NSTA Learning Center Professional Development Tools

Solar System

7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

A solar system consists of at least one central star (in our case, the Sun) and other solar system objects (e.g., planets, moons, comets, asteroids, meteoroids) of different sizes and shapes, all of which are held in a system around the Sun. Stars and their solar systems are further held together in galaxies. Our own galaxy, known as the Milky Way, has over 100 billion stars, and we are only beginning to identify other solar systems in the Milky Way. For millennia, humans from every culture, ancient and modern, have searched the heavens, attempting to understand our place in the vastness of space. Through time, we have learned that Earth and other planets, their moons, dwarf planets, and a multitude of comets, asteroids, meteors, and other small bodies orbit the Sun. We also now know that the Sun's influence stretches out about 100 times farther than the distance from the Sun to Earth. Beyond the limit of the Sun's influence, lies the emptiness of interstellar space, which separates our solar system from those of other stars in our galaxy. The more we explore with telescopes and with spacecraft loaded with ever more capable scientific instruments, the more we learn about our own solar system as well as others in our galaxy.

Rocks

7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

This guide explores rocks, from processes that can change them (such as weathering), to what can happen to them as they move through the rock cycle. Using this guide, teachers of middle school students will focus on the tangible process of sedimentary rock formation, but will also touch on the rock cycle as a whole. Use the sites in this guide to learn about rocks through text and multimedia simulations, read about scientists' work, develop inquiry activities that encourage students to explore rocks, and discover common misconceptions about rocks and rock formation.

Nutrition: Grades 5-8

6/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Nutrition can be defined quite simply as the science of how the body uses food. But what is food? How does food transform into substances that nourish the body? What do those substances do, and what foods provide them? And how do we make informed food choices to sustain life? Using a variety of online resources - including simulations, games, articles, and science demonstrations to do in class -- students will learn these nutrition basics. They'll learn a variety of tools to make wise food choices, and they'll track and evaluate their own food choices, using science-based food and nutrition guidance.

Nature of Light

5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

What is light? Our experience with light is that which we can see. Our eyes contain two different types of photoreceptors, rods and cones. Rods are extremely sensitive to light but can't distinguish color. Cones which are less sensitive than rods, respond to light of different wavelengths, producing color vision. Instruction for understanding light begins with an understanding of mechanical waves and the properties of those waves. However, light also has particle-like properties, and exhibits a wave-particle duality. This SciGuide breaks down the complexity of teaching the nature of light into manageable chunks arranged in a logical sequence for learning. You may choose specific Themes or Keywords appropriate to your students and teaching objectives. Individual Themes and Keywords identify misconceptions and conceptual difficulties. Many web resources provide simulations and data to enhance understanding and engage students in inquiry.

Chemical Reactions

5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

We don't often stop to think about it, but underlying many of our everyday activities are chemical reactions. From the cooking of an egg to the growth of a child, chemical reactions make things happen. Although many of the reactions that support our lives are quite complex, all follow the same basic rules: matter is conserved; energy is released or absorbed; new substances form. By studying chemical reactions from the simple to the complex, scientists are able to adapt principles of chemical reactivity to developing new foods, medicines, fuels, and even consumer goods such as cleaning agents and fabrics. The investigation of new chemical reactions continues to improve our lives and increase our understanding of the world. This science guide is organized into four sections of Web resources that support curricular activities related to chemical reactions. The first section focuses on atomic rearrangements and changes in electron configurations within reacting atoms and molecules as the basis of chemical reactivity. The second supports the application of these principles to three types of chemical reactions: oxidation-reduction, acid-base, and free radical reactions. The third and fourth sections provide resources for teachers and students to delve into factors governing reaction rates and changes in energy as the result of reaction. Sites describing everyday examples of chemical reactions (such as those involved in making bread and cheese) are emphasized to help students develop an understanding of the importance and relevance of these reactions to everyday life. Sites are also included that explain some of the newer applications of chemistry, such as its uses in forensic science, medicine, materials science, and engineering.

Resources and Human Impact: Grades 5-8

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

In today's global society, it has become increasingly important to educate our students about the human impact upon the Earth's resources. It is also our duty as teachers to teach our students responsible decision-making so that they may make better choices about how their actions affect Earth's complex system. Land, atmosphere, oceans, and all forms of life interact continually in our ever-changing planet that may not be noticeable on a day-to-day basis; for example, some of these interactions over time drive the course of climate change. The websites in this guide will help you bring real-world data into the classroom, engage students in collaborative studies using real-time data, and help your students to understand that humans have the power to create new technologies and methods that will reverse this negative impact. As students work through the simulations, interactive data charts, educational games, and more, they will learn core content, apply scientific and mathematical skills, and become knowledgeable "keepers of the Earth."

