I Spy Math in Nature Virtual Field Trip

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions recently released another free virtual field trip to its local schools that can also be used in schools outside the area. The trip correlates to science and math standards in grades K–3. Take a virtual field trip to the forests of the Savannah River Site to discover math and science in nature. Students will use their five senses to observe animals and changes in nature, identify shapes, and solve nature math.
Request I Spy Math in Nature at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRSNatureMath. Upon submission, the virtual field trip link and a student worksheet will be e-mailed within one to three business days. Contact Taylor.Rice@srs.gov if you have any questions.

All About Humidity!

With summer soon upon us, there’s no better time to teach students about humidity, what it is and how and why it happens. SciJinks, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s online weather education website for the middle level, has the information teachers need to help students learn about the topic. The article covers everything to know about humidity, starting with an explanation of water vapor and its role in the water cycle and moving to explanations of topics such as absolute humidity, relative humidity, dew point, and more. In addition, the article features easy-to-understand illustrations to support the explanatory content. 

iPlan: Urban Planning Game

In iPlan, an online game, high school learners construct, investigate, and solve simulated urban and regional planning problems. The game was created by Epistemic Analytics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and deployed by Mass Audubon, with funding from the National Science Foundation, and can be played on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, and laptops. The game uses geospatial data, ecological and economic models, and optimization routines to transform any location in the contiguous United States into an interactive land-use planning simulation. Students can construct re-zoning plans to address socioeconomic and environmental issues and have their plans evaluated by virtual stakeholders who may advocate for different community priorities. The game can be used to help students investigate complex land-use issues nationwide and can be incorporated in environmental science, civics, and other courses.

Tree Campus K–12

Tree Campus K–12 inspires collaboration among schools, students, and communities to facilitate experiences with trees as a learning tool, both inside and outside the classroom. The program encourages schools and educators to create purposeful opportunities for students to interact with trees by offering resources as well as a framework for becoming recognized and celebrating their efforts with their community. Schools must achieve four goals:

•    Maintain a group with representation from staff, students, and community dedicated to achieving Tree Campus K–12 recognition.
•    Conduct activities that connect students to trees and their global benefits, inside or outside of the classroom.
•    Engage students in a project that brings the school’s tree spirit to the community.
•    Hold a celebration of trees within the school or the community.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants

Teachers of grades 6–12 can apply online for a Toshiba America Foundation grant of less than $5,000 to help bring an innovative project into their own classroom. If you have a unique idea for improving STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning in your classroom, and if your idea involves project-based learning with measurable outcomes, apply by June 1. Grant decisions will be made by July 15.

NSHSS Conference Grants

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is providing five $500 grants for NSHSS Educators to help defray the costs of educational conference registration, travel, and accommodations. Registration as an NSHSS Educator is free on the website. (Deadline August 15)