Geography Action! Habitats: Home Sweet Home [Macromedia Flash Player, RealOne Player, Macromedia Shockwave Player]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/
National Geographic's Geography Action! is an "annual conservation and awareness program designed to educate and excite people about our natural, cultural, and historic treasures." This year the theme is Habitats: Home Sweet Home. Just as there are an amazing variety of habitats on the planet, so does this Web site have an amazing variety of features. In addition to habitat-specific lesson plans (ranging from grades K-12), visitors will find fantastic collections of National Geographic photos; interesting Web links; and several interactive multimedia adventures, such as piloting a mini-sub through a virtual kelp forest or taking an animated trek through the Arctic. The site also provides numerous ideas for exploring and protecting your own habitat. [RS]
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Science Matters [QuickTime, RealOne Player]
http://www.ucsd.tv/sciencematters/
This Web site -- the online companion to the educational television series Science Matters produced by the University of California at San Diego -- is an excellent learning resource for middle and high school students. Focusing on new developments in the biological sciences, Science Matters currently features four programs: Biodiversity in California, Genetics of Flowering, Communication in Bees, and The Code of Life. Each episode comes with an online overview, an extensive essay on why the research is important, and a series of questions designed to help students explore the topic. A detailed answer will appear if you roll the cursor over each question. The Web site and each episode are also available in Spanish. [RS]
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Bacteria: More Than Pathogens [pdf]
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/wassenaar.html
This ActionBioscience lesson plan has students explore the many roles of bacteria, harmful and beneficial. A detailed article written for ActionBioscience by a microbiologist provides background information, which is followed by discussion questions and educational activities designed for middle school to undergraduate biology courses. The Web site also provides carefully selected links for further exploring the topic, including useful sites for student research projects. [RS]
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PBS: Journey to Planet Earth [RealOne Player]
http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/index.html
PBS offers this companion Web site to Journey to Planet Earth, a recently broadcast documentary series that explores "the fragile relationship between people and the world they inhabit." In addition to the video clips and other online features provided for each episode, the Web site contains quality educational material geared primarily toward middle school students. For example, Environmental Lesson Plans (based on a Johns Hopkins University graduate course) helps students explore the causes, effects, and health implications of global environmental change. Look for additional Environmental Lesson Plans in summer 2003. [RS]
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Eat Smart. Play Hard. [pdf]
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/
The Food and Nutrition Service of the US Department of Agriculture offers online educational material as part of "Eat Smart. Play Hard." -- a public information campaign designed to promote healthy living in American children. While the site and its materials are geared for use by state and local program coordinators, anyone is welcome to download the available information and activity sheets. Click on Cool Stuff for Kids for nutrition-related puzzles and games. Parents Place offers informational brochures and an educational bookmark. [RS]
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Science NetLinks: Eavesdropping Plants
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=168
Science NetLinks offers online learning resources for the educational radio program Science Update. This Web site contains an audio file and a transcript of a recent Science Update program called Eavesdropping Plants. The program describes research on how plants communicate with one another chemically. Discussion questions follow, helping K-12 students explore the material and think about the experimental process. Links to the homepage of the University of California Botanical Garden and an article from the Ontario Science Centre offer good sources for further research. [RS]
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National Human Genome Research Center: Genetic Education Modules for Teachers [pdf]
http://www.genome.gov/10005911
The Web site for the National Human Genome Research Center offers a number of K-12 educational resources, including the six genetic education modules for teachers presented here. The modules include "specific teaching plans to present the history, facts, and genetic terminology behind the Human Genome Project, and the ethical, legal, and social questions surrounding the discoveries and advancements of this research." Similarly, the site also offers a Mentor's Manual, a communication guide for geneticists and other scientists for help in presenting their work to students in the classroom. [RS]
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Animals A-Z [wav]
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/atoz.html
Animals A-Z contains a collection of fact sheets from the Oakland Zoo. From alligator to zebra, visitors will find information and multimedia features for dozens of current and former Oakland Zoo residents. The Web page for each animal describes basic natural history (bibliography provided) and interesting factoids. Some Web pages also contain audio clips of animal sounds and links to flipbook-style "movies." While no actual lesson plans are provided, the site should serve as a useful online zoology resource that younger students should find helpful for reports or just for a fun visit. [RS]
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