Science in the Classroom (SitC)
This is a collection of freely available annotated research papers from the Science family of journals. SitC aims to help educators, undergraduates, and advanced high school students understand the research contained in scientific primary literature by using annotations and providing accompanying teaching materials. Annotations include vocabulary, methods, descriptions of prior research, and explanations of major conclusions. Each paper has an educator's guide outlining connections to science competencies within STEM learning frameworks and standards. Educator guides also provide suggested activities, discussion questions, and resources for further exploration of the subject.
PHET - Interactive Simulations for Science and Math
Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery. PhET now has ten simulations that include interactive descriptions. This makes the simulations accessible to students who rely on screen readers to access the web. Tips and Resources for teaching with this website (https://goo.gl/ujhZkt)
From the Museum of Natural History, Ology is a science website for kids.
There are many sites with sound clips but Nature SoundMap is one of the best. A group of professional nature recordists from around the globe have collaborated to develop Nature Soundmap, an enjoyable and interactive way of exploring the natural sounds of our planet. Included are recording of interesting individual species from the animal kingdom.
Discovery Education offers free resources for elementary, middle and high school teachers, including puzzle makers, student games, activities and lesson plans.
Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (sedac)
This site provides maps that support the integration of socioeconomic and earth science data and to serve as an "Information Gateway" between earth sciences and social sciences.
Gives teachers everything they need to start exploring and understanding nature around the globe with their students. In addition to free offerings that are always available online like, interactive games and lesson plans that align to Next Generation Science Standards and the National Geography Standards
Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Hundreds of science and math resources are free, research-based standards-based activities which cover a huge variety of science topics and include time-tested math interactives. The models and simulations can make complicated topics simple. And most of our activities let you see assessment results after students use the activities.
Search over 3,500 of the very best science and math activities on the web. Find handpicked activities from your favorite science museums, public television stations, universities, and other educational organizations. All activities are available to anyone, free of charge. Start searching now and filter by age, material costs, and learning time to find exactly what you need for your class, educational program, or family.
PhET Interactive Simulations: Earth Science k - 12
PhET's excellent simulations, which let students visualize and take an active role in controlling complex scientific phenomena, have a place in earth science classes and units across the K-12 spectrum. From illustrating astronomy and gravity to demonstrating fluid dynamics and material properties (to more concrete phenomena such as glaciers, plate tectonics, and the greenhouse effect), there's almost certainly a simulation that will fit into your lessons.
The units in Mystery Science can be used as an entire science curriculum or as a supplement to what you're already teaching. The lessons will work best when students have opportunities to talk with each other about their ideas. During the explorations, pause to give kids a chance to hypothesize before the answers pop up on the screen. For example, when a video asks what will happen if we water one plant and don’t water another, have kids stop and jot down their ideas before sharing their thoughts with the class.
This site is best used as a resource to pull information from; there's not a ton of stuff that students can actually do here. You can show very young students the Earthquake ABC. You can also ask them to create their own drawings about either earthquake-related issues or major weather events that may become more frequent in the future.
If you're doing units on anything related to nature, geography, exploration, or world events, there're something for you here. You can also direct students to the site for homework help (encyclopedias and maps provide valuable reference information), research projects, or free exploration. Or, have kids play the enlightening online games and discuss the results in class.
Nat Geo Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world
Comments or Questions? Email me at sbudreau@longmeadow.k12.ma.us