Discover: The Secret Life of Ants
http://www.discover.com/issues/nov-03/features/the-secret-life-of-ants/
An Educator’s Guide To: The Secret Life of Ants
http://www.discover.com/educators-guide/nov-03/guide3/

The Secret Life of Ants, a free article from the November 2003 issue of Discover magazine, offers a fascinating look at the work of myrmecologist Walter Tschinkel, who studies the intricate architecture of subterranean ant nests. As Tschinkel explains, understanding ant-nest architecture has led to "a better understanding of the insects and the mysterious principle known to science as self-organization -- units of nature forming larger patterns through interactions with one another." The second website contains instructions for a do-it-yourself ant farm -- a fun classroom project that could be used in conjunction with the article or with other material. Users may also browse educator’s guides from previous months for more life sciences activities. [RS]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/hippo/index.html

This website is the online companion to Hippo Beach, which recently aired on the PBS series NATURE. And as the website explains, "from the study of hippos' essential relationships with birds to the discovery that hippos can communicate underwater, these mammals deserve a closer look." Students can get a closer look with "Sun, Sand, and Hippos," an interdisciplinary lesson plan for grades 3-5. The lesson guides students in researching and creating presentations on hippos and helpful weblinks, worksheets, and a teacher’s guide are provided. The website contains other special features as well, including video clips from the program, multimedia activities, informative essays, and more. [RS]

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/index.html

This San Diego Zoo website is absolutely packed with fun and informative stuff for kids, and features not only the residents of the zoo, but also the people who work there. Read All About It offers a look at how the San Diego Zoo began, why we give scientific names to animals, why animal enrichment is important, and much more. Science in Action offers simple experiments to do at home or in the classroom, like exploring what life would be like without an opposable thumb (with tape, not via amputation). The website also provides interesting essays on zoo-related careers, as well as cool multimedia games, animal-themed recipes, and loads of other great features. [RS]

http://www.science.org.au/nova/079/079key.htm

This website comes from NOVA Science in the News, an online educational feature of the Australian Academy of Science. The site offers a comprehensive review of stem cell biology and related issues over the past few years. In addition to informative essays, a glossary, and a suggested reading list, visitors will find a useful set of links to external sites with classroom activities. This annotated list features activities from the Genetics Science Learning Center, The New York Times Learning Network, the Australian Broadcasting Company, and other tried-and-true sources. [RS]

http://bio-ditrl.sunsite.ualberta.ca/

The Bio-Database of the Digital Imaging and Resource Laboratory (BIO-DiTRL) is a web-based database from the University of Alberta containing images, animations, and other digital resources available free of charge for teaching and learning purposes. BIO-DiTRL resources may be downloaded by students and instructors affiliated with publicly funded schools only, although anyone is welcome to explore the database. Users may browse BIO-DiTRL by taxa, biological concept, or grade level. A straightforward search engine is another option. The resources available -- mostly photos and diagrams -- look quite good, and users are encouraged to submit their own quality teaching media. [RS]

http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/CASDEPT/Hort/LeafID/

This straightforward tutorial on leaf identification comes from the Department of Horticulture at Penn State University. Simple diagrams, helpful photos, and clear explanations make short work of learning the basics of leaf identification. The website even includes a section on why anyone should bother learning this skill (i.e. it’s not just for dedicated horticulturists and botanists). The tutorial covers leaf structure, blade shape, margins, venation, and so on. The self-testing component appears to be unavailable at this time, but this site as a whole is definitely worth a look. [RS]

http://www.aipl.arsusda.gov/kc/kcindex.html

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) has a website just for kids, full of "interesting and exciting facts about [the] lab, cows, and your favorite dairy products." In addition to lots of fun trivia (e.g. the average body temperature of a cow, the number of pizza slices consumed in the U.S. every second etc.), this website provides multiple-choice quizzes and educational games. The Facts about AIPL section may be a bit dry for a younger audience, but altogether this site offers an engaging look at dairy production in the U.S. [RS]

http://www.azasweb.com/clubhouse/

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) presents Aza’s Web, an online headquarters for a campaign created "to engage a dialogue among zoos, aquariums, children and leaders" about protecting the environment. Aza’s Clubhouse offers kid-friendly games and activities with an environmental message, each featuring Aza, the campaign’s spokescreature (a somewhat bewildering character composed of nearly every animal taxa known to humanity, and then some). Visitors can read Aza’s comics, download a Pledge for the Planet certificate, play educational games, post a message to the online bulletin board, and more. [RS]