Marine Invertebrate Larvae: A Study in Morphological Diversity
http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/lacalli/
In this Web site, courtesy of Dr. Thurston Lacalli of the University of Saskatchewan, visitors will find an excellent collection of marine invertebrate larvae images. Consisting mainly of transmission electron micrographs, the image gallery may be accessed through a graphical or text-only menu. The phylogenetic tree layout of the graphical menu helps familiarize visitors with invertebrate classification. Lacalli also provides a brief tutorial intended for students new to the topic, which addresses basic features of marine invertebrate larvae and their phylogenetic significance. The sections on protostomes and deuterstomes include loads of helpful diagrams. Altogether, this visually appealing site would be a welcome addition to college-level courses in zoology or related subjects. [RS]
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Global Climate Change Student Information Guide [.pdf]
http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/Resources/gcc/index.html
The Global Climate Change Student Information Guide, available through Manchester Metropolitan University, presents "a comprehensive work for geology, geography, and environmental science students studying climate change." This online text offers detailed chapters covering the causes of climate change, the empirical study of climate, climate modeling, paleoclimatic change, and contemporary climate change. While topics covered lean necessarily toward the earth sciences rather than life sciences, this Web site should prove a valuable resource for students of the highly interdisciplinary environmental sciences. One drawback: the site does not include any images or diagrams. [RS]
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Dinosaurs [.pdf]
http://rbcm1.rbcm.gov.bc.ca/programs/dinos/index.html
The ever-popular dinosaur is the subject of this educational Web site from the Royal British Columbia Museum. The detailed yet kid-friendly introductory pages familiarize students with dinosaur anatomy and classification, geologic time, and the myths and legends that have sprung up as we've tried to make sense of these remarkable creatures. Seven lesson plans (ranging from grades K through 5) are available, covering topics such as dinosaur eggs, coprolites, scientific nomenclature, and more. The Museum also provides brief fact sheets for 16 different dinosaurs, offering pronunciation help, scientific name translation, and a general overview of each. [RS]
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Scientific American Frontiers: Calls of the Wild [.pdf, RealPlayer, WinMedia]
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1308/
As always, PBS offers a fantastic companion Web site to its popular series Scientific American Frontiers, this time for the episode "Calls of the Wild" (aired April 1, 2003). Viewers join researchers as they "listen in on animal communication as birds, bees, bugs, bats and elephants flirt, eavesdrop, and even give directions." Three lesson plans are available, as well as an answer key and a quiz based on the program, each for grades 5-8. The site also includes a number of Web-exclusive features, such as an in-depth interview with a spider biologist (cool audio clip of spider songs provided), a chance to email the scientists featured in the program (before April 8, 2003), and an interactive quiz about pair-bonding rituals (complete with detailed answers and related links for each question). As usual, visitors may view the entire episode online, and this is one that shouldn't be missed! [RS]
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Daily Lesson Plan: Fighting the War in Your Head
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030311tuesday.html
This Daily Lesson Plan from The New York Times Learning Network offers a fascinating exploration of the work of psychiatrist Dr. Jonathon Shay, whose approach to treating soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is "part neuroscience, part evolutionary theory, part psychiatric empathy, and part Homer." The lesson plan -- for grades 6-8 and 9-12 -- centers on a recent New York Times article about Shay and his research (story link provided), and has students role play as psychiatrists treating a fictional soldier returning from war. The lesson includes thoughtful discussion questions, homework ideas, extension activities, assessment guideline, vocabulary, and more. Altogether, this timely and engaging lesson provides a genuinely interesting, interdisciplinary experience. [RS]
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Genetic Origins: Mitochondrial Control Region [Flash, QuickTime, RealPlayer]
http://www.geneticorigins.org/geneticorigins/mito/intro.html
The Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory presents this multi-faceted educational Web site as part of the online feature "Genetic Origins: The study of human evolution begins with your own DNA." The Mitochondrial Control Region Web pages provides a comprehensive introduction (including first-hand lab experience) to the same methods researchers use to retrace the common maternal lineage of modern humans and our relationship to Neandertal. The site includes detailed introductory material (complete with animations and a video interview with the director of the Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute); procedures for DNA isolation, amplification, and analysis; in-depth lab exercises; and much more. College level or advanced high school biology classes with sufficient time and resources shouldn't hesitate to take full advantage of the challenging activities and opportunities offered through this Web site. [RS]
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NOVA Online: Search for a Safe Cigarette [Flash]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cigarette/
The NOVA documentary "Search for a Safe Cigarette" recounts the tobacco industry's decades-long attempt to engineer a safer cigarette. This companion Web site offers a number of interesting and informative features, as well as a lesson plan for grades 5-8 and 9-12. The interactive feature titled Anatomy of a Cigarette offers a fascinating tour of the conventional cigarette and two "safer" versions. The Web site also includes: a review of the safer cigarette's "checkered pedigree;" an animated introduction to physiological effect of nicotine on the brain; and a virtual laboratory where visitors can explore the basics of combustion. The lesson plan, which may be used independently of the NOVA program, has students examine government action on tobacco issues and consider the role of government in public health. [RS]
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Insect Orders and Common Families
http://eny3005.ifas.ufl.edu/lab1/
This straightforward Web site supplements lab sections of Principles of Entomology, a University of Florida insect survey course. Maintained by John Foltz of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, this recently updated site offers a collection of Web links for illustrations and descriptions of insect morphology. Organized by order and family, the links lead to University of Florida or other Web pages useful in identifying the orders and families of common insects. Some selections provide images only, while others offer detailed information. Foltz encourages users to contribute "more and better images illustrating the identifying characters, diversity, and beauty of insects." [RS]
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