By Mary Bigelow
Posted on 2011-10-29
I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day. There are so many new resources online, and even the tried and true ones are continually being updated.
It would be easy to do an entire earth science course using NOAA resources. I recently rediscovered NOAA’s Environmental Visualization Library. The maps and graphics could be used as bellringer discussions or students could discuss their reactions as a group activity. The site includes a series of images on the recent events of 2011 that have meteorological origins – tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. (Talk about being current–There are images related to this weekend’s storm here on the East Coast. While my colleagues are dealing with snowfall and the dreaded “wintry mix,” I’m in the midst of a nor’easter on the DE coast with heavy rain and high winds–all part of the storm system picture on the NOAA site.)
PBS Teachers Domain is morphing into PBS Learning Media, which will include even more resources. For example in the topic Life Science there are now more than 1800 resources (compared to 770 in the previous version). The resources, which include videos, PDF files, lesson plans, and images, are searchable by grade level and subject area. You will need to re-register for the new service, but it is still free for teachers.
The Chemical Heritage Foundation recently posted the videos in the It’s Elemental contest in which students submitted videos of the elements. Click on the name in the period table to see them. I looked at some of the uncommon elements to see what students would do with them–very creative! Another variation is the Periodic Table of Videos from the University of Nottingham
Scientists @the Smithsonian has profiles of 20+ scientists who engage in a variety of research projects, with intriguing titles such as Coral Whisperer, Art Scientist, and Dietary Detective. Of course it’s important for students to learn about scientists from a historical perspective, but it’s equally important for students to see the work of contemporary scientists. The profiles include video interviews with clips of the scientist in action.
I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day. There are so many new resources online, and even the tried and true ones are continually being updated.
By Cindy Workosky
Posted on 2011-10-29
I attended a great session at the NSTA Hartford conference regarding the new Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. Francis Eberle and Harold Pratt explored scientific and engineering practices in the the new Framework. We want to know…what are the implications of including the scientific and engineering practices in your teaching? What support do you need to address any challenges? Of that need what can NSTA do to support you?
Let us know.
I attended a great session at the NSTA Hartford conference regarding the new Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. Francis Eberle and Harold Pratt explored scientific and engineering practices in the the new Framework. We want to know…what are the implications of including the scientific and engineering practices in your teaching? What support do you need to address any challenges? Of that need what can NSTA do to support you?
Let us know.
By Debra Shapiro
Posted on 2011-10-28
photo by cliff1066™ on Flickr
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning,” said Albert Einstein. Many educators would agree that learning about the science of yesterday through lessons integrating history and science benefits today’s students (who could be tomorrow’s scientists).
“What we know now and how we do science now is rooted in the past,” says one of the teachers interviewed in this NSTA Reports story. She invites her students “to objectively explore the historical events that led scientists to revise their ideas.”
Read the article to find out how teachers around the country are providing their students with a historical perspective on science–and tell us what you’re doing in your classroom.
photo by cliff1066™ on Flickr
By Peggy Ashbrook
Posted on 2011-10-28
The National Association for the Education of Young Children 2011 national conference takes place next week in Orlando. This conference will be the site of the first meeting of the NAEYC Early Childhood Science Interest Forum and I hope to see you there!
With your participation, the Early Childhood Science Interest Forum will:
The forum is open to all—please add your voice. Join us at the first meeting at the NAEYC 2011 conference in Orlando, Florida, on November 4, 2011 from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in room W311A of the Orange County Convention Center. (Search the sessions using the phrase “Early Childhood Science IF” to add it to your itinerary.) We’ll show a brief video clip to stimulate discussion, and plan for the future. We will also have a table with literature at the Interest Forum Café at the conference and will be there at most lunch hours. The Early Childhood Science Interest Forum will have an online presence on the NAEYC forum page—right now you can find the forum page on Facebook.
NAEYC members can add the Early Childhood Science Forum to their membership profile as soon as it becomes available by signing in at http://www.naeyc.org/community
Other notes about the NAEYC national conference:
Science and Children editor Linda Froschauer and I are presenting a session titled “Science inquiry for you and your students: Fun experiences with hands-on materials to awaken the scientist in your young students!” on Thursday, November 3 from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM in Room W303 at the convention center. Come and participate!
There are over 30 sessions offering science content including sessions by contributors to Science and Children such as Marie Faust Evitt’s Urgent curriculum: Thinking BIG to meet teaching challenges, in Room W105 on Friday November 4, at 1pm.
If you’re presenting a session, let readers know by commenting below.
Peggy
The National Association for the Education of Young Children 2011 national conference takes place next week in Orlando.
By Teshia Birts, CAE
Posted on 2011-10-28
Space. The Final Frontier.
Well, not really according to James Garvin, Chief Scientist for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He insists, “Our exploration has just begun.”
Dr. Garvin was the keynote speaking during yesterday’s general session at the 2011 NSTA Hartford Area Conference. He guided attendees through the evolution of the space program—through words and images—explaining the importance of blending science, space, engineering and IT.
The Apollo 11 voyage was ahead of its time, much like most space exploration. Something as inconsequential as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin “planting” the United States flag involved awesome science and engineering to create the billowing effect of the flag.
Fast forward to more recent missions with Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiters and we see more examples of science, engineering and technology coming together. These types of missions have allowed NASA to develop a record book of cosmic collisions to study for years to come.
Dr. Garvin also led us through past exploration of other planets.
What does all this mean—we need science teachers! To prepare our students for STEM careers so they can explore microgravity and asteroids or as Dr. Garvin pointed out so brilliantly, “To look into the dark space of our galaxy to see what’s going on” (because we look at the light places all of the time).
“The next chapter hasn’t been written yet,” said Dr. Garvin. “Inspire your students so we can continue the work.”
Space. The Final Frontier.
Well, not really according to James Garvin, Chief Scientist for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He insists, “Our exploration has just begun.”
Dr. Garvin was the keynote speaking during yesterday’s general session at the 2011 NSTA Hartford Area Conference. He guided attendees through the evolution of the space program—through words and images—explaining the importance of blending science, space, engineering and IT.
By Peggy Ashbrook
Posted on 2011-10-27
Trade books are an important way for young children to learn about the wonders of the natural world outside of their neighborhood, and the details of the natural world at their doorstep. From giant squids to the day’s weather, from craters on the Moon to craters made by ant lions in the backyard dust, trade books both whet and satiate children’s appetite for information through words and illustrations. Teachers rely on the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC) to guide book choices. NSTA and CBC will announce the Outstanding Science Trade Books 2012 Awards at a reception on Friday November 11, 2011 at 3:30-4:30pm at the area conference in New Orleans at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, Suite 4022, New Orleans, LA. (Please RSVP by October 31 to ebrady@nsta.org ) The books are chosen by a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council (CBC). The criteria are listed on a NSTA website products and publications page (scroll down). Thank you to the book selection panel–it’s a tough job but someone has to do it.
Some of my favorites among last year award winners are:
How to Clean a Hippopotamus by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. 2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Just One Bite by Lola M. Schaefer. 2010. Chronicle Books.
S is for Scientists by Larry Verstraete. 2010. Sleeping Bear Press
These award winners are listed in the NSTA Recommends data base along with other fine trade books. Do you have any personal or award-winning favorite books that you would like to recommend?
Peggy