The fastest way to track down lesson plans
that meet National Science Education Standards. The Quilt is searchable
by grade level, science content standards and thematic organizing
standards.
(Grades 5-8) - This educator guide
focuses on parts of the Solar System that do not get much attention; the
small bodies of the Solar System, namely asteroids, meteoroids and
comets.
(Grades 3-14) - Remote viewing
opportunities using Mount Wilson Observatory's 24 inch telescope.
Ask Dr. Global Change-
offers a searchable collection of answers
to questions about global warming, ozone depletion, greenhouse gases,
and other issues related to climate change. Students can also submit
questions of their own and explore related links at this site. (Global
Change Research Information Office)
describes 100 important discoveries in
energy sciences, nuclear and plasma physics, advanced computing
research, and biological and environmental research. Topics include the
world's toughest microbe, the most distant object ever observed, why
dinosaurs are extinct, how solar energy can be made more affordable,
unraveling the mystery of antimatter, simulating environmental problems,
and others. The 100 discoveries were selected from work supported during
the past 25 years by the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of
Energy. (Department of Energy)
and the
Solar Cycle explains the solar cycle, how sunspots affect earth, the
history of sunspots, and more. (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration)
The National Center for Education
Statistics created this online tool so that anyone can make an area,
bar, pie or line graph and print it out or download the image to a
computer or disk. Older students can benefit from the link that shows
how graphs can be used in probability. Younger students will quickly
learn the difference between the left X and Y axis when they need to
create their own line graphs.
ESRI is the leading maker of
Geographic Information Systems (GIS),
a powerful database application with
mapping capabilities. Though not common in K-12 settings, GIS is mushrooming
in middle and high schools. This educational site offers downloadable demos,
lessons, data, freeware and instructions for teachers who want to begin using
GIS with students. Source:ESRI,
maker of the GIS software, ArcInfo, Atlas, and
ArcView
NYGPS List - Using GPS for
Math, Science & Social Studies -
"The NYGPS group list is primarily for
K-12 educators in New York State who are exploring the use of GPS (the
Global Positioning System) for math, science, and social studies
instruction. We welcome professional GPS users, college faculty, and
educators from other states who would like to join us!"
Geography, Science, Technology -
Tracking Gorillas in the Mist(Grades=6-8, 9-12) - Exploring the
Integration of Technology Into Conservation - In this lesson, students
investigate the technologies used in monitoring and tracking the habitat of
the mountain gorilla to better understand how technology is being integrated
into conservation efforts. (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)
Having Fun with GPS - by A. Ninno, OCM-BOCES & J. Kuhl, Central Square
Middle School
The Degree
Confluence Project - "The goal of the project is to visit each of the
latitude and longitude integer degree intersections in the world, and to take
pictures at each location. The pictures and stories will then be posted here."
Teachers armed with textbooks, globes and maps do a
good job of teaching latitude and longitude in the upper elementary grades.
This Nugget suggests how the Web can augment traditional teaching.
Regional Map Creation
- Site accepts a set of
latitudes and longitudes, then draw a downloadable map for that region in a
variety of map projections. Fast internet connection is recommended.
Location-Based Activities. Once you have exact local latitude and
longitude, other web activities are feasible. Nuggets has mentioned these
before. Sunrise-Sunset tables for your exact location:
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html
Satellite-spotting or identification. The International Space Station and
Iridium flares are now the brightest objects in the night sky. This website
uses your exact latitude and longitude to predict their appearance overhead:
http://www.heavens-above.com
You
Light Up My Life (Grades=6-8, 9-12) - Examining the Causes and
Effects of Auroras - In this lesson, students examine how the interaction
between solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field result in the
phenomena known as aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, and the impact of
increased solar activity on humans. (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)
Language Arts, Technology -
Wheeling and Dealing (Grades=6-8, 9-12) - Exploring Mobile
Technology and Its Impact on How We Work - In this lesson, students
explore how wireless communications and other mobile technologies have changed
the ways and places people work. Students design 'mobile learning labs' to
demonstrate how these technologies might impact their current workplace and
investigate, through interviews, how mobile technologies have impacted various
workplaces. (Thursday, June 14, 2001)
Safety First (Grades=6-8, 9-12) -
Exploring Technical Solutions to Perilous Problems - In this lesson,
students explore safety issues and challenges related to various modes of
transportation. They then create blueprints for technological methods to make
those modes of transportation safer.=A0 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)
Civics, Social Studies, Technology -
Keeping A Watchful Eye (Grades=6-8, 9-12) - Exploring the Costs and
Benefits of a Satellite Surveillance System to Track Criminal Offenders -
In this lesson, students explore the use of satellite surveillance systems to
track criminals. They then consider how the use of this technology in law
enforcement might affect their state and write recommendations on whether or
not such a system should be adopted in their state. Thursday, January
31, 2002)