Resources and Human Impact: Grades 9-12

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

Human modifications to communities of living organisms in an ecosystem can change the function and processes of that system. The flow of energy through an ecosystem depends upon the diversity of organisms within it; therefore, when this flow is altered, substantial biological and geological changes occur. It is important that our students not only realize that when a local ecosystem is destroyed or negatively affected by human transformations (building, agriculture, technology); the effect is eventually felt globally. We cannot ignore the fact that everything we do impacts our natural environment. The main question is, "How can we be better "keepers of the Earth"? It is our responsibility to educate our students so that they will become the informed citizens of our future-citizens who are capable of making good decisions based on fact rather than theory. The study of environmental systems should be an integral part of the science curriculum. Doesn't it make sense to integrate this study with the study of Earth's biomes, ecosystems, climatic conditions, alternative energy sources, ocean currents, and atmosphere? All of these concepts are intertwined and interactive, and all have a profound impact on our natural environment and our daily lives. Our students will be the driving force in addressing global environmental issues such as renewable energy policy, conservation of wetlands, agricultural restoration, or setting standards for global recycling. Therefore, they must understand that the Earth's atmosphere, land, oceans, ice and life is a single, connected system, and learn science content that is relevant to their lives. This web guide is designed to help integrate the study of all Earth's systems with your science curriculum. You will find facts, current research data, lesson plans, investigations, simulations, video clips, and more to help you teach your students about real-world environmental issues.

Experimental Design

7/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

This SciGuide addresses how students can improve the design of investigations and understand how scientists do science. The format of this SciGuide is designed to help all precollege teachers (K-4, 5-8, and 9-12) design inquiry investigations.

Energy

1/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

This SciGuide addresses forms of energy and the transformations between forms of energy. Included are general principles of energy transformation as well as specifics on the various types and forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, and heat.

Estuaries

3/23/2007 12:00:00 AM

Estuaries are bodies of water and their surrounding coastal wetlands typically found where rivers meet the sea. Estuaries harbor unique plant and animal communities because their waters are brackish-a mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salty seawater. Estuaries are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. Many animal species rely on estuaries for food, places to breed, and migration stopovers. Human communities also rely on estuaries for food, recreation, jobs, and coastal protection. Of the 32 largest cities in the world, 22 are located on estuaries (e.g., New Orleans, London, etc). Not surprisingly, human activities have led to the decline in the health of estuaries, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems on the Earth. NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System in partnership with coastal states monitors the health of estuaries and helps communities manage their coastal resources.

Science and Our Food Supply

1/31/2007 12:00:00 AM

Each year millions of people in the United States are known to become ill due to food poisoning (food-borne illness). How ill can you become? Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and fever are just some of the symptoms that a person can have from food poisoning. Not very pleasant is it? Health authorities have a saying: "First you're afraid that you're going to die, then you're afraid you are not going to die." In 1999 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were over 76 million cases of gastrointestinal disease including 325,000 hospitalizations and over 5,000 deaths that were directly attributable to food poisoning. The main concern in food-service sanitation is the prevention of illness caused by contaminated food. Bacteria, parasitic worms, and chemicals can all cause food-borne illness. Unfortunately, most food-borne illness is not recognized as such and is therefore seldom reported. By now you are probably wondering why someone would prepare or eat poisoned food? Doesn't poisoned food taste, look, or smell bad? No! If it did, people wouldn't eat it. Would you eat a piece of pie that smelled bad? Would you cook a piece of green chicken? Of course not! According to experts at the CDC, the leading factors causing food-borne illness are: - Improper cooling, such as leaving cooked foods at room temperature. - Lapse of a day or more between preparing and serving. - Holding hot foods at the wrong temperature. - Improper and inadequate refrigeration of foods. - Infected persons touching and handling food. - Improper reheating of previously cooked foods. - Improper cleaning of kitchen equipment such as knives, pots, and cutting boards.

Living in the Weather

12/13/2006 12:00:00 AM

What is weather? Is climate different from weather? It doesn't matter where you live or where you travel, weather patterns influence your daily life. In this guide, students will engage in exploring and predicting the conditions in the atmosphere that are responsible for weather patterns and climatic conditions, and investigate how extreme weather impacts humans and the environment. While many of the keywords embedded into the "Living in the Weather" themes will be familiar, do your students really understand them? This guide provides teacher-tested, reliable links that allow you and your students to "surf" the internet in a quest to better understand how atmospheric conditions directly relate to weather on Earth. Understanding weather and climate can be a great opportunity for you to engage students in topics and themes that connect Earth and space science, life science, and physical science in a real way. The National Science Education Standards (NSES) focus on the study of weather and climate and their impact on human life. This guide uses the ongoing work and technology of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (known to the public simply as NOAA). NOAA scientists study our planet Earth in a global way. Working together with scientists worldwide, NOAA scientists study the diversity of living organisms (including humans) and their impact on our environment-not only in our country but in every country and continent around the world.

