NSTA Learning Center Professional Development Tools

Archive: Global Climate Change Impacts in the Eastern United States, November 17, 2009

11/17/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on November 17, 2009, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Tim Owen, from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, Frank Niepold, UCAR Climate Education Coordinator at NOAA Climate Program Office; and Peg Steffen, Education Branch Chief at NOAA. In this Seminar, Mr. Owen focused the presentation on specific climate changes, current and expected in the Eastern United States. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall09/NOAA/webseminar2.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Anti-matter Eyes on the Gamma-ray Skies November 12, 2009

11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on November 12, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Lynn Cominsky, Chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department at Sonoma State University (SSU). Dr. Cominsky talked about the Fermi telescope and the vision of space that is pictured by gamma ray ‘eyes'. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall09/NASA/webseminar1.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Knowing Nano: New Video, Web, and Print Resources from DragonflyTV, November 11, 2009

11/11/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, developed in collaboration with the National Science Digital Library, took place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. Dr. Lisa Regalla, Science Editor for DragonflyTV provided participants with a greater understanding of nanoscale science by giving a brief history of how our understanding of nanotechnology has rapidly grown over time. Dr. Regalla cited several examples of nano-level phenomena found in nature that scientists have studied. These phenomena help us to understand the structure of matter on a very minute scale and gives scientists and engineers opportunities to design nanoscale materials as a result. Stronger tennis racquets made from nanotube fibers, nano cleaning agents for water, and odor-absorbing socks made with nanosilver are all examples of how nanotechnology is being used in our everyday consumer products. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL4/webseminar2.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Design Squad: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Engineers November 4, 2009

11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

In this program, Natalie Hebshie, and Margot Sigur talked about Design Squad - a reality competition series on PBS where teenagers tackle engineering challenges from real word clients, and how to give kids a working understanding of physical science concepts while increasing their enthusiasm for engineering. The presenters highlighted a number of free educational resources, particularly, Design Squad's latest resource, the Design Squad Teacher's Guide that unleashes middle school kids' ingenuity and get them thinking like engineers. Ms. Hebshie and Ms. Sigur explained that the activities are linked to national science and technology standards and use low cost, readily available materials. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/WGBH/Webseminar1.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Everyday Engineering: Time's up, turkey-Pop-up thermometers

11/3/2009 12:00:00 AM

Meat thermometers can be awkward to use in terms of placement and avoidance of bones. Because of these problems, each year 30 million Thanksgiving turkeys have a built-in thermometer that pops up when the turkey is properly cooked. Turkey timers are an example of how engineering solved a common, everyday problem. The following 5E learning cycle activity, as with all of the activities in the Everyday Engineering series, integrates this engineering concept with science content, in this case, to investigate the development of the disposable pop-up cooking thermometer.

Science Shorts: Solar Pizza Friday

11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

In an effort to bridge the gap between science and technology and its effects on everyday life, this lesson engages students in a study of solar energy and technological design. Students make real world connections and develop their skills in scientific inquiry in the process. Read on to find out how to set up a pizza box solar cooker, and get cooking with homegrown or purchased ingredients.

Web Seminar: A Century of Cosmic Surprises December 8, 2009

10/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

Join Dr. James Lochner of the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology for a historical overview with cosmic significance. Over the past century, the model we use to describe the universe has changed from static to expanding to accelerating. In this workshop we trace some of the questions scientists have asked about the universe, and describe the tools they used to answer those questions. We show how in many cases, these led to surprising, unforeseen answers which have shaped our current understanding of the nature of the universe.

Web Seminar: From Sound Waves to Microwaves: "Listening" to the Oldest Light of the Universe with the Planck Mission December 16, 2009

10/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

Join Jatila van der Veen, Ph.D. Education and Public Outreach Coordinator for the Planck Mission, JPL/NASA Visiting Project Scientist, Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara in exploring the Cosmic Microwave Background - the oldest light we can observe - and the Planck Mission, a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency to map this primeval light with unprecedented detail. Learn how we use the physics of music to derive information about the early universe from the signal strength of the Cosmic Microwave Background at different frequencies.

Leo Cockroach …Toy Tester

10/19/2009 12:00:00 AM

Leo Cockroach, a dedicated but secret toy tester, knows that creating a good toy requires many hours of research, design, and testing. Unfortunately, the CEO of Waddatoy Toys doesn't appreciate his knack for recognizing the hottest toys-she's too busy trying to squash the "horrible little bug" with her high-heeled shoe! Students will undoubtedly giggle at Kevin O'Malley's playful depictions of the insect-size office worker's occupational hazards and his attempt to find more respect at the competitor's shop. They'll also recognize Leo's scientific approach to product testing and quickly identify the hallmarks of any well-defined invention.

Rice

10/19/2009 12:00:00 AM

This slim nonfiction volume explains where rice comes from, how it is planted and grown, the differences between white and brown rice, rice's nutritional value, and more-all in straightforward language that kids can understand. Glossy color photos bring the narrative to life, and a glossary provides additional educational value.

Construct-a-Catapult (e-book)

10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

Catapult into physics and technology with the heavy weaponry of the Middle Ages. Construct-a-Catapult integrates history, physics, mathematics, and technology in its challenge to high school students to design and build a working catapult system. They engage in a hands-on application of concepts such as torsion and elasticity as they learn the physics behind overcoming gravity and hurling objects through the air-SAFELY. In addition, students investigate elasticity, projectile launching, and learn about frequency distribution while working through the process of product design.

Construct-a-Glove (e-book)

10/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

Physics and technology go hand-in-hand in this practical demonstration of thermodynamics. By testing a simple prototype of an insulated grove, students learn about homeothermic regulation and the variables that influence heat transfer. The challenge to improve upon their initial model introduces them to the design process and the relationship between form and function. Working in teams, your students will learn how to integrate their knowledge of scientific principles with properties of the materials at hand in a fitting display of technological mastery.

Archive: ExploraVision Online Resources, October 14, 2009

10/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on October 14, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Brian Short from NSTA and Tony Rose a teacher at Northside Elementary in Palmyra, Pennsylvania and a National Award Runner-up. The presenters provided an overview of the ExploraVision program and instructions on how to use the website to register teams. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar7.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Everyday Engineering: What makes a squirt gun squirt?

9/30/2009 12:00:00 AM

You may not think of engineering and squirt guns in the same sentence. However, like many examples of engineering design, the squirt gun pump mechanism is uncomplicated, yet elegant, and very inexpensive to manufacture. The design is widely used because of its simplicity and low cost. With only a few moving parts, it is able to deliver a stream of water, a spray of cleanser, or a squirt of liquid soap. In this article, the authors will examine how these simple, everyday pumps operate. In addition, a lesson is included, which follows the 5E Learning Cycle Model.

Science Matters - Achieving Scientific Literacy, New Edition, Expanded and Updated

9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM

Knowledge of the basic ideas and principles of science is fundamental to cultural literacy. But most books on science are often too obscure or too specialized to do the general reader much good. Science Matters is a rare exception-a science book for the general reader that is informative enough to be a popular textbook for introductory courses in high school and college, and yet well-written enough to appeal to general readers uncomfortable with scientific jargon and complicated mathematics. And now, revised and expanded for the first time in nearly two decades, it is up-to-date, so that readers can enjoy Hazen and Trefil's refreshingly accessible explanations of the most recent developments in science, from particle physics to biotechnology.

Teaching through Trade Books: Secrets of Flight

9/24/2009 12:00:00 AM

The date was December 17, 1903. The place was a windswept beach near Kitty hawk, North Carolina. With Orville Wright at the controls and his brother Wilbur running alongside, the plane took off. This event lasted only 12 seconds, but it made history as the first successful sustained flight by a human-powered aircraft. The Wright brothers had uncovered the secrets of flight. In this month's column, students explore the history of flight and use problem-solving skills to improve the flight distances and flight times of paper gliders.

Problem Solving by Design

9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM

In a unique school-university partnership, methods students collaborated with fifth graders to use the engineering design process to build their problem-solving skills. By placing the problem in the context of a client having particular needs, the problem took on a real-world appeal that students found intriguing and inviting.

Archive: Getting Your Class Started in ExploraVision, September 16, 2009

9/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on September 16, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Brian Short from NSTA and Michael Lampert from West Salem High School in Oregon. The presenters gave an overview of the ExploraVision program and shared personal experiences with working with their students throughout the process. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar6.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

"New Science" and Societal Issues

9/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

As a "new science," nanotechnology has brought many nanoscale-based applications to the forefront of society. This article describes one such application-a nanosensor that can precisely detect a variety of chemical stimuli in the environment-and presents the science behind it as an interdisciplinary science topic. This article also provides scenarios that can be used in the classroom to discuss the unique ethical concerns associated with nanosensors.

Podcast: The Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now

9/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: The Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, May 20, 2008. The podcast is 4 minutes 57 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about four science fields: space sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and health sciences and shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about them. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_May20">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Scientific Method

9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Scientific Method is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar3.aspx">How Science REALLY Gets Done</a>, October 16, 2007. The podcast is 7 minutes 10 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Dr. Phil Christensen, Principal Investigator for the 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument, and the Thermal Emission System (TES) instrument on Mars Global Surveyor. Dr. Christensen talked about how scientists approach complex problems, and how the scientific method is used within this context. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSHSR07_oct16">How Science REALLY Gets Done</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Phoenix mission

9/3/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Phoenix mission is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar13.aspx">Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?</a>, June 5, 2008. The podcast is 7 minutes 43 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Dr. Steve Ruff, Faculty Research Associate in the School of Earth and Space Exploration's Mars Space Flight Facility at ASU. Dr. Ruff gave an update on the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix Lander missions. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSERW08_Jun05">Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center library.

Podcast: Exploring Occupational Interests

9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Exploring Occupational Interests is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarI.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, April 30, 2008. The podcast is 8 minutes 23 seconds in duration. The source Web Weminar was the first of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about science careers. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_Apr30">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Careers in Earth Sciences

9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Careers in Earth Sciences is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, May 20, 2008. The podcast is 9 minutes 52 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about four science fields: space sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and health sciences and shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about them. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_May20">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Careers in Heath Sciences

9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Careers in Heath Sciences is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, May 20, 2008. The podcast is 9 minutes 15 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about four science fields: space sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and health sciences and shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about them. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_May20">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Careers in Environmental Sciences

9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Careers in Environmental Sciences is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, May 20, 2008. The podcast is 12 minutes 42 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about four science fields: space sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and health sciences and shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about them. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_May20">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now

9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, May 20, 2008. The podcast is 4 minutes 57 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two developed as a follow-up to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about four science fields: space sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, and health sciences and shared strategies that teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about them. The seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSFAZ08_May20">From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Earth and Mars Similar Features

9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Earth and Mars Similar Features is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2008. The podcast is 7 miniutes 25 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Microbes and Climate

8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Microbes and Climate is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYlife/webseminarII.aspx">Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems</a>, June 14, 2007. The podcast is 8 minutes 59 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of on the topic of "Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems". The presenter was Dr. David Kirchman, Maxwell P. & Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware's College of Marine and Earth Studies. Dr. Kirchman talked about how climate change is affecting the Arctic, the importance of microbes as producers and consumers of greenhouse gases, and genomes. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSPCCLS07_June14">Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: The Role of Microbes in the Artic Ocean

8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: The Role of Microbes in the Artic Ocean is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYlife/webseminarII.aspx">Impact of Polarl Climate Change on Living Systems</a>, June 14, 2007. The podcast is 11 minutes 54 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of on the topic of "Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems". The presenter was Dr. David Kirchman, Maxwell P. & Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware's College of Marine and Earth Studies. Dr. Kirchman talked about how climate change is affecting the Arctic, the importance of microbes as producers and consumers of greenhouse gases, and genomes. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSPCCLS07_June14">Impact of Polarl Climate Change on Living Systems</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Why are Polar Regions Important for Global Climate?

8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Why are Polar Regions Important for Global Climate? is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/IPY-Boston/webseminarI.aspx">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a>, May 1, 2008. The podcast is 11 minutes 24 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the IPY Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenter focused her presentation on the following four questions: (1) Why are the polar regions important for global climate? (2) What is one (of many) important climate discoveries from past ice coring science? (3) How can teachers and students become engaged in IPY ice coring programs? (4) Where can teachers get reliable information about climate change science? The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSPSG08_May01">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Discoveries from Ice Coring Science

8/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Discoveries from Ice Coring Science is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/IPY-Boston/webseminar.aspx">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a>, May 1, 2008. The podcast is 14 minutes 1 second in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the IPY Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenter focused her presentation on the following four questions: (1) Why are the polar regions important for global climate? (2) What is one (of many) important climate discoveries from past ice coring science? (3) How can teachers and students become engaged in IPY ice coring programs? (4) Where can teachers get reliable information about climate change science? The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSPSG08_May01">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: IPY Ice Coring Programs for Teacher and Students

8/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: IPY Ice Coring Programs for Teacher and Students is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/IPY-Boston/webseminarI.aspx">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a>, May 1, 2008. The podcast is 10 minutes 6 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the IPY Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenter focused her presentation on the following four questions: (1) Why are the polar regions important for global climate? (2) What is one (of many) important climate discoveries from past ice coring science? (3) How can teachers and students become engaged in IPY ice coring programs? (4) Where can teachers get reliable information about climate change science? The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSPSG08_May01">Polar Science Global Discoveries IPY Research Update for Teachers I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Exploring Bioethics Introduction

8/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Exploring Bioethics Introduction is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a>, March 26, 2009. The podcast is 7 minutes 38 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar is the first of two scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Liz Crane presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants responded to a variety of prompts used with students and discussed the pedagogy for using the curriculum with their students. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Mar26">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: 21st Century Explorer Project Overview

7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: 21st Century Explorer Project Overview is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Explorers/webseminarI.aspx">21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer</a>, April 24, 2008. The podcast is 5 minutes 28 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the NASA Symposium: 21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts. The presenters talked about food for spaceflight, past and present. They also did an overview of the 21st Century Explorer Educational Package of the same title. The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades 3-5. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSCET08_Apr24">21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: 21st Century Explorer Project Overview

7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM

Cruel, Cruel Summer

7/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

Scientists expect that a warmer climate will cause more severe, more frequent, and longer heat waves. Heat waves pose a significant health risk to everyone, but especially to poor, elderly, and chronically ill individuals. In this open-ended inquiry, students use raw data from public health websites to investigate the relationship between extreme heat and human mortality. The activity stresses data acquisition and analysis skills.

Ah-Choo!

7/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

Pollen allergies are becoming more prevalent globally, in part because of the effect of climate on pollen-producing plants. In this problem-based learning activity, students assume the role of public relations specialists contracted to communicate the link between climate change and allergies. This activity focuses on the importance of scientific skills to careers outside science.

