Science News for Kids
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/
Science News Online has recently launched a terrific new Web site geared toward kids ages 9-13. It offers "timely items of interest to kids, accompanied by suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, Web resources, and other useful materials." Nicely presented and full of engaging stories with high "gee-whiz" appeal, Science News for Kids would be a great site to bookmark and visit regularly both in the classroom and at home. Content currently emphasizes the life sciences, but the site as a whole spans all scientific fields. In addition to activities and resources mentioned above, each article in this Web site includes links to related stories from Science News Online. [RS]
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Reviled and Revered
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/herps/start.html
Reviled and Revered is an excellent set of lesson plans on reptiles and amphibians, or herps, created by the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Education for grades 3-8. Reviled and Revered is just one example of the interdisciplinary, multicultural learning materials developed by the Smithsonian "to help teachers bring into their classrooms the educational power of museums and other community resources." The Web site includes five interesting lesson plans, most of which blend biology with an examination of our cultural attitudes toward herps. [RS]
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APSnet: Plants Get Sick Too [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.btny.purdue.edu/outreach/PlantPathStory/
The American Phytopathological Society (APS) has recently launched an illustrated, narrated version of "Plant Pathology: Past to Present" -- a storybook written by plant pathologists to "help people and young students, in particular, to understand the importance of plant diseases." Visitors follow Heinrich Anton deBary, the "Father of Plant Pathology," on a virtual tour of plant diseases and their impact on human history. English and Spanish versions of the story cover everything from wheat rust fungus to tulip break and beyond. [RS]
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The Natural Inquirer [pdf]
http://www.naturalinquirer.usda.gov/
The Natural Inquirer offers a fun way to learn about the research conducted by scientists with the USDA Forest Service. Online since 1998, The Natural Inquirer is written with middle school students in mind. Each issue may be downloaded or ordered free of charge and includes discussion questions and learning activities that help students and teachers make the most of the articles. The Web site also includes a section just for teachers filled with related Web resources and tips on how to use The Natural Inquirer in the classroom. The most recent issue of the journal covers wildland fire management and is available in English or Spanish. Visitors should note that some issues are available as downloads only (printed issues are out of stock). [RS]
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Daily Lesson Plan: Sizing Up Servings
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030722tuesday.html
With the growing concern over unhealthy eating habits in the US, this lesson plan from the New York Times Learning Network offers a timely and interesting look at the concept of serving size. The lesson helps students understand "the definition of a suggested serving size and re-define their daily food intake in terms of these recommended amounts." A recent New York Times article on the topic plus an extensive set of classroom activities form the basis of the lesson, which requires about one hour to complete. The site also offers homework ideas, links to Web resources, useful vocabulary words, extension activities, and more. [RS]
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Science NetLinks: Antibacterial Pollution [Real One Player]
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=178
Supermarket shelves groan under the weight of countless antibacterial products, but most of us have probably never stopped to consider what happens when these hand gels and dish soaps get washed down the drain. This Science Update from Science NetLinks presents an eye-opening look at the effect these products may have on fish and other wildlife. The site includes audio and a transcript of the recently aired Science Update radio spot, as well as a further explanation of the research behind the story and a set of discussion questions for use in the classroom. Links to related Web resources are also provided. [RS]
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Sci4Kids: Watermelon Just Got Better!
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/nutrition/story9/melons.htm#anchor1055776
Sci4Kids offers a series of short, kid-friendly articles about the work done by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This Web site contains a recent Sci4Kids feature introducing an ARS researcher and her work with watermelons. The article focuses on the phytonutrient lycopene, which may seem a bit heavy for a kid's Web site, but the author does a great job of explaining what lycopene is and why it's important. The site also includes a fun one-question quiz and a watermelon word game. [RS]
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SimForest [pdf, Microsoft Word]
http://ddc.hampshire.edu/simforest/index.html
This Web site contains a downloadable program and supporting educational materials designed to teach students the ecology of forest growth. Offered through Hampshire College, SimForest is available in two versions: A "black box" simulation and the more advanced "glass box" simulation, which allows inspections and modification of the underlying forest growth model. The site includes a number of lesson plans and other teaching resources for grades 7-12 and college level biology and ecology courses. The SimForest software and learning material is part of a larger NSF-funded research project -- the final report detailing project results (submitted in April 2003) can be downloaded from the section titled, About the Project. [RS]
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