Online Book: Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 5 Oct, 2007
Aimed at teachers, Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science is "addressed to several groups at the center of the ongoing debate over evolution: the teachers, other educators, and policy makers who design, deliver, and oversee classroom instruction in biology," ..." providing  information and resources that teachers and administrators can use to inform themselves, their students, parents, and others about evolution and the role of science in human affairs."  (From the Preface)

The book is divided into seven chapters and five appendices.   Titles of chapters include Why Teach Evolution,  Major themes in Evolution,  Evolution and nature of science, FAQs about Evolution and the Nature of Science, as well as Acitivities for Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science.

 

Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science was produced by the Working Group on Teaching Evolution under the Council of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Educational Resources from NASA

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 2 Oct, 2007
The Educational Materials section of NASA’s Web site offers classroom activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources that are available for use in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level (US) and subject.

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Lesson plans from Enviromental Health Perspectives

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 14 Sep, 2007

The EHP Science Education Program offers science and interdisciplinary lessons based on selected articles and scientific research published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

Lessons cover biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, and physical science, and are targeted at students in grades 9 through 12.  All lessons and corresponding news articles can be downloaded for free. 

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Science as Storytelling

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 17 Jul, 2007

From the Latest Scout Report

Science has many compelling and fascinating stories, and thinking about teaching science through the use of narratives can be a rewarding idea for educators. This particular classroom exercise was peer-reviewed by participants at the 2007 “Preparing Teachers to Teach Earth Science Workshop” at Carleton College, and was authored by B.R. Bickmore and D.A. Grandy of Brigham Young University. The exercise is designed to help students gain a more sophisticated conception of the nature of science as well as to help students “become more able to critically and insightfully address science-religion conflict.” The site contains further teaching notes and tips, learning goals, and the actual essay that is used in this particular exercise

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Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles Resource

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 7 Jul, 2007
From the Scout Report
Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles

Created by Alexander Bogomolny, this site is a clearinghouse of fun and engaging mathematics exercises, puzzles, and other such activities that teachers can utilize in their classrooms. Of course, students might happen across the site and they might become math converts along the way. First-time visitors might wish to read Bogomolny’s “manifesto” for the site, and then they can dive right into the material offered here. The offerings are divided into a number of sections, including “Visual Illusions”, “Algebra”, and “Probability”. One particularly nice feature of the site is that many of the exercises and activities here are accompanied by helpful Java applets that include charts, graphs, and other such dynamic elements. Finally, visitors shouldn’t leave without visiting the “Mathematical Droodles” section as it’s both engaging and thought-provoking

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Teaching High School Science Resource

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 7 Jul, 2007
From the Scout Report
Resource: Teaching High School Science

Both new and experienced science high school teachers will find something of interest within this six-part series created by WGBH Boston. The creation of the program was supported by the Annenberg Media organization, and visitors can view all of these programs in the comfort of their home (or classroom). As the program site notes “The Teaching High School Science library will help teachers integrate national science standards and inquiry learning into their curricula.” The programs include classrooms investigating chemical reactions, experiments involving crickets, and explorations into how the Mars landscape may have formed. After viewing these programs, visitors can also view a list of related programs that are also made available as part of the Annenberg Media’s online video library

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Two Science Links from the latest Scout Report 1 June 2007

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 4 Jun, 2007

Two useful sites from this week's Scout Report.

The National Science Teachers Association has set up this page containing these helpful science objects that provide a bit of a refresher course in each area. Created in partnership with organizations like NASA, NOAA, and the GE Foundation, these interactive features cover Newton’s First, Second, and Third Laws, the origins of the universe, and the universe outside our own solar system. Visitors can also search to discover features that cover coral reef ecosystems, the different kinds of energy, and the ocean’s affect on weather and climate.

Looking at Learning….Again, Part 2 is an eight-part programme created by the Anneberg Media Foundation in conjuction with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Educators can learn about how young people learn and then see how to critique and apply these various theories. The sections include “Learning to Share Perspectives,” “Algebra and Calculus: The Challenge,” and “Children’s Ways of Knowing.” After looking over one or all of these insightful programs, visitors can also look at the series website which offers more details about the participants and the structure of the series. Finally, visitors can also sign up to receive related support materials