20 March 2013
Take The Understanding Global Change Survey
As you probably know, the earth's natural system is changing. Many of the aspects of how, where and when is well known within the scientific community, yet the public is slow to accept the science behind these global changes.
In response to the need for a better informed and scientifically literate populace, our friends at the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) and the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) received funding from the Moore Foundation to develop a web-based resource for educators and the general public that will provide rigorously-vetted, non-partisan, scientific information on global change, specifically how the earth's natural systems are changing.
They need your help! They would like to have a better sense of how teachers (at all grade levels, in both formal and informal settings) view global change, the importance of teaching it, and the resources available for doing so. Don't teach about global change issues? They want to know that too!
The anonymous survey is being conducted by BSCS and should take you less than 15 minutes, but will help hundreds of thousands of educators and students for years to come!
21 January 2013
New Teacher Forum Launched On ESD Site
As part of an ongoing focus on enhancing endangered species education, the Endangered Species Day Teacher Resource Center now features a special Teacher Forum. The Teacher Forum enables teachers to exchange classroom instruction techniques, ask questions, and share resources about endangered species. In addition, teachers can relate different ways students can participate in the 8th annual national Endangered Species Day, which takes place on May 17, 2013. The Teacher Resource Center also features a lesson plan, series of podcasts, teacher video, reading list and other information for teaching about endangered species/habitat conservation.
Visit the Teacher's Forum/Resource Center »
03 January 2013
Announcing The American Gut Project
The recently completed Human Microbiome Project and other microbiome projects worldwide have laid an important foundation for understanding the trillions of microbes that inhabits each of our bodies. However, opportunities for the public to get involved in such research have been limited. Now, American Gut gives anyone an opportunity to participate and to compare the microbes in their gut to those in the guts of thousands of other people in the US and elsewhere and link these patterns to detailed diet & lifestyle information provided by each participant. American Gut is a project built on open-source, open-access principles. The data are for the good of understanding and will be shared both with participants and the larger, interested public – including any biology teacher!
The American Gut project represents a unique teaching moment for the interested public that bridges genomics, biology, and ecology in an open-source citizen science platform. As the data becomes available, it will be shared with everyone, but especially with the hope that educators will take the opportunity to utilize the information for lesson plan and module development in the classroom. The coordinators of American Gut welcome the opportunity to assist in any way they can (again, the data and results of the study will be available to everyone).
Take a few minutes to watch Jonathan Eisen's TED Talk and a Year in the Life of Eric Alm's microbiome - very much worth the time. You might also check out (though it will take more minutes), Rob Dunn's book, The Wild Life of Our Bodies.
Questions? Contact americangut@humanfoodproject.com
15 December 2012
Podcasts: CreatureCasts
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) features podcasts from several sources. CreatureCasts are creative and engaging video podcasts created by the Dunn Lab at Brown University. CreatureCasts use video, art, animation and creativity to tell stories focused on zoology. Many of these engaging pieces are available on EOL taxon pages.
View CreatureCasts on EOL »
Visit the CreatureCast Blog »
24 November 2012
Canisius College Ambassadors for Conservation
Resources and activities to thoroughly engage your students in wildlife knowledge, and conservation efforts and advocacy. And, much more!
Visit web site »
01 November 2012
Applications Being Accepted For Einstein Fellowships
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 Fellowship Year. The Einstein Fellowship Program is available to current K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educators with a demonstrated excellence in teaching and leadership.Selected teachers spend 11 months in Washington, D.C., sharing their expertise with STEM program directors or policy makers. Fellows receive a monthly stipend and an allowance for professional travel and relocation. The fellowship year begins in late August 2013.
Application Information »
01 November 2012
New App Lets Users Check Health of Waterways Anywhere in the U.S.
EPA has launched a new app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. Availavle at http://www.epa.gov/mywaterway, the How's My Waterway app and website uses GPS technology or a user-entered zip code or city name to provide information about the quality of local water bodies. The release of the app and website helps mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which Congress enacted on October 18, 1972, giving citizens a special role in caring for the nation's water resources.
Read more»
25 October 2012
KSTF 2013 Teaching Fellowship Applications Now Being Accepted
Applications are open for the 2013 Math and Sciences Cohorts of Teaching Fellows. Know someone planning to begin a lifelong career in teaching no later than 2014? Let them know about KSTF Fellowships today!
Learn more»
02 October 2012
Call for applications – 2013 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, will be selected to receive this award.
Application requirements »
10 Sep 2012
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowships
The KSTF Teaching Fellowships support, sustain and inspire exceptional young men and women committed to making a difference as teachers.
Learn more »
08 Sep 2012
NABT News & Views
Read August 2012 Issue »
27 August 2012
STEM SCOUTS - Ignite Your Talent
STEM Scouts is a collaborative effort pooling the talents and resources of universities, government agencies, corporations, and individuals to engage students in an ever-expanding series of high-interest activities that develop the skills and interest enabling success in STEM-related careers.
