Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Dive into the fascinating world of biology with Crash Course Biology! This engaging series covers everything from the building blocks of life to complex ecosystems and evolutionary biology. Whether you're curious about genetics, cell function, or biodiversity, these easy-to-follow videos make learning fun and insightful. The videos are perfect for students and lifelong learners looking to unravel the mysteries of living organisms. This course is also available in Spanish. Some of the videos include short advertisements before they begin. These videos are hosted on YouTube, if your school does not allow YouTube, this site would not work well for you.
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tag(s): cells (82), dna (43), ecology (103), evolution (89), genetics (80), meiosis (8), mitosis (9), photosynthesis (21), scientific method (48), species (16)

Step into the prehistoric world with the American Museum of Natural History's dynamic collection of dinosaur-themed activities and lesson plans! Perfect for educators, this resource offers engaging, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of Earth's ancient giants. From fossil exploration to dinosaur behavior, the materials align with curriculum standards and foster active learning in classrooms of all levels. Embark on a journey that brings science to life with these exciting educational tools.

tag(s): dinosaurs (43), fossils (41), geologic time (12), paleontology (28), timelines (56)

Explore the wonders of matter with Crash Course Chemistry! This series makes the complexities of atoms, molecules, reactions, and the periodic table easy to understand through engaging lessons and vibrant visuals. Whether you're curious about bonding, stoichiometry, or thermodynamics, each episode breaks down chemistry concepts into short, fun explanations. Ideal for high school students and anyone eager to learn, it brings the science of chemistry to life! The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your school blocks YouTube videos, they won't be available in your classroom. Some of the YouTube videos have a short advertisement at the start.
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tag(s): atoms (44), carbon (17), chemicals (41), elements (34), molecules (44), periodic table (46)

Get ready to bring the human body to life with Crash Course Anatomy & Physiology! This engaging series simplifies complex systems like the nervous, muscular, and circulatory systems through fun, digestible video lessons perfect for your classroom. Students will explore how the body functions, from cell structure to organ systems, gaining a deeper understanding of human biology. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. There is an option on the site to download the videos to view off of YouTube.
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tag(s): body systems (40), cells (82), human body (93)

The Crash Course has over 45 videos on topics ranging from Anatomy to Zoology, Artificial Intelligence to Outbreak Science. There are the more common topics one might want to learn about, like Ecology, Films, Geography, and much more. All videos are free to watch. Each video also includes a short description (some with lesson stem ideas). Crash Course videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district/school blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. The good news for teachers whose schools block YouTube is that you can download the video if you fill out a form. Go to the Download tab from the top menu, select Students & Teachers, scroll down the page, and follow the directions.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), black history (133), branches of government (65), business (52), climate (84), computers (109), copyright (44), ecology (103), energy (133), engineering (129), human body (93), literature (221), media literacy (109), myths and legends (37), plants (146), politics (118), space (222), statistics (121), video (266), zoology (18)

Monterey Bay Aquarium offers several live webcams showing ongoing activities in the facility. To find the webcams, go to the top menu, click Animals, and on the left, you will see a link for Live Cams. Viewers can watch the penguins swim and the otters watch the people. There are many things to see here, and there are also lots of instructional activities that can go along with the tour. A high-speed connection is a must for this one, though.
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tag(s): animals (295), oceans (149), virtual field trips (128), webcams (19)

Developed with funding from NASA, Infiniscope offers space-related digital learning resources, professional development, and content creation opportunities for educators. Explore the site's home page to find the featured and newest content. Choose the Content Library to find links to lessons and collections relating to earth and space topics sorted by content type, grade level, and more. The Quick Start Guide is located under For Educators and provides an overview of how to navigate Infiniscope and an overview of the content and creative tools available. Although registration isn't required, registering as an educator offers access to additional tools and features of Infiniscope, including enrolling students in lessons, tracking their progress, and creating virtual lessons and tours.

tag(s): earth (184), fossils (41), light (56), moon (73), planets (113), plate tectonics (22), professional development (385), seasons (37), space (222), stars (71)

Gauth uses AI to provide homework help in math and science topics, including chemistry, physics, calculus, and more. Under the menu topic - Subjects, you will also find help with Literature, Writing, Social Science, and others. To begin, upload a question or an image. Gauth then provides a step-by-step response with a detailed explanation of the answer. Find additional explanations by selecting Copilot, which is built into Gauth's platform, or by choosing from suggestions for related questions. You don't need to register, but doing so will allow access to your search history.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), equations (119), literature (221), statistics (121), STEM (297), tutorials (52), writing (325)

Skype a Scientist connects classrooms and groups with scientists for live Q&A and scheduled live-stream sessions. Visit the Livestreams link to find upcoming sessions and reserve your free ticket. If you and your class can't attend, archives of all sessions are available on YouTube. You can find them by visiting the provided link. Visit the signup section on the site to learn how to find a scientist and request a private session for your class; this process takes about a week, and teachers connect via email to set up a convenient time for your chat. Scientists are available in many different fields and languages.

tag(s): scientists (67), skype (2)

Participate in live, interactive events that feature National Geographic explorers to hear behind-the-scenes stories of explorers around the globe. Events focused on an audience of four to eight-year-olds are typically held on Monday mornings, while events for students aged nine to fourteen are held twice on Thursdays. Browse the site to find upcoming events conducted in English and Spanish, focusing on conservation efforts, human history and culture, storytelling, and more. Choose any event to register to participate. Past events are available on YouTube by visiting the link at the top of the website. Find additional learning opportunities National Geographic provides by visiting the Educational Resources link.