Podcast: Mars Rover Spirit

7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Mars Rover Spirit is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar13.aspx">NASA JPL/NSTA Web Seminar: Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?</a> June 5, 2008. The podcast is 11 minutes 40 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Dr. Steve Ruff, Faculty Research Associate in the School of Earth and Space Exploration's Mars Space Flight Facility at ASU. Dr. Ruff gave an update on the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix Lander missions. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSERW08_Jun05">NASA JPL/NSTA Web Seminar: Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Video of Rover Airbag

7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Video of Rover Airbag is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar4.aspx">Robotics Engineering: Big Toys, Big Fun</a>, November 29, 2007 . The podcast is 7 minutes 31 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Kobie Boykins, Mechanical Engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Mr. Boykins gave the audience a "behind the scenes" look of what it was like to build the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSREB07_nov29">Robotics Engineering: Big Toys, Big Fun</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Mars Rover

7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Mars Rover is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar12.aspx">Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet</a>, May 14, 2008 . The podcast is 8 minutes 37 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Greg Mehall, Research Specialist at the Arizona State University. Mr. Mehall provided a "behind the scenes" look of what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. He also provided an update regarding the Phoenix mission to Mars which is expected to land on Mars at the end of the month Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSRER08_May14">Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Studying Mars

7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Studying Mars is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar12.aspx">Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet</a>, May 14, 2008 . The podcast is 12 minutes 9 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenter was Greg Mehall, Research Specialist at the Arizona State University. Mr. Mehall provided a "behind the scenes" look of what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. He also provided an update regarding the Phoenix mission to Mars which is expected to land on Mars at the end of the month Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSRER08_May14">Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Earth Science Careers

7/17/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Earth Science Careers is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a>, November 1, 2007. The podcast is 9 minutes 43 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two related to the Sally Ride Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in Detroit, Michigan. The presenters shared strategies teachers can use to engage their students in conversations about four specific science careers. The program was designed for educators of grades 6-9. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSATZ07_nov1">Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: More Resources from Design Squad and NASA

7/17/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: More Resources from Design Squad and NASA is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/WGBH/Webseminar.aspx">WGBH: Designed to Inspire: On the Moon</a>, June 4, 2009. The podcast is 8 minutes 17 seconds in duration. In the source Web Seminar, Susan Buckey, Natalie Hebshie, Kristy Hill, and Thea Sahr talked about how Design Squad encourages aspiring engineers and shares engineering activities that can be used in the science classroom. They focused the presentation of activities around those provided in the free On the Moon guide. They also gave a web tour of additional resources that can be found on the Design Squad website as well as the NASA web site for educators. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSOTM09_Jun04">WGBH: Designed to Inspire: On the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: NASA and Design Squad

7/17/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: NASA and Design Squad is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/WGBH/Webseminar.aspx">WGBH: Designed to Inspire: On the Moon</a>, June 4, 2009. The podcast is 7 minutes 39 seconds in duration. In the source Web Seminar, Susan Buckey, Natalie Hebshie, Kristy Hill, and Thea Sahr talked about how Design Squad encourages aspiring engineers and shares engineering activities that can be used in the science classroom. They focused the presentation of activities around those provided in the free On the Moon guide. They also gave a web tour of additional resources that can be found on the Design Squad website as well as the NASA web site for educators. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSOTM09_Jun04">WGBH: Designed to Inspire: On the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Recording Images Using a Simple Pinhole Camera

7/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

In this lesson, students develop and expand their observational skills and technological understanding by building and operating a pinhole camera. The interdisciplinary connections are in the realm of application in this motivating activity. The lesson provides students with opportunities to connect technology (the camera itself) to its aesthetic product (the photograph).

The Tower Challenge

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

This activity is an exciting and highly interactive opportunity for students to exercise their creativity and design skills. Working in cooperative groups, students are challenged to explore the geometry of tower design and construction, first by experimenting with possible designs, and then by choosing the most likely design candidate and building the tallest tower possible, using only paper and tape. This activity is easily connected to social studies via discussion of the world's tall towers or to human anatomy via discussion of the long bones of the body (which act like towers).

Designing and Constructing a Load-Bearing Structure

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

We rely on many structures to bear loads. Examples such as bridges, chairs, shelves, tall buildings, and even our own legs must support weight consistently and effectively. But where do the human-designed examples come from? Who designs these structures and how do they do it? In this activity, students get to apply science and mathematics as they get a hands-on and process-oriented experience of engineering, architecture, and design. First, they explore the properties of wire as a sculptural medium, and then they utilize some of that knowledge as they devise and build a load-bearing structure using nothing but 10 pipe cleaners.

Podcast: Lesson Extension on the Benefits of Trees

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Lesson Extension on the Benefits of Trees is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">SRS, NOAA, USFS, Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate II</a>, Thursday, April 23, 2009. The podcast is 7 minutes 2 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two scheduled as a follow-up to the Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program Dr. Bloniarz and Vicki Arthur showcased a curriculum that highlights the importance of trees as a natural resource. They gave participants a chance to hear about and use a tree benefits calculator that provides monetary values for the many benefits provided by trees. The presenters talked about Urban Forestry and explained that the projected growth of urban areas over the next 30 years will make the thoughtful planning of urban forests essential to environmental and economic prosperity. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSETE09_Apr23">SRS, NOAA, USFS, Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate II</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Tips for Conducting Ethics Discussions

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Tips for Conducting Ethics Discussions is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarII.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics II</a>, Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The podcast is 5 minutes 1 second in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Jeanne Chowning presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for the teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants reviewed and discussed sample questions on vaccination policies, talked about challenges in teaching bioethics, and were given philosophical background on where some of the ethical principles were initially derived. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Apr22">NIH: Exploring Bioethics II</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Criteria for Deciding Organ Transplantation

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Criteria for Deciding Organ Transplantation is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a>, Thursday, March 26, 2009. The podcast is 11 minutes 16 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two Web Seminars scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Liz Crane presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants responded to a variety of prompts used with students and discussed the pedagogy for using the curriculum with their students. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Mar26">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Incorporating Bioethics into the Curriculum

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Incorporating Bioethics into the Curriculum is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a>, Thursday, March 26, 2009. The podcast is 10 minutes 47 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two Web Seminars scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Liz Crane presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants responded to a variety of prompts used with students and discussed the pedagogy for using the curriculum with their students. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Mar26">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: United Network for Organ Sharing

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: United Network for Organ Sharing is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a>, Thursday, March 26, 2009. The podcast is 4 minutes 14 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two Web Seminars scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Liz Crane presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants responded to a variety of prompts used with students and discussed the pedagogy for using the curriculum with their students. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Mar26">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Weighing Organ Allocation Criteria

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Weighing Organ Allocation Criteria is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a>, Thursday, March 26, 2009. The podcast is 6 minutes 55 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two Web Seminars scheduled as a follow-up to the NIH: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction Symposium that took place at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, LA. In the program, Liz Crane presented specific examples of the NIH and EDC developed curriculum for teaching bioethics in the high school classroom. Participants responded to a variety of prompts used with students and discussed the pedagogy for using the curriculum with their students. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEBA09_Mar26">NIH: Exploring Bioethics I</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Overcoming Obstacles to Family Involvement

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Overcoming Obstacles to Family Involvement is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminarII.aspx">Successful Strategies for Involving Parents in Education</a>, Wednesday, December 12, 2007. The podcast is 7 minutes 59 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two related to the NASA Symposium that took place at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in Denver, Colorado. The presenter talked about the importance of parental involvement in children's education and successful strategies for involving parent in education. She also shared information about a variety of NASA educational programs and resources available electronically at NASA. The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades K-6. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSISM07_dec12">Successful Strategies for Involving Parents in Education</a>, Wednesday to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Search for Lunar Ice

7/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Search for Lunar Ice is a segment of the Web Seminar: NASA: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarII.aspx">Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom II</a>, Tuesday, November 14, 2006. The podcast is 6 minutes 18 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of four on the topic of Lunar Exploration. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on the search for water on the Moon. Recent observations indicate the possibility of ice on the Moon, in particular, within lunar craters at the north and south poles of the Moon. The upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will continue the search for water using different instruments. Click, NASA: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLE06_Nov14">Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom II</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Additional Discoveries of Galileo

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Additional Discoveries of Galileo is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a>, January 20, 2009. The podcast is 12 minutes 1 second in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The seminar focused on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigate how NASA's space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenter shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Topics include telescopes, Galileo Galilei, mirrors, lenses, space telescopes, electromagnetic radiation, optics, light, astronomical objects, and careers. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSDTU09_Jan20">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Brief History of Galileo

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Brief History of Galileo is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a>, January 20, 2009. The podcast is 3 minutes 47 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The seminar focused on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigate how NASA's space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenter shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Topics include telescopes, Galileo Galilei, mirrors, lenses, space telescopes, electromagnetic radiation, optics, light, astronomical objects, and careers. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSDTU09_Jan20">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Johannes Kepler

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Johannes Kepler is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a>, January 20, 2009. The podcast is 11 minutes 56 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The seminar focused on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigate how NASA's space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenter shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Topics include telescopes, Galileo Galilei, mirrors, lenses, space telescopes, electromagnetic radiation, optics, light, astronomical objects, and careers. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSDTU09_Jan20">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: NASA Kepler Mission

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: NASA Kepler Mission is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a>, January 20, 2009. The podcast is 4 minutes 2 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The seminar focused on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigate how NASA's space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenter shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Topics include telescopes, Galileo Galilei, mirrors, lenses, space telescopes, electromagnetic radiation, optics, light, astronomical objects, and careers. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSDTU09_Jan20">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: What Makes a Planet Earth-like

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: What Makes a Planet Earth-like is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a>, January 20, 2009. The podcast is 6 minutes 53 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. The seminar focused on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigate how NASA's space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenter shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminar was designed for educators of grades 5-12. Topics include telescopes, Galileo Galilei, mirrors, lenses, space telescopes, electromagnetic radiation, optics, light, astronomical objects, and careers. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSDTU09_Jan20">Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: I-Tree a Science Based Tool for Making Urban Tree Decisions

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: I-Tree a Science Based Tool for Making Urban Tree Decisions is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate</a>, April 23, 2009. The podcast is 12 minutes 36 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two scientists and education specialists from Sally Ride Science, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Forest Service. The seminars focused on the basic science behind our understanding of climate change and global impacts on the atmosphere, ecosystems, and oceans around the world. The presenters shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminars were designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSETE09_Apr23">Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Observations of Change

7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Observations of Change is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate</a>, April 23, 2009. The podcast is 12 minutes 36 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two scientists and education specialists from Sally Ride Science, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Forest Service. The seminars focused on the basic science behind our understanding of climate change and global impacts on the atmosphere, ecosystems, and oceans around the world. The presenters shared their science expertise, answered questions from the participants, and provided information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom. The Web Seminars were designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSETE09_Apr23">Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: How do we Recycle Water in Space

7/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: How do we Recycle Water in Space is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Explorers/webseminarII.aspx">21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer</a>, May 15, 2008. The podcast is 11 minutes 34 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. The Web Seminar helped participants to link science expertise and resources to engaging, hands-on, and inquiry-based classroom activities. The seminar focused on the 21st Century Explorer project. Each of 21st Century Explorer project activities promotes higher order thinking skills, and expands the space exploration knowledge base of the bilingual educator, learner, and family.This Web Seminar was designed for grade 3-5 educators. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSCET08_May15">21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer</a> to place this archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Geology of Mars

7/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Geology of Mars is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar9.aspx">Exploring Mars with CRISM and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter</a>, March 6, 2008. The podcast is 10 minutes 49 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar featured staff from NASA and Arizona State University discussing the topic of Mars Exploration. In this web seminar the presenter will talk about what scientists using the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are learning about the mineral composition of Mars. Topics included Mars, remote sensing, orbits, satellite technology, space exploration, minerals, and mapping, The presenter was Dr. Scott Murchie from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. The seminar is designed for educators of grades 5-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSEMC08_Mar06">Exploring Mars with CRISM and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter</a> to place this archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: STS -118 Mission Patch

7/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: STS -118 Mission Patch is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminarI.aspx">Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight</a>, October 30, 2007. The podcast is 7 minutes 52 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. This Web Seminar helped participants to link science expertise and resources to engaging, hands-on, and inquiry-based classroom activities. The seminar focused on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence on the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. Topics included the Moon, Mars, habitats, energy, life support systems, space exploration, humans in space, spacesuits, ecosystems, health, human biology, plants, science careers, and engineering ecosystems. This Web Seminar was designed for grade 4-9 educators. Click, Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight to place this <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSHSF07_nov6">archive</a> in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Aquarius Underwater Habitat

7/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Aquarius Underwater Habitat is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/habitat/webseminarII.aspx">Living and Working in Space: Habitat</a>, June 7, 2007. The podcast is 3 minutes 11 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two web seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Habitat. The presenter was Dr. Mary Sue Bell, Planetary Geologist working in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Bell talked about living and working in extreme environments. She specifically showcased the work of NASA astronauts training in NOAA's Aquarius facility. The NASA missions to Aquarius are called NEEMO. NEEMO stands for: NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations. Click Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLWSH07_June7">Living and Working in Space: Habitat</a>, June 7, 2007 to place this archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Aquarius Experiments

7/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Aquarius Experiments is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/habitat/webseminarII.aspx">Living and Working in Space: Habitat</a>, June 7, 2007. The podcast is 10 minutes 41 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two web seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Habitat. The presenter was Dr. Mary Sue Bell, Planetary Geologist working in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Bell talked about living and working in extreme environments. She specifically showcased the work of NASA astronauts training in NOAA's Aquarius facility. The NASA missions to Aquarius are called NEEMO. NEEMO stands for: NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLWSH07_June7">Living and Working in Space: Habitat</a> to place this archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Properties of the Nanoscale NanoScience

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

ThePodcast: Properties of the Nanoscale NanoScience is a segment of the <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NSTA_Press/webseminarI.aspx">Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12: Tiny Science: Big Ideas</a> that took place on December 18, 2007. The podcast is 11 minutes 31 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the NanoScale Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in Birmingham, Alabama. The program focused on the NSTA Press book and its activities which are organized around five themes: scale, tools and techniques, unique properties and behaviors, nanotechnology applications, and societal implications

Podcast: Nanotechnology Benefits and Threats to the Environment

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Nanotechnology Benefits and Threats to the Environment is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NSTA_Press/webseminarII.aspx">Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12: NanoScience and the Future</a>, January 15, 2008. The podcast is 12 minutes 59 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of two related to the NanoScale Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in Birmingham, Alabama. In the seminar the presenters talked about some of the applications of nanotechnology like sensors, labels, medical applications, and tracking and their potential benefits and risks to society. The program was designed for educators of grades 6-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSNSA07_jan15">Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12: NanoScience and the Future</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Mars Background Info

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Mars Background Info is a segment of the Web Seminar <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar5.aspx">Are We Alone?</a>, December 6, 2007. The podcast is 6 minutes 18 seconds in duration. In the source Web Seminar, Dr. Jim Rice used photos of geological features found on Earth and Mars to compare the planets. The images included features like volcanoes, canyons, deltas, ice sheets and glaciers, sand dunes, planet-wide dust storms, dust devils, gullies, etc. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSAWA07_dec6">Mars Background Info</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Stepping Up to Science and Math: Exploring the Natural Connections (e-book)

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

Stepping Up to Science and Math invites you to step back and rethink the way you teach both of these essential subjects. Then it illustrates how you can step up the pace with Standards-based activities that make learning more effective and efficient. (You can even step outside the ordinary with new lessons featuring gummy worms, school buses, or the planet Mars.) Compiled from Science & Children, NSTA's award-winning elementary school journal, Stepping Up gathers 21 articles that provide interdisciplinary options for linking inquiry-based activities to mathematics as well as other K-6 curriculum areas, such as language arts and social studies. The book is organized into three broad content areas based on subject matter or skills: - Making connections among the basic process skills-such as linear measurement, data collection, estimation, and graphing-that underpin both science and math. Chapter titles include "Say Yes to Metric," "Gummy Worms Measurement," and "Weighing Dinosaurs." - Using scientific concepts as the core for authentic investigations that link to other disciplines. Titles cover "Crossing the Curriculum with Frogs," "Real Earthquakes, Real Learning," and "Mission to Mars." - Finding contemporary applications for scientific inquiry and experimentation to develop more advanced integrated process skills. Among the titles: "The Scoop on Science Data," "Thinking Engineering," and "Building Structures."

