January 11 -- The New Horizons mission will have a long journey of 3 billion miles, and will fly past Pluto in July 2015, moving at about 30,000 miles an hour. It will continue flying out of the Solar System, passing by other Kuiper belt objects (icy-rocky bodies) on the way.
For classroom resources and activities, go to http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/education/educators.html
January 15 – The Stardust Mission will be returning samples of a comet to Earth. The Stardust Mission flew through the tail of Comet Wild 2 in January 2004, and gathered particles in a special aerogel substance, which will be returning to Earth this January, landing in the Utah desert.
For classroom resources and activities, go to http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/classroom/products.html
Additional comet activities can be found here: http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/classroom/kids.html
Investigating the Climate System: Weather helps students learn how to find, interpret, and describe weather data.
Students learn also about drought, flooding, wind and dust storms, hurricanes, and lightning, as well as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite -- the information it provides and why that information is important. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
The Strange Matter exhibition uses science to
explore the bizarre world of modern materials
and provide a glimpse of where the future of
materials research might take us.
Enter the fascinating world of materials and
uncover the surprising science behind everyday
stuff. High-tech fields like the space program
are known for their use of advanced materials,
but these materials have also found their way
into the stuff of everyday life – from car shock
absorbers and eyeglass frames to DVD players
and golf clubs.
Teachers guide can be downloaded at: http://www.strangematterexhibit.com/teachersguide.pdf
Physics of Sports provides lessons for helping students learn math and science concepts from analyzing activities in track, baseball, basketball, frisbee throwing, golf, skateboarding, and pool. (Los Alamos National Laboratory, supported by Department of Energy)
This site is not user friendly with hard to read text. But it is complete and with a bit of time you can get some interesting cross curricular material.
The Stardust@Home project, cosponsored by NASA and the space scientists at the University of California at Berkeley, needs volunteers to scrutinize pictures taken of the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector (SIDC) for specks of interstellar dust.
Astronomy & Space Classroom Resources provides lessons and web resources from the National Science Digital Library. Learn about amateur telescope making, black holes, UFOs, astronomy research, myths and misconceptions about astronomy, space weather, the Hubble Space Telescope,
and the structure and evolution of the universe.
Biology Classroom Resources provides lessons and resources from the National Science Digital Library. Learn about cells, slugs, whales and dolphins, lions and tigers, turtles, biotechnology, biodiversity, genomics, paleontology, and Tyrannosaurus rex. Find online references, fast growing plants, images of animals, and interactive games on evolution and the animal kingdom.
Molecular Stepping Stones features online activities, including simulations, to help students understand 10 key concepts underlying many biological processes. Topics include atomic structure, random motion, spatial equilibrium, strong chemical bonds, compounds, intermolecular forces, self-assembly, proteins, chemical
reactions and catalysis, DNA, and biologica.
NASA Connect: Sun-Earth Day
Features teacher guides and other resources for studying sun-earth connections and celebrating Sun-Earth Day. In "Ancient Observatories," students measure the movement of the sun and find solar noon. In "Venus Transit," students learn about scale models and the "astronomical unit," which is used to determine distances from the earth to other planets and stars.
In "Dancing in the Night Sky," students learn about the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. (NASA)
"Path of Totality: Measuring Angular Size and Distance"
Examines the natural phenomena that create a total eclipse. NASA scientists and engineers introduce a satellite used to
make artificial eclipses in order to learn about the sun's
corona. Students measure the angular size and predict the
angular distance of objects in the sky. (NASA)
"Sun-Earth Day"
Is a series of programs and events throughout the year that
culminates with a celebration of the spring equinox.
"Eclipse: In a Different Light," this year's theme, shows how eclipses have inspired people to study the sun-earth- moon system. Join this journey of exploration and discovery in preparation for a total solar eclipse. (NASA)
"Exploring the Environment"
Features 25 online modules that put students in problem-based learning scenarios. In one module, students predict the impact of increased carbon dioxide on the wheat yield in
Kansas. In another, they predict weather 48 hours in advance.
Topics include coral reefs, climate change, the Everglades,
mountain gorillas, rainforests, volcanoes, water quality, and ozone depletion. (NASA)
http://www.cet.edu/products/ete/overview.html
"Water on the Web"
Offers water science units and tools that help students
understand and solve real environmental problems using
advanced technology. Learn about aquatic ecology, water
quality, and watersheds. See maps, summaries, and information on lakes and rivers nationwide. Use data visualization tools to watch data change through time and explore relationships among variables. (NSF)
http://waterontheweb.org/
Mission statement:
'Using culturally appropriate environmental education mateials, with an emphasis on interaction between schools, educators, students and communities. The EEOP raises awareness and knowledge of local environmental issues in tribal schools, thereby encouraging Native American students to enter environmental careers adn fostering tribal sovereignty and self-determination.'
The EEOP offers programs in Air Quality, Global Learning, Environmental Education, Uranium and Radiation education, Water education, and more.
For details contact their office in Flagstaff at:
928-523-1275 or email Mansel Nelson at mansel.nelson@nau.edu
The Educational Materials section of NASA's Web site lists classroom activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources in a format that can be downloaded and used in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level and subject. An educator guide and five posters have recently been made available, including Science in a Box Educator Guide and the Once and Future Moon Poster. For more visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/index.html
Library Resource: NASA's Spinoffs Help Make Life Better on Earth
Spinoff is NASA's publication featuring the agency's latest technological innovations transferred to the commercial market. It is available in both print and online editions. For the 1996 through 2005 Web versions of Spinoff visit http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/spinoff.html.
For a free copy of Spinoff 2005, contact the National Technology Transfer Center at: (800) 678-6882. For information about NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program, visit http://www.ip.nasa.gov.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Classroom Grants
Are you a K-12 teacher who develops or applies science, mathematics, and technology in your curriculum? If the answer is “yes,” you may qualify for a grant of up to $200 per individual request to supplement your learning program. Use your grant for materials to help you make science, mathematics, and technology come alive in your classroom. More information at http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=216
"Earth and Environmental Science: Research Overview" examines questions that scientists are pursuing: What part do we play in earth's changing climate? What can rock layers tell us about earth's history? How can we understand the forces that lead to earthquakes and volcanoes? How can organisms live without sunlight? How do long-term changes affect earth's ecosystems?
http://www.nsf.gov/news/overviews/earth-environ/index.jsp
"Teach the Earth" offers hundreds of teaching activities, visualizations, and resources for teaching earth science. Categories include biosphere, climate change, energy/material cycles, geology and human health, geochemistry, hydrosphere and cryosphere,mineralogy, ocean systems, petrology, solar system, and earth history. Special sections are provided on using data and teaching quantitative skills.
http://serc.carleton.edu/index.html
21st Century Explorer answers questions that include: Why do we want to travel to Mars? How would your body change in space? Where would a space explorer find water and oxygen? How can we travel faster in space? Student actors (on video) and hands-on activities are featured with each answer. The site is for Grades 3-5 and available in Spanish. (NASA)
http://ksnn.larc.nasa.gov/21Century/index2.html
Genetic Science Learning Center features animations and activities for learning about DNA, cells, and other topics in genetics and bioscience. Build a DNA molecule. Transcribe and translate a gene. See why a firefly's tail glows. Use DNA evidence to solve a mystery.
Extract DNA from wheat germ and see real DNA. Find out how
genetics are being used to save endangered species. Learn about stem cells, addiction, gene therapy, cloning, and genetically modified food. (NIH)
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/
Way to Go, Einstein is a fun introduction to the thinking man who influenced all modern scientists. Learn about Einstein's revolutionary conceptions of space and time, light, matter, and energy.
Answer brain-bending questions about how the world works.
Find out about every day applications of his work. (SI)
http://ology.amnh.org/einstein/index.html
Introduces children to the International Space Station (ISS), the most complex international scientific endeavor in history. Activities focus on the purpose and construction of the ISS, the history of rockets, and the role of rockets in space station assembly. Data collection, observation, exploration, prediction, interpretation, problem solving, and language skills are emphasized.
Provides research results, photos, projects, and other resources for studies in biology, biodiversity, and ecology. Learn about butterflies and moths of North America, but research, invasive species, environmental contaminants' effects on plants and animals, redwood research, surf scoters, sea otters, reptiles and amphibians of Southern California, the desert tortoise, habitat conservation, and genetic diversity across different species groups.
Offers resource collections and maps for studying earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters, as well as rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, earth's interior, fossils, coastal wetlands, deserts, the carbon cycle, climate change, and the solar system. Learn about the San Adreas fault system, the life cycle of a mineral deposit, fire ecology research, big floods in the U.S. and more.
PBS TeacherLine has partnered with Teachers' Domain from WGBH Boston to bring you a new lineup of professional development courses that cover a galaxy of science teaching methods and concepts, and include rich multimedia content from public broadcasting science programs such as NOVA, ZOOM, A Science Odyssey, and Building Big.
This federal grant, offered through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is geared toward encouraging minority and disadvantaged students to pursue careers in health professions.
ActionBioscience.org offers scientific articles and lessons. Topics include the value of a garden, plant genebanks, bacteria (friend or foe?), biodiversity, real-life aliens (introduced species), apes, ecosystems, global warming, forest canopies, deforestation, water, genetic research, biotechnology, genetically modified foods, ancestry of modern people, microbes, evolution, DNA, how new species form, extinction, and more.
Articles and lessons are correlated with academic standards. (American Institute of Biological Sciences, supported by National Science Foundation)
"The Structures of Life"
Takes us into the world of "structural biology" -- a branch of molecular biology that focuses on the shape of nucleic acids and proteins (the molecules that do most of the work in our bodies). Learn about the structures and roles of proteins, tools used to study protein shapes, how proteins are used in designing new medications (for AIDS and arthritis), and what structural biology reveals about all life processes. Find out about careers in biomedical research. (NIH)
"The Chemistry of Health"
Tells how chemistry and biochemistry are increasing our
understanding of human health. Learn how biochemical relays
keep our organ systems operating, how food is broken down and used to build tissues and organs, and how tiny biological probes and instruments can track single molecules. Topics in the 60-page booklet include folic acid, sugars and fats, DNA, making medicines, harnessing biology's magic, and more. (NIH)
"Inside the Cell"
Takes students on a close-up tour of the processes occurring
in our bodies. Learn about the cell's brain and skeleton,
cellular rush hour, and the death of a cell. Find out about
lysosomes (cell recycling centers and garbage trucks) and
mitochondria (cell power plants). Read about cutting-edge
cell biology research and techniques, which are featured in
the 80-page booklet. (NIH)
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/
"Physics Education Technology (PhET)" produces fun, interactive simulations of physical phenomena. More than 35 simulations let students experiment with circuits, ring tension, kinetic and potential energy, radio waves and electromagnetic fields, balloons and static electricity, ideal gas and buoyancy, velocity and acceleration, sound waves and the Doppler effect, and more.
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet/
"Physics to Go" is a collection of reviewed resources for teaching and learning about astronomy, electricity and magnetism, fluids, light, modern physics, motion and energy, quantum physics, and waves and pendula.
http://www.compadre.org/informal/index.cfm
Genetic Basics looks at how genes work, exceptions to Mendel's rules, how DNA gets replicated, genes and disease, current research and recent discoveries, and how applications of genetic research biotechnology) are being used in agriculture, health, and medicine to change our world for the better. (NIH)
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/genetics/
SCORE - South Central Organization of Researchers and Educators highlights space science education opportunities and news with emphasis on information for the south central states of Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
If you are interested in subscribing, please contact us at: score@lpi.usra.edu
McDonald Observatory offers a unique setting for teacher workshops: the Observatory and Visitors Center in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.
Not only will you do inquiry-based activities aligned with science and mathematics TEKS and TAKS, you will practice your new astronomy skills under the Observatory’s dark skies, weather permitting, and partner with trained and nationally recognized astronomy educators.
NOTE: the deadline for applications for federally funded programs and scholarships is February 1, 2006.
AAAS helps advance science education through a number of programs that focus on school curriculums, resources for educators, public education, scientific career advancement and workforce training.
This is an excellent site for the reference to national standards and the 2061 project. A well designed site, easy to navigate and access useful information.
Before the end of the next decade, NASA astronauts will again explore the surface of the Moon. And this time, they are going to stay, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond. There are echoes of the iconic images of the past, but it won't be your grandfather's moon shot.
NASA's new spaceship is the key to making the Vision for Space Exploration a reality. The Vision, announced by President Bush in January 2004, will extend humanity's presence across the solar system, starting with a return to the moon by the end of the next decade, followed by journeys to Mars and beyond.
Building on the best of Apollo and shuttle technology, NASA's 21st century exploration system will be affordable, reliable, versatile and safe. The centerpiece of this system is a new craft designed to carry four astronauts to and from the moon, support up to six crewmembers on future missions to Mars, and deliver crew and cargo to the International Space Station.
This area is designed to save time when seeking NASA resources associated with classroom subjects. Items in these subject areas are selected based upon their benefit to the classroom educator. From lesson plans to scientific Web sites -- click on a subject and see what inspires you.
Space Science Education Resource Directory helps find NASA space science resources for learning. Hundreds of resources can be sorted by science type (earth, physical, or space), or by grade range. Topics include algebra, atoms, big bang, black holes, comets, cosmic distances, energy, force and motion, geometry, graphing, gravity, heat, light and color, measurement and estimation, planets, satellites, solar energy, solar system, space missions, stars, telescopes, and waves. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
You have to create a profile to log into the resource. It is very easy and opens up the NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) Education Support Network.
Physical Sciences Resource Center offers hundreds of annotated lessons, simulations, and resources for teaching topics in the physical sciences, including astronomy, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, fluid mechanics, general physics, modern physics, optics, oscillations and waves, quantum physics, and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. (National Science Foundation)
NASA Kids' Club features interactive games (for Grades K-4) on the solar system, rockets, addition, "guess what number I'm thinking of," and NASA spinoffs (everyday items developed from NASA research). A teachers' area links to guides for teaching about clouds, precipitation, energy, winds, weather, planetary geology, flight, the Wright brothers, rockets, the electromagnetic spectrum, and careers. (NASA)
http://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub
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