Learning and Understanding: Improving Advanced Study of Mathematics and Science in US High Schools: Report of the Content Panel for Biology
http://books.nap.edu/books/NI000404/html/
The pre-publication of this report by the Committee on Programs for Advanced Study of Mathematics and Science in American High Schools has recently been made available on the National Academy Press Web site. The 51-page report was undertaken to "compare the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and alternative programs for advanced study in biology with regard to content, pedagogy, and outcomes." An important finding of the report is that biology education in general has deficiencies at all levels, from primary school through the undergraduate level. Particularly, the report found that "AP and IB courses tend in general to be out of date, too broad, and too inflexible." [AL]
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The Polar Bear Tracker [QuickTime]
http://www.panda.org/polarbears/
This new Web site from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International explores how polar bears are affected by global warming. Data on the movements of two radio-collared bears can be viewed, along with the ice status, through a series of online maps. This is an interesting site with valuable information and a nice balance of maps, photos, and text. The animation of the polar bear tracking data is a really neat feature, but is best viewed by advancing through the stages manually because the rapid speed of the film makes it difficult to comprehend. [AL]
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Fun With Bacteriology
http://www.cbdn.ca/english/fun_with/fun_with.html
This Web site from the Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network is an introduction to bacteriology for a general audience. Photos and text introduce the basics including microscopy and Gram staining, different cell types, and bacterial culture plates. After exploring these topics, site visitors can then work through a series of short case studies with the knowledge that they have gained. This is an informative and easy to navigate site that may serve as an interesting learning tool for high school and undergraduate students. [AL]
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Woodland Network
http://www.skolweb.vaxjo.se/biowindows/default.htm
The Woodland Network is "an interactive environmental project for both primary and secondary schools."Available in a variety of different languages, this Web site includes the main project for secondary students, Woodland Research, along with two smaller activities for younger students. The projects are designed to allow students to collect real woodland sample data and make comparisons with data collected from other students around the world. The site includes adequate instructions and reporting forms, as well as a searchable database of submitted results. [AL]
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Bridging the Watershed
http://www.bridgingthewatershed.org/
Bridging the Watershed is a partnership between Washington DC area schools and the National Park Service that uses the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds as "learning laboratories." The Students section of this site has some great interactive activities that help students learn how to identify plants and ecosystems, determine stream health based on macroinvertebrate identification, and understand the perils of migratory fish. This is a great Web site with a broad range of information suitable to a variety of different age levels and interests, yet with enough detail to make each section stand alone. This site is also reviewed in the June 14, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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The Great Plant Escape
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/
This entertaining and educational Web site from the University of Illinois Extension asks students to help Detective Le Plant and his assistants, Bud and Sprout, solve mysteries of the plant kingdom. As they work through the cases, students can learn facts about plant structures, functions, and life cycles; develop an understanding of plants as an important food source; and complete a variety of hands-on activities. The site is designed for 4th and 5th grade students, and each case includes a teacher's guide to help steer students through the activities. Activities and cases can be used in series as they are presented, or as stand alone activities. [AL]
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Planet Earth: A Suite of Interactive Learning Activities on Ecology
http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/mtr/planetearthmainpage.htm
This collection of educational activities is provided by the Poway California Unified School District and the Museum of Television and Radio. Students in grades 5-9 can complete these activities involving real world environmental issues by exploring the online resources and developing responses to the thought provoking questions. A large number of high quality Web links are used throughout the activities, and the activities themselves are presented in an easy-to-follow format. [AL]
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Agropolis Museum: Food and Agricultures of the World
http://museum.agropolis.fr/english/index.html
These virtual exhibitions from the Agropolis Museum in France focus on issues surrounding food acquisition throughout history and across cultures. The History of Food and Agriculture is an extensive online exhibit that visitors can navigate through, and explore in as much depth as they choose. The other two exhibits are more brief, offering comparison information on farming and food consumption practices among a select number of cultures. All exhibits are easy to navigate, attractive, and offer a fresh look at the subject of food, something many of us take for granted. [AL]
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