Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Looking for real science from real-life scientists? This is the spot for you. EarthSky is loaded with current interviews in all different content areas. Topics include water, energy, health, agriculture, biodiversity, earth, space, and human. Another nifty feature of this website is that you can add the RSS feed to your blog or Google account to keep up with new interviews.

tag(s): biodiversity (36), ecology (103), energy (133), scientists (67)

Science Friday includes a live science show, chat rooms, and a science desk for questions. Science links and mentors are also available. There are experiments to try, and an online library for users. The site features podcasts of broadcasts of the PRN Science Friday shows, and a weekly video. They can be listened to on the site or downloaded through iTunes. Broadcasts can also be listened to live from links on the site. This hands-on site was designed for the user to have a science experience like no other.
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tag(s): agriculture (49), air (102), animals (295), anthropology (10), archeology (28), chemicals (41), child development (24), climate (84), climate change (99), computers (109), ecology (103), ecosystems (83), electricity (61), energy (133), engineering (129), environment (252), experiments (55), genetics (80), habitats (92), insects (69), light (56), magnetism (36), medicine (57), mental health (48), nuclear energy (20), nutrition (140), oceans (149), paleontology (28), planets (113), plants (146), podcasts (108), psychology (65), radio (20), reproduction (7), sociology (23), space (222), stars (71), transportation (30), water (102), weather (160)

This site is a compilation of many math and science resources along with a social networking component. Currently there are almost 2000 activities, lessons, and videos and the site is constantly growing. There are several ways to use the site both as a registered user or without registration. Without registering for the site you can search and access lessons and information through the different search methods such as keywords, subjects, source institution, and more. Free registration allows the site to become much more personalized. After registering, you can make lists of resources for any different topic, share lists or searches with others, add comments, or add your own resources. Most activities on the site are free; however, there are some searches that deliver lessons that are paid - these are clearly indicated and not frequent enough to discourage use of this site. Searches can also filter out any paid activities and return only free items. Teachers may also want to subscribe to the site's blog and newsletter to receive updated information as it is added to the site.

In case you are wondering about the title, SMILE is the Science and Math Informal Learning Educators pathway of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL).

tag(s): resources (84), social networking (61), STEM (297), video (266)

ITSI-SU is a portal for using and creating interactive web-based labs and simulation activities. Brought to you by the research staff of the Concord Consortium, this free online programing uses an assortment of data collection tools from molecular modeling software and web-based simulations to computer sensors (which would need to be purchased if not already in the classroom). Interactives are standards based, thorough, and created with "backward design" in mind. Each activity begins with an inquiry question and a picture with real world relevance. One of the strengths of this program is that it can be used "as is," however all existing activities can be modified by the teacher using them. Any teacher can create new activities of their own as well. Once these activities are created and saved, they can be accessed by other teachers under the "DIY:Other activities area" of the Activities. This added value is something that is rarely found in online lab software. One warning for using this program: it is Java based so modules have to be downloaded. The download takes time and requires tat you "allow" it. Some school computers may block such downloads.

tag(s): modeling (8), problem solving (233)

What is Phenology? It is the study of cycles in nature from bird and animal migration to changing of leaf colors. Many of our actions on the planet are affected by phenology. This site invites the general public to become observers. Identify the variety of plants and animals in your region and submit data after registering. You can also help in recoveringand recording historical data by entering scanned observation cards into a database.
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tag(s): environment (252), food chains (19), resources (84)

This is a collection of interactive activities that teach mathematical concepts from algebra up through calculus, and well-written instructional modules that introduce scientific concepts, primarily in physics and life sciences from grades 3-12. Each module includes interactive elements that let students experiment with the topic concept. The presentation and subject matter are excellent for these high-interest interactives. A free acount gives you 20-40 free Gizmos, lesson materials, to teach with,

tag(s): earth (184), engineering (129), equations (119), forensics (12), life cycles (21), measurement (122), numbers (120), probability (99), scientific method (48), space (222)

This is an extensive, well-designed site which lets viewers create their own personalized study of genetics and DNA. Students can proceed at their own pace through an extensive set of topics, each with explanation, animations, visual materials, and quizzes.

tag(s): dna (43), genetics (80)

See fascinating questions contributed to Discovery by actual people. View the multimedia answers to understand the facts about to the question. Apply to become an expert to help answer questions. Select subject topics along the bottom to view questions. Warning: there are sexually related questions. You will want to preview before sharing in class. And you may also want to make this site a teacher-lead activity only.
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tag(s): questioning (36), sexuality (15)

