Help your child explore the world of science by engaging in some …
Help your child explore the world of science by engaging in some exciting and fun investigations together! Many science activities for babies and toddlers will principally involve building language. As you describe and name interesting phenomena, your child will be exposed to a rich variety of new words. The first or second-grader is better able to record her experiences and make some predictions based on her extra years of experience. Your preschooler or kindergartner is usually developmentally capable of physically engaging with things on his own, and has gained enough facility with language to begin describing and discussing his experiences.
This Website brings current science to the general public, informal learning centers, …
This Website brings current science to the general public, informal learning centers, and classrooms. The three Science Bulletins -- Astro, Earth, and Bio - present ongoing research and recent discoveries in astrophysics, Earth science, and biodiversity. Each bulletin has three types of stories: features, data visualizations, and weekly news snapshots. The Astro Bulletins weekly update includes a sequence of current images of the Sun provided by NASA. The video and editorial crew follows scientists into the field to capture original video material and interview scientists about their work-in-progress for the feature stories, which are presented as high-definition videos for informal learning centers and as rich-media collections on the Web. Data visualizations, presented in high-resolution for informal learning centers and in interactive formats on the Web, are based on satellite data sets from NASA, NOAA, and other sources for Earth and Bio; while AstroViz draws from the Museum's Digital Universe project, a growing three-dimensional map/database of celestial objects which has been developed with NASA support to enable science visualizations for research and education purposes. A free Educator's guide and learning activities tailored to the changing content are provided for the Science Bulletins web site.
This course focuses on early-stage biotechnology companies with particular emphasis on understanding …
This course focuses on early-stage biotechnology companies with particular emphasis on understanding the underlying science, technology, and disease targets—together with the application of novel business structures and financing methods—to facilitate drug discovery, clinical development, and greater patient access to new therapies. The course was created for MITx as a collaboration between the Whitehead Institute and the Sloan School of Management and is now archived on the Open Learning Library (OLL), which is free to use. You have the option to sign up and enroll in each module if you want to track your progress, or you can view and use all the materials without enrolling.
This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and …
This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and explores the relationships between the science of and policy toward such hazards. It presents the causes and effects of these phenomena, discusses their predictability, and examines how this knowledge influences policy making. This course includes intensive practice in the writing and presentation of scientific research and summaries for policy makers.
This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and …
This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and explores the relationships between the science of and policy toward such hazards. It presents the causes and effects of these phenomena, discusses their predictability, and examines how this knowledge influences policy making. This course includes intensive practice in the writing and presentation of scientific research and summaries for policy makers.
This NASA video explores the relationship between climate and agriculture. The video …
This NASA video explores the relationship between climate and agriculture. The video discusses the variability of climate impacts in different regions, as well as the effects of population growth and higher demands for food in areas that already struggle to supply food for the people. The video highlights the need for accurate, continuous, and accessible data and computer models from NASA satellites to track and predict the challenges farmers face as they adjust to a changing climate.
In this activity, you will use the scientific method and secondary data …
In this activity, you will use the scientific method and secondary data to build a dataset and answer the following question: Is Ohio getting wetter or drier?
In order to answer this question, you will follow these steps:
1) Make a prediction (hypothesis) â with justification â based on fact sheets available about the question topic;
2) After you have made a prediction, you will collect secondary data online (from the USGS WaterWatch program) and build a database on MS-Excel;
3) You will then explore trends on your data and create graphs/visual representations of these trends using MS-Excel;
4) Finally, you will compile all your conclusions, evaluate the accuracy of your prediction (hypothesis), and create a report of your findings.
In this two-part activity, learners compare how soil forms on Earth and …
In this two-part activity, learners compare how soil forms on Earth and the Moon. They examine different soil samples and compare them to lunar "soil" simulant. They explore how water, wind, and impactors help to make soil. This activity is part of Explore! To the Moon and Beyond! - a resource developed specifically for use in libraries.
In this lesson, students read about incidences of racial discrimination and how …
In this lesson, students read about incidences of racial discrimination and how those incidences were met with methods of protests. They engage in an activity that matches programs for low-income people with the type of economic inequity the program addresses and observe an activity simulating tax payments and transfers.
Students use compasses and bar magnets to simulate the collection of sea …
Students use compasses and bar magnets to simulate the collection of sea floor magnetic polarity data. Even though the students do not directly observe the magnets, they use the information to infer tectonic processes present at the mid-ocean ridges and calculate the spreading rates for two different ridges.
