Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Science teachers searching for the full-on description of the research and implications for global warming will find more than enough to work with in this flash-enabled site. The presentation highlights the various components of the problem - the carbon cycle, greenhouse effects, and research into past data and future predictions. In and interesting twist, the site offers users the chance to experiment with the implications of various responses to this challenge.

tag(s): carbon (17)

Bring the power and drama of an actual earthquake into your classroom with this beautifully designed Web site. In addition to basic information about the science behind this natural phenomenon - including explanations of plate tectonics, faults, and how scientist measure earthquake force - the site provides historical information about some of the world's most devastating quakes and some breathtaking video clips.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), plate tectonics (22)

Remember the anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco quake - and learn a lot about earthquakes in general - with this remarkable set of Google Earth overlays from USGS. The set illustrates the 1906 quake, the plate tectonics of western North America, and the history of earthquakes in the area over the past century.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), plate tectonics (22)

Take a virtual tour of the current Pompeii exhibit at the Field Museum of Chicago with this site that brings the cataclysmic eruption to life. The true gem of the site is an interactive timeline that details and animates the events of August 24, AD 79. But be sure to check out the photo gallery - which includes images of frescoes, artifacts, and plaster and epoxy resin casts of some of the victims (a bit gruesome).

tag(s): volcanoes (55)

Challenge your students to think more deeply about the immediate world around them with this collection of thirty thought-provoking questions. Take the quiz yourself to discover how perceptive you truly are regarding the environment that supports your lifestyle. Where does your garbage go? What spring wildflower is the first to bloom where you live? What time is sunset today? There are many possibilities for creation of an environmental lesson around this one.
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tag(s): ecosystems (83), environment (252), pollution (52)

If the water cycle is process that occurs consistently throughout the world, why are there such widely differing climactic regions on our planet? This lesson plan addresses that question by asking students to tap into some higher level thinking skills. Applying their knowledge of the water cycle, students are asked to consider how each step of the process may change during different seasons in different locations on Earth, and create a detailed model illustrating their findings. Aligned to National Standards.

tag(s): water (102), water cycle (22)

Educate students about the importance of conserving energy and water in their homes with this multimedia site. Visitors can stroll through a virtual house, learn about the amount of energy and water certain appliances and household tasks consume, and discover easy-to-follow tips on how to conserve earth's natural resources. Includes some interactive educational games. Visit the Teacher Center for downloadable activities and materials.

tag(s): conservation (102), energy (133), water (102)

Learn about clouds, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and blizzards with this kid-friendly weather site. Each weather phenomenon is presented with easy-to-understand text, interactive activities, and graphics. Includes a glossary of weather terms and teacher tips for incorporating the content into your science classroom. Aligned to National Science Education standards.

tag(s): air (102), atmosphere (22), climate change (99), earth (184), hurricanes (32), space (222), sun (71), weather (160)

This informational tour gives students a basic understanding of geologic time, relative and absolute dating techniques, and the geologic time scale. Students can step through the interactive tour at their own pace, take in the graphics and descriptions, and test their knowledge with an online review quiz. Visit the "teacher" section for lesson plans, handouts and assessment materials.

tag(s): geologic time (12), logic (161), time (91)

Enter this virtual exhibit to learn about ancient fossil horses and the ecology of time periods from the distant past. Includes a series of well-illustrated, self-paced tutorials on topics ranging from stratigraphy to geological time scales. This site would be a good candidate for an informational Web hunt.

tag(s): fossils (41), paleontology (28)

Students can attend this virtual training camp, learn how to spot energy hogs, and lower their families' energy consumption in the process. Complete all five interactive games to earn the highly coveted Hog Buster Certification. The site is includes a checklist that students can use to evaluate energy use at home.

tag(s): conservation (102), ecology (103), energy (133)

Page through this tutorial for an up-close and personal introduction to icebergs. Beautiful images and informative text combine to address iceberg formations, classifications, life cycles, and appearance. Vocabulary words within the text are hyperlinked to a glossary - a great feature for less advanced readers. After finishing the tutorial, take the interactive quiz.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), oceans (149)

Keep track of earthquake activity with this near-real time monitor. Earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0 or greater are shown as colored circles on the interactive map. Visitors can even go back in time and view all global earthquake activity over the past five years. The USGS National Earthquake Information Center is the main source for the seismic data on this site. Check out the Education Links on the bottom menu that include lesson plans and resources for teachers.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), sun (71), tsunamis (15), volcanoes (55)

This Wikipedia article scientifically documents and explains the deadly Indian Ocean quake that caused staggering devastation across thirteen countries. Includes an animated image of the tsunami, a description of its characteristics, data on damage and casualties, and links to ongoing news coverage, videos, and photos.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), sun (71), tsunamis (15), waves (14)

This on-line textbook takes a comprehensive approach to investigating the earth. Includes interactive graphics, animated visualizations, simulations, a weekly Earth News reports, and links to local resources and careers in earth science. Designed to accompany Earth Science, a high school textbook authored by Spaulding and Namowitz, this site can easily be adapted to supplement your earth science curriculum.

tag(s): earth (184), news (229)

This site is filled with kid-friendly text and engaging interactive activities that introduce "ologies" and investigate topics including marine biology, astronomy, archeology, earth science, and more. Each topic section includes background information, virtual experiments and tours, and suggestions for in-class experiments.

tag(s): anthropology (10), archeology (28), biodiversity (36), brain (56), climate change (99), earth (184), genetics (80), marine biology (31), microorganisms (10), museums (52), paleontology (28), water (102), zoology (18)

Teachers and secondary students willing to pore through this newly released report will find sobering conclusions about global warming and the melting of the arctic ice cap. Try this one as the basis for a discussion of global climate change.

tag(s): arctic (40)

View the awe-inspiring attributes of volcanoes on this site that provides impressive photographs and explanations of everything from magma and lahar to fissures and caldera.

tag(s): volcanoes (55)

ScienceBuddies offers a large variety of science resources including science fair projects and free STEM lessons. From the top menu bar, select Science Fair Project to find a Topic Selection Wizard. This tool uses a short questionnaire to guide students to recommended projects based on length of time needed to work on the project, grade level, and topic for research. Be sure to also visit the teachers' portion of the site to find STEM lesson plans for all grade levels, science fair tools, engineering design information, and much more.

tag(s): calories (6), earthquakes (46), electricity (61), energy (133), gravity (43), internet safety (114), recycling (46), robotics (24), science fairs (20), sound (72), STEM (297)