Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

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 (222), 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 (64), 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 (67)

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 (129), structures (18)

A great site for physical science and environmental science. The site explains the technology behind new fuel-cell powered electric cars. With diagrams and a number of links to additional resources, this site could be a gateway to more in-depth study.

tag(s): cells (82), electricity (61)

The US Centennial of Flight Commission has prepared an extensive look at the Wright Brothers and their efforts to build a successful aircraft. This section of a larger site offers details on the journals, the specifications, and the reconstruction of the original Wright flyer. History and physics teachers alike will enjoy this one.

tag(s): air (101), aviation (40), north carolina (4), wright brothers (16)

This news page from IAEA's web site includes both background and current information on the agencies efforts in Iraq and North Korea, as well as information on other activities designed to halt the destructive proliferation of nuclear capabilities.

tag(s): energy (133), united nations (6)

From an exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, this site offers an introduction to Einstein's work that mere mortals can understand. Einstein set the world of physics and cosmology on its head by showing that forces like time and gravity are variable, not constant. The implications of these discoveries let to the creation of entirely new sciences. There is much to learn here.

tag(s): scientists (67)

Written for adults, this introduction to GPS from Trimble (a GPS manufacturer) explains GPS in more detail than many grownups can swallow. The animations will interest students, and physics teachers will no doubt find ways to translate the information in ways their students can grasp. The explanation itself is a great "problem solving" example. Lots of info here, but some demos use Flash.
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tag(s): tutorials (52)

Though this page is no longer updated, you can still find many activities to support your robotics unit. The BBC Science page on robots offers still another approach to the topic, along with its own collection of robotics kits and materials. We're unsure how accessible these might be in the US; perhaps our UK users will let us know more. There's plenty to learn here, nonetheless. Though the page is no longer updated, it is fully functional.

tag(s): robotics (24)

NASA's page on its robotics education activities offers links to ongoing, real-time projects, robotics news updates, and listings of robotics activities and competitions. Robotics is becoming hugely popular in many schools, so the pool of resources gets deeper daily. Jump into this one!

tag(s): robotics (24)

Here's one worth waiting for! This interactive roller coaster page uses a java applet that lets students adjust the layout of a roller coaster, as well as the forces for gravity, friction, etc. to see how the roller coaster behaves under different circumstances. The measurements are all relative, of course, but the interrelationships are all there, and students can readily draw conclusions about how all these forces are interrelated. Truly neat.

tag(s): friction (9), gravity (43)

This Australian site offers a collection of quality science experiments, some fairly simple, others more complex, all clearly presented. The activities include explanations of scientific principles and are grouped by subject matter. A great site for sparking a student's interest in the world of science.

tag(s): experiments (55)

This is an extensive collection of multi-media physics lessons that are both instructional and entertaining. These lessons cover a wide range of topics using Flash and (optionally) short Quicktime movies. There are lots of instructional possibilities here.

tag(s): experiments (55), gravity (43)

Here's a science project that actually works. This site includes complete instructions for building a pinhole camera that students can use to take "real" pictures that can be surprisingly good. The required materials are easy to find, and this one can be both fun and educational.

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

This is a collection of science and math lessons and web resources ranging from how the Internet works to nanoscience, engineering, biology, and principles of physics and chemistry. The content is predictably detailed, "real science" based on topics and phenomena that will interest students. These are the best of the best lessons and resources with applicability to lots of settings.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), biomes (110), chemicals (39), computers (109), cultures (180), earth (184), engineering (129), environment (252), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), numbers (120), origami (14), planets (113), robotics (24), space (222), symmetry (26)