Learn more »
12 August 2012
Teaching Students About Climate Change
It's a long, hot summer and the perfect time to think about teaching your students about climate change. Climate Change From Pole to Pole: Biology Investigations offers timely, relevant, biology-based case studies and background information on how to teach the science of climate change. Six field-tested activities, which build on four content chapters, give students the opportunity to solve real-life scientific problems using guiding questions, graphs and data tables, short reading assignments, and independent research.
Read a sample chapter»
26 July 2012
Teaching the Nature of Science: A Sample Unit Plan
What it is and what it is not! Scientific Method? Always right? How should we teach science.All High School Teachers should read this and think about what is being addressed and how they teach in their classes.
Visit site »
Playing With Ecology
A card game based on interacting species aims to get children interested in real plants and animals.
Read more »
25 July 2012
Students' STEM Interest Increased
A new report links students' interest in STEM to use of classroom technology, including digital technology and social media. Link to the report and read more.
Social Media/Technology in the Classroom
To allow or not to allow has become the recent question—especially when discussing the use of personal technology and social media in the classroom. Learn more.
Marcellus Shale...Digging Deeper into the Controversy
While regional in nature, the topics of drilling in the Marcellus Shale Formation, fracking, and environmental impacts are great to explore in many areas of science. Here's what you need to know.
Catching up with the Common Core
The Common Core is cross referenced in the Next Generation Science Standards. Here are some resources to help catch all stakeholders up with these standards.
19 June 2012
New STEM E-Newsletter from NSTA
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is on everyone's mind, and the National Science Teachers Association is publishing STEM in the Classroom to provide a forum for ideas and resources middle and high school teachers will need to support these disciplines. By coordinating science and math courses with technology and engineering courses, teachers can give students a better understanding of the world they live in.
Subscribe » (You will NOT need a promo code, so please ignore that field.)
17 June 2012
Coral Reef Interactive
Have fun exploring a fictional island and coral reef, while exploring impacts on this ecosystem.
Explore »
14 June 2012
Upcoming Events
11 June 2012
2012 Professional Development Conference,
October 31 - November 3, 2012, Dallas, Texas
Featuring four days of renowned speakers, hands-on workshops, informative sessions and special events, the NABT Professional Development Conference addresses teaching biology and life science in the 21st century. Be the best teacher you can be!
Learn more »
06 June 2012
Don't Wait! Only one week left to register for wetland workshops for educators!
Come enjoy a day (or two!) at The Outdoor Classroom while learning about wetlands and rain gardens! Take home curriculum and ideas for how to use them as outdoor classrooms!
Learn more»
14 May 2012
Radioactive Wolves
What happens to nature after a nuclear accident? And how does wildlife deal with the world it inherits after human inhabitants have fled? The historic nuclear accident at Chernobyl is now 25 years old. Filmmakers and scientists set out to document the lives of the packs of wolves and other wildlife thriving in the "dead zone" that still surrounds the remains of the reactor.
Watch video»
06 May 2012
The Outdoor Classroom in Pittsburgh to host wetland workshops for educators
Come enjoy a day (or two!) at The Outdoor Classroom while learning about wetlands and rain gardens! Take home curriculum and ideas for how to use them as outdoor classrooms!
Learn more »
26 April 2012
Gulf Spill Pictures: Ten New Studies Show Impact on Coast
Bottlenose dolphins off Louisiana's coast are severely ill, while deep-sea corals show signs of tissue damage—just two findings in a slew of studies two years after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Learn more »
24 April 2012
Pictures: Nature Yields New Ideas for Energy and Efficiency
Drawing inspiration from schools of fish, termite mounds, and the photosynthesis of leaves, new technologies seek to produce cleaner, more efficient energy through biomimicry.
Learn more »
21 April 2012
Habla español?
Aprenda más acerca del Día del Planeta Tierra y de lo que usted puede hacer para ayudar a proteger el medio ambiente. Escuche los podcasts ambientales. Inscrbase para recibir un consejo por correo electrnico en abril.
Learn more»
10 April 2012
This Earth Day, investigate all things green with PBS LearningMedia
See where recyclables go after they leave your curb; meet a renewable energy engineer; dig your pitchfork into a virtual compost pile; and learn how to shrink your carbon footprint. Explore »
29 March 2012
Moon Over Bioko, by Heidi Rader and Illustrated by Holly Smith
A K- 6 story worth sharing with your students about sea turtles, conservation, and exploration.
Read more »
11 March 2012
AAAS Science NetLINKs
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has revamped its educational website, Science NetLinks. You can find K-12 lesson plans, check out the science history calender to learn about important historical dates, and stay abreast of the latest science news. Looking for ideas for the after-school science club you advise? The website can also help you with planning new activities for Earth Day (April 22); National Chemistry Week (October 14-20); National Engineers Week (February 19-25); and even Earth Hour (March 31), the annual international event designed to raise awareness about global climate change.
