Online Resources to Enhance K-12 Science Instruction
by WPS Media Specialist David Privett
February 15, 2008
Below are some online resources I have located through peer recommendation, professional journal recommendations, and some I have just come across through my own searching. In an attempt to keep this page as up-to-date and useful as possible, please report all dead links or new links you would like added to dprivett@esu2.org.
SCIENCE (K-12)
NetTrekker (Subscription
Database)
(See Mr. Privett for user name and password)
NetTrekker d.i. (differentiated instruction) offers access to more than 180,000 educator-selected online resources organized by readability level and aligned to Nebraska State Standards. A great resource for teachers to use to enhance their lessons, and for students to review classroom content in all subjects and all grade levels! CHECK IT OUT!!
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Cells Alive!
"It seems like this web site has been around forever, but it just
keeps getting better. The 'staying power' of this site and its
continued use by science teachers is a testament to the quality of
the site. Cell biology, microbiology, immunology and microscopy and
the topics with interactive links to cell models, mitosis, meiosis,
the cell cycle and cell cams. Check out the puzzles and
quizzes--students like the challenges and then download some cell
images for use in your slideshows and handouts. If you are studying
cells, this is your on-line starting point!"
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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Edheads--Activate Your
Mind!
"This site offers interactive activities related to machines,
weather, and performing virtual hip or knee replacement surgery.
According the the web site, Edheads' mission is '...to help
students learn through educational games and activities designed to
meet state and national standards...' This FREE web site also
offers downloadable lesson plans that correspond with the on-line
offerings."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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Energy Kid's Page
(Target: Grades 6-8)
All kinds of
energy-related facts, games, and activities from the U.S. Energy
Information Administration.
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The Exploratorium
(Target: Middle School)
"Used most frequently by middle level grades, this site is more
than a science museum that 'experiments with new ways to discover
the world!' A link to the museum in Second Life offers students the
ability to interact with exhibits. Webcasts, digital libraries and
interactive microscopes are all possibilities that can be explored
at this 'tried and true' science site that was highly recommended
by our science teachers."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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Interactive Library
Science Activities (Target: Secondary)
This link is "to the sitemap that lists all of the science related
activities to the interactive library. You will find links to
weights & measurements, physical & chemical properties,
types of mixtures, simple machines, molecular modeling, molecules
and the solar system. If you are looking for interactive web sites
for a secondary science classroom, this would be a great place to
begin your search."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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iWASwondering.org
The Web site iWASwondering.org is
a project of the National Academy of Sciences intended to showcase
the accomplishments of contemporary women in science and to
highlight for young people the varied and intriguing careers of
some of today's most prominent scientists.
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Learn.Genetics (Target:
High School)
From April/May 2007 Library
Media Connection--"The site begins with a tour of the basics on DNA
and genes using colorful animations that provide the fundamental
answers to basic questions regarding DNA, genes, chromosomes,
proteins, heredity, and traits. An animation on a eukaryotic cell
allows students to click on the individual cellular organelle and a
description of its function and characteristics are presented.
Students then have the opportunity to build a DNA molecule,
transcribe, and translate a gene. There is also information on how
scientists investigate protein function. There is a very broad and
comprehensive section on understanding genetic disorders. This web
site contains very detailed explanations, animations, and data of
several advanced genetic topics. An enrichment activity uses DNA
evidence to solve a mystery; the fictional trial of a man accused
of illegally taking archeological artifacts from public land.
Finally, the last section brings RNA into view and includes RNA's
roles as an information molecule and biological catalyst. This unit
contains an online introduction and detailed PDF monograph. This is
a comprehensive site that would be useful in the high school
biology or advanced placement biology classroom."(Review written by
Christine Brandt, Science Teacher, Wissahickon High School, Ambler,
PA)
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K-2 My
World Interactives (Target: Grades K-2)
"K-2 interactive science sites are few and far between and this
site, submitted by a NETA member who uses it in Kindergarten, was
one we wanted to include. The two science links on the site are
'Plant Parts' and 'Elmo's World Weather Game.' Other interactive
links for K-2 curricular areas are also available at this
site."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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National
Geographic's Forces of Nature
"Volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes are explored at
this image-enhanced site offered by National Geographic. Each topic
is explored in the lab, shown visually on a timeline map and then
explored using a case study. Interaction is provided by allowing
students to create a volcanic eruption, earthquake, hurricane or
tornado."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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"This self-proclaimed 'thousand sites in one'
offers a number of links to curricular areas including science. New
additions to the science links include a two-minute challenge on
the periodic table and a bacterial invasion game. Old favorites
include the topics of biomes, insects, crickets, butterflies,
mammals, vultures, penguins, sharks, birds, and other science
related games."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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NASA
The NASA site is vast and offers a daily image gallery, and links
for both educators and students.
Some specific NASA sites of interest:
NASA for Kids
"With students as the audience, this link takes you directly to the
grade level links for K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 offering space related
resources, images and games written for the targeted age band."
NASA
Space Place
"NASA's Space Place offers animated games, projects, animations and
amazing facts in a kid friendly forum. This award-winning site is
available in Spanish and English and was mentioned by many teachers
as their one-stop site for space science studies."
NASA
Fundamental Physics in Space
"Aimed at secondary students, this site explores the laws of
science, experiments in space and recent news events and
discoveries related to space studies."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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Science News for
Kids (Target: Ages 9-14)
All of the
latest science news, sorted into categories such as Computers,
Dinosaurs and Fossils, and Human Body.
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The Virtual Body
"Explore the human brain, skeleton, heart and digestive tract from
the friendly confines of your classroom computer using this
interactive guided tour. This site is a great on-line resource that
offers animations, narrations and activities such as building a
skeleton and organizing the organs of the digestive tract."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
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The Wild Classroom
(Target: Biology)
This web site targets "the biology classroom and we ended up
spending over an hour exploring the podcasts, vodcasts and blogs
available at the site. Some of our favorites were an offering on
Biodiversity and Deadly Snakes. . . . We found the site to be one
that would peak the interest of students from upper elementary
through secondary. If you haven't seen this site, it is worth a
look, but be warned--you will get hooked and time will fly by."
Source:
Kopf, R. and Krambeck, P. (2008, February). Teacher tried and true
web sites - Science.
NETA News, 8-9.
Online Resources to Enhance K-12 Science Instruction
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