Effects of Oceans on Weather and Climate

12/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

The oceans cover more than 70% of Earth's surface and play a major role in regulating the weather and climate of the planet. Earth's oceans absorb heat from sunlight, hold on to that heat, and transport it around the globe through the movement of ocean currents. The motion of the atmosphere, or winds, above it, also affects the oceans currents. The energy in the wind gets transferred to the ocean at the ocean surface affecting the motion of the water there. With the use of sensitive instruments we are able to get a better view of the functioning of our oceans and atmosphere. This science guide will point teachers and students to resources to help develop a better understanding of some of the factors that impact Earth's weather and climate. Sites with recent research and satellite data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other organizations help students understand how changes in temperature or air circulation are part of complex, longer-term cycles. They'll also learn about the interconnections between air, sea, and land and that any change could have multiple causes-and multiple effects.

Living and Working in Space: Habitat

8/16/2006 12:00:00 AM

NASA has a vision and goal of returning humans to the moon for long-duration missions by the year 2020, how will they do it? Humans have not ventured to the moon since the Apollo missions from 1969-1972 and those were brief excursions. 30 years later, new technologies and applications have been developed that will make lunar living a reality. Why not incorporate this new and exciting adventure into your study of life, physical, and Earth science in a motivating way? Pique your students' natural curiosity by using space science as your "hook." As NASA designs and develops habitats and life support systems for their lunar missions, they will be focusing on the task of having an "Earth like" environment on the moon that contains food, shelter, water, and air for all living things. Scientists and engineers at NASA's Johnson Space Center have already begun "to make living on the moon a reality." Beginning with a lunar landing "mock-up" that has a crew cabin with a small galley, waste collection area, sleep area, storage compartments, and even medical supplies, they are designing "mini" space habitats to support life in space for up to seven days. Living in space requires attention to health and fitness, food production and waste management, sources of power, transportation, and communication, and social adaptations that space ecosystems will depend upon. Teaching about ecosystems, habitats, and health through space science helps students to see the real-life application of their studies, transfer their knowledge to other situations, and wonder about the future. Isn't this what we all want to accomplish when we design our curriculum around the teaching standards? The web resources in this SciGuide will help students learn core science content in a fun, meaningful context. Using what they know about life on Earth, they will make predictions and inferences about the success of human life in space. Now that's engaging! This web guide offers a variety of resources for you and your students, all of which have been evaluated and rated by master teachers across the country in an effort to make your task of incorporating technology into the classroom easier. Looking for life science lesson plans about ecosystems, populations, interdependence, microorganisms, and more? You will find them in this guide along with interactive simulations, images, hands-on investigations, and content background. NASA strives to provide teachers with standards-based, inquiry lessons and this SciGuide is an example of their efforts.

Living and Working in Space: Energy

8/16/2006 12:00:00 AM

What is energy? Scientifically speaking, energy is the ability to do work or the ability to move an object. How can energy be changed? What forms of energy are needed to support life? These and other questions are explored in this guide. Students are intrigued by the idea of living and working in space and their curiosity can be used to better understand the different forms of energy on Earth and in the universe. Space science can be used to teach the abstract concepts of energy and matter by learning about the ways NASA astronauts, scientists, and engineers continue to explore these concepts to develop space colonies and exploration vehicles of the future. The concept of energy is intertwined throughout our study of science whether it be life, physical, Earth or space. As NASA and its world partners continue to build the International Space Station, scientists and engineers on Earth will use the new information to improve our lives in many ways. We may learn new ways of changing, or transforming, energy to create new technologies that can help us use energy more efficiently, and to better understand how energy sources impact humans globally. We can use this knowledge to protect our environment through the use of renewable (such as wind, solar, air) and alternative (such as geothermal, nuclear) resources, to produce new and better medicines to treat illness and disease, and to create new and improved technologies for the advancement of Earth and space science. This web guide offers teachers a motivational "hook" to get students engaged in the study of energy by providing teacher-evaluated links to NASA resources. It is through these links that students discover how living in space relates to living on Earth. Lesson plans and web links correlate to the National Science Education Standards (NSES) as well as technology standards and the AAAS benchmarks. NASA has a wealth of educational resources available online; this guide is meant to provide teachers with a streamlined way to incorporate these resources into the classroom.

