Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Designed specifically for students, this site is a collaboration between several parks and schools in the Washington, DC area. The goal: explore ecological issues through field trips to the various parks and sharing data and observations. Unregistered users can examine and download the various data. We assume the volume of data available will increase in the coming months.

tag(s): data (151)

Though not designed specifically for students, this site, containing a wealth of information on ways to minimize dangers to people from forest fires, includes many examples of how man and his environment can be at odds with one another. In addition to the scientific issues involved in fire control and prevention, this site would contribute to a discussion on ecosystems and encroachment into wilderness areas.

tag(s): ecosystems (83), environment (252), fire (22), fire prevention (16), fire safety (16)

This is a collection of downloadable historical images of life in Alaska. Image quality is adequate for either web or most publication use. The search feature - the only way to access images - finds species easily, but doesn't do as well with place names. The images are from several cultural heritage institutions across Alaska. Each institution has it's own policies regarding conditions for the use of its images. Some maybe used freely, and others may have restrictions. Be sure to check with the institute. Each image has an "identifier" number and you will need to contact the particular institute with that number to find out their "use" policies.

tag(s): air (102), alaska (21), copyright (44), states (124)

Here's a nifty tool that calculates the measurements you'll need for an exact scale model of the solar system. Just enter the size of the Sun and the page calculates everything else. Because of the vast size differences involved, it may be difficult to create a model in a small space, but just comparing the numbers can be instructive.

tag(s): planets (113), solar system (110), sun (71)

This site from San Francisco's Exploratorium chronicles the journey of a team of scientists in 2001 and from McMurdo sound to the South Pole. There is also a link to Ice Stories from 2007-2008. Study topics included everything from global warming to continental drift, and there are lots of reports and images to prove it. Even though this site is a bit dated, it still contains a lot of information to discover. This would be a nice background site for an Antarctica unit. Though the videos require Quick Time, there is plenty of information on this site to make your visit worthwhile!

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), climate change (99), ecology (103)

Upper elementary students will like this colorful introduction to dinosaurs of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. There are lots of images and information in the various "rooms" of this site. This one would be a nice starting point for a "report on your dinosaur" assignment.

tag(s): dinosaurs (43)

The University of Illinois Extension offers this introduction to gardening for primary age students. The content includes steps for planning a garden, information on the basic elements that all plants need, and some simple suggestions on what to plant and when.

tag(s): plants (146)

Much of the U.S. is experiencing mild to severe drought conditions. The wealth of charts and maps on this NOAA site will serve you well for a discussion of climates and long-term weather prediction. These graphics would also be a great study project for students who are building their skills at interpreting and analyzing graphical presentations of data. Try this one while you're waiting for the rain.

tag(s): climate (84), weather (160)

Here's a long page describing community-based activities around Earth Day themes. Some of these require extensive adult cooperation, but many are projects students could conduct mostly on their own. Some of the supplementary resources are unique to the Kansas City, MO area, where the page originated. Use this one as a resource when someone asks, "What can we do ourselves?"

tag(s): earth (184), earth day (60), ecology (103), environment (252)

Looking for a data-laden resource for a science project? This site offers tide tables for hundreds of locations around the world. It would be a great resource for an investigation of tide cycles, why tides are higher in some locations than others, or any project that requires comparing data from lots of locations.

tag(s): moon (73), oceans (149), tides (6)

Follow a team of scientists visiting Antarctica from December, 2001 to January, 2002. If you miss the live events, there are lots of reports filed on activities conducted during the visit. This site also has background sections on the Antarctic climate, the history of exploration, and the scientific tools and tasks involved in Antarctic science. From the Exploratorium.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), explorers (64)

Here's a site from North Carolina that encourages schools and students to participate in a study of hummingbirds and their migrations. You can learn about the migration patterns of these tiny birds, submit your own data, and find out what other students have learned about the birds in their area.

tag(s): birds (46), migration (45)

Lots of small type, but this page offers a straightforward, detailed guide to identifying the minerals in that rock in your pocket. There are classification tables, hardness tables, and much more. Great for beginning rockhounds.

tag(s): geology (62), minerals (13), rocks (35)

National Geographic's presentation on Australia's Great Barrier Reef offers layer on layer of great content about the reef ecosystem and the individual creatures that live there. Tired of the reef? Move on to the deep ocean and learn how its occupants interact with the reef environment. This one takes a few minutes to load, but it's well worth the wait.

tag(s): australia (28), coral (11), reefs (5)

his is an extensive site that documents the watershed, habitats, creatures, and human inhabitants that have an impact on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. There are detailed resources on each of these areas, and more than enough material to use either within the curriculum or as grist for student research at many levels. A little exploration should yield numerous instructional possibilities.

tag(s): ecosystems (83), habitats (92)

You'll probably find more than you ever wanted to know about whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans at this extensive site. The articles are extensive, and the visuals, while not extensive, are perfectly sufficient to get the job done.

tag(s): oceans (149), whales (11)

This physical geography site, a part of the Kapili Collection, presents a well-written, nicely illustrated introduction to physical landforms, biomes, climates, and dozens of other elements of physical geography. Written as a "tour" of the topic, the presentation invites browsing while delivering plenty of content in approachable form.This one's a winner.

tag(s): biomes (110), landforms (39)

A summary on the plants and animals of the Arctic Tundra.

tag(s): biomes (110)

A tracking resource from Terrapin Associates which provides current storm forecast tracks as well as animated tracks from past storms.

tag(s): hurricanes (32), weather (160)

This is a detailed retrospective that examines the hurricane which did extensive damage in Florida in August, 1992.

tag(s): hurricanes (32), weather (160)