Podcast: Dust and Dunes

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Dust and Dunes is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2008. The podcast is 9 minutes 20 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Impact Craters

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Impact Craters is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2008. The podcast is 6 minutes 8 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Polar Caps

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Polar Caps is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2009. The podcast is 9 minutes 27 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: River Deltas and Gullies

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: River Deltas and Gullies is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2010. The podcast is 10 minutes 25 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Rock Layers and Deserts

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Rock Layers and Deserts is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2011. The podcast is 7 minutes 59 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminars archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Volcanoes

7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Volcanoes is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a>, April 3, 2012. The podcast is 6 minutes 48 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSUEE08_Apr3">Using Earth to Explore Mars</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: NanoScale Fact or Fiction

7/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: NanoScale Fact or Fiction is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NSTA_Press/webseminarI.aspx">Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12: Tiny Science: Big Ideas</a>, December 18, 2007. The podcast is 8 minutes 27 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of two related to the NanoScale Science Symposium that took place at the NSTA Area Conference on Science Education in Birmingham, Alabama. The program focused on the NSTA Press book and its activities which are organized around five themes: scale, tools and techniques, unique properties and behaviors, nanotechnology applications, and societal implications. The Web seminar was designed for educators of grades 6-12. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSNSA07_dec18">Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12: Tiny Science: Big Ideas</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: The Importance of Water

7/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: The Importance of Water is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarII.aspx">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a>, Tuesday, November 14, 2006. The podcast is 10 minutes 19 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of four on the topic of Lunar Exploration. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on the search for water on the Moon. Recent observations indicate the possibility of ice on the Moon, in particular, within lunar craters at the north and south poles of the Moon. The upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will continue the search for water using different instruments. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLE06_Nov14">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: Can Ice be On the Moon

7/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: Can Ice be On the Moon is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarII.aspx">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a>, Tuesday, November 14, 2006. The podcast is 15 minutes 8 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the second of four on the topic of Lunar Exploration. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on the search for water on the Moon. Recent observations indicate the possibility of ice on the Moon, in particular, within lunar craters at the north and south poles of the Moon. The upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will continue the search for water using different instruments. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLE06_Nov14">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: How do we Generate Maps

7/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: How do we Generate Maps is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarI.aspx">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a>, Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The podcast is 4 minutes 35 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of four on the topic of Lunar Exploration. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on mapping the Moon and how NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will create a new topographic map of the Moon. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLE07_Nov7">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Podcast: How do we see an Object

7/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Podcast: How do we see an Object is a segment of the Web Seminar: <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarI.aspx">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a>, Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The podcast is 7 minutes 2 seconds in duration. The source Web Seminar was the first of four on the topic of Lunar Exploration. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on mapping the Moon and how NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will create a new topographic map of the Moon. Click, <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9/WSLE07_Nov7">Lunar Exploration: Mapping the Moon</a> to place the web seminar archive in your Learning Center Library now.

Now Just Wait A Minute!

6/24/2009 12:00:00 AM

This story obviously is aimed at the technology standards. Two simple timing devices are mentioned with the suggestion that more are possible. These can be improved to meet the challenge or other devices could be invented. Students are being challenged to either improve on an idea that already exists or to be creative and think of another type of timing device. To judge this challenge, it is a good idea to have a stopwatch that is accurate to at least tenths of a second. Students often become very creative-and competitive-in meeting this challenge.

The New Greenhouse

6/23/2009 12:00:00 AM

This story is based upon using solar energy and a variety of materials to modify and channel this energy to capture and hold heat. Almost everybody has experienced the differences in temperature due to sunshine passing through windows into an enclosed space. With this story, students can explore the effects of solar energy, energy absorption, and energy dissipation of various substances and also the effect of dark and light colors on the absorption of heat in closed systems. The technological aspects of this story are also important in that students can use their new learning about energy supply and storage for the development of a more efficient product. This is putting science to use in solving a real-life problem.

The Neighborhood Telephone System

6/22/2009 12:00:00 AM

This story uses the "tin can" telephone (TCT) as a focus for inquiry into the transmission of sound waves along a medium and also provides an opportunity for kids to try their hand at improving a simple device so that it works better. Students will experiment with various parts of the TCT changing variables and trying to find the best combination for optimum transmission of their voices. This story has a two-pronged purpose. One has to do with learning something about sound (science) and the other has to do with learning about using science to modify the things in the world to solve human problems (technology).

Archive: ExploraVision's Educational Value - Teacher Spotlight, June 16, 2009

6/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on June 16, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Brian Short from NSTA, Phyllis Serfaty North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, Great Neck, NY and Dave Stone University Laboratory High School Urbana, Illinois. The presenters gave an overview of the ExploraVision program and shared personal experiences of working with their students throughout the process. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar5.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Designed to Inspire: On the Moon June 4, 2009

6/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on June 4, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Susan Buckey, Natalie Hebshie, Kristy Hill, and Thea Sahr from WGBH and NASA. The presentation group focused their information on the Design Squad PBS Series and highlighted their On the Moon activity guide. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/WGBH/Webseminar.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Designing Payloads

6/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

Imagine soaring in the Earth's atmosphere to near the edge of space. Is there air to breathe? Is it dark? Are there clouds? What about air pressure? Fifth-grade students from Ferguson Elementary in Klamath Falls, Oregon, were wondering these questions as they participated in To the Edge of Space, an exciting, yearlong collaborative Earth science learning experience developed in partnership with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium. The project culminates in a high-altitude balloon satellite launch at the university. This article describes the inquiry-based project that was developed using Toyota Tapestry grant monies.

Breezy Power: From Wind to Energy

6/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

This lesson combines the science concepts of renewable energy and producing electricity with the technology concepts of design, constraints, and technology's impact on the environment. Over five class periods, sixth-grade students "work" for a fictitious power company as they research wind as an alternative energy source and design and test a working model of a wind turbine, learning about energy and technology in the process.

Archive: APS: Studying the Human Physiological Limits of Exploring Mars, May 13, 2009

5/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

Dr. Jim Pawelczyk, Associate Professor of Physiology, Kinesiology and Medicine at Pennsylvania State University has had extensive experience as an astronaut and researcher on the effects of microgravity on the human body. Missions to Mars would require humans to travel well beyond the current record of 15 months by a Russian astronaut, and doubling that length to nearly 30 months. Factors such as the environment, bone repair and growth, radiation, psychological stamina, and other influences play a critical role towards achieving this goal. Data from previous missions such as the International Space Station and Skylab have helped in determining how to address these challenges, but Pawelczyk points out the need to inspire today's students to realize the solutions and possibilities of such travel since they will be our astronauts, engineers, and scientists of tomorrow. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL3/Webseminar8.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

What Makes a Boat Float?

5/5/2009 12:00:00 AM

Whether or not a boat floats is determined by its shape and density. In this activity, students discover how and why boats float by designing different hull shapes and finding which design holds the most weight. Students record, calculate, and interpret data as they learn about buoyancy in this hands-on activity.

Decay and Renewal (Teacher Edition-Includes the full Student Edition) (e-book)

4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM

Are you looking for a new way to teach about respiration, nutrient cycling, energy flow, producers, consumers, and decomposers? Decay and Renewal provides techniques for students to learn the basics while investigating the science behind biodegradation-in nature and in human-engineered systems for wastewater treatment, waste disposal, and bioremediation of oil spills and other contaminated sites. The Teacher Edition explains how to guide student research and engineering design projects. Classroom-ready materials include detailed background information, sample assessment tasks, and rubrics, and guidelines for integrating peer review into classroom science. The Teacher Edition contains the complete text of the Student Edition. The Student Edition includes: - An overview of basic principles of biodegradation and how they apply in composting, landfills, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation systems. - Protocols that provide instructions for conducting experiments on biological, chemical, and physical aspects of biodegradation. - Forms to guide students through each step of research, providing structure but flexibility in designing and conducting meaningful experiments. - Step-by-Step guidelines for an engineering design challenge related to treatment of simulated wastewater. Decay and Renewal is the third volume in the four-part Cornell Scientific Inquiry Series, designed to guide students in creating and conducting experiments, presenting their results, and exchanging feedback with their peers.

A Glimpse of Things to Come

4/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

No one can accurately predict the future, not even meteorologists. Reading older literature that confidently predicted polymer sales volumes or revenues in x numbers of years is usually pretty amusing. In this chapter we will not attempt to look very far into the future. However, as we conclude this introduction to a field of physical science that essentially evolved over the duration of the twentieth century, it might be instructive to reflect a little on the current state of polymer chemistry. Based upon what is now on the drawing board, we can probably make some pretty good guesses as to what to expect for the next few years.

Archive: How to Incorporate ExploraVision into the Curriculum April 14, 2009

4/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on April 14, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Brian Short from NSTA and Jericho High School Teacher, Serena McCalla, 2009 Grade Category 10-12 Regional ExploraVision Winner. The presenters gave an overview of the ExploraVision program and gave examples of National Standards that could be addressed in the classroom through the ExploraVision program. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar4.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Shake, Rattle, and Hopefully Not Fall

4/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

Earthquakes occur across the globe, and their efforts can be felt by people regardless of location. However, a moderate earthquake in Pakistan or Turkey may cause much greater damage than a stronger earthquake in Tokyo. It is imperative to help students understand why this disparity exists-often due to both natural and human influences. Students often ask, "Why don't all the tall buildings fall down when there are earthquakes?" Through this activity, sixth-grade students began to understand the engineering challenges of building earthquake-resistant buildings and how scientists meet that challenge.

Everyday Engineering: What Makes a Bic Click?

3/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

The ballpoint pen is an ideal example of simple engineering that we use everyday. But is it really so simple? The ballpoint pen is a remarkable combination of technology and science. Its operation uses several scientific principles related to chemistry and physics, such as properties of liquids and simple machines. They represent significant advancement in the engineering development of writing instruments. This article describes how basic engineering ideas can be integrated with properties of matter using the 5-E Learning Cycle model of inquiry pedagogy (Moyer, Hackett, and Everett 2007).

Archive: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction, March 26, 2009

3/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on March 26, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Liz Crane, High School Teacher from Brookline HS in Massachusetts! Ms. Crane has extensive experience with the curriculum created by NIH and EDC and gave participants an overview of some of the curriculum modules. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NewOrleans09/NIH/webseminarI.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: NIH/NSTA Symposium: Exploring Bioethics - A New Model for Classroom Instruction, New Orleans, Louisiana: March 19, 2009

3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day Symposium, science and education experts from NIH focused their presentations and activities on the teaching of bioethics in the high school biology classroom. They modeled field-tested lessons that can engage students in understanding current practices in biomedicine, such as genetic testing. The presenters also lead discussions regarding the ethical concepts of fairness, respect, and weighing harms and benefits, and shared strategies for facilitating rich ethics discussions in the classroom. All participants received educational materials from NIH.

Archive: Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today, January 20, 2009

1/20/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on January 20, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Natalie Batalha, professor of astronomy and physics at San Jose State University where she conducts research on extrasolar planet detection and stellar astrophysics. She is a co-Investigator for NASA's Kepler Mission. Dr Batalha talked about the history of Astronomy focusing on Kepler, the scientist, and the current NASA mission, named in his honor, to search for planets in the inhabitable zones around stars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarII.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: How to Avoid Disqualification in ExploraVision, January 14, 2009

1/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on January 14, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Diana Celle, teacher at Holmes Elementary School in San Diego, California, and 2004 National Award Winner. The presenter provided tips on how to avoid disqualification when submitting ExploraVision entries. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar3.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Rev Your Engines!

1/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

As part of the "Car Lab Project," students constructed rubber band cars, raced them, and worked through a number of automotive activities. The students engaged in this project certainly had fun, but they also used high-tech gear such as motion sensors and graphing calculators to gather data on the distance and time cars traveled and to generate time versus distance graphs for their cars. This project meets national standards for high school mathematics, science, and technology content (NCTM 2000; ITEA 2000; NRC 1996) while engaging students in cognitive activities and motor skills.

Archive: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers, January 8, 2009

1/8/2009 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by Sally Ride Science, took place on January 8, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were Dr. Karen Flammer, Research Physicist at UCSD and Senior Vice-President at Sally Ride Science and Julie Miller from Olathe District Schools in Kansas. This web seminar focused on strategies that teachers can use to integrate the topic of science careers into classroom lessons. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/SRS/webseminarII.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12 (e-Book)

1/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

Futurists predict that nanotechnology will be the next major scientific revolution-one with an even greater impact than the Industrial Revolution. Nanoscale Science will help your middle and high school students understand the big implications of tiny technology. Using guided inquiry with open-ended exploration where possible, the book's 20 investigations teach students about the unique properties and behavior of materials at the nanoscale-one-billionth of the size of a meter. The activities are organized around five themes: scale, tools and techniques, unique properties and behaviors, nanotechnology applications, and societal implications. All activities use readily available materials and provide clear background, instructions, and formative assessments. They also explore questions sure to engage both students and you, such as: - Just how small is one in a billion? - How might manipulating matter at the nanoscale lead to everything from stain-resistant fabrics to improved means to clean water to tumor-targeting nanoshells? - And how will society change when we use nanolabels to track where people, animals, and materials move around the world? For the first time in human history, we have the ability to manipulate and build materials from the atom up. Nanoscale Science-written by experts at developing effective ways to teach about nanotechnology-is a pioneering instructional guide to this important subject. Use it as a fascinating supplement to studies of biology, physics, chemistry, math, and the environment.

Archive: Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today, December 16, 2008

12/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on December 16, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Bryan Mendez, Education and Public Outreach Specialist at the Center for Science Education at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. Dr. Mendez talked about Galileo Galilei, telescopes, and the International Year of Astronomy. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminarI.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers , December 10, 2008

12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by Sally Ride Science, took place on December 10, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were Dr. Karen Flammer, Research Physicist at UCSD and Senior Vice-President at Sally Ride Science and Julie Miller from Olathe District Schools in Kansas. This web seminar focused on four science fields and a number of strategies that teachers can use to ignite students' interests in science careers. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/SRS/webseminarI.aspx" target="_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: NASA/NSTA Symposium: Discover the Universe - From Galileo to Today, Cincinnati, Ohio: December 5, 2008

12/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day Symposium, science and education experts from NASA lead discussions on key science concepts - Earth's place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and, models and evidence in science - as participants investigated how NASA's space-based missions have extended the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. Presenters shared information about resources and opportunities for teachers and students related to the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). The IYA is a world-wide celebration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations.

Tried and True: An Eggciting Alternative to a Science Olympiad

12/3/2008 12:00:00 AM

This is a new twist on a familiar Science Olympiad event. By combining two possible outcomes, it allows students to make choices in an inquiry format. Students must think about materials, Newton's first and second laws of motion, kinetic energy, and acceleration. Prior to doing this activity, students need to understand the following physical science concepts: changes in speed and direction are indicative of acceleration, the relationship between the application of a force and the resulting change in position and motion on an object, and the important features of the process of scientific inquiry.

Archive: Intro to the Atlas of Science Literacy, November 18, 2008

11/18/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on November 18, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Ted Willard, project director for Project 2061 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Assisting Mr. Willard on the chat window was Mary Koppal, Communications Director for Project 2061 at the AAAS. Mr. Willard gave an introduction to the Atlas of Science Literacy. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/AAAS/Webseminar.aspx" Target="_blank">go here</a>.

Archive: How to Submit Quality ExploraVision Entries, November 5, 2008

11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on November 5, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting were Nancy Carter, teacher at Mediapolis Community Schools in Mediapolis, Iowa, Mary Harris, teacher at John Burroughs High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and Arthur Eisenkraft, co-creator of the Toshiba ExploraVision Awards program. The presenters provided tips on how to submit quality ExploraVision entries. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar2.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Getting Your Class Started in ExploraVision, October 23, 2008

10/23/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar took place on October 23, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting were Deborah Kennedy, Math and Pre-Engineering Teacher at Wando High School, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Diane Pollitt, Teacher at Heatherstone Elementary School in Olathe, Kansas. The presenters are Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards National Winners. They talked about how to get your class started in ExploraVision. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/ExploraVision/webseminar1.aspx" target="_Blank" >go here</a>.

The Thinking Machine: A Physical Science Project

10/23/2008 12:00:00 AM

Science projects can be a wonderful opportunity for learning and creativity, or a gigantic headache for teachers. After several years of implementation, experience, and revision, the author has put together a fun and engaging project centered on machines that is appropriate for middle school students. This project came to be known simply as "The Thinking Machine Project," which draws its origin from the national Rube Goldberg Machine competition held each year at Purdue University. Here is one way to bring technology, writing, drawing, creativity, and hands-on ingenuity together in a single fun and successful project.