Force and Motion

8/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Whether planning a trip to mars, determining the structure of atoms and molecules, or using tire marks to recreate an automobile accident, many of the applications of science involve prediction of what objects are going to do and how they will interact. Fortunately, we know a great deal about such motions and interactions, thanks to centuries of scientists studying just these things. This SciGuide addresses four main themes-describing position and motion, Newton's first law, Newton's second law, and Newton's third law. Accurate and reliable descriptions of where something is and what it's doing are essential for laying a groundwork for the causes of motion and changes in motion. Newton's laws, used by scientists and laypeople alike, provide the solid framework of those causes. The contents of this SciGuide will provide resources for understanding and applying all these concepts in a way that will tie the formal statements with practical experiences and applications.

Coral Ecosystems

6/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Why study coral ecosystems? Having survived millions of years, coral reefs are among the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on earth. Learning about coral ecosystems encompasses many of the 9-12 grade science curriculum standards. Life cycles of organisms, biological structure and function of organisms, and the behaviors and adaptations of organisms to their environment are all topics easily studied through a focus on coral reefs. All populations in this ecosystem are interdependent and part of a global food web. Healthy coral ecosystems are important to the humans, plants, fish, and other organisms that depend on them. However, the increasing impact of climate changes and human activities is endangering the very survival of these ecosystems. Pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and diseases are all threats to the survival of coral ecosystems around the globe. Learning about them- "their fragility and value"- will help students understand what is needed to protect them. This SciGuide highlights outstanding NOAA resources, such as online tutorials and complete, hands-on, inquiry based lesson plans from the National Ocean Services. These resources address three areas. First, students can study the biology of the coral organism, learning about types of coral and where they are found. Next, resources focus on the populations, habitat, and dynamics of coral ecosystems. Finally, teachers and students, through online data sources and activities, learn about conservation of our coral ecosystems. Natural threats, human disturbances, and the benefits of coral protection focus students on the real world importance of science learning.

A Close-Up Look at the Red Planet

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Our conception of "life" on other planets, especially what life on Mars may resemble or has resembled in the past, is based upon the media. Our images have been of "little green Martians." Before we can learn and understand the complexity known as Mars, we must first learn about Earth. Using "Earth-The Making of a Planet" by Roy Gallant and Christopher Schuberth, discovering and exploring Earth will assist us in our journey to Mars. Before searching the wide variety of web sites, we will also review the Astrobiology Goals mentioned in the Astrobiology Roadmap. See web site-http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/roadmap/ With our two explorer rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, both traversing the surface of the red planet, together with the research data and pictures that we have previously received from the Viking and Pathfinder missions, we now speculate that life may exist now or has existed in the past on Mars. Scientists believe that life on Mars was/is life in the form of bacterial-type organisms, many of which are invisible to the naked eye. Come, join us in a voyage from Antarctica, at the bottom of the world, to Siberia, at the top of the world; from Baja, California to the Bahamas; and from Earth to the Meridiani Planum on Mars. The Internet will connect you and your students, using content and activities, to the study of life on earth and its relevance to the discovery of past and perhaps present life on Mars.

Earth and Sky: Grades K-4

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

"We all live under the same big sky." Since the beginning of time, humans have been intrigued by the objects in our sky and beyond. Take a voyage into space science where you will travel through the Internet to connect your classroom with content and activities designed to teach concepts related to these objects and changes in the sky over time.

Genetics

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

What affects how physical characteristics are transmitted from parent to offspring? This is a question that can be answered at many levels. Molecular biologists examine the pattern of nucleotides in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the effect of mutations on the proteins produced. Classical geneticists explore the patterns by which traits are transmitted through families. Medical geneticists attempt to describe and develop treatments for diseases that have a genetic component. Genetic engineers analyze how traits can be altered in organisms through modern technology. These are only a few of the strategies that scientists employ to explain the nature of heredity. Explore historical perspectives on the study of genetics and investigate how cutting-edge technology is being used to expand our understanding of heredity.

Organisms: Grades 5-8

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) for this Life Science topic call on students to appreciate the interrelationships among plants, animals, and their environments. In this guide, "environments" include both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components. Science textbooks and the Internet describe organisms and their environments using common terminology, such as habitats and biomes; food webs, behavior, and populations; and so on. This web guide provides links to teacher- and student-friendly core content, inquiry, and aligned assessment websites. Some of the examples enable teachers to develop meaningful lesson plans and activities that help students understand organisms and their environments. A team of experienced science teachers reviewed and evaluated each website before submission, and all resources correlate with the NSES.

