Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This website provides numerous teacher-created PowerPoints. Some of the presentations are excellent, while others are just mediocre. The range of topics goes from astronomy, to history, to French and much, much more! There is something good here for every classroom. You MUST have PowerPoint software (not free) to be able to download and edit the shows.

This site is designed to be a resource for teachers and students on the atom bomb. There is an interactive time line, excellent graphics on the physics of the atom bomb, biographies of major characters in the story and good teacher resources including lesson plans. This site might be useful to both science and social studies teachers. The graphics on the physics of the atom bomb are great, but the historical context setting and discussion is also excellent. There are links to WebQuests, and information about California state standards met by the lesson plans.

tag(s): atomic bomb (8), cold war (30)

This PBS site has Quick Time 360 degree views of the inside of a submarine, recordings of underwater sounds, a quiz about sound, and first person accounts of life aboard a military submarine. The quiz, focused on the science of sound, would be interesting in a science class, but the centerpiece of the site is the Quick Time tour of a military submarine. You can choose either the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered sub, or the USS Springfield, a more modern version.

tag(s): engineering (129)

Journey through space using the interactive "Journey to a Black Hole," complete with draggable tools and accompanying sound effects. You and your students will learn about the science of black holes through this tour, a comprehensive black hole encyclopedia, and many interactive questions and experiments about black holes.

tag(s): gravity (43), space (222)

From a recent PBS Nova episode, this site deals with the early efforts of pioneer aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Santos-Dumont had the revolutionary idea that enabling humans to fly would contribute to world peace, because people would experience a new, more pure, perspective on the world from above. A contemporary of the Wright Brothers, Santos-Dumont's designs influenced modern "ultralight" planes of today. The site includes biographical information about Santos-Dumont and a very nice slideshow of failed airplane designs. Though the video clips and the interactive view of one of Santos-Dumont's planes showing its features requires flash, there is still plenty to learn here about early flight and Alberto Santos-Dumont. Under the teacher's guide, a classroom activity provides plans for various forms of paper airplanes illustrating principles of aerodynamics.

tag(s): air (101), aviation (40)

Investigate modern accomplishments in technology through these exhibits of technology accomplishments. Tech Ed and science teachers of all disciplines can highlight these accomplishments as real world connections to classroom learning or ask students to research the application of their classroom learning in the technology world. Of certain interest are topics that explain our systems of weights and measures, the technology time line, and the and stone wall test as a real world application of scientific method for practical purposes.

tag(s): engineering (129)

Listen to songs to teach important (and less important) science concepts. This collection of MP3 files was generated from an old set of records (yes, those round vinyl things that had scratches). While the actual copyright holder information is a gray area, you can feel safe in playing the songs from the site. Most likely, these songs from the 1950s and 60s are past copyright at this point. In any case, you can click to play from smaller or larger file versions. Be patient while they load, even over a broadband connection. It will be worth the wait to teach parts of plants, the water cycle, weather, motion, energy, electricity, and MANY other topics with just a computer and set of speakers to help students retain the information. Most of the content is elementary to middle school age, but some is high school level. Learning support teachers seeking alternate study strategies will love this one!

tag(s): animals (294), energy (133), mammals (22), motion (47), plants (146), space (222), water (102), water cycle (22), weather (160)

The Lemelson Center at MIT once offered a weekly profile of an inventor - some famous, many less so. Here you will find an archive of those scientists. If you're doing a unit on scientists, creativity, or economic/industrial growth, this site can help students understand how many advances are the result of small, incremental improvements rather than revolutionary breakthroughs.

tag(s): inventors and inventions (80), scientists (67)

Science teachers will find some challenging experiences in physics, chemistry, and biology in these lessons and videos based in the subject areas in which the Nobel Foundation is active. Each presents a chance to explore science in a different context. Each lesson presents a thorough Teachers Guide.

tag(s): brain (56), cells (82), dna (43), martin luther king (45), sustainability (50), women (151)

What happens when you try to boil water in space? While it sounds trivial, the issue of working with liquids in zero-gravity environments has implications for space exploration and travel. It's just an idle question. This site explains the problems and what scientists are trying to do to manage it.

tag(s): gravity (43), space (222)

In May, 2006, an unusual international consortium signed a treaty that could lead to the eventual construction of the world's first commercial fusion reactor. With it would come the key to almost limitless energy. This backgrounder from a similar European consortium provides a much more basic introduction to how fusion works and why it presents such a challenge.

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

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 (80), scientists (67)

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 (44)

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 (17), cells (82), darwin (13), earth (184), energy (133), gravity (43), light (56), matter (45), molecules (43), optics (11), paleontology (28), periodic table (44), photosynthesis (21), planets (113), reading comprehension (149), rock cycle (12), rocks (35), scientific method (48), scientists (67), space (222), water (102), 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)

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 (11), air (101), aircraft (16), aviation (40), 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)