Science Matters Yah, I know some of us are winding down from schooling for the summer months, but I can’t help but stay on the lookout for resources I know I’m going to be needing again all too soon. I’ve come across some interesting science things of late that I want to check out – perhaps you, too, can find something useful. For your perusal: Free Online Textbooks and Curriculum Chemistry Packets: 13 units of chemistry; also has links to YouTube chemistry videos Classic Science Life: free life science e-textbook to download; either download by chapter (there are 36) or by unit (9 units); online courses also offered MS Nucleus: free science curriculum, K – 6 and some secondary Science Interactives and Videos Annenberg Learner : animations on a number of topics, including volcanos, DNA, the rock cycle and others; also has interactive on subjects other then science wickED: animations about the earth, including plate tectonics, the rock cycle Bytesize Science: chemistry videos ilabcentral: virtual lab
Ten Recent Advances in Evolution By Carl Zimmer Posted 10.26.09 NOVA To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Origin of Species, here's a list—by no means exhaustive—of some of the biggest advances in evolutionary biology over the past decade. These advances include not just a better understanding of how this or that group of species first evolved, but insights into the evolutionary process itself. Ten significant leaps forward in evolution research in the past decade, as chosen and described by noted science writer Carl Zimmer Enlarge Photo credit: (Earth) © NASA; (text) © WGBH Educational Foundation Darwin envisioned natural selection acting so slowly that its effects would be imperceptible in a human lifetime. If he were alive today, Darwin would be astonished at the pace and nature of discoveries being made in evolutionary biology, including the witnessing of evolution in action. Thanks to powerful, cheap DNA sequencing technology, scientists can now pinpoint the molecular changes underlying this rapid evolution.
50 Really Cool Online Tools for Science Teachers A 21st-century education revolves around the Internet for everything from collaboration, tools, lessons, and even earning degrees online. If you are looking for ways to integrate online learning into your science class or science degree programs, then take a look at these cool online tools that are just perfect for both teachers and students. Science Tools to Use with Students These tools offer opportunities for learning about climate, cells, the human body, nature, and more. ChemiCool. Share this periodic table with your class for an easy to use tool with information on each of the specific elements.GPS Activities and Lesson Plans. AP Tools Whether you are setting up a new AP curriculum or are just looking for additional material to use with your AP science students, these tools will help. Advanced Placement Biology. Websites and Resources for Science Teachers These websites are chock full of amazing resources and tools for science teachers. Discovery Education. Calculators Online Games
The Physics Classroom Educational Resources Climate Change and Citizen Science This animation describes how citizen observations can document the impact of climate change on plants and animals. It introduces the topic of phenology and data collection, the impact of climate ... Reading Antarctica's Rock Cores In this activity, students learn about the tools and methods paleoclimatologists use to reconstruct past climates. Solar Panels for Your Home In this video segment from NOVA's Saved By the Sun hour-long video, students learn about photovoltaics and see how two families are using solar technologies in their homes. A Warmer World for Arctic Animals This video documents the challenges that climate change presents for four specific Arctic predators: polar bears, Arctic foxes, beluga whales and walruses. Flashlights on Earth This three-part, hands-on investigation explores how sunlight's angle of incidence at Earth's surface impacts the amount of solar radiation received in a given area. Carbon Journey Game Earth's Albedo
MAKE HOMEMADE SCIENCE TOYS AND PROJECTS Cell Cycle & Cytokinesis - BioChemWeb.org Cell Cycle Regulation and the Control of Cell Proliferation (Cell Growth + Cell Division) Cell Cycle Research - General resource with links to relevant recent literature, news and job listings. (Ion Channel Media Group) Cell Division - Undergraduate-level lectures on cell division. (Cell Biology Lectures, Mark Hill, University of New South Wales, Australia) The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer - Introduction to the eukaryotic cell cycle as it relates to the genetics of cancer. (Phillip McClean, North Dakota State University) (Just above Beginner's Level) ICRF FACS Laboratory Cell Cycle Analysis - Methods for cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. (FACS Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, UK) The Interactive Fly: Evolutionarily Conserved Pathways (Society for Developmental Biology). See also the Apoptosis, Cell Senescence and Signal Transduction pages. Mitosis, Meiosis and the Mechanics of Cell Division See also the Cytoskeleton, Cell Motility and Motors page. Cancer Resources
Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball - Experiment with Polymers Introduction Balls have been toys practically forever, but the bouncing ball is a more recent innovation. Bouncing balls were originally made of natural rubber, though now bouncing balls can be made of plastics and other polymers or even treated leather. You can use chemistry to make your own bouncing ball. The bouncing ball in this activity is made from a polymer. Bouncing Polymer Ball Materials Here's a list of materials you need to gather to make bouncing polymer balls: borax (found in the laundry section of the store) cornstarch (found in the baking section of the store) white glue (e.g., Elmer's glue - makes an opaque ball) or blue or clear school glue (makes a translucent ball) warm water food coloring (optional) measuring spoons spoon or craft stick to stir the mixture 2 small plastic cups or other containers for mixing marking pen watch with a second hand metric ruler zip-lock plastic baggie Let's make bouncing polymers balls... Polymer Projects Plastics and Polymers