The Story of Science Classroom Companion: Einstein Adds a New Dimension (e-Book)

10/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

The Story of Science Classroom Companion is a boon for teachers who choose master storyteller Joy Hakim's Einstein Adds a New Dimension as a primary or supplemental physics text. Hakim's newest title in The Story of Science series brings to life the history of Albert Einstein and his fellow scientists as they lay the groundwork for concepts of particle physics and quantum mechanics. The Classroom Companion, which includes editions for both teachers and students, follows Hakim's text chapter by chapter and provides teaching tips, lists of key vocabulary words, activities, writing prompts, additional online and print resources, and more. Free to NSTA members, this easily downloaded e-book will help classroom teachers and parents of homeschoolers use Hakim's outstanding Einstein Adds a New Dimension to integrate science process with science literacy.

Resources and Human Impact: Earth as a System

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the first of four Science Objects in the Resources and Human Impact SciPack. It explores how human beings, who live within and depend on Earth's ecosystems, modify the land, ocean, and atmosphere. In all environments, organisms, including humans, cooperate or compete with one another for resources. These resources include food, air, water, and space. The size and rate of growth of all species, including humans, are affected by these environmental factors. In turn, these environmental factors are affected by the size and rate of growth of a population. Populations are limited in growth by the carrying capacity of the environment, which is the amount of life any ecosystem can support with its available space, energy, water, and food.

Resources and Human Impact: Population Growth, Technology, and the Environment

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the second of four Science Objects in the Resources and Human Impact SciPack. It explores how technology can solve problems, but at the same time, can also create new strains on the environment. Improved technology used for harvesting food, coupled with the technology of improved sanitation, has accelerated the growth of the human population. A larger human population increases the impact on the environment and its resources, many of which are limited and non renewable. Due to the rapid growth of the human population and their use of technology in many parts of the world, humans have exceeded the carrying capacity of their environment, compromising human health.

Resources and Human Impact: Environmental Degradation

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the third of four Science Objects in the Resources and Human Impact SciPack. It explores how human activities, such as reducing the amount of forest cover, increasing the amount and variety of chemicals that enter the atmosphere, intensive farming and fishing, and consuming fossil fuels have changed Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere. Although the land, atmosphere, and the oceans have a limited capacity to absorb wastes and recycle materials naturally, humans have disrupted these natural cycles. Fresh water, limited in supply, is essential for life and most industrial processes. Overuse and pollution of rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater reduces the availability and suitability of these resources for all organisms. Technology used in the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels needed to meet the growing human demand has increased the depletion of nonrenewable energy resources such as fossil fuels, and degraded or altered the environment, both locally and globally.

Resources and Human Impact: Using Technology to Address Resource Use Issues

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the last of four Science Objects in the Resources and Human Impact SciPack. It explores how human beings impact other species and the ecosystems in which they live. Due to our role in changing the environment, humans have a responsibility for preserving their habitat. There are a variety of approaches to reducing or reversing the human impact on the environment such as limiting population growth, reducing resource use, modifying population distribution, recycling resources, and the wise use of technology to solve problems. Managing resources by cleaning up polluted air, water, or soil or restoring depleted soil, forests, or fishing grounds can be difficult and costly but are critical for human health. Alternative energy resources such as wind, tides, and solar radiation can be utilized to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel-based energy sources. Social, political, and economic factors involve tradeoffs that will strongly influence the types and extent to which technologies will be developed and used.

Resources and Human Impact

9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

SciPacks are 10 hour online learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers access topics "on demand" from the Internet. Topics are based on science literacy goals in the national standards and tied to state standards. Pedagogical Implications also address student misconceptions. Expert content help is available via email as well as a final assessment to demonstrate understanding of the SciPack content. The Resources and Human Impact SciPack explores the role society plays in environmental degradation, and the technological solutions, including resource management, that arises from environmental issues. Human beings modify all components of Earth's ecosystems as they use and consume available resources. The amount and rate of consumption is affected by the population growth and access to technology. This SciPack is focused on Standards and Benchmarks related to interactions in and between ecosystem; population growth and carrying capacity; resource use; and environmental degradation and changes to Earth's systems.

The Better Boat Challenge

9/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

"On your mark, get set, go!" Elementary students love to hear these words as they participate in the annual Third Grade Better Boat Challenge. This highly motivational project started a few years ago as the author was developing the third-grade science curriculum to include a study that revolved around models, design, and problem solving. It has since developed into an exciting and much-loved unit where third graders build, test, and modify speedboats, and later, sailboats. As students design and modify their craft, they experience design technology and develop their problem-solving skills.

A Useful Laboratory Tool

9/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

Recently, a high school Science Club generated a large number of questions involving temperature. Therefore, they decided to construct a thermal gradient apparatus in order to conduct a wide range of experiments beyond the standard "cookbook" labs. They felt that this apparatus could be especially useful in future ninth-grade biology classes, in which students must design and conduct individual, inquiry-based experiments as part of their training in scientific methodology. This article describes their experience building and testing a thermal gradient for laboratory use.

Virtual Bridge Design

8/25/2008 12:00:00 AM

The West Point Bridge Design (WPBD) building project engages students in project-based learning by giving them a real-life problem to solve. By using technology, students are able to become involved in solving problems that they normally would not encounter. Involvement with interactive websites, such as WPBD, assists students in using higher-level thinking skills and problem solving (NSTA 2006). It is important that we keep our students engaged in learning science, as the scientific society of tomorrow depends upon the science students of today.

Ice Core Investigations

8/6/2008 12:00:00 AM

What can glaciers tell us about volcanoes and atmospheric conditions? How does this information relate to our understanding of climate change? Ice Core Investigations is an original and innovative activity that explores these types of questions. It brings together popular science issues such as research, climate change, ice core drilling, and air pollution to create a meaningful science learning experience for students.

Science Sampler: Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope Project

7/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

The Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project involved thousands of student scientists across the nation in the collection and analysis of astronomical data using a 34-meter radio telescope. These students contributed to the work of the world's foremost authorities on space science when they forwarded their information to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists. The JPL scientists used the information to expand their studies of Jupiter, Uranus, and variable quasars.

Tech Trek: Projecting your PDA

7/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

One of the perceived limitations of PDAs by teachers is its small screen. However, some recent innovations have opened a variety of new opportunities for middle school science instruction. Now, with some relatively inexpensive equipment and software, science teachers can give students an opportunity to view PDA applications by projecting whatever is on the PDA's liquid-crystal display (LCD) to a larger viewing screen. Using the same equipment, you can also connect your PDA to a computer to transfer the LCD image to a larger monitor.This month's column describes some PDA presentation packages that help make classroom instruction more visual.

Scope on Safety: Space-The final frontier!

7/8/2008 12:00:00 AM

These are the voyages of laboratory science safety! The issue of science laboratory space and class size has been on a long safety trek. For example, the National Science Education Standards and subsequent science frameworks at the state level have emphasized the need to do science, not just read about it (NRC 1996). As a result, teachers have been engaging in more laboratory activities with their students. This action, coupled with increasing enrollments and outdated facilities, is once again putting science laboratory space on the radar screen. The bottom line is middle school science teachers must address class size or "occupancy load" in efforts to establish and maintain a safe working and learning environment in the laboratory.

ISS EarthKam: Taking Photos of the Earth from Space

6/24/2008 12:00:00 AM

NASA is involved in a project involving the International Space Station (ISS) and an Earth-focused camera called EarthKam, where schools, and ultimately students, are allowed to remotely program the EarthKAM to take images. Here the author describes how EarthKam was used to help middle school students learn about biomes and develop their understanding of the interrelationship of geographical location to climate, weather, and associated experiences.

Archive: Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?, June 5, 2008

6/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on June 5, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Steve Ruff, Faculty Research Associate in the School of Earth and Space Exploration's Mars Space Flight Facility at ASU. Dr. Ruff gave an update on the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix Lander missions. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar13.aspx"> go here</a>.

Archive: Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet, May 14, 2008

5/14/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on May 14, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Greg Mehall, Research Specialist at the Arizona State University. Mr. Mehall provided a "behind the scenes" look of what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. He also provided an update regarding the Phoenix mission to Mars which is expected to land on Mars at the end of the month. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar12.aspx"> go here</a>.

Archive: Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom, May 13, 2008

5/13/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA, took place on May 13, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Don HigdonDon Higdon, a Senior Instructional Designer at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Assisting Mr. Higdon on the chat window and programming a robot was Dr. Susan Hoban, a NASA Astronomer who works with the Goddard Earth Science Technology Center also at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The title of the presentation was: The Search for Lunar Ice. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Mapping/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers , April 30, 2008

4/30/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by Sally Ride Science, took place on April 30, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were Dr. Karen Flammer, Research Physicist at University of California in San Diego and Senior Vice-President at Sally Ride Science and Julie Miller from Olathe District Schools in Kansas. This web seminar focused on strategies that teachers can use to ignite students' interests in science careers. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminarI.aspx">go here.</a>

Archive: Imagine Mars, April 29, 2008

4/29/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on April 29, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenters were Stephenie Lievense, Imagine Mars Project Lead and David Delgado, Outreach Coordinator for NASA's Mars Public Engagement Team. The presenters talked about the Imagine Mars project and gave examples on how teachers can use it with students in the classroom and after school programs. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar11.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: 21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer, April 24, 2008

4/24/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA, took place on April 24, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas were Jaqueline Cortez, Business Specialist and Education and Outreach Coordinator for the 21st Century Explorer Project, Vickie Kloeris, Manager of the International Space Station Food System, and Lisa Neasbitt, Educator Lead for the NASA Sports and Exploration, NASA 21st Century Explorer, and the NASA Fit Explorer Projects. The presentation focused on the topic of Food for Spaceflight. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Explorers/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom, April 22, 2008

4/22/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA, took place on April 22, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Don Higdon, a Senior Instructional Designer at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Assisting Mr. Higdon on the chat window was Dr. Susan Hoban, NASA Astronomer, who works with the Goddard Earth Science Technology Center also at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The presentation focused on the topics of topographic maps, the concept of resolution, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's LOLA instrument. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Mapping/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Using Earth to Explore Mars, April 3, 2008

4/3/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on April 3, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenters were Dr. Joshua Bandfield, Research Specialist at the Mars Spaceflight Facility at Arizona State University and Brian Grigsby, Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Bandfield used images to compare Earth with Mars, highlighting the similarities of the two planets and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar10.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: It's Alive: Using Online Life Science Resources in Middle School Classrooms, April 1, 2008

4/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, developed in collaboration with the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. In this program the presenters showcased the PRISMS Project. The PRISMS acronym stands for Phenomena and Representations for the Instruction of Science in Middle Schools. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL2/webseminar10.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: Polar Science, Global Discoveries: IPY Research Update for Teachers, Boston, MA: March 29, 2008

3/29/2008 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in celebration of the International Polar Year (IPY), scientists and education specialists shared information with teachers about the global climate change. The presenters led activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about the topic and that can be easily replicated in their classrooms. All participants received a DVD and 2-CD set from NOAA as well as a list of related URLs that can be used for further exploration of activities and programs related to the IPY.

Archive: Sally Ride Science/NSTA Symposium: From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers, Boston, MA: March 29, 2008

3/29/2008 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day Symposium, scientists and education specialists from SRS, NOAA, and USFS talked about the basic science behind our understanding of climate change, and global impacts on the atmosphere, ecosystems (particularly forests), and oceans around the world. The presenters, some of whom were prominent scientists, drew upon the latest science to provide a story of our changing climate and they included hands-on activities for classroom use and current ideas for facing our climate challenge and creating a healthier planet.

Archive: FDA/NSTA Symposium: Teach Science Concepts and Inquiry with Food, Boston, MA: March 28, 2008

3/28/2008 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, scientists and education specialists from the FDA shared information with teachers about food science, bioscience, and the food label. The presenters also performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about the topic of food science and served as models for activities the teachers can do with students in their classrooms. Participants learned how FDA uses DNA micro-array technology to detect foodborne pathogens, the scientific basis for the percent daily values (%DVs) on the Nutrition Facts Label, and how to culture bacteria found in food. All participants received a binder including all the PowerPoint presentations and handouts and a $60 stipend for attending the symposium.

Archive: NASA/NSTA Symposium: 21st Century Explorer - Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Explorer, Boston, MA: March 27, 2008

3/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), scientists and education specialists shared information with teachers about the 21st Century Explorer project, about NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle, and about how the human body changes during space flight. The presenters led activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about space flight, science, and engineering that can be easily replicated in their classrooms. All participants received educational materials and information about related links available via the NASA web site. Former NASA Astronaut Michael Baker, who participated on four Space Shuttle missions, was one of the presenters of this Symposium sharing his spaceflight experiences with the audience.

Science Shorts: Wind at Work

3/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

Many children enjoy evaluating products and designing improvements. Activities that promote investigation and product design lend themselves to assessments that demonstrate communication skills, focus on reasoning ability, and illustrate levels of conceptual understanding. In the following lesson, Wind at Work, students explore concepts of energy transfer, conduct simple investigations, plan design modifications, and communicate results.

Career of the Month: An Interview With GIS Specialist Ronald Wilson

3/18/2008 12:00:00 AM

In October 2002, in the midst of the terrifying Washington D.C. sniper attacks, a team of specialists was asked to help search for the suspects. Independent of the official investigation, the team analyzed and mapped attack locations to identify where the snipers were most likely residing. It was challenging and exciting to assist in the search efforts, but dreadful to know that the snipers could strike again at any moment. The team described is the Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (MAPS) program, led by Ronald Wilson. As a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist, Wilson uses mapping technology and science to understand crime from a geographical perspective.

Motivating Students With Robotics

3/17/2008 12:00:00 AM

In recent years, the need to advance the number of individuals pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields has gained much attention. The Montgomery County/Virginia Tech Robotics Collaborative (MCVTRC), a yearlong high school robotics program housed in an educational shop facility in Montgomery County, Virginia, seeks to motivate students' interest in these fields. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to apply their science and math skills to robotics design through a series of short courses and to participate in an international robotics competition.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: Books published in 2002 (Science Scope)

3/9/2008 12:00:00 AM

The books that appear in this annotated bibliography were selected as outstanding science trade books published in 2002. They are intended primarily for kindergarten through twelfth grade. They were selected by members of a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with The Children's Book Council (CBC). NSTA and CBC have cooperated on this bibliographic project since 1973.

Teaching Through Trade Books: Roller Coasters!

3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM

Students of all ages are fascinated by the ups, downs, loops, and twists of roller coaster rides! What they may not realize is that there is a lot of science involved in making a roller coaster work. This month's column puts students in the shoes of a roller coaster designer as they work in teams to create their own roller coasters.

Archive: Exploring Mars with CRISM and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, March 6, 2008

3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on Thursday, March 6, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Scott Murchie from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. Dr. Murchie is the Principal Investigator for the CRISM instrument currently aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft at Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar9.aspx">go here</a>.

Tech Trek: Science research on the Internet

3/4/2008 12:00:00 AM

Young students often get frustrated when trying to find useful information on the Internet for school purposes and end up jumping from one point of interest to another, keeping little focus on the task at hand. To help students achieve success in their searches, teachers should direct them toward proven search engines and other online resources. This article describes a selection of recommended online resources for use in the science classroom.

Bumpy, Sticky, and Shaky: Nanoscale Science and the Curriculum

3/2/2008 12:00:00 AM

Nanoscience, or the study of the world at the size of a billionth of a meter, has the potential to help students see how all of the sciences are related. Behavior of materials at the nanoscale differs from materials at the macroscale. This article introduces three nanoscale properties and how they relate to various science domains. Three activities following an adapted learning cycle model are suggested for student exploration of three properties of the nanoscale: bumpy, sticky, and shaky.

Scope on Safety: Safety is for everyone

2/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

The National Science Education Standards reject any situation where some people are discouraged from pursuing science and excluded from opportunities to learn it. In concert with the Standards are federal laws and regulations mandating equal access and full inclusion to the maximum extent possible in the general education curriculum for all students. As a result, science teachers often struggle to meet the needs of each of their students while maintaining high standards and attempting to raise the educational bar. Therefore, the suggestions and resources described in this column can help science teachers to successfully provide equitable access to hands-on science education for all students in a safe learning environment.

