case facts were learned. The information is presented in simple, concise explanations. The animations and interactions will help keep student attention. Designed by a 7th-grade science teacher, Life Science Connections, [[[|http://www.vilenski.org/science/safari/menu/index.html,|www.vilenski.org/science/safari/menu/index.html],]] provides an animated look at animals, plants, fungus, protists, and bacteria. Excellent animations and concise definitions help students gather the vocabulary needed to learn more about each of the life forms. Well-crafted self-tests round out the site. This one works well as a parent/student activity. Travel through a virtual cave developed by an experienced caret and photographer at [|www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave]. Here students can explore four types of caves--solution, lava tube, sea, and glacier. An image map helps users navigate the original creation, which includes exquisite photographs and a number of audio files. Students can also explore a number of QuickTime Virtual Reality options and gather brief information about life in the caves as well. The visuals at the site are excellent and will work well for student project use. Want to make the computer turn into a functioning planetarium? Look at the open-source software found at [|www.stellarium.org]. There are options for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux computers. Once the software is downloaded, users can begin to experiment with various views from a planetarium. It takes a small time investment to learn to manipulate the screen, but the effort is well worth the learning possibilities. Be sure to check out the Canadian look at science found at [|www.science.ca]. Here is a treasure trove of options. Users can ask a Canadian scientist a question, review current job offerings, get a brief profile of a Canadian scientist, or complete a number, of educational activities and science experiments. One option includes learning about genetics with a biology experiment. Also be sure to visit the list of Canadian firsts in science. This is an excellent look at a wide range of science topics from a slightly different perspective. Another favorite is the vast range of online exhibits found at the Field Museum, [|www.fieldmuseum.org]. Learn more about Sue, the T. rex housed at this Chicago museum by exploring the image gallery, seeing the timeline of her existence, or sending an e-card to a friend. Investigate the world of the soil and the creatures that live in it through the virtual tour at "The Underground Adventure." A number of other options ranging from Javanese Masks to Butterflies to Women in Science are available. Another excellent resource is eNature, http://enature.com/home. Formerly under the direction of the National Wildlife Federation, this site has good information on over 5,500 species of plants and animals in North America. Concise facts, extraordinary visuals, and ask-an-expert options are included. A customized guide can be developed by providing Zip code information. Students can develop their own personalized list of species and send a variety of ecards. Good reference for quick introductions and fact gathering.

[|**Explore Science**] This site is a treasure trove of interactive, multimedia activities. Be aware that you need the latest version of Shockwave to access this site. Categories include building blocks, mechanics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, optics, astronomy, life sciences, as well as fun and games. One of the activities in the wave motion section explains how ultrasound imaging works. Another option in the building blocks explores the relationship between mass, volume and density. http://www.explorescience.com/ [|**Becoming Human**] This exemplary site deals with evolution. A wealth of current news and other web sites are referenced in the news section, and the resources section includes a glossary, selected web sites, and a bibliography of media. In addition to good visuals and information, the documentary contains a number of related exhibits which provide even more in-depth coverage of the topic. The Flash 5 plug in is required. http://www.becominghuman.org/ [|**Exploratorium**] Another excellent source of online activities. Be sure to check out the Learning Studio link, where you will find a number of well-crafted exhibits dealing with visual illusion, color vision, how color is made from light and other exhibits, available in four languages'. There is also an excellent exhibit on memory, where students will see a sheep brain dissection, experience a number of memory experiments, and have access to a well-developed list of web sites, articles, and a number of webcast lectures on memory. http://www.exploratorium.edu/ [|**Physics Web**] Take time to explore the number of virtual laboratory options. Here you will find myriad activities, ranging from light refraction and the Cornu Spiral to polarized waves and the fundamentals and harmonics of a vibrating system. Students will also want to try the mirror game, where the object is to move a ball on the right side of the screen in a pattern that matches the path of the left side. http://physicsweb.org/TIPTOP/VLAB/. [|**Who Dunnit?**] Learn about science through the eyes of a forensic scientist via this exemplary web-based activity in which students learn about fingerprinting, making teeth impressions, powder analysis and other techniques. Making use of their scientific knowledge, the students build a case to indict either Lou Lou, Dan the Man, Peg the Leg, or Jake the Jock. Scientific inquiry skills as well as chemistry knowledge are gained while completing this fun-filled activity. http://www.cyberbee.com/whodunnit/crime.html [|**Access Excellence Activities Exchange**] Check out this site and find a number of mystery activities for use with students. Activities include a simulated space flight to Mars, a trip into the Amazon rainforest to make the killer bees less deadly, a look at the Panama Canal puzzle over a disease, and finding out why the celebrated frogs in the town park are becoming extinct. Several of these activities can be downloaded for use offline. http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/mspot/ [|**Chem4Kids**] Designed for elementary and middle students this site includes complete explanations of matter, elements, atoms, math and reactions. Each section includes reference information, as well as student-oriented graphics. The materials make a great introduction for teachers to use in a single computer classroom. http://www.chem4kids.com/ [|**Chemistry Functions**] Looking for a single site with a number of chemistry conversion tools? Check this out. Here students will find molar conversion, an equation balancer and an interactive periodic table. By clicking on an element, the user is given the complete name, the symbol, the atomic number and the atomic mass for the element. A unit conversion feature will be available in the future. http://www.stanford.edu/~glassman/chem/index.htm [|**The Periodic Table of Comic Books**] Another wonderful teaching tool. This delightful periodic table includes a complete periodic table with links to a number of comic book covers related to each element. This is a sure fire way to spice up chemistry lessons. http://www.uky.edu/projects/Chemcomics/ [|**Fireworks, the Science Behind the Spectacle**] Learn about the physics and chemistry involved in fireworks. A student-developed ThinkQuest project. Available in English and Spanish, the site includes links to history, construction and chemistry information. The scientific concepts involved in every part of fireworks are explained with clarity and excellent illustrations. Another site to provoke student interest in science. http://library.thinkquest.org/15384 [|**Polymers: They're Everywhere**] Another good discussion starter for science class by National Geographic. This look at polymers, written for elementary and middle school students, talks about polymers in nature, in your home, and recycling information. Students learn that turtles' shells contain polymers, as do animal horns. In addition, information on park benches made from recycled milk jugs is available. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/education /plastics/index.html. [|**Superconductors.Org**] An excellent set of links on superconductors. Here students can gather information on the history and uses of superconductors, the different types and terminology, news and links to other high quality sites. Information on making a superconductor is also included. http://superconductors.org/ [|**Cyber-Fair**] Science fair projects can be problematic for students. This site is a good starting place. Here students will find ways to develop a science fair project idea, develop the project and see example judging forms. http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ideas.html [|**Internet Public Library Science Fair Project Resource Guide**] Find information on the scientific method, choosing a topic, seeing sample projects and other resources. http://wwwipl.org/youth/projectguide/ [|**Cyberbee**] And don't overlook the excellent set of materials found at this site, including tips, timelines, project ideas and information on science supply companies. http://www.cyberbee.com/science/ scifair.html Finally, consider these WebQuests to enliven the science classrooms in your school. http://geocities.com/mgkennedy/ [|http://schools.sbe.saskatoon.sk.ca] /Victo/projects/Grassroots/Planet%20We bQuest/WebQuest2.html students.http://simscience.org/cracks/ http://www.mcs.kl2.in.us/les/ihnen/Oceans.htm http://edservices.aea7.kl2.ia.us/ edtech/teacherpages/cwinstead3/index.html http://www.lubbock.kl2.tx.us/quests/WaterWebquest/ richmond.edu/~ed344/webquests/coralreefs/coralmurder, html http://207.63.195.19/projects/inherit/
 * Botany Quest** is designed to help K-3 students learn about saving a number of dying plants in the classroom.
 * Planet WebQuest** is also designed for K-3 students. Students work in teams to gather data about a planet they will visit, then develop a virtual postcard to send the information to Mission Control.
 * Cracking Dams** introduces students in Grades 4-12 to the science behind the cracks in dams. Three levels of activities provide options for a number of science
 * Take a Bite Out of Ocean Info** has students in Grades 4-5 take on the role of a marine biologist and advance the cause of an endangered ocean animal.
 * A Cell is a Small City** has middle school students, working in groups of six, learn about cells and their various parts,
 * WaterParks: Water We Doing?** Middle school students learn about water conservation. Working in groups of three, students gather information to address the concerns of an agricultural group, the city water commission and a group of water conservationists.
 * Murder in the Tropics: A WebQuest on the Dying Coral Reefs.** High school science students will enjoy working through this. The task is to discover the culprit who is causing the death of the coral reefs, http://www.
 * How Do We Inherit Our Biological Characteristics** is also aimed at high school students. This in-depth project spans three weeks and guides students through excellent uses of the Internet and learning about genetics.