Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Through a variety of animated illustrations and film clips, visitors to this creative site can gain a better understanding of Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity. Each animated module provides basic information and main ideas that can be pursued in greater depth by visiting the related links (with or without mathematical explanations). There is a note at the top of this site stating they are currently replacing the remaining Flash animated illustration and film clips.

tag(s): inventors and inventions (82), scientists (71)

Newton's Laws of Motion are delightfully animated in this series of teacher-made lessons that combine animated stick figures and cars with easy-to-understand explanations. The brief but effective lessons conclude with a review activity (answers provided), an eight-question quiz, and comprehensive instructions for designing two hands-on experiments.

tag(s): motion (47), newton (21)

It's goofy, but it just might work! Imagine the elements of the periodic table. Now imagine them as lyrics set to the music of Arthur Sullivan (as in "The Pirates of Penzance"), and you can begin to grasp the unique nature of this animated little gem. A perfect anticipatory set to liven up your science class. This site requires FLASH. If you see a blank screen, you need to install the Flash player. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): elements (33), periodic table (43)

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 (30), biodiversity (36), brain (56), climate change (100), earth (183), genetics (79), marine biology (31), microorganisms (10), museums (53), paleontology (28), water (105), zoology (18)

This extensive site examines the search for origins of the universe, of matter, and of life, through the people, places, and tools that have contributed to human understanding of these mysteries. Visitors can explore space centers, jungle labs, and polar stations. Discover the secrets buried in Antarctica's ice and Belize's rainforest. Find out how knowledge of science from one field brings insight to others. Before leading students here, map out a plan of attack that best fits your curriculum.

This creative awe-inspiring site examines Earth's life history and offers interactive modules, slide shows, and articles that take visitors back to the beginning of everything. Visitors can decide for themselves if life exists on other planets, explore the role played by galaxies, and the most recent scientific discoveries of life's origins. Your students will be amazed as they analyze the fingerprints of a star, see how the Eagle Nebula was assembled from raw Hubble Telescope data, or check our where in the world scientist are finding their greatest discoveries in origins research. Stay tuned for a soon-to-be-developed teacher's guide.

tag(s): planets (113)

Complete a free online registration and begin to explore an impressive collection of learning modules that address chemistry, general science, physics, math in science, process of science, earth science, and scientists and research. Many modules contain interactive animations, a glossary, related current events, practice exercises, and biographic information about scientists who worked with that particular concept. Members can personalize each module with comments, links, or notes.

tag(s): acids and bases (8), carbon (16), cells (82), darwin (13), earth (183), energy (133), gravity (43), light (56), matter (45), molecules (43), optics (11), paleontology (28), periodic table (43), photosynthesis (21), planets (113), reading comprehension (150), rock cycle (12), rocks (35), scientific method (48), scientists (71), space (220), water (105), waves (14)

Add this simple and concise resource to a classroom unit on the science of light. Students can discover answers to questions like "Why is the sky blue?" and "How does a magnifying glass make things look bigger?" In addition to optical basics, the site provides brief information about science and engineering careers, and links to other teaching and learning resources. Follow the link to A Gentle Introduction to Optical Design for a slightly more technical presentation, appropriate for older, more advanced students.

tag(s): light (56), optics (11)

The mysteries of magnetic fields and electromagnetism are revealed in this on-line inquiry-based activity that places students in the role of NASA scientists, working to design a magnetometer boom for a spacecraft. The site contains an introduction for teachers, background information that includes a glossary and list of Web resource, and three well-constructed lesson plans. Content may be views in either pdf or HTML format. Created by the University of California - Berkeley.

tag(s): magnetism (35)

This collection of high school physics tutorials can be used to introduce or review basic concepts while providing real-life applications. Topics include Newton's laws, Vectors and Projectiles, Work and Energy, Momentum and Collisions, and much more! QuickTime movie animations show projectiles, collisions, and roller coasters in motion so that changes in acceleration, energy, and velocity can be seen as the action progresses. Add this link to your class web site and keep available on a classroom computer. Created by The Physics Classroom and Mathsoft Engineering & Education, Inc. QuickTime required.

tag(s): tutorials (52), vectors (16)

Not for the faint-hearted, this site explains the math and science behind the Wright Brother's success on that fateful day in Kitty Hawk, NC. Geometry, trigonometry, and Newton's Laws, along with principles of aerodynamics, are discussed as they relate to aircraft and the phenomena of flight. Many of the links take you to interactive programs that visually illustrate scientific principles. Created by NASA.

tag(s): aeronautics (12), air (100), aircraft (17), aviation (41), flight (34)

Secondary physics and astronomy teachers may want to take a look at NASA's primer on cosmic rays, astrophysics, energy particles, and magnetic fields. The site offers lots of drill-down options providing additional detail. A surprisingly useful feature is an "in the news" section that offers current information about many of the topics.

tag(s): energy (133)

Here's a site that offers lots of depth about optics - the study of light. The site includes some basic theory that is actually understandable; a look at applications of optics in medicine, astronomy, and elsewhere; and information on careers in optics.

tag(s): light (56), optics (11)

Secondary physics teachers who want to stretch their students' understanding of the universe will welcome this site on string theory - a companion to the PBS NOVA program on the same topic. The most recent attempt to identify a single unifying force in the universe, string theory's key premise is that there are additional dimensions beyond the four (including time) with which most of us are familiar.

tag(s): space (220), time (91)

Pretty it isn't, but this site about the serendipity surrounding the discovery of nuclear fission (and many other scientific achievements) emphasizes how a combination of knowledge, research, and happy coincidence contributes to many scientific advances. It's a great point of view for physics and science students to see.

tag(s): energy (133), nuclear energy (20)

Created by a physics teacher, this site offers a collection of webquest-like and similar interactive activities that help explain topics typically found in a physics curriculum. As with any such collection, the quality of the resources varies, but you'll likely find one or more that fit nicely with your own curriculum.

tag(s): animation (66), electricity (61), energy (133), forces (37), heat (14), light (56), webquests (8)

This retrospective on 20th century scientific advances is particularly strong in its information on the scientists who made the discoveries. Teachers interested in presenting the scientific process by which these advances were made will find the information here a useful addition. Good information; not a lot of "whiz-bang."

tag(s): scientists (71)

The NIST Physics Laboratory offers this condensed history of time measurement, which chronicles the evolution of time-keeping from ancient calendars through the establishment of time zones and atomic clocks. The text is readable and the graphics are interesting while still loading quickly. Depending on the amount of detail you want to absorb, this one would work well for upper elementary through secondary students.

tag(s): time (91), time zones (7)

While many portions of this site are directed towards planning visits to the museum, the Historical Perspective section outlines many key developments in the history of nuclear power. With information on Marie Curie, Nuclear Non-proliferation, the Manhattan Project, and a number of other key moments in the history of nuclear science, this site is a helpful resource for science research.

tag(s): energy (133), nuclear energy (20)

Although the actual contest has concluded, this site still has a free bridge design software that provides students with all the necessary virtual tools to build, test, and refine a steel highway bridge, using realistic specifications, limitations, and performance standards. A great resource for an interactive introduction to engineering.

tag(s): bridges (11), design (79), engineering (137), structures (18)