The Siemens Summer of Learning Application is closed. Fellows will be announced in April 2014.
ScienceNetLink refers to itself as a premier K-12 science education resource produced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. What a wonderful place for educators to find quality teaching tools, interactives, podcasts, and hands-on activities, and best of all... it's free! The lessons and activities can be printed or used online. A large number of the interactives, esheets, and tools work great on an interactive white board, in a one computer classroom, in a computer lab, or in a one to one setting. The diversity of resources provides opportunities for teachers to scaffold and differentiate.
Let's take some time to explore the ScienceNetLinks Website, Upon entering, and after noting the engaging front page of the ScienceNetLinks Website, you may wish to click on the Lessons Tab at the top of the page. You should note that you have access to a search engine that allows you to search grades K-12. Now take a look at the subject areas you have at your fingertips. You will find science areas of earth science, physics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology. But wait... there is so much more! How about health, medicine, engineering, social science, technology, mathematics, statistics, nature of science, and careers? While I can't show you every lesson... I can say that many address the Common Core by bringing a balanced literacy approach to the table. Take a moment to browse this High School lesson entitled The Wild Trees. How about this middle school lesson involving mathematics, scientific literacy, and ice cream? Then you will enjoy exploring this very cool lesson in problem solving called, Finding Satisfactory Solutions. Elementary students may wish to read The Three Little Pigs as they explore Materials and Manufacturing. All lessons at ScienceNetLinks include;
1. Purpose (essential question explained) 2. Context (content knowledge and application to real world 3. Motivation (advance organizer serving as a entry event building on need to know) 4. Development (specific lesson plans and scaffolding) 5. Assessment (range of formative, summative, content specific, and 21st century) 6. Extensions ( next steps, scaffolding, and differentiation) 7. Related resources (useful for related investigation).
Make sure you explore the various Tools that ScienceNetLinks points to on the web. After all, allowing students to study and interact with simulations is an important part of the new Common Core. It is this practice that brings relevance and real life application to the content standards found in the curriculum. These tools fall into the following four categories—hands-on activities, interactives, teaching aids, or websites. They also include tips to integrate them into your classroom. Some examples include a secondary activity Make A Mission, involving building a spaceship to explore Mercury. How about a hands on non- tech activity in the study of earthquakes entitled Earth Movers? Perhaps you want your middle school students to use a computer to Build a Fish. Primary students may wish to learn more about insects as they create a Monster Bug.
Don' miss the amazing Collections area of the website found at ScienceNetLinks. Here you will find 29 amazing collections. Click on a collection and you will discover engaging lessons that are associated with these collections. The collections are diverse and cover a multitude of subjects and content providers. I consider this a must explore area... one that words cannot do justice! Make sure you take that moment to explore!
You will find 15 awesome activities in the Afterschool Resource Area . Any activity rich in content standards and 21st century skills that engages students to come after school should be embedded in the school day curriculum. I am sure you just might find some of these gems as you explore gravity, geysers, marbles, bees, sounds, and forces... just to name a few. Bring the after school excitement into your curricular day classroom.
The Science News Section