Learn more!
27 February 2012
Nature Video Collections
Watch web exclusive clips from behind the scenes of Frozen Planet.
15 February 2012
Tracking Change Over Time
The US Geological Survey provides a free lesson plan, with satellite images of Earth from space, to get students excited about studying the changing earth. Intended for grades 5-8.
Download the resources and lesson plans
31 January 2012
International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge
Get your students and classrooms involved with this international challenge to increase awareness of carbon footprints and climate change! Students can learn to calculate their personal carbon footprint, compare it to students' footprints worldwide, and discover what they can do to reduce their impact on global climate change.
Join the Challenge!
16 January 2012
Species news from IUCN
The IUCN Species Prgramme produces, maintains and manages the Red List of Threatened Species. Learn more about endangered species and what efforts are being made to ensure their survival.
Visit the website »
04 January 2012
NASA/ESSEA Climate Change Education Modules Available Online
NASA's support for the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) has resulted in the development of shared K-12 educational resources - including modules and courses - that are based on NASA climate science and data. Also provided is a section entitled, Inquiry Strategies to Use in Your Classroom.
View the ESSEA website to view modules »
21 December 2011
Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS)
Check out the latest resource listing from CSATS. There are great opportunities for K-12 classrooms, among them the "Expanding Your Horizons Day For Middle School Girls" - a one-day program designed to introduce girls to career opportunites in science, technology, engineering, and math fields; the NIH Curriculum Supplement Series - teacher's guides to two weeks of lessons on the science behind selected health topics; and Professional Development Opportunies ranging from nanotechnology webinars to Teaching Fellowships from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation.
View the full News Blast from CSATS »
29 November 2011
Teaching Secrets: After the Honeymoon
by Cossondra George
The school year's honeymoon is over. Teachers and students are settling into routines—which can be comforting but can also confront new teachers with the reality of how tiring a teacher's life can be. This can be a make-or-break period for new teachers. It's when you need to develop habits that will sustain you—and keep your excitement and enthusiasm flowing—throughout the school year.
View the full article »
09 November 2011
Encyclopedia of Life
The Encyclopedia of Life is a comprehensive, collaborative, and ever-growing ecosystem of websites that makes all key information about all life on Earth accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. This site is an unprecedented global effort to create the most complete biodiversity database on the web.
http://www.eol.org
01 November 2011
Be a Part of Let's G.O.! (Get Outside!)
In the month of April, the Children & Nature Network will launch the second annual nationwide campaign to highlight you and your community's efforts to connect all people with nature and make our mark as a movement on the rise. This is not a call to action, it is a call for fun! Think of it as a party invitation, and the party location is all the green space around us. Community gardening, local hikes, river clean-ups, bird watching, fishing, biking, beach days—however you get outside, we want to hear about it! Start Planning Today!
Visit the Children & Nature Network website»
30 August 2011
PBS® LearningMedia
As America's largest classroom, PBS is the #1 source of educational media for students and teachers, at home and in schools. Check out the brand-new free media-on-demand service into the classroom: PBS LearningMedia.
28 August 2011
The National Scene
The National Research Council (NRC) recently released A Framework for K-12 Science Education, identifying the key concepts and practices that all students should learn. Click Here to read more about this vision for K-12 science education.
13 August 2011
Global Warming 101
Watch this powerful video about Global Warming, created by National Geographic.
Watch the video on Hulu »
13 August 2011
Polar Climate Change may Lead to Ecological Change
Read this article online at Penn State Live »
19 July 2011
Earth: The Operators' Manual
Watch an objective, accessible assessment of the Earth's problems and possibilities. The program host and author of the companion book, Richard Alley, is a geology professor at PSU. This broadcast and website provide invaluable information on climate change and what you can do to help conserve energy.
Visit the website »
21 June 2011
Nitrogen Footprint Calculator
Calculate your nitrogen footprint with this interactive tool. See how food and transportation choices affect your footprint, and learn how small changes in everyday life can lesson your impact.
Calculate!
15 June 2011
Environmental News Network
ENN is rapidly becoming a collection of resources, teachers, experts and tools that provide objective information and knowledge about the increasingly complex field of environmental science.
http://www.enn.com »
07 June 2011
Science Now "A Better Way To Teach"
Read the article »
07 June 2011
Green Failure: What's Wrong With Environmental Education?
Read an intriguing interview about environmental education!
The FLAG (Field-Tested Learning Assessment Guide) is a great resource for instructors interested in new approaches to evaluating student learning, attitudes and performance. Each has been developed, tested and refined in real colleges and universities classrooms.
The Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) facilitates mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships between K-12 schools and Penn State science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) researchers and outreach professionals, with the goal of helping to strengthen K-12 science and technology education. View their latest newsletter!