Tech Trek: Layers of Information-Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

2/22/2008 12:00:00 AM

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful technological tools that can enrich science teaching. This technology can help students analyze data in visual forms to develop a richer understanding of geography, Earth science, physics, and biology. This article shares some resources and possibilities for incorporating GIS into the curriculum.

Bread Making: Classic Biotechnology and Experimental Design

2/18/2008 12:00:00 AM

Bread making activities can help students meet local and national standards for scientific inquiry, experimental design, and problem solving. In the first activity, students make and observe yeast solutions. Then they predict what might happen when the recipe is modified and conduct invesitigations. The subsequent investigations increase the level of student input and encourages students to practice the skills before using them outside of the classroom. The final assignment draws upon and expands the skills practiced in class with an at-home investigation.

Archive: Are We Alone?, January 31, 2008

1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program, took place on January 31, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Jack Farmer, Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Director of Arizona State University's Astrobiology Program. Dr. Farmer talked about astrobiology, extreme environments and some of the extreme places we have found life thriving on Earth and the applications of this data in regards to Mars exploration. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar7.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Arctic and Antarctic Living Systems, January 24, 2008

1/24/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA and NOAA, took place on January 24, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Craig Tweedie, Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, El Paso, where he is jointly appointed in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering Program. Dr. Tweedie gave an impressive presentation on the implications and consequences of global warming and climate change on living systems in the Arctic and Antarctica. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Birmingham/webseminarIII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Arctic and Antarctic Living Systems, January 17, 2008

1/17/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA and NOAA, took place on January 17, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Kathleen Gorski, an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation, in the Office of Polar Programs. Dr. Gorski gave an informative presentation, highlighting a wealth of vetted websites and online resources, related to Polar Studies and the International Polar Year. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Birmingham/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12, January 15, 2008

1/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by NSTA Press, took place on January 15, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were the authors of the NSTA Press publication NanoScale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12, Dr. Gail Jones, professor of science education in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education at North Carolina State University, Dr. Michael Falvo, research associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Amy Taylor, research assistant and doctoral student at NC State. The presenters talked about science at the nanoscale and how this technology might present new challenges to society. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NSTA_Press/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: How Science REALLY Gets Done, January 10, 2008

1/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on January 10, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Phil Christensen, Principal Investigator for the 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument, and the Thermal Emission System (TES) instrument on Mars Global Surveyor. Dr. Christensen talked about how scientists approach complex problems, and how the scientific method is used within this context. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar6.aspx">go here</a>.

Teaching Earth Science Using Hot Air Balloons

1/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

Constructing model hot air balloons is an activity that captures the imaginations of students, enabling teachers to present required content to minds that are open to receive it. Additionally, there are few activities that lend themselves to integrating so much content across subject areas. In this article, the authors describe how they have successfully used hot air balloons to teach metric measurement, proportions, trigonometric functions, density, convection, data collection and analysis, principles of engineering, and many other concepts and skills.

Archive: Arctic and Antarctic Living Systems, December 20, 2007

12/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and NASA, took place on December 20, 2007, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Brendan Kelly, Director for Arctic Biology in the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation. Dr. Kelly is also Associate Vice President for Research and Associate Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Alaska. The program focused on how climate change is affecting living systems in the Polar Regions. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Birmingham/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Students at the Edge of Space

12/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

Space travel, even low Earth orbit, is probably several years away for most of us; however, students and teachers can research the edge of space by participating in the BalloonSat program. BalloonSat is an offshoot of the Space Grant Consortium's very successful RocketSat program. The Arkansas BalloonSat program consists of teacher-initiated projects that link the use of geospatial technology tools and community resources. This article describes the Arkansas program, which is an excellent example of a collaborative scientific program that makes learning real and meaningful for students.

Archive: Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12, December 18, 2007

12/18/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by NSTA Press, took place on December 18, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were the authors of the NSTA Press publication NanoScale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12, Dr. Gail Jones, professor of science education in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education at North Carolina State University, Dr. Michael Falvo, research associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Amy Taylor, research assistant and doctoral student at NC State. The presenters talked about science at the nanoscale, its applications, and ideas for classroom activities available in their book. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NSTA_Press/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Successful Strategies for Involving Parents in Education, December 12, 2007

12/12/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA Explorer Schools program, took place on December 12, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Keely Keyser, NASA Explorer Schools Coordinator at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. This web seminar focused on the importance of parental involvement in children's education and successful strategies for involving parent in education. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Computational Biology, December 11, 2007

12/11/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, developed in collaboration with the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) took place on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. In this program the presenter examined the shift that has happened in contemporary biology due to the advent of technology that allows greater synthesis of data, the genomic revolution, and the move towards systems thinking in biology. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL2/webseminar5.aspx">go here</a>.

Science of Food Safety: Food Safety and You

12/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the last of four Science Objects inthe Science of Food Safety SciPack. It explores the scientist involved with the development of germ theory and pasteurization, which brought about great changes in the safe handling of food and water, and improved sanitation measures that represent some of the greatest public health contributions to date. More recently, humans have instituted laws requiring the monitoring of air, soil, and water for microorganisms that pose a threat to human health. Such agricultural and food safety regulations represent social trade-offs that ensure the population's general welfare at the price of increased cost or lowered efficiency. In addition to these large-scale societal precautions, humans rely heavily on personal measures to limit the transmission of invasive organisms into their bodies. These measures include keeping hands and skin clean, avoiding contaminated foods and liquids, cleaning and separating food items properly during preparation, cooking food at high enough temperatures for proper lengths of time, and keeping the temperature of food sufficiently low at all times when it is not being prepared or consumed.

Extending Inquiry With Geotechnologies in the Science Classroom

12/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

Geotechnologies are tools that allow your students to learn the skills of collecting and analyzing data and creating representations of data with an emphasis on spatial relationships. These processes are critical in nearly every environmental and social investigation conducted in an inquiry-oriented classroom. When geotechnologies are used as an instructional support in inquiry or problem-based learning, researchers have typically found improvements in both student attitude toward science and their ability to conduct scientific investigations (Kerski 2000; Olsen 2000).

Archive: Are We Alone? December 6, 2007

12/6/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on December 6, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Jim Rice, a member of the science team on the Mars Exploration Rovers program. Dr. Rice talked about Astrobiology, extreme environments, some of the extreme places we have found life thriving on Earth, and the applications of these to Mars exploration. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar5.aspx">go here</a>.

Biotechnology in the Middle School Curriculum

12/6/2007 12:00:00 AM

Biotechnology is a fairly new concept for middle school students as well as teachers. If the latest craze of TV shows focused on crime scene investigation events were not so popular, the term and concept might be even obscure to the public. There is an increased presence of biotechnology in our daily surroundings that makes it practical and necessary to introduce the basic concepts in our classrooms today. Help students to understand biotechnology using the DNA Extraction Lab and The Immunoassay Lab, available through The Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Discovery Project.

Archive: Robotics Engineering: Big Toys, Big Fun, November 29, 2007

11/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on November 29, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Kobie Boykins, Mechanical Engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Mr. Boykins gave the audience a "behind the scenes" look of what it was like to build the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar4.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: The Role of Polar Regions in Earth's Changing Climate System, November 27, 2007

11/27/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NSF, NOAA, and NASA, took place on November 27, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Doug Williams, Carolina Trustee Professor of Marine and Geological Sciences at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Doug talked about the climate changes taking place in the Arctic and Antarctic and how these changes are affecting the planet. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Denver/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Successful Strategies for Involving Parents in Education, November 20, 2007

11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA Explorer Schools program, took place on November 20, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was James Fitzgerald, Aerospace Education Specialist working out of the NASA Glenn Research Center's Education Programs Office as a representative of the Aerospace Education Services Project. This web seminar focused on the importance of parental involvement in children's education and successful strategies for involving parent in education. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Nanomaterials: Memory Wire

11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Imagine metal eyeglass frames that you can roll in a ball, only to watch it uncoil back to its original shape! How can an inanimate object, such as metal, do such a thing? There is a metal alloy that can do just that and it's one of the many discoveries coming from the field of nanotechnology. Students will explore the properties of memory metal and consider the many applications it might have today and in the future.

Nanotech, Inc.

11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Socks that don't stink, graffiti-resistant paint, windows and sunscreen that reject UV rays… that's nanotechnology. Students will learn about some of the latest inventions using nanotechnology by exploring actual products of nanotechnology research.

Nanomedicine

11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Nanotechnology has opened the door for medical applications that work at the molecular level to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. This investigation models one approach to treating cancer that uses gold nanoshells to locate and destroy cancer. Students will also learn about different experimental approaches to medical treatments using nanoscale techniques.

Building Small: Nano Inventions

11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Just as cells were discovered with early light microscopes and Saturn's rings by the first telescopes, the nanoscale world has emerged due to new tools such as the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). As a result of being able to build atom by atom a whole new world of inventions has evolved. Limited only by their imaginations, technologists are proposing nanobots, nanoscopic barcodes, and space elevators as the new inventions of tomorrow.

Biomimicry: The Mystery of the Lotus Effect

11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

One of the most interesting applications of nanoscale science involves nanomimicry-or technology that mimics the unique structures of biomaterials. This activity uses the forensics approach to have students investigate various plant surfaces and their interactions with substances to explore the phenomena of the lotus effect.

Fact or Fiction: Exploring the Myths and Realities of Nanotechnology

11/8/2007 12:00:00 AM

Will clouds of self-replicating nanobots take over the world, or is this just a scene from a science fiction novel? Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field that has huge potential for transforming our world. But the reality of advances in nanoscale science falls short of the hype that has emerged from the imaginations of many futurists. Students consider a series of nanotechnology claims and decide if each one represents fact or fiction or somewhere in between. This activity is designed to capture students' imagination and to spur their interest in learning more about nanoscale science and technology.

Brainstorms: From Idea to Invention

11/8/2007 12:00:00 AM

Learners explore the design process by improving an existing invention; designing and building a drink holder for an airplane seat and communicating their design process; and designing an investigation to evaluate Scotchgard.

Sheep in a Jeep

11/7/2007 12:00:00 AM

Learners investigate forces and motion using ramps, toy jeeps, and small plastic farm animals, and share their findings in a poster session. Learners also design and evaluate a device to slow the motion of a falling object.

Sounds of Science

11/7/2007 12:00:00 AM

Learners explore how sound is produced by vibrations. They make a straw instrument and investigate how to vary its pitch. Learners also design and build an instrument that produces a high pitch and a low pitch and explain how it works.

Archive: Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight, November 6, 2007

11/6/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by the NASA Explorer Schools, was delivered twice, on October 30, and on November 6, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Jonathan Neubauer, Education Specialist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The web seminar focused on the recent space shuttle mission STS-118 that launched the first Educator Astronaut to the International Space Station. The presenter also talked about the educational programs designed to engage teachers and students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers , November 1, 2007

11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by Sally Ride Science, took place on November 1, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting were Dr. Karen Flammer, Research Physicist at University of California in San Diego and Senior Vice-President at Sally Ride Science and Brenda Wilson, Vice President of Content and Out-of-School Programs at Sally Ride Science. This web seminar focused on how teachers can ignite students' interests in four science careers: environmental sciences, space sciences, health sciences, and Earth sciences. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/SRS/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

How Big Is a Foot?

11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Learners explore the history of measurement from the ancient Egyptian use of nonstandard units to the modern-day metric system. They learn why standard measuring tools are useful and that their development was a problem-solving process that took centuries.

Archive: From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students' Interests in Science Careers, October 25, 2007

10/25/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, sponsored by Sally Ride Science, took place on October 25, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Karen Flammer, Research Physicist at University of California in San Diego and Senior Vice-President at Sally Ride Science. This web seminar focused on how teachers can ignite students' interests in science careers. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/SRS/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Building Migratory Bridges

10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM

The Building Migratory Bridges (BMB) program-a collaboration between the Marvelwood School and Audubon Sharon in Connecticut and Conservation Research Education Action (CREA), a U.S. not-for-profit in Panama-uses neotropical migratory bird research in the United States and Panama to demonstrate how negative environmental impacts in one country can have harmful consequences in others. This article discusses the BMB program in terms of student-learning and community-service opportunities it presents. It further suggests that more hands-on science programs that analyze root causes of critical global issues are needed if students are to comprehend and tackle world environmental challenges.

Nurturing the Nature of Science

10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

Historical stories of scientists provide an excellent opportunity to help students see that science is indeed a human endeavor and demonstrate the interrelationships among science, technology, and society. A number of engaging historical accounts illustrate characteristics of the nature of science. The story of Lise Meitner leads students through the processes of how one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of this century occurred. Her role in nuclear research and her proposal of the nuclear-fission theory can be used to illustrate many of the characteristics of the nature of science.

Archive: How Science REALLY Gets Done, October 16, 2007

10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on October 16, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter was Dr. Phil Christensen, Principal Investigator for the 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument, and the Thermal Emission System (TES) instrument on Mars Global Surveyor. Dr. Christensen talked about how scientists approach complex problems, and how the scientific method is used within this context. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar3.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Using Earth to Explore Mars, October 4, 2007

10/5/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on October 4, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenters were Dr. Michael Meyer, Senior Scientist at NASA Headquarters and Brian Grigsby, Assistant Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program at Arizona State University. Dr. Meyer used images to compare Earth with Mars and Mr. Grigsby provided an update of current and future NASA's missions to Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar2.aspx">go here</a>.

Career of the Month: An Interview with Space Architect Constance Adams

9/27/2007 12:00:00 AM

Drawing knowledge from many fields-including science, engineering, and art-space architects such as Constance Adams design structures for nonterrestrial environments. In one such project at NASA, Adams works on elements for the International Space Station (ISS), which is currently being assembled, and inhabited, in outer space. For Adams, and everyone involved with ISS, each week brings new, unanticipated challenges as scientists learn about the orbital environment 330 km above Earth and what it takes to exist there.

Solar Sprint

9/27/2007 12:00:00 AM

In the "Solar Sprint" activity, students design, test, and race a solar-powered car built with Legos. The use of ratios is incorporated to simulate the actual work of scientists and engineers. This method encourages fourth-grade students to think about multiple variables and stimulates their curiosity when an activity doesn't come out as predicted. This activity also integrates the study of electricity and motion into a discussion of alternative energy sources and means of transportation.

Archive: FunWorks: Inspiring Students to Pursue Math and Science Careers!, September 20, 2007

9/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar, developed in collaboration with the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) took place on Thursday, September 20, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. In this program, participants examined research associated with the creation of the FunWorks digital library, focusing on the need for career education at the middle school level. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NSDL2/webseminar1.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Inquire, Engage, and Explore: The Mars Student Imaging Project, September 18, 2007

9/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

This Web Seminar was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Arizona State University's (ASU) Mars Education Program. The event took place on September 18, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The presenter gave the audience an introduction on how students from around the nation can participate in an authentic research program through the Mars Student Imaging Project (MSIP). For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar1.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: GPS and Geodesy for Dummies: Do You Know Where You Are?, April 19, 2007

9/18/2007 12:00:00 AM

Virtual Globes! The first of two web seminars on the topic of GPS and Geodesy was held on Thursday, April 19, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Galen Scott, Team Lead for the COASTAL Program within NOAA's National Geodetic Survey. In this seminar, Mr. Scott talked about virtual globes, existing online data resources for classroom use, and ideas for using virtual globes to engage students. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/GPS/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Living and Working in Space: Habitat, June 7, 2007

9/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

NEEMO - Training for Space Travel! The second of two web seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Habitat was held on Thursday, June 7, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Mary Sue Bell, Planetary Geologist working in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Bell talked about living and working in extreme environments. She specifically showcased the work of NASA astronauts training in NOAA's Aquarius facility. The NASA missions to Aquarius are called NEEMO. NEEMO stands for: NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/habitat/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Living and Working in Space: Habitat, May 10, 2007

9/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

Habitats! The first of two web seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Habitat was held on Thursday, May 10, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenters were Sheri Klug, Director of the Mars Education Program at Arizona State University and Don Boonstra, Coordinator of the Student Observation Network at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. In this seminar the presenters talked about ecosystems, habitats, Mars and Mars exploration, and teaching about living and working in space in the classroom. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/habitat/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Learning with Loggerheads

9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Kids tracking sea turtles? No, it's not a description for a new nature show on TV, it's a lesson, and it could be happening in your classroom! Sea turtle biologists worldwide are currently working together to track turtles to learn about sea turtle behavior and migration in an effort to conserve these endangered animals. A unit was developed using a modified version of published tracking activities (Sera and Eckert 2005) for third-grade students in which students develop and share computer-generated maps that are based on authentic data. With this information, students can evaluate sea turtle life history, behavior, and environmental hazards, just as scientists are doing today. Now, with only an internet connection, your students can engage in the global mission of sea turtle conservation while at the same time learn about the importance of technology in conservation and understanding of biodiversity.

