Foodweb Kerplunk
http://www.cbc.yale.edu/courseware/ms/index.html
This educational game produced by the Yale Center for Computational Ecology offers a highly interactive and engaging way to get a feel for the complex interrelationships of food webs. In Foodweb Kerplunk, the user plays the part of a town council member in suburban California, trying to protect native chaparral wildlife against the pressures of urban sprawl. Although Foodweb Kerplunk is designed for adult students, it could also serve as a valuable addition to advanced ecology-related courses at the high school level. The Web site includes detailed instructions and a brief introduction to the chaparral ecosystem. [RS]
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Biomes of the World
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/
The Missouri Botanical Garden offers this colorful and appealing Web site about Earth's biomes and aquatic ecosystems. Designed for kids, Biomes of the World offers loads of well-presented information on rainforest, taiga, tundra, desert, temperate deciduous forest, and grassland, as well as freshwater and marine ecosystems. Each biome or ecosystem includes pages of photos and facts covering related topics, such as location, biota, and threats. While no formal lesson plans are provided, this extensive and highly visual Web site offers a fantastic learning resource for younger students. [RS]
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Daily Lesson Plan: Thirsty for Drought Relief
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030128tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
In this Daily Lesson Plan from the New York Times Learning Network, students explore a variety of drought-related issues and research possible courses of action as part of a "drought preparedness taskforce." Based on New York Times coverage of drought in Arizona (story link provided), this exercise offers an active, interdisciplinary way to learn about water conservation and the ecological and economic effects of drought. Designed for grades 6-8 or 9-12, this exercise can be completed in one class period. The site includes useful Web links and a printer-friendly version of the lesson plan. Free registration is required. [RS]
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Genetic Research: Decisions to be Made
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/health/genome/genetics.html
NewsHour Extra from PBS offers a series of news-related lesson plans designed to make classroom material "more relevant and engaging." This Web site contains a multidisciplinary exercise for grades 9-12 that addresses current genetic research and the ethical implications therein. Written by Sue Rippe of Northwest High School in Wichita, this lesson plan takes three 90-minute periods to complete and includes a number of diverse activities that should appeal to different learning styles. [RS]
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Science NetLinks: DNA Chips [.pdf]
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=339
In this Science NetLinks lesson plan designed for grades 9-12, students explore the issues surrounding DNA microarray technology, a revolutionary technology helping scientists to decipher the primary human genome and, eventually, the genomes of individual people. DNA Chips draws from the National Institutes of Health Snapshots series, which "focuses on a single area of biomedical research to help students understand how science, people, ethics, and history all fit together." All necessary materials are provided -- NIH Health Snapshots documents and handouts in particular. Students are expected to have some familiarity with the material before beginning the lesson. [RS]
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AskERIC Lesson Plans: The Beating Heart
http://www.askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Anatomy/ANA0204.html
This straightforward lesson plan from AskERIC introduces second-graders to cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. With taking pulse rates and observing a beef heart, this 90-minute activity guides students in identifying the location of the heart and pulse points, demonstrating how blood circulates through the body, and identifying the physical components of the circulatory system. The two provided worksheets measure what students understand before and after completing the lesson. The Web site also includes a short vocabulary list and detailed directions for guiding students through the exercises. [RS]
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CancerQuest [Flash]
http://www.cancerquest.org/
This Emory University Web site offers an extensive set of illustrated tutorials designed to teach the biology of cancer. Developed for cancer patients, friends and families of cancer patients, and health professionals, CancerQuest aims to "inform the curious and empower current cancer patients and survivors of cancer with a better understanding of the disease process and the approaches currently taken in cancer treatment." Topics covered include cell structure and function, the genetics of cancer, tumor biology, cancer treatments, and more. The tutorials offer detailed information, great graphics and 3-D animations, and authoritative references for additional information. [RS]
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Pollination Parties! [.aiff]
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/tlc-butterflies/
This DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan for grades 3-5 and 6-8 explores the phenomenon of pollination and related concepts. The Web site includes straightforward procedures, discussion questions, and additional activities, as well suggested reading and Web links for gathering background information. Activity worksheets are provided, as is a vocabulary list complete with audio clips for help with pronunciation and definitions. [RS]
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