Properties of Objects and Materials

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Support your students' natural curiosity by engaging them in observations and manipulations of objects and materials. They should describe attributes of objects. They should subject materials to mixing, heating, freezing, stretching, bending, and anything else they can safely do. In the process they will be recognizing differences and similarities and building vocabulary. They will be developing the ability to categorize.

Severe Weather

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Meteorologists disagree as to what constitutes severe weather. However, most concur that thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, all considered to be "convective" weather, fit the definition of severe weather, which is a weather condition likely to cause hardship. This science guide will explore each of the three weather phenomena. By virtue of their locations, most students are familiar with at least one of the three severe weather events. Students who tour the web sites will have an opportunity to make connections between the familiar and the perhaps less understood weather events.

Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

The study of chemistry requires an understanding of the structure of atoms, the properties of chemical compounds, the types of bonds formed as compounds are made and the types of reactions that can occur. All of these areas are examined in the themes listed below. These resources vary from text-based review documents to some very interactive web sites.

Earth Structures

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

This web guide explores several natural phenomena that are constantly changing the face of the Earth. These geologic forces not only impact the physical features of our planet but ultimately affect the biosphere in a dramatic way. Historically, the changes have ranged from gradual (such as with the process of mountain building) to the spontaneous (such as with seismic events).

Reproduction and Heredity

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

As older students enter the prepubescent years, they start to ask complex and sometimes sensitive questions. How does the egg become an organism? Do plants reproduce the same way as animals? Teaching about reproduction and heredity in these years is important since inaccuracies and misconceptions are easily developed. Whether you are teaching elementary students about characteristics and life cycles, or middle school students about reproduction and heredity, this web guide is an excellent resource for locating some of the best web sites to help develop student understanding from kindergarten through eighth grade. This web guide has multiple sites to help students and teachers develop an understanding of themes. Some sites are interactive and allow for student exploration into a deeper understanding of the theme. Others are good for core content, career information, or data sources. Use the icons associated with each site to select those that will meet your instructional needs. If you are looking for something specific, such as assessment, you can use the icons at the top as a filter to help you locate the resources you need. The content contained here also reminds teachers of the sensitive issues that arise when investigating human pedigrees, and offers alternative investigations into all characteristics -- whether genetic or environmental.

Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Would you like to make you own geyser explode? Take part in a copper caper? Create a glittering globe? Investigate ice crystals? The answer, of course, is ... YES! Dive into this pool of web sites to discover dynamic, mind-expanding places where teachers and students will increase their understanding of matter and materials. The Web pages targeted from this guide provide content material, activities, lesson plans, assessments, or interactive sites for use by teachers and students, broken into appropriate age-level categories. They align with the National Science Education Standards (NSES). NSES Physical Science Content Standard B includes three main parts for grades 5-8: <ol> <li class="middleColcontent">Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter <li class="middleColcontent">Motions and Forces, and <li class="middleColcontent">Transfer of Energy. </ol> This web guide focuses on the first of these three parts, Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter.

Energy Resources

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Energy powers our planet. Find out where we get our energy and how we have developed technologies to fulfill our energy needs. Learn how our increasing demand for energy affects the environment and how we are addressing the negative effects of that demand through conservation efforts. How will we find ways to provide usable energy in the twenty-first century? Explore these subjects through looking at the energy resources available for use, the history and development of technologies that use these energy resources, and the effect on the environment when we use these resources.

Earth and Sky: Grades 5-8

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Organisms: Grades K-4

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Life Cycles and Inherited Traits

4/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

Young children are fascinated as they watch lizards, frogs, butterflies and other small animals develop through life stages, from being born to adult to death. Some of them experience pets at home, while others visit zoos and learn through online resources. Gardening offers an opportunity to observe stages of growth in plants and presents another view of the diversity of life. Characteristics of living organisms, their stages of life and the diversity around us are major concepts developed within this guide. Elementary students learn about growth and development and characteristics of organisms by observing plants and animals that are part of their immediate environment. Through these observations and experiences they begin to notice and develop an understanding that offspring resemble their parents; that characteristics (traits that are observed) are diverse even within same species; and that patterns and variations occur at every level of life. This foundation provides the basic building blocks that are instrumental to the further understanding of genes, traits, heredity and reproductions that they will study in later grades. All resources within this guide correspond to the National Science Education Standards and have been reviewed and evaluated by a team of experienced science teachers, taking into account the needs and concerns of elementary school teachers and students.