The Story of Science: Einstein Adds a New Dimension

8/7/2007 12:00:00 AM

Now, it's time for your students to look over Albert Einstein's shoulder as he develops a new kind of physics that points the way to more recent theories of particle physics and quantum mechanics. Joy Hakim will demonstrate how scientific thoughts today are often written in the language of mathematics, such as E=mc2, and explains clearly what this means. Students will learn why relativity and quantum theory are perhaps the most important ideas in modern science, maybe of all time. This is the third book in the Story of Science series. The book is full-color throughout.

Archive: NASA/NSTA Symposium: Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight, Detroit, MI: October 19, 2007

7/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, NASA scientists and education specialists focused on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence on the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. The presenters also performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about the topic of living and working in space and served as models for activities the teachers could do with their students in the classroom. The program was designed for teachers of grades 4-9. All participants received educational materials from NASA, including a "Space Garden," a plant growth chamber that can be used for classroom experiments.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: The Role of Polar Regions in Earth's Changing Climate System, Denver, CO: Nov 9, 2007

7/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, scientists and education specialists representing NSF, NOAA, and NASA talked to teachers about the International Polar Year and the role of the Polar Regions in the Earth's changing climate system. The presenters performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about ice cores and the role of Arctic clouds in the climate system. The activities served as models for activities the teachers could do with students in their classrooms. All participants received a DVD and CD set and educational posters that can be used as a resource for classroom discussion.

Archive: NSTA Symposium: Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12, Birmingham, AL: December 7, 2007

7/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by NSTA Press, the authors of the NSTA Press publication NanoScale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12 talked to teachers about how science is different at the nanoscale, the challenges that scientists have when working at the nanoscale, Atomic Force Microscopes, and about appplications of nanotechnology. The presenters led activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about nanoscale science which served as models for activities the teachers could do with students in their classrooms. All participants received a copy of the NanoScale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12 book.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: Arctic and Antarctic Living Systems, Birmingham, AL: December 7, 2007

7/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by NSF, NOAA, and NASA in celebration of the International Polar Year (IPY), scientists and education specialists talked to teachers about the effects of climate change on Arctic and Antarctic living systems. The presenters led activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge about ecosystems, feedback loops, the carbon cycle, and climate change. The activities served as models for activities the teachers could do with students in their classrooms. All participants received a DVD and CD set from NOAA, and a unit plan, as well as a list of related URLs that can be used in the classroom for further exploration of the topic.

The Dirty Water Challenge

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

"The Dirty Water Challenge" is a fun activity that teaches children about their environment in an engaging and practical way. Inquiry is embedded within the practical-students have to design, plan, and then build their own design of water filter. Students are exposed to important concepts from a variety of scientific disciplines, including how the water cycle works (geology, meteorology) and the principles behind water filtering (physics, chemistry). This method has been successfully used during units on the water cycle and pollution to teach elementary and lower middle-school classes in an inquiry-based way.

Cape Wind: A Public Policy Debate for the Physical Sciences

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Since the industrial revolution, technological innovation and the application of basic scientific research have transformed society. Increasingly, critical conversations and legislation regarding national and international public policy have sophisticated scientific underpinnings. It is crucial that we prepare scientists and engineers with an informed scientific worldview and technical expertise to be advisors and participants in these important conversations. This paper describes the use of a debate about a proposed wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod as a platform to explore public-policy issues in a physical- science course. The subject of wind power fits naturally into curriculum related to energy, and is therefore applicable to a broad range of courses found in the disciplines of physics, chemistry, environmental science, and engineering, including general-science courses for nonscience majors.

Extreme Arthropods: Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations to Polar and Temperate Deserts

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

In this activity, Namib and Antarctic arthropods are used to illustrate several important biological principles. Among these are the key ideas that form follows function and that the environment drives evolution. In addition, students will discover that the climates of the Namib Desert and the Antarctic Peninsula are similar in several ways, and that these arthropods have evolved some analogous adaptations. This investigation is a good introduction to the phylum Arthropoda, the most successful group of animals on Earth, and spotlights the group's ability to occupy some of the most challenging niches on the planet (National Science Content C-Life Science; NRC 1996).

Archive: Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems, June 14, 2007

6/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

Climate change, Microbes, and Genomes! The second of two web seminars on the topic of "Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems" was held on Thursday, June 14, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. David Kirchman, Maxwell P. & Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware's College of Marine and Earth Studies. Dr. Kirchman talked about how climate change is affecting the Arctic, the importance of microbes as producers and consumers of greenhouse gases, and genomes. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYlife/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Polar Climates, How Are They Changing? June 12, 2007

6/12/2007 12:00:00 AM

Polar Opportunities! The second of two web seminars on the topic of "Polar Climates, How Are They Changing?" was held on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Allan Miller, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation's Office of International Science and Engineering. Mr. Miller talked about the International Polar Year and polar opportunities for educators. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYair/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: The Fragile Ice, June 5, 2007

6/5/2007 12:00:00 AM

The History of IPY! The second of two web seminars on the topic of the International Polar Year (IPY): The Fragile Ice was held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Mark McCaffrey, Associate Scientist and Science Communications Specialist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Mr. McCaffrey talked about the 125 year legacy and current activities of IPY. He also shared ideas on how to bring IPY science into the classroom. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYice/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet, May 24, 2007

5/24/2007 12:00:00 AM

Exploring Mars with Robots! The eighth seminar in NASA's JPL series, Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet, was held on Thursday, May 24, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Greg Mehall, research specialist in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facility. Mr. Mehall provided a "behind the scenes" look of what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL/webseminar8.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems, May 17, 2007

5/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

Role of Sea Ice in Polar Ecosystems! The first of two web seminars on the topic of Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems was held on Thursday, May 17, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Rolf Gradinger, polar ecologist at the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Dr. Gradinger talked about the role of sea ice in polar ecosystems. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYlife/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Polar Climates, How Are They Changing? May 15, 2007

5/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

Focus on the Polar Regions! The first of two web seminars on the topic of Polar Climates, How Are They Changing? was held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Doug Williams, Carolina Trustee Professor of Marine and Geological Sciences at the University of South Carolina and Scientist-in-Residence at the Edventure Children's Museum. Dr. Doug talked about the climate changes taking place in the Arctic and Antarctic and how these changes are affecting the polar regions. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYair/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: The Fragile Ice, May 3, 2007

5/3/2007 12:00:00 AM

Finding Evidence of Past Climate in the Snow! The first of two web seminars on the topic of the International Polar Year: The Fragile Ice was held on Thursday, May 3, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Mary Albert, Senior Research Engineer, at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire. The seminar focused on the clues to past climate that can be found on snow packs. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/stlouis07/IPYice/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Are We Alone?, May 2, 2007

5/2/2007 12:00:00 AM

Astrobiology, Extreme Environments, and Mars Exploration! The seventh seminar in the JPL series, Are We Alone?, was held on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Jack Farmer, Full Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Director of Arizona State University's Astrobiology Program. Dr. Farmer talked about astrobiology and extreme environments in relation to Mars exploration. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL/webseminar7.aspx">go here</a>.

Genetically Modified Crops: Resources for Environmental Literacy

5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Supporters of genetic engineering point to the potential of genetically modified (GM) crops to improve human health and increase environmental protection. But some concerned groups argue that the risks of GM crops may outweigh their benefits. These groups urge avoiding GM crops, or at least subjecting them to more rigorous government scrutiny. Without taking sides, this module shows how to use the issues surrounding GM crops as a powerful learning context for teaching ideas about the nature of science and genetics and how science and technology interact and influence each other in our society.

Radioactive Waste: Resources for Environmental Literacy

5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Since World War II, hundreds of thousands of tons of radioactive materials have been produced in the United States. How we will dispose of nuclear waste is a controversial issue with a large technical component. This book provides a useful resource for enhancing student understanding of the physics of radioactivity as well as the storage and disposal of radioactive waste. It encourages students to discuss these complex environmental issues using arguments based on the science behind issues related to radioactivity, technology, risk assessment, and tradeoffs.

Archive: Inquire, Engage, and Explore: The Mars Student Imaging Project, April 3, 2007

4/3/2007 12:00:00 AM

The sixth seminar in the JPL series, "Inquire, Engage, and Explore: The Mars Student Imaging Project", was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Paige Graff, Assistant Director of the Mars Education and Outreach Program within the Mars Spaceflight Facility, School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University and moderating the program was Brian Grigsby, Assistant Director of the ASU Mars Education and Outreach Program also at Arizona State University. The presentation focused on the Mars Student Imaging Project. In this project students use the THEMIS instrument aboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft to take images of planet Mars for scientific analysis. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL/webseminar6.aspx">go here</a>.

The Invention Factory

4/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

The Invention Factory is a nontraditional youth-based, after-school program in Honolulu that teaches information technology and mechanics to teenagers through interactive, hands-on projects that improve human computer interaction for individuals with disabilities. One objective of the program is to stimulate interest in science and engineering careers among students currently underrepresented in those fields: women, native Hawaiians, students with disabilities, and at-risk students. Another objective is for students to learn enough electronics, mechanics, mathematics, and computer programming to conduct needs analysis, design, fabrication, and evaluation of devices that meet the needs of people who are disabled. The program intends to demonstrate that students who create technology-based solutions that impact people have increased motivation to pursue careers in engineering and science.

Archive: NOAA/NSTA Symposium: GPS and Geodesy for Dummies: Do You Know Where You Are?, St. Louis, MO: Mar 31, 2007

3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, scientists and education specialists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guided participants through easy-to-understand explanations about the global positioning system (GPS) and the science behind it, known as geodesy. Participants learned about the history of geodesy (Eratosthenes) and how the GPS modern technology is being used today in innumerable applications. All participants received educational materials from NOAA. The program was designed for teachers of grades 5-12.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: The Fragile Ice, St. Louis, MO: March 30, 2007

3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), government agency scientists and education specialists talked to the audience about the role of ice in Earth's changing climate. The presenters shed light on the health of the artic regions of the world based on data collected from ice core samples and satellite observations. In addition to providing a science update on this topic, the presenters performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge and served as models for activities the teachers could do with their students in the classroom. The program was designed for teachers of grades 5-8.

Archive: NASA/NSTA Symposium: Living and Working in Space: Habitat, St. Louis, MO: March 30, 2007

3/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this full-day symposium, scientists and education specialists guided participants through easy-to-understand explanations about the requirements to design and build a habitat for humans to live on in low-Earth-orbit, the Moon, or Mars. The presenters modeled the inquiry process through activities that participants can use in their classrooms with their students. They also talked about the upcoming space shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-118, that will include the first Educator Astronaut and NSTA member, Barbara Morgan. All participants received educational materials from NASA. The program was designed for teachers of grades 4-9.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: Polar Climates, How Are They Changing?, St. Louis, MO: March 29, 2007

3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), government agency scientists and education specialists talked to the audience about the change taking place in the climate at the Earth's poles. The presenters also performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge and served as models for activities the teachers could do with their students in the classroom. The program was designed for teachers of grades 5-8. All participants received educational materials from NASA, NOAA, and NSF funded programs.

Archive: IPY/NSTA Symposium: Impact of Polar Climate Change on Living Systems, St. Louis, MO: March 29, 2007

3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

During this half-day symposium, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), government agency scientists and education specialists talked to the audience about the impact of polar climate change on living systems. The presenters also performed activities that enhanced the participants' knowledge and served as models for activities the teachers could do with their students in the classroom. The program was designed for teachers of grades 5-8. All participants received educational materials from NASA, NOAA, and NSF funded programs.

Teacher's Toolkit: The Computational Science Education Reference Desk

3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

The June 2005 report of the President's Information Technology Advisory Council stated that "Computational science is now indispensable to the solution of complex problems in every sector, from traditional science and engineering domains to such key areas as national security, public health, and economic innovation"(PITAC 2005). To help teachers meet this challenging task, the Computational Science Education Reference Desk (CSERD), a portal to the National Science Digital Library, catalogs lessons and tools for teaching with computational science. CSERD's search tool is available for free to teachers and students, as are most of the resources housed within (Joiner et al. 2005).

Science Sampler: Connecte2d Teaching-A comprehensive resource for teaching science using earthquakes

3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

The Connecte2d Technology website is an all-inclusive web resource linking the study of earthquakes and engineering design to middle school science, mathematics, and technology. Through the use of interdisciplinary activities and hands-on projects, such as those provided by this website, students can engage in authentic problem-solving situations that will help develop their understanding of earthquakes, the impact earthquakes have on humans, and how structures can be made more earthquake-resilient. All materials are free to the public and can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.

Teaching through Trade Books: If You Build It...

3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

From the youngest ages children construct buildings, bridges, towers, and anything else that comes to mind using a variety of materials. This month's books and activities take this interest in construction and build on it by allowing students to experiment with structures, their design, and how they withstand forces. Through building activities young students start to develop science concepts associated with engineering and technology, while older students are able to put their knowledge of structures to the test in the design process.

Archive: Robotic Engineering: Big Toys, Big Fun, February 28, 2007

2/28/2007 12:00:00 AM

Building Robots to Explore Mars! The fourth seminar in the JPL series, "Robotics Engineering: Big Toys, Big Fun", was held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Kobie Boykins, Mechanical Engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Mr. Boykins gave the audience a "behind the scenes" look of what it was like to build the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL/webseminar4.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Are We Alone? February 22, 2007

2/22/2007 12:00:00 AM

Astrobiology, Extreme Environments, and Mars Exploration! The third seminar in the JPL series, "Are We Alone?", was held on Thursday, February 22, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Jack Farmer, Full Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Director of Arizona State University's Astrobiology Program. Dr. Farmer talked about astrobiology, extreme environments, and some of the extreme places we have found life thriving, and the applications of these to Mars exploration. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL/webseminar3.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: Living and Working in Space: Energy, Feb 1, 2007

2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Spacecraft Power Systems! The second of two web seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Energy was held on Thursday, February 1, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Steven Johnson, International Space Station Flight Controller at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The focus of this presentation was spacecraft power systems. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/living/webseminarII.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Teaching Through Trade Books: Science Measures Up

2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Can you measure a dog's tail in dog biscuits? Can you measure a desk without a ruler? Which is better: measuring a room in paces or meters? Which system of measurement do scientists use? This month's column explores these questions and more to help learners understand why we use standard systems of measurement.

Simple Machine Science Centers

2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

One solution to the common challenge of teaching physical science for teachers who are not confident with the subject matter or comfortable with the material is inquiry based science centers. Science centers can engage students; accommodate different learning styles and individual interests; help students become independent and confident learners; and encourage social skills among students. One third-grade teacher worked with students as they completed activities at learning centers during a week-long unit on simple machines.

Taking Flight: Using a Wind Tunnel to Teach Aeronautic Principles

2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Although December 17, 1903, is heralded as the date of the first controlled powered flight, Wilbur and Orville Wright may never have succeeded were it not for their groundbreaking work in aerodynamics with a homemade wind tunnel. The Wright brothers were the first to compare their wind tunnel observations to the performance of actual aircraft. The story of their successful venture not only highlights a triumph of the human spirit, but also serves as an authentic context in which to explore aviation content through science as inquiry.