Text based timeline of the formation of a Stem cell. The conduct and funding of stem cell research raises an interesting set of scientific and ethical issues. The website details political decisions, the science of stem cell research, and both sides of the argument. Teachers interested in discussing the controversy in science or other classes will appreciate this special section from TIME which outlines the key issues as well as the potential this line of research holds.

tag(s): dna (43), engineering (129)

This interactive site shows how parts of an actual autopsy are done. The site does have a disclaimer that the content may be too graphic for some viewers. However, the "person" is a computer drawn, faceless character. You can click through the site, screen by screen, following the onscreen instructions to complete the autopsy. This includes removing the organs and weighing them. The site also includes a short video about an actual forensic scientist. Average metric weight of some human organs is also included in the site.

tag(s): forensics (12), halloween (32)

Looking for an easy to use free jeopardy game? Look no further than this site. Download the application for free or create the activity to be played online. View and try activities already created online. If you like your project you can save it to a folder on your computer. There is a short video in the "How To" section that will walk you through the process of making, saving, and playing a Flash Jeopardy game. Those of you who have used the PowerPoint Jeopardy will find this flash version much less time consuming to create and to recreate new Jeopardy games.
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tag(s): grammar review (31), matching (8)

Explore a wealth of images, research, and information about human origins in this visually rich site from the National Museum of Natural History. View "Human Evolution Evidence," "Human Evolution Research," and "Human Characteristics," as well as other resources. Don't miss the 3D views of fossils. It's even better than an actual museum visit, since you can move and rotate the objects yourself.

tag(s): evolution (89), fossils (41)

Scirus is basically a science search engine. It only scans science only information The searches happen quickly and can be limited using the menu on the left of the screen.

tag(s): resources (84), search engines (48)

Preceden is a free service that allows you to create timelines with multi-layers for overlapping events. The different layers are visually interesting and allow you to easily see the sequence of events in several different ways. You can input your own time increments such as by day, week, month, year, decade, etc. In addition, you can create your own labels for events. You need to create a FREE account to make a timeline. Timelines can be embedded on your blog, shared by URL, or download as a PDF.

tag(s): timelines (56)

EZSchool is an educational portal that contains EZ worksheets, interactives, online study tools, and tutorials. Although this site is "busy" with clutter from some related advertisements, it is easy to navigate by grade level, subject, or more specific topics such as grammar, writing, and vocabulary for English, or word problems, geometry, and algebra for math, biology and chemistry for science, as well as Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi language activities. There are also SAT/PSAT practice questions with detailed answers. All materials are free to use, print, and distribute for use in the classroom or at home. The website is frequently updated with new activities. Weekly updates to the site are offered on the home page.
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tag(s): grammar (137), japan (57), japanese (47), spanish (109), substitutes (25), vocabulary (238), writing (325)

Learn all about the ocean and what is in it. View pictures, videos and other material collected from the Smithsonian Institution as well as other sources. Click on the water drop "Find Your Blue" to find how we all impact the oceans from anywhere we live and work. Read about Ocean Life and Ecosystems, view Timelines of various ocean animals, and learn about Ocean Science. Be sure to read the Ocean and You to understand impacts on the oceans and its relationship with every living thing on the Earth. Find lesson plans and activities as well as other resources by clicking on the For Educators tab.

tag(s): ecosystems (83), food chains (19), oceans (149), pollution (52)

Use this free resource for an inside look at the general principles, methods, and motivations that underlie all of science. Take a site tour or view specific topics such as "Scientific Evidence," "Science and Society," and others. Don't miss the interactive pages of "How Science Works" that show scientific method as a dynamic, iterative process, not an oversimplified list of steps. Find other resources in the Resource Library. Find classroom activities, standards, and strategies in "Teaching Resources." Find "Frequently Asked Questions" about science process or even submit your own! Learn about what is science by clicking on "Science 101." Find great teaching resources and advice in the "For teachers" section. The Teachers area is divided into grade sections to find resources easily.

tag(s): data (151), environment (252), experiments (55), scientific method (48)

Explore health questions and answers with this free site. Click Health Tools and Topics on the top menu to view the most asked questions and click for specific information. Click All Topics in the upper right corner, then be sure to scroll left and right to view all topics. Click on a topic. View the answer to the question in the pop-up as well as related information and images. Answers are provided by contributors from the health field. Be aware that any health site includes topics such as reproductive health. Preview and decide whether this site is appropriate in your school community.

tag(s): body systems (40), dental health (14), diseases (67), fitness (39), human body (93), nutrition (140)

Find experiments that demonstrate a wide variety of biological concepts and processes on this free site. Use this site for all levels of Biology. Each topic has three levels of resources: Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced. Real-life connections are made to provide relevance. Find links to additional reading, teacher notes, and safety guidelines. Download student and teacher resources.

tag(s): experiments (55), science fairs (20)