tag(s): animals (295), conservation (102), cultures (180), explorers (64), oceans (149), stories and storytelling (58)

National Geographic Education shares many classroom resources for all grade levels, including videos, interactives, maps, and more. Use the keyword search to find content related to specific content, filter by grade, type of learning materials, and subject, or browse the site to view some of the latest resources. Although registration isn't required, creating an account allows members to bookmark and save favorite resources.

tag(s): africa (148), amazon (11), animals (295), antarctica (30), anthropology (10), australia (28), biodiversity (36), birds (46), cells (82), climate (84), climate change (99), conservation (102), constitution (96), continents (33), countries (73), diseases (67), earth (184), earthquakes (46), egypt (56), engineering (129), erosion (15), explorers (64), fish (18), hurricanes (32), mammals (22), mayans (23), migration (45), molecules (44), moon (73), natural disasters (18), natural resources (37), nutrition (140), oceans (149), plants (146), pollution (52), population (51), religions (95), reproduction (7), reptiles (12), romans (52), slavery (79), sociology (23), solar system (110), space (222), volcanoes (55), weather (160), world war 2 (161)

Tumble is a science podcast for kids; however, it is entertaining and informative for the entire family. Topics include timely events like a solar eclipse and thought-provoking questions like whether dinosaurs burped. Each podcast episode includes a blog with a transcript and supplemental information such as videos, images, and links to additional resources. Most podcast episodes run between twenty and thirty minutes and are available on several podcast-hosting resources, including Apple, Google, and Amazon Music.

tag(s): animals (295), bacteria (22), birds (46), dinosaurs (43), insects (69), listening (93), molecules (44), oceans (149), planets (113), plants (146), podcasts (108), stars (71), sun (71)

Numerade STEM Bootcamps provide free, interactive video lessons in STEM subjects like algebra, physics, and chemistry. The platform includes Bootcamps with step-by-step video tutorials, practice problems, and quizzes designed to enhance students' understanding. You can access a variety of topics for different grade levels and standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. The videos have captions available for students who may need them. Videos do have discussions under them, so be mindful of this if are having students use them independently.

tag(s): statistics (121), STEM (297), test prep (69), tutorials (52)

This page provides action guides and lesson plans introducing students to service learning through citizen science projects based on monitoring water quality. Each action guide provides students with a roadmap to participating in service projects, beginning with investigating resources and interests and finishing with telling the story and reporting data. Lessons (available in English and Spanish) provide background information, objectives, student handouts, and assessments. Additional extension resources include illustrated stories that share the importance of observation and the crucial need for healthy waterways.

tag(s): citizen science (27), pollution (52), water (102), watersheds (8)

Discover the many ways to become involved in citizen science projects through local and large-scale observations and activities by visiting the ideas shared on this page from National Geographic Education. Ideas and links include opportunities to participate in a bird census, monitor local bodies of water, collect weather data, and more. Click on each project's shared link to learn more about its activities and how to participate.

tag(s): animals (295), birds (46), butterflies (13), citizen science (27), ecosystems (83), life cycles (21), oceans (149), photography (130), planets (113), plants (146), stars (71), STEM (297), weather (160)

The Butterfly Counts section on the North American Butterfly Association website outlines a citizen science program that tracks butterfly populations through annual counts in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It details how to participate in or start a butterfly count in a specific area, aiming to gather data for environmental research and increase public awareness about butterflies.

tag(s): butterflies (13), citizen science (27), data (151), maps (220)

Celebrate Urban Birds is a project by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that involves urban communities in birdwatching and conservation activities. The website offers resources for learning about birds, gardening for wildlife, and using arts to connect with nature. It encourages collaborative science through data submission on bird observations and provides mini-grants for community projects.

tag(s): birds (46), cities (17), citizen science (27)

Planet Bee Foundation, a pollinator conservation and science education leader, invites educators and community members to join their "Bees in Science" program. As part of its commitment to citizen science, Planet Bee offers engaging community science projects that empower participants to contribute to pollinator conservation and agricultural innovations. Through initiatives like ZomBee Watch, Native Bee Community Science Project, and Pollinator Safari, participants can become citizen scientists, track pollinator health, and support local bee populations. Educators can register their classes for these projects, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity, scientific inquiry, and environmental stewardship.

tag(s): citizen science (27), insects (69)

Transport yourself to the rainforest, the richest and most important environment on the planet! Use the links to find out why the rainforest is important. Become acquainted with the plants and animals that call the rainforest their home. Learn ways that everyone can help the rainforest in the For Children section. In addition, find out how much rainforest is being depleted. Solve the Rainforest Riddle and take a Quiz about the rainforest.

tag(s): animals (295), ecology (103), ecosystems (83), environment (252), medicine (57), natural resources (37), plants (146), rainforests (18), resources (84)

Participate in science activities through gameplay with Citizen Sort. Play Happy Match to help scientists classify photos while earning points, and Living Links, an AI-generated activity in which participants identify twenty species of animals in Serengeti National Park. Registration isn't required; creating an account allows users to save their game progress. Citizen Sort also offers a third game, Forgotten Island, but it requires Flash, which is no longer supported by current web browsers.

tag(s): animals (295), classification (22), insects (69), plants (146)