Paint-Stirrer Submarine

2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

In today's fast-paced, technological world, it is a constant struggle for teachers to find new and exciting ways to challenge and engage our students. The Paint-Stirrer Submarine is a unique and challenging laboratory exercise that keeps the students enthralled. They won't even realize they are learning because they will be having too much fun. This inquiry-based, hands-on experience in building a submarine allows the students to learn about buoyancy, buoyant force, Archimedes' principle, and motion in an engaging manner. It will be an experience neither you nor your students will ever forget.

Archive: The Fragile Ice, Jan 16, 2007

1/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Weather Detective! The first Web Seminar on the topic of Fragile Ice was held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Mary Albert, Senior Research Engineer, at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire. The seminar focused on the clues to past weather that can be found on snow packs. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/ipyice/webseminar.aspx" target=_Blank">go here</a>.

Archive: The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate, Jan 11, 2007

1/11/2007 12:00:00 AM

Arctic Ice and Climate Change! The second of two Web Seminars about the Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate was held on Thursday, January 11, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Don Perovich, Research Geophysicist at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire. The seminar focused on how changes in climate affect the Arctic Sea Ice. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/oceans/webseminarII.aspx">go here</a>.

Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6-12

1/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Futurists predict that nanotechnology will be the next major scientific revolution-one with an even greater impact than the Industrial Revolution. Nanoscale Science will help your middle and high school students understand the big implications of tiny technology. Using guided inquiry with open-ended exploration where possible, the book's 20 investigations teach students about the unique properties and behavior of materials at the nanoscale-one-billionth of the size of a meter. The activities are organized around five themes: scale, tools and techniques, unique properties and behaviors, nanotechnology applications, and societal implications. All activities use readily available materials and provide clear background, instructions, and formative assessments. They also explore questions sure to engage both students and you, such as: - Just how small is one in a billion? - How might manipulating matter at the nanoscale lead to everything from stain-resistant fabrics to improved means to clean water to tumor-targeting nanoshells? - And how will society change when we use nanolabels to track where people, animals, and materials move around the world? For the first time in human history, we have the ability to manipulate and build materials from the atom up. NanoScale Science-written by experts at developing effective ways to teach about nanotechnology-is a pioneering instructional guide to this important subject. Use it as a fascinating supplement to studies of biology, physics, chemistry, math, and the environment.

More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry, K-4

1/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Teachers raved when NSTA Press published Picture-Perfect Science Lessons in 2005.* They loved its lively mix of kid-magnet books, Standards-based science content and ready-to-teach lessons. So what could be more perfect? More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons! This volume offers 15 new lessons that combine picture books and inquiry to develop students' interest in science and reading. The sequel follows the winning formula that made the first book an NSTA best seller. The lessons, following the 5E instructional model developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) cover a variety of science content-physical science, life science, and Earth and Space Science. They include reproducible student pages and assessments. They feature embedded reading-comprehension strategies. And they make students yearn to learn from such engaging fiction and nonfiction books as Diary of a Worm, Sunshine On My Shoulders, How Big is a Foot? and Leo Cockroach, Toy Tester. The authors know how important it is for time-starved teachers to integrate science and reading in a natural way and how students with reading troubles can use an extra nudge to get engaged in science texts. More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons is the perfect supplement to your science program-and the perfect way to help students develop a love of reading and learning about science. *Teachers weren't the only ones raving! Picture-Perfect won the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award for Teacher Resource Books from the Association of Educational Publishers.

Imaginative Inventions

1/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Learners explore the invention process by learning about inventions throughout history and how inventions fill needs or wants, by improving existing inventions, and by keeping a toy invention journal. They further their understandings of the risks and benefits of inventions by testing toys and comparing the fun rating and the safety rating of each toy. This free selection includes the Table of Contents, Foreword, Preface, sections About the Authors and About the Picture-Perfect Program, and reproducible instructional materials. As a special bonus, Chapter 1 is also included, which discusses the reasons why picture books should be read in science class.

Archive: Living and Working in Space: Energy, Dec 14, 2006

12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM

The Solar Cycle and Space Weather! The first of two Web Seminars on the topic of Living and Working in Space: Energy was held on Thursday, December 14, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Terry Kucera, Solar Physicist, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The seminar focused on the solar cycle and space weather. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/living/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Archive: The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate, Dec 12, 2006

12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM

The Effects of the Atlantic Ocean! The first of two Web Seminars about the Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate was held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Tom Delworth, leader of NOAA's Climate Dynamics and Prediction Group at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, NJ. The seminar focused on the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on climate, from Atlantic hurricanes to African drought. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/oceans/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Inside the Black Box

12/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

The black box activity described in this article, created as part of the National Science Foundation-funded Internships in Public Science Education Program (IPSE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, introduces students to the idea of remote imaging and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The activity can be incorporated into chemistry or other physical science classes to meet content standards on the structure and properties of matter, and technological design (NRC 1996, pp. 178 and 192).

Making Learning a Never-Ending Story

12/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Initially, middle school students and their parents displayed mixed emotions when shown 10-meter-long science murals at the beginning of the school year. However, once they discovered that story concepts illustrate and address the normally overwhelming flood of scientific content in a more accessible way, they had a different "tale" to tell. Scientific concepts can be indelibly marked in your students' memory by introducing them to the diagramming technique described in this article.

Archive: Lunar Exploration, Nov 14, 2006

11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM

Water on the Moon? The second of four Web Seminars on the topic of Lunar Exploration was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on the search for water on the Moon. Recent observations indicate the possibility of ice on the Moon, in particular, within lunar craters at the north and south poles of the Moon. The upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will continue the search for water using different instruments. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarII.aspx" target="_blank">go here</a>.

Archive: Lunar Exploration, Nov 7, 2006

11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM

Mapping the Moon! The first of four web seminars on the topic of Lunar Exploration was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The presentation focused on mapping the Moon and how NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission will create a new topographic map of the Moon. For more information about this web seminar, its presenter(s), read what participants said about it, and to see and download its PowerPoint slides <a href="http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/lunar/webseminarI.aspx">go here</a>.

Using a Cycle to Find Solutions

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

The National Research Council has suggested that science classes need to become more active and authentic (NRC 1996). To help with this effort, Thayer Model Engineering was created several years ago as an inquiry science course at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vermont. Students apply the Thayer Model-a four-step problem-solving cycle-to identify and solve problems using science, math, and technology. Students define a problem, describe specifications, determine a solution, and redefine the problem, which begins a new cycle. Through iteration, each cycle becomes narrower in focus and more clearly defines the best final solution to the original problem. Once students become familiar with the model, they create and enter in a competition a new technology designed with the intent to improve the world.

Idea Bank: The Egg Racer

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Teachers are familiar with dozens of high school physics activities involving eggs. In this egg-related activity, students design and construct "Egg Racers" to learn problem-solving, physics, and engineering skills. Students will have fun with this challenging, competitive, and engaging project.

Paper Towers: Building students' understandings of technological design

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

"What do you think the National Science Education Standards are referring to when they talk about science and technology?" The authors posed this question to a group of undergraduate education majors during a science teaching methods course. The students' somewhat myopic notions of technology provided the perfect segue to introduce the activity, Paper Towers, which can be used in the middle school science classroom to help students develop their understandings of technological design.

Get a Grip! A Middle School Engineering Challenge

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Investigating the field of engineering offers the opportunity for interdisciplinary, hands-on, inquiry-based units that integrate real-world applications; yet, many K-12 students are not exposed to engineering until they enter college. Get a Grip! is a problem-based unit that places middle school students in the role of engineers who are challenged to design and construct prosthetic arms for amputees in a war-torn country. The students use common materials to build arms that accomplish tasks requiring fine motor control and strength.

Repairing Femoral Fractures: A Model Lesson in Biomaterial Science

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Biomaterial science is a rapidly growing field that has scientists and doctors searching for new ways to repair the body. A merger between medicine and engineering, biomaterials can be complex subject matter, and it can certainly capture the minds of middle school students. In the lesson described here, seventh graders generally learn concepts such as systems in living things, properties of matter, and bioengineering technologies as they relate to adaptive and assistive technologies.

Nanomedicine: Problem Solving to Treat Cancer

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Students rarely have the opportunity to delve into the unknown and brainstorm solutions to cutting-edge, unsolved science problems that affect thousands of people. To counter this trend, the following activity was developed to expose students to issues and problems surrounding cancer treatment using an inquiry-based approach. Through this activity, students step into the role of "real" scientists and brainstorm possible treatment options by working collaboratively, utilizing problem solving strategies, and creativity to explore science and technology.

Science Sampler: Engineering in the classroom

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

In an effort to educate students about engineering, teachers in the Bowling Green, Kentucky, area challenged their students to become engineers. Students were given the tools they needed to design, create, and race a vehicle constructed from plastic building blocks that would move down a predetermined course in the shortest amount of time. With a robotics competition as the culminating experience, upper elementary and middle school students were motivated to become engineers.

Science Sampler: The science of Star Wars -- Integrating technology and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Star Wars: The name alone implies action, adventure, the vastness of space, alien creatures, and of course, who can forget light sabers? Since the Star Wars saga has entertained millions of people around the world for years, the author decided to use this popular movie to motivate a group of middle school students to delve into the depths of technology and demonstrate the appropriate use of science process skills. In this activity, the students were instructed to design, build, and explain the scientific reasoning behind their projects based on standards taken from the Benchmarks for Science Literacy.

Science Sampler: Catapulting into technological design

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Unleash your students' interest in technological design by implementing this exciting, hands-on activity into your science curriculum. In this activity, students explore levers by designing and building a working catapult. Each catapult is tested for accuracy and students determine the average speed of the projectile (a marshmallow), as well as the amount of force, work, and power involved in the launch. On the final day of the project, students use their catapults to knock down a castle made from empty soda cans.

Online Class Review: Using Streaming-Media Technology

11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

This article presents an automated system that allows students to replay both audio and video from a large nonmajors' organic chemistry class as streaming RealMedia. Once established, this system requires no technical intervention and is virtually transparent to the instructor. This gives students access to online class review at any time. Assessment has shown that usage grew from about one-third of the class in the year the technology was introduced to about two-thirds of the class two years later. Almost all (93%) of students who reported using the technology rated it extremely useful or somewhat useful. An analysis of calculated grades reported by students reveals no overall course-grade benefit for students who reported that they found the technology useful over those who did not use it. Neither gender preference for usage nor gender-based benefits were found.

Activities that Really Measure Up

10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Linear measurement is more than just learning how to use a ruler. In the early grades, measurement activities develop students' understanding of the properties of objects as well as what it means to measure objects. Hands-on activities can enable students to explore such measurable properties as height and length, and direct comparisons of various objects provide opportunities for students to gain a conceptual foundation of measurement before using standardized tools such as rulers and metersticks. A series of activities were created to develop measurement skills in young learners. They have been used successfully with children in first and second grades. Students complete the activities individually but collaborate with peers as they discuss their experiences and observations together.

Hot Off the Press

10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a peer-reviewed environmental health research journal (published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health,) provides the EHP Student Edition for high school and college teachers and their students. Each edition contains news articles that summarize a wide variety of scientific information and original research, which are paired with complementary lessons that introduce students to hot-off-the-press science. This article presents ways to integrate EHP's online content in the classroom.

Earth from Above

10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Using free software called Google Earth, students can view Earth by hovering over features and locations they preselect or by serendipitously exploring locations that catch their fascination. This article presents a lesson in which students use Google Earth to learn basic navigation skills to effectively view images; determine distance measurements, elevations, and coordinate locations; locate and analyze images based on personal research choices; and share findings from their research with the class.

Thirty Frames Per Second

10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Analyzing toppling dominoes in slow motion sharpens students' observations of a fairly common childhood experience and stimulates creativity for subsequent explorations within the field of mechanics and forces in motion. With student participation as the centerpiece, the activities described in this article show how inquiry skills are developed, formalized, and extended using camcorder technology.

Idea Bank: Joining the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Would you like to get your students involved in an authentic search for extraterrestrial intelligence? The SETI@home project is an ongoing science experiment harnessing the power of computers via the internet. The project is a great inspirational tool that involves students in the thrill of science and motivates them to learn more about the astronomy, mathematics, physics, biology, and technology involved in the search for intelligent life in the universe.

Electrolyte Racers

9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

A fast way to teach investigative skills in science is to tie them to NASCAR using Hot Wheels Formula Fuelers Race Cars. These inexpensive toy cars travel different distances based on the strength of the electrolyte (a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water) in their "fuel" tanks. One car for every group of three to five students was enough to keep all students happily involved.

A Course in Nanotechnology for Nonscience Majors

9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Chemistry is a good entry to many topics in nanotechnology. This paper describes a non-science majors' course in which chemical concepts provide the background to the study of this new field.

Society for College Science Teachers: iPods -- Informative or Invasive?

9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

The ubiquitous devices, known as iPods, are being used in a variety of teacher-centered ways. In some classes, students are using them to record interviews and produce reports or other audio or video products to be shared with other students. The most widely promoted use, however, is to produce audio recordings of lectures, although the new iPods make video recordings another attractive possibility. The iPod's appeal to instructors and administrators is the vision that students can review lecture material anytime, anywhere, while doing anything. Proponents suggest that if students can replay information-dense lectures at their own convenience as often as they wish, they will absorb the information better. Students, including those for whom English is a second language and, perhaps, those with processing difficulties, should all benefit.

Idea Bank: Monitoring the Oceans from the Classroom

9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Major disasters such as the tsunami of 2004 and hurricanes of 2005 have emphasized the need for an organized global network of ocean observing systems. As a result, Observing System Education has been identified as one of three National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) education priority areas. Data captured in real-time, especially ocean data, serve as an excellent vehicle for interdisciplinary, inquiry-based education. This article discusses the importance of ocean observation in the classroom and presents activities from The Bridge Ocean Sciences Resource Center, an online resource center funded by NOAA and the National Sea Grant Program. This site facilitates incorporation of ocean observing data into the K-14 classroom and helps build direct connections between ocean sciences and students.

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.

Phylogenetic Reconstruction as a Broadly Applicable Teaching Tool in the Biology Classroom: The Value of Data in Estimating Likley Answers

7/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

This laboratory exercise introduces students to a fundamental tool in evolutionary biology--phylogenetic inference. Students are required to create a data set via observation and through mining preexisting data sets. These student data sets are then used to develop and compare competing hypotheses of vertebrae phylogeny. The exercise uses readily available resources and is flexible enough to be implemented for accomplishing a variety of educational objectives. In addition, this exercise requires students to critically evaluate hypotheses and to engage in decision-making processes using developing data sets.

Editor's Note (July 2006)

7/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

In 19th century England, Luddites broke into factories at night to destroy the new, efficient machinery that threatened their jobs. The term has since been applied to anyone fearful or resistent to new technology. In this section the editor remarks on her once suspicious claims of new computer technology. But just like the exaggerated claims of some technology proponents, these fears are unfounded. Technology is broader than computer use. It is intertwined with our everyday lives from cars to kitchen appliances to pen and paper.

Teaching Through Trade Books: Imaginative Inventions

7/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

In today's fast-growing, highly competitive global marketplace, innovative thinking is more important than ever. Encourage your students' creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills with these technological design activities. Technology involves using science to solve problems or meet needs, and the understanding of technology can be developed by challenging students to design a solution to solve a problem or invent something to meet a need. Inventions don't have to be entirely new ideas. Sometimes they can be improvements to existing inventions. In this month's column, students in grades k-3 improve inventions, while grades 4-6 tackle design challenges. A corresponding activity is included.

Collaboration with Community Partners

4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Collaborations with community partners make problem-based learning experiences more authentic and exciting for students while ensuring that the experience is consistent with the community's needs and interests. The authors describe a problem-based activity that allows students an opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to be an automotive engineer by building model cars while learning physical science content and skills with help from the community.

Send Your Students to MARS for Their Next Research Project

4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Alleviate the fear often associated with research papers through this interdisciplanary project that incorporates community support and technology into a fascinating discovery of the planet Mars.

Scope on the Skies: Solar system update

4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Our knowledge of the solar system and of orbital dynamics has undergone some changes as telescope technology improved. This month's Scope on the skies discusses the newest developments within the solar system and redefines the meaning of the word "planet."

