Comics in Science

Monica Burns recently shared several ideas for using comics in the science classroom.  You can read her post here. One of the tools she mentions in Storyboardthat- we have district accounts. Please see your media specialist for information.

Make those Science words shine !

Here is an interesting collection of Science root words.  Not only will they help your students, but perhaps your students can create their own! I found this on Eric Curts' blog (Control Alt Achieve).

Support for science (all grades!)

PBS has shared their recent science resources and there is something for all grades!  From exploring the scientific method with sloths to elephant surveys, there is something for everyone.

The Changing Seasons

PBS recently shared resources on leaf changes as well as an interactive site on the evidence of weather.  You will find those (and additional resources) here.

The People Behind the Science

In the Franklin Institute's Case Files, your students can explore the people behind many scientific advances.  Click on your favorite for biographic information.  This site was recently reviewed by TeachersFirst here.

Water and Surface Tension

This Physics Girl video from PBS Learning includes some of my favorites (food color in the milk and the jar of water are ones I used in my fifth-grade science classroom).  Please check out the site here. Some of these could be done at home for your remote learners.

Are you a middle school science teacher?

Looking for outstanding professional development this summer?  Consider applying for the New Jersey Science Teachers  Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award.  Here are the details:

 

Dates/Times: 

This five-day Institute will take place June 28–July 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. daily. 

Scholars who are accepted must commit to attend each full day of the program.

Location: Virtual

I have attended several (when I was teaching science) and they were fantastic learning opportunities!  Please click here for the details and application.

Going Nuclear

For science, nuclear science.  Check out these resources from Discovery Education at their blog here. There are suggestions for elementary, middle, and high school students

Science Articles for Students

Science News for Students offers a variety of short science articles for students ages 9-14.  You can filter by topic and allow your students to explore their interests.  This site is reviewed this week by TeachersFirst.

Project Based Learning in Science

 If you are looking for project based standards for science?  Then check out the Stanford NGSS Curriculum and Assessment.  This site is reviewed this week by TeachersFirst.

So what does Yellowstone sound like?

How about an atlas with both images and sound?  That’s what you will find in Sounds of the Wild West- images and sounds from Montana’s four ecosystems.  For complete details, please see Richard Bynre’s blog post here.

What bird is that?

Since our out of the house time has been limited due to the quarantine, I think I’ve become more aware of nature around me.  On my early morning walks at the track, I think I am even beginning to recognize some of the more unique squires!  Birds have never been my strength-maybe this app from the Audubon society will help!  I found it in the blog post here from Richard Byrne.

At-Home Learning About the Outdoors!

Resources, Games, and Activities all about Nature! Check out this list of activities focused on the natural world and ecology to help you and your learner engage with the outdoors while at-home learning continues. Nature Nuggets - Early Learners NATURE Nuggets brings science and animals from NATURE on PBS to kids and their caregivers. Watch the videos and try out these activities for a fun way to engage with nature both inside and out! NATURE - Grades K-12 Check out these PBS NATURE resources for children of all ages with hands- on activities, online resources, and video getting kids thinking and interacting with nature!

Opera and Physics

Ok, here’s a change from all the virus emails I’ve been getting.  And it includes one

of my favorite things ( I’ll let you decide which it is). This was an interesting look

at the intersection of science and art!

Learning about the Oceans

If you teach grades 5-8, you might want to check out these resources from National Geographic for Oceans Month.  In addition to the breathtaking videos, there are also a dozen activities for your students.

Inside of a leaf (up close!)

Image wandering among the chloroplasts or really seeing cytoplasmic streaming?

Or how about close-ups of ants in their world?  Check out WonderScience

(produced by Microscopist Danielle Parsons).  Don’t be alarmed by the length of the

videos (I had to fast forward the plant cells), consider showing just a minute or

so to your students. There are a variety of topics (ants to gems and more)!

How well do you know your mammals?

Smithsonian has rebranded their “guess the mammal site” at eMammal lite.  You can either create an account (so it will keep track of your scores) or play as a guest.  For a complete description, please see Richard Byrne blog post here.

Why can't some birds fly?

This might be a great brainstorming question for your students before you begin this TED lesson. The lesson plan and discussion questions are here.

STEM for All

On this Discovery Education and Siemens site,you will find STEM activities for all grades. What works for your students?

For my elementary scientists,

Consider this virtual field trip from Discovery Education to help your students

see how science works in their lives.  If the live broadcast (Thursday, October

18 at 1 PM) doesn’t work for you, these are archived and you can watch later.

To register, please click here.