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files, they then use Excel …
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files, they then use Excel to graph these observations along with model prediction to assess the model's ability to simulated the observed topographic features of the North Atlantic.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files, they then use Excel …
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files, they then use Excel to graph these observations along with model prediction to assess the model's ability to simulated the observed topographic features of the North Atlantic.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
This is a quick (~25 min) classroom activity designed to stimulate thinking …
This is a quick (~25 min) classroom activity designed to stimulate thinking about sea ice, climate change, and differences between Arctic and Antarctic conditions.
(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate why sea level rise is occurring …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate why sea level rise is occurring and consider how people’s actions can alter its course.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson allows students to observe and measure the mean sea level, analyze the changes in the sea level, and convey the analysis using arts and painting. It improves their interdisciplinary skills and enables them to develop local strategies to respond to sea level rise impacts on their environment. All materials and videos have been reviewed and have passed the science credibility review.
POSITIVES: -Students work collaboratively to collect and report their observations. -This lesson features hands-on interaction with students’ predictions in order to dissipate misconceptions. -Students learn how art can be a powerful motivator for change. -Students collect data and build science practice skills.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -This is lesson 2 of 4 in our K-2nd grade Water and Plant Survival unit. -You will need to assemble a number of materials to set up the stations. A list of supplies and directions is provided in the Station Directions document. -You will need ice for a number of stations. Remember to plan ahead in order to freeze it! -Station 4 (optional) must be run by an adult because it uses boiling water. Alternatively, you can do the experiment from Station 4 as a demonstration in front of the whole class.
DIFFERENTIATION: -You can set up the stations in the classroom or outside. -There are two versions of the Observation Journal, one with more room to write and the other with more room to sketch. Choose the one that is best for your students. -All of the stations can be completed as whole group demonstrations. -Possible extension: Ask students to consider how to test their ideas from the Inquire section. Try some of their ideas and discuss if the results proved or disproved their hypothesis.
This video features Dr. Gary Griggs, a scientist with the National Research …
This video features Dr. Gary Griggs, a scientist with the National Research Council, discussing predictions for sea-level rise on the West Coast states. The video includes effective visualizations and animations of the effects of plate tectonics and sea level rise on the West Coast.
Video and animations of sea level from NASA's Climate website. Since 1992, …
Video and animations of sea level from NASA's Climate website. Since 1992, NASA and CNES have studied sea surface topography as a proxy for ocean temperatures. NASA Missions TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason 1 and Jason 2 have been useful in predicting major climate, weather, and geologic events including El Nino, La Nina, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
An interactive simulation of Earth's seasonal dynamics that includes the axial tilt …
An interactive simulation of Earth's seasonal dynamics that includes the axial tilt and other aspects of Earth's annual cycle. This is part of a larger lab from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln: http://astro.unl.edu/naap/motion1/motion1.html
An original informational story about Sun's role in heating Earth's air, land, …
An original informational story about Sun's role in heating Earth's air, land, and water and Sun's connection to the seasons and weather. The story encourages young readers to observe Sun's impact on weather and the seasons and to make predictions about the weather. The story is available in separate versions for grades K-2 and 3-5 and as a downloadable, full-color pdf. The story is a feature of the free online magazine that focuses on the seven principles of climate literacy.
A 23-page PDF file (644 KB) with a complete set of activities …
A 23-page PDF file (644 KB) with a complete set of activities for elementary students (also effective in middle school) to learn about the life cycle of flowering plants with a focus on reproduction. Students predict how many seeds their Fast Plant will produce and engage in planting, growing, observing doing supporting learning activities to understand the life cycle. Carolina Biological sells a kit to accompany this activity for a class of 32 students, containing the seeds and planting materials. Alternatively, the activity can be taught using the "how to grow" instructions on the Fast Plants website, seeds from a packet of Standard Wisconsin Fast Plants (or seeds from Fast Plants you grow yourself) and your own potting mix and growing system. A 24-hour light source is needed for this activity.
No restrictions on your remixing, redistributing, or making derivative works. Give credit to the author, as required.
Your remixing, redistributing, or making derivatives works comes with some restrictions, including how it is shared.
Your redistributing comes with some restrictions. Do not remix or make derivative works.
Most restrictive license type. Prohibits most uses, sharing, and any changes.
Copyrighted materials, available under Fair Use and the TEACH Act for US-based educators, or other custom arrangements. Go to the resource provider to see their individual restrictions.