Tech Trek: Homework helpers

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Homework can be tough-- especially if support is not available. Luckily, technology is now lending a hand to students who may be struggling at home with difficult science vocabulary, concepts, and experimental-design assignments. The following websites offer practical support, creative inspiration, and access to online experts to help students manage their homework.

Our Place in the Spongy Universe

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Physicist James Trefil once described our universe as "The Spongy Universe," comparing large-scale cosmic structures to the structure of a sponge. Because the sponge is such a good model for the universe, the authors modified this "Spongy Universe" activity for use with visually impaired students and pilot tested it at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Science Sampler: Girls, robots, and science education

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Diversity in most environments is critical to success. Science instruction with the implementation of robotics could provide girls with the needed impetus to consider fields in engineering and computer science, which are traditionally dominated by males. Robots offer the opportunity for creative expression, problem solving, constructivist learning, mathematics, and computer programming. This article describes various robotics-related activities that can be presented in the classroom to foster positive attitudes toward careers in robotics among girls while engaging students in minds-on, hands-on learning experiences.

Hierarchical Learning Ensembles: Team Building for Undergraduate Scientists and Engineers

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

This article describes the design and implementation of the Hierarchical Learning Ensemble (HLE) model, a pedagogy that assembles interdisciplinary teams of graduate, undergraduate, and secondary-level students to solve science and engineering problems. Our goals is to sensitize undergraduates to working in heterogeneous groups and thus better prepare them for the workplace.

Giant Ants and Walking Plants: Using Science Fiction to Teach a Writing-Intensive, Lab-Based Biology Class for Nonmajors

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

This writing-intensive, lab-based, nonmajor biology course explores scientific inquiry and biological concepts through specific topics illustrated or inaccurately depicted in works of science fiction. The laboratory emphasizes the scientific method and introduces several techniques used in biological research related to the works we study.

The Campus Lake Learning Community: Promoting a Multidisciplinary Approach to Environmental Problem Solving

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

A multidisciplinary learning community provided environmental management students the opportunity to work with students in different classes and majors to create designs for improving the appearance and environmental quality of a lake on a university campus. The experience increased student appreciation for the contribution of other disciplines in solving real-world problems.

Science Sampler: Weather RATS

2/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Weather RATS, or Weather Research and Tracking Systems, is a collaborative effort among a national network of K-12 students, their teachers, wireless weather stations, internet data sharing, and professional engineers and meteorologists. Weather Rats is a new way to teach K-12 science and technology by tracking and comparing weather data from schools in Massachusetts, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico. In addition, it is hoped through this enriching project that Weather RATS will inspire many more students, especially girls and minorities, to pursue careers in science and engineering as a result of this project.

Tech Trek: An e-learning science fair

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Traditional science fairs have been replaced by having students use sophisticated technology to participate in a virtual science fair that relies on the internet, e-mail, and other tools of the digital age. The new E-Learning Science Fair (ELSF) was developed by the middle school science teachers at American International School in Isreal (AIS-I) to counter problematic issues typically associated with an annual science fair.

Inquiry-Based Investigation on the Internet: Sound and the Human Ear

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

This online exploration of sound energy and the human ear includes an activity where students formulate, justify, and evaluate a number of predictions about sound. The investigation, which is intended for two class periods, or approximately 90 minutes of instructional time, is divided into two parts--Sound Waves and Anatomy of the Human Ear. Although these activities can be conducted separately, they build on each other and connect life science and physical science when conducted sequentially.

Use of a Consumer-Grade Digital Camera to Archive Written Exams

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

The use of a photocopier to archive exams consumes photocopier resources and generates a large amount of waste. As an alternative, one instructor uses a consumer-grade digital camera to document exams in an upper-division biology course. The approach is inexpensive and offers a number of advantages over photocopies.

Design Challenges Are "ELL-ementary"

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Engineering activities encourage English Language Learners to express understanding through language and actions. This article describes one school's experience with the Museum of Science (Boston) program Engineering is Elementary and provides a model that other teachers can follow.

A Transforming Partnership

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Working side-by-side with museum scientists and other experts in classrooms, in the community, and in the school's adopted watershed, teachers learned high-level technology skills, then involved students in firsthand investigations on water quality, water conservation, erosion, and other pressing community issues. This museum-school partnership program, Communities Alive in Nature, supported an inquiry-based science reform initiative and turned an underperforming science program into a distinguished one.

Technology-Based Inquiry for Middle School

1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Learn the ABCs of working with contemporary tools that will help you integrate technology-based inquiry into your classroom practices. Activities featured in this new compendium-a collection of 26 articles published in Science Scope, NSTA's member journal for middle school teachers-will show you how. Technology-Based Inquiry offers fresh approaches that you and your students can use to explore physical science, Earth and space science, life science, and more. It covers the necessary skills to get hands-on experience with graphing calculators, calculator- based labs (CBL), personal digital assistants (PDA), global positioning systems (GPS), graphical information systems (GIS), and other emerging technologies. Each chapter provides a list of online resources, including where to purchase the devices, where to download programs (often at no cost), and where students can go to conduct further research. But never fear-you won't need a PhD in IT to use this book. The articles are written in a non-threatening style and translate technology-based instructional processes into simple classroom applications. The practical tone makes this collection beneficial to in-service science teachers as well as pre-professionals taking methods courses. Technology-Based Inquiry will give you the confidence that comes with deeper understanding of how to use the latest technology to increase science learning.

What's Living in Your World?

12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Teaching molecular technology within the framework of open scientific inquiry provides a dynamic learning experience for students. Because a wide variety of molecular protocols are now so reliable, teachers can emphasize scientific inquiry and experimental design rather than the technology itself. Although this approach presents some challenges, teachers can address them effectively by developing partnerships with university and other professional researchers, as discussed in this article.

Aspirin History and Applications

11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Of the thousands of drugs and medicines available for the prevention, treatment, and control of human disease and discomfort, the most widely used is aspirin. This article explores the historical development of aspirin and provides teachers with instructional strategies, ideas, and applications for teaching about aspirin in the science classroom. The topic of aspirin serves not only as an interesting history lesson but also an excellent opportunity for science teachers to apply this knowledge to lessons in science and other curricular subjects.

Interactive Learning with Java Applets

11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Science teachers face challenges that affect the quality of instruction. Tight budgets, limited resources, school schedules, and other obstacles limit students' opportunities to experience science that is visual and interactive. Incorporating web-based Java applets into science instruction offers a practical solution to these challenges, and allows students to hone critical thinking skills.

Effectiveness of a Lab Manual Delivered on CD-ROM

11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Although electronic instructional media are becoming increasingly prevalent in science classrooms, their worth remains unproven. We assessed student perceptions and performance using CD-ROM delivery of lab materials and discovered numerous learning barriers that produced lower lab grades for students using a CD-ROM lab manual in comparison to a print version.

Webbing Through Science History

10/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Virtual experiments, data logging the internet--these are just a few of the ways technology is changing the classroom environment today, ushering in a new learning opportunity for students and new ways for teachers to present knowledge. In this article we discover that a "virtual" history of scientists from the past builds students' technology skills while seamlessly integrating history and science.

It's a Small World After All

10/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

One fifth-grade class builds their science-process skills while exploring nanotechnology. Students researched the technology that makes this fabric stain-resistant to common staining agents. In the process, students practiced their skills in making observations, controlling variables, gathering data and drawing conclusions.

Never Too Young for a Concept Map

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

This article provides ideas on how concept mapping can be adapted to reach early childhood learners when organizing their thoughts in a concrete and/or graphic/visual format, while connecting concepts and linking prior knowledge to new knowledge.

An Interdisciplinary Study of the SARS Virus: A One-Semester First-Year Seminar

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

An interdisciplinary study of the SARS virus provides opportunities for students in different disciplines to discuss the origin; spread; and global, economic, chemical, and biological aspects of disease. Students benefit from active discussions with each other and share their knowledge with others in a semester-end poster session.

Using the Science Writing Heuristic: Training Chemistry Teaching Assistants

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Promoting the use of the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) among novice teaching assistants at a large university is facilitated by a program of instructional training and mentoring. Sessions include hands-on activities with guided inquiry in tandem with elements of the SWH. These provide TAs with the opportunity to both experience and practice integrating the SWH.

To Tan or Not to Tan

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Science instructors sometimes avoid inquiry-based activities due to limited classroom time. Inquiry takes time, as students choose problems, design experiments, obtain materials, conduct investigations, gather data, communicate results, and discuss their experiments. While there are no quick solutions to time concerns, the phases of the 5E Learning Cycle-Engagement, exploration, explanation, extension, and evaluation-effectively mimimized time demands and formed the basis of the following lesson that teaches students about sunscreens and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Celestial Navigation

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Celestial navigation is the process of finding your position on Earth based on astronomical guideposts. In this lesson, explore the principles of navigation; build tools to observe celestial bodies, and learn how science, mathematics, technology, and history are intertwined.

A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Invasive Plant Universe

9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Invade the science curriculum with Alien Invaders, a comprehensive activity that investigates invasive plant species and their ecological roles. Studying invasive plants can eliminate blind spots in the science curriculum. It is a theme that promotes natural and powerful interdisciplinary connections that simultaneously target standards from geography, history, language arts, mathematics, science, and technology.

The Great Invention Adventure

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Guided by an Inventor's Log and the process of scientific inquiry, students problem solve, think creatively, and budget their time and resources to brainstorm and build an invention. Students present their inventions to the class and to the community during an Invention Gallery Walk held at school.

Tried and True: Presenting mitosis

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Bring the stages of mitosis to life for your students with the use of technology. In this engaging lesson, students are introduced to the topic of cell division, and then students can showcase their interpretations of the stages of mitosis by creating a slide show illustrating prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Post-Genome Era Pedagogy: How a BS Biotechnology Program Benefits the Liberal Arts Institution

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Genomics profoundly affects society, because genome sequence information is widely used in such areas as genetic testing, genomic medicine/vaccine development, and so forth. Therefore, a responsibility to modernize science curricula exists for "post-genome era" educators. At my university, we developed a BS biotechnology program within a liberal arts framework, without major cost or radical curriculum revision. Outcomes have included enrollment growth, interdisciplinary opportunities, enhanced faculty-student research, and modern science laboratories that benefit biotechnology majors and nonscience students.

Manna from Heaven or "Clickers" from Hell: Experiences with an Electronic Response System

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Instructors used an electronic response system to enhance student-centered learning in large and small college biology classes. The system worked well to engage students in learning the subject matter and to assess their prior knowledge and misconceptions. It provided useful feedback to students as well as instructors. Problems encountered resulted mainly from not having permanent installation of the hardware components in the large class.

Science Shorts: Building Bridges

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

London Bridge is falling down, falling down...Can you finish the song? Although there are various stories that suggest the meaning of this famous nursery rhyme, the London Bridge, which spans the River Thames, did indeed "fall down" several times throughout history. This month's Science Shorts explores what makes bridges stay up. A corresponding activity is included.

Take the Eco-Challenge

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

This article offers instructions on developing a board game centered on environmental stewardship and its science-technology-society implications. The board game, in which students in grades three through five work in cooperative teams to "save the Earth," can be customized to focus on any science topic and used as an assessment.

They Dig It!

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Sixth-grade students learn about the scientific processes of archaeology and paleontology when they participate in this activity. Students participate in integrated lessons based on the two disciplines, with language arts, social studies, and mathematics components. The unit culminates when the class unearths buried "dinosaur bones" in a methodical manner.

Renew, Reflect, and Refresh

7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

This article offers an opportunity to nurture the lifelong learner deep inside with a summer reading list that will allow you to renew, reflect, and refresh. NSTA Recommends reviewers share what they're reading this summer.

Methods and Strategies: Using Models Effectively

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Models are crucial to science teaching and learning, yet they can create unforeseen and overlooked challenges for students and teachers. This article guides students through age-appropriate, critical analyses of instructional models.

The Sidewalk Project: Students work with their community to invent a heated sidewalk powered by an alternative energy source

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

High school physics students from Littleton, New Hampshire, conducted experiments in an effort to use alternative energy to power a sidewalk heating system by participating in a program that provides grants to high schools to invent something that addresses a town or school need. Not only did this project benefit the students and citizens of Littleton, it provided a vehicle for teaching applied physics concepts such as energy and its many forms, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.

NSTA Learning Center Professional Development Tools

Archive: Global Climate Change Impacts in the Eastern United States, November 17, 2009

Archive: Anti-matter Eyes on the Gamma-ray Skies November 12, 2009

Archive: Knowing Nano: New Video, Web, and Print Resources from DragonflyTV, November 11, 2009

Archive: Design Squad: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Engineers November 4, 2009

Everyday Engineering: Time's up, turkey-Pop-up thermometers

Science Shorts: Solar Pizza Friday

Web Seminar: A Century of Cosmic Surprises December 8, 2009

Web Seminar: From Sound Waves to Microwaves: "Listening" to the Oldest Light of the Universe with the Planck Mission December 16, 2009

Leo Cockroach …Toy Tester

Rice

Construct-a-Catapult (e-book)

Construct-a-Glove (e-book)

Archive: ExploraVision Online Resources, October 14, 2009

Everyday Engineering: What makes a squirt gun squirt?

Science Matters - Achieving Scientific Literacy, <em>New Edition</em>, <em>Expanded and Updated</em>

Teaching through Trade Books: Secrets of Flight

Problem Solving by Design

Archive: Getting Your Class Started in ExploraVision, September 16, 2009

"New Science" and Societal Issues

Podcast: The Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now

Podcast: Scientific Method

Podcast: Phoenix mission

Podcast: Exploring Occupational Interests

Podcast: Careers in Earth Sciences

Podcast: Careers in Heath Sciences

Podcast: Careers in Environmental Sciences

Podcast: Importance of Encouraging Science Interest Now

Podcast: Earth and Mars Similar Features

Podcast: Microbes and Climate

Podcast: The Role of Microbes in the Artic Ocean

Podcast: Why are Polar Regions Important for Global Climate?

Podcast: Discoveries from Ice Coring Science

Podcast: IPY Ice Coring Programs for Teacher and Students

Podcast: Exploring Bioethics Introduction

Podcast: 21st Century Explorer Project Overview

Podcast: 21st Century Explorer Project Overview

Cruel, Cruel Summer

Ah-Choo!

Podcast: Mars Rover Spirit

Podcast: Video of Rover Airbag

Podcast: Mars Rover

Podcast: Studying Mars

Podcast: Earth Science Careers

Podcast: More Resources from Design Squad and NASA

Podcast: NASA and Design Squad

Recording Images Using a Simple Pinhole Camera

The Tower Challenge

Designing and Constructing a Load-Bearing Structure

Podcast: Lesson Extension on the Benefits of Trees

Podcast: Tips for Conducting Ethics Discussions

Podcast: Criteria for Deciding Organ Transplantation

Podcast: Incorporating Bioethics into the Curriculum

Podcast: United Network for Organ Sharing

Podcast: Weighing Organ Allocation Criteria

Podcast: Overcoming Obstacles to Family Involvement

Podcast: Search for Lunar Ice

Podcast: Additional Discoveries of Galileo

Podcast: Brief History of Galileo

Podcast: Johannes Kepler

Podcast: NASA Kepler Mission

Podcast: What Makes a Planet Earth-like

Podcast: I-Tree a Science Based Tool for Making Urban Tree Decisions

Podcast: Observations of Change

Podcast: How do we Recycle Water in Space

Podcast: Geology of Mars

Podcast: STS -118 Mission Patch

Podcast: Aquarius Underwater Habitat

Podcast: Aquarius Experiments

Podcast: Properties of the Nanoscale NanoScience

Podcast: Nanotechnology Benefits and Threats to the Environment

Podcast: Mars Background Info

Stepping Up to Science and Math: Exploring the Natural Connections (e-book)

Podcast: Dust and Dunes

Podcast: Impact Craters

Podcast: Polar Caps

Podcast: River Deltas and Gullies

Podcast: Rock Layers and Deserts

Podcast: Volcanoes

Podcast: NanoScale Fact or Fiction