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Don't miss Education World's Show-Biz Science feature.
Show-Biz Science is scripted by popular children's book writer Vicki Cobb. Each week, Vicki provides a new
science showstopper that you can use to impress students as you teach them basic science concepts.
Education World provides practical resources for science educators. Click the links below to find lesson
plans, articles about what excellent teachers are doing in their classrooms, and additional professional
development resources.
Teachers earned cash for submitting these classroom-tested lesons:
Education World reviews Web sites to supplement your curriculum. Science teachers might be interested
in checking out the reviewed sites below.
Search our databases below for more science lesson ideas and resources.
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The Slinky Paradigm: How One Science Teacher (Eventually) Created Another
“He made the material, and his students, feel important and, hey, when you’re talking about fundamental issues in the universe, it isn’t always easy to make an individual student feel significant. It was a gift he gave each of us.”
Helping Children Become “Well Aware”
In the book One Well, author/educator Rochelle Strauss talks about the need to view the world’s water supply as a giant, finite pool from which everyone on Earth drinks, and the responsibility we all have to protect that well.
Integrating Technology and Science
Discover how technology enhances the science program in the Greece Central School District, Rochester, New York.
Web Research Helps Students Choose Classroom Pets
Instead of writing traditional animal reports ("This is what a hamster eats."), students research, synthesize, and
apply information to determine the best pet for a particular classroom. Internet access is all that's needed for this
tech-infused science lesson.
Web Research Helps Students Choose Classroom Pets
Instead of writing traditional animal reports ("This is what a hamster eats."), students research, synthesize, and
apply information to determine the best pet for a particular classroom. Internet access is all that's needed for this
tech-infused science lesson.
Search for Ice and Snow
Using an Earth Image database (Space Shuttle images) and world map, students identify places on Earth where there
is ice and snow, and then create a table showing where they found the information, and the geographic location of
the snow and ice.
Croc or Gator?
Students in grades 2-4 read online information about crocodiles and alligators, write down the similarities and differences,
and then create a Venn Diagram.
Online Math, Science Training for Teachers
Increasing the number of qualified math and science teachers in U.S. schools is a concern not just for school systems,
but for businesses as well. Now some companies have teamed up with the University of California-Irvine Extension to
improve teachers' skills.
Dangerous Animal Facts
From sharks to tarantulas to snakes, students often are fascinated by dangerous animals. Capitalize on their interest
with this fun online lesson in which students identify three facts on a dangerous animal then record those facts on
a printable graphic organizer.
New Approach to Teaching Math, Science Spurs Gains
Instructing teachers to use computational math and science in their lessons has led to marked student improvement
in two New York districts. Dr. Osman Yasar, director of the institute that trains teachers in this approach, explains
why.
Get into the Flow with an Interactive Volcano
Spark interest in volcanoes with this technology-rich science lesson for grades 4-8. Working in small groups, students
research volcanos and create PowerPoint slides. They then make an interactive table of contents using a volcano diagram
and Action Buttons.
Sites to See: Airplanes
Looking for history, math, and science activities and resources for your next transportation or aviation unit? Look
no farther! From interactive, student-driven demonstrations to detailed timelines to facts on the physics of flying
and more, these sites have what you're looking for.
An Out-of-This-World Crossword Puzzle
Make planetary facts fun with this online lesson about Earth's solar system. Students visit an interactive Web site
to research the planets and Sun in Earth's solar system, then create original crossword puzzles based on their research.
Plant Growth
Students learn about the parts of a seed, as they plant seeds and observe and record their growth.
Human Body Board Game
Students research a system of the human body, write questions and answers on game cards created in Word, and then
play the game using a game board template from Word. This is a great culminating activity at the end of a unit!
Sites to See: Zoology
Zoology sites provide information and resources pertaining to the study of animals. Resources include photographs,
video clips, multimedia activities, essays, lesson plans, games, quizzes, and puzzles. Included: A dozen sites to
enhance a study of animals.
Green Schools Save the Environment, Money
Green schools, which are built to rely more on natural resources or have extensive recycling and conservation programs,
may sound expensive or a lot of work, but actually they save districts money in the long run, some experts say.
Life Science
Visitors to these life science sites will find information about organisms and life processes, as well as such resources
as interactive activities, teacher guides, videos, animations, virtual labs, and hands-on activities for the classroom.
Fifteen sites to engage students in life science.
Coding and Quilting the Elements
This multi-stage classroom project combines chemistry, technology, the arts, and more to teach students discipline,
problem solving, and the sense of pride that comes from a difficult job done well. Included: Five teacher-created
for your own classroom project.
Definition Expedition
Students in grades 9-12 learn three ways to define a term in technical writing, search the Web for scientific text,
then copy and paste sections into a Word document. Finally, they use the highlighter feature of Word to highlight
examples of definitions within the text.
Sites to See: Tsunamis
The 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia has renewed interest in this rare and mysterious natural disaster. What causes
tsunamis? How can we predict and track them? What can we do to avoid them? Learn the science behind tsunamis at these
sites for middle- and high-school students.
Prehistoric Pen Pals
Students research dinosaurs, then assume the personality of a specific dinosaur species in this lesson for grades
3-5. Each student/dinosaur writes an online "getting to know you" letter to another student/dinosaur in class. Students
swap letters and reply to each other's questions, improving research and letter writing skills while learning fun
dinosaur facts.
Author Makes Science Readable, Enjoyable
Finding the textbooks her children brought home uninspiring, Joy Hakim combined her skills as an educator and journalist
and began writing texts. Her latest, The Story of Science, is a flowing narrative of the evolution of science.
ExploraVision Contest Sparks Students' Imaginations
From household helpers to intricate medical technology, the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards program has inspired
student research teams to develop some amazing creations.
The Prop Box: Setting the Stage for Meaningful Play
Dramatic play is an essential mode of learning for young children, and "prop boxes," play materials grouped by theme,
make this activity even more effective. Find out how you can use these educational tools to guide your students toward
meaningful role-playing and creative exploration.
Sites to See: Space Science
Space Science sites offer lesson plans, interactive activities, the latest news on space exploration and research,
updates on current missions, and spectacular photos and videos for teaching and learning about space.
WebQuest: A Bug Safari
This spring, the town nature director has decided to conduct insect safaris throughout the park. Your class has been
asked to create a field guide to help those who go on the safaris learn about the insects they see. The field guide
will include information about what the insects look like, where they live, what they eat, and how they hurt and/or
help people.
Sites to See: Bugs and Insects
Insects are an extremely diverse group, existing in a seemingly endless variety of shapes and sizes and colors and
disguises. Why not add a little diversity -- and excitement -- to your spring activities with a few lessons about
the wonderful world of insects? Included: Three dozen links to insect info and activities.
Cold Mush: Serving Stories from the Iditarod Trail
Jeffrey M. Peterson of Minnesota, this year's Teacher on the Trail, is eager to experience the Iditarod and to share
his observations and lessons with students around the world.
The Ride of Their Lives
A combination museum and amusement park is being planned for your hometown. Each section of the amusement park will
be related to one of the exhibits in the museum. You and your classmates have been asked to design a ride or other
activity related to the museum's circulatory system exhibit.
Groundhog Day: (Punxsutawney) Phil Your Day With Fun
On February 2, the world will be watching to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. Will there be six more weeks
of winter? Whether Phil's shadow appears or not, fill your day with Phil connections to math, science, geography,
and more.
Hands-On Science, New Friends Are Magnet School's Draw
The hands-on science curriculum Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East Hartford, Connecticut, brings together students
from five communities to learn about research and one another.
Looking for Wright Brothers Lessons? You've Come to the "Wright" Place!
It was 100 years ago at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, that man first flew in an engine-powered aircraft. Before that
time, such an event was thought to be centuries away! Included: Five lessons to celebrate the Wright brothers' achievement
plus links to 20 more lessons.
Wild and Wonderful Lessons About Endangered Species
This Earth Day, put the diversity of plants and animals to work in lessons that will tame your students' need to know
about endangered species. Included: Five "captivating" lessons that involve research, role-playing, and real-life
creatures.
Trees Sprout Classroom Lessons Throughout the Year
Why not go out on a limb! Springtime and Arbor Day are great times to branch out and include in your curriculum timely
lessons about trees. Included: Lessons for measuring trees, reading a color key map, creating tree silhouettes and
a "good behavior tree," more.
Five Lessons Teach Students to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, is just around the corner. To celebrate, Education World offers five lessons
to teach about trash and the importance of recycling. Included: A Mother's Day gift idea, recycle games, worms, scrap
paper projects, more!
What is the Most Serious Problem Facing Earth? --
An Education World WebQuest
In this special Earth Day WebQuest, student teams research a critical threat to Earth's environment as they vie for
$1 million in funding from the fictional Help Our World (HOW) Foundation. Included: student work sheets, lots of Earth
Day resources, more.
Educator Astronaut Program Continues
Undeterred by the tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia February 1, teachers are continuing to apply for NASA's
Educator Astronaut program, which is designed to select and train three to six teachers for future space missions.
Tales from the Trail: Iditarod Teacher Readies Lessons, Long Johns
Iditarod "Teacher on the Trail" Cassandra Wilson sees a sled-ful of lessons in the annual race.
Science Sites to See
The Web offers thousands of science sites on every imaginable scientific subject. The sites below represent some of
the most recent additions to online science education -- and a few of my all-time favorites. Whether you’re a science
teacher or a science enthusiast, you’ll want to check out these online science treasures.
Helping the Healing: Tips for Teachers after the Columbia Tragedy
As NASA investigators struggle to find answers for the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its seven astronauts
on February 1, teachers also search for answers to students’ questions about the tragedy. Education World has compiled
a list of resources.
Helping Kids Deal with the Space Shuttle Tragedy
On Saturday, February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas, only a few minutes before its scheduled
touchdown. Today, Education World offers resources to help you help your students deal with the Columbia tragedy,
and to help them understand the history and goals of the space program.
Winter Wonderland -- Lessons for Frosty Days!
Though the weather outside is frightful, wintry lessons are delightful! Whether the topic is snow, cold, or other
icy treats, winter is a frosty focus that will motivate and entertain your class. Bundle up and brace for wild, windy,
weather outside while showing your students the best of winter activities indoors! Included: Five lessons that make
winter a winning subject!
Kids Count Clams to Spur Community Cleanup
Students in one Maine school count clams instead of Cuisenaire rods and enter data into PDAs instead of notebooks.
But they aren’t just learning how to use technology to count clams, they’re learning that what they do in school can
benefit the entire community.
Toshiba’s ExploraVision Launches Student Researchers
The Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision Awards program is one of the nation's largest K-12
science and technology competitions. The program allows students to be creative as they use research and scientific
principles to design inventions. Included: Comments from last year's winners plus registration info.
Plant Seeds of Learning: Classroom Lessons Bring Plants to Life!
Plant Seeds of Learning: Classroom lessons bring plants to life!
Periodic Table ADventure
Students can have fun while learning basic chemistry concepts.
Edison Kids Power Lab
"Plug in to high-energy fun!"
Lab Work Demystifies DNA
A university program exposes middle school and high school students to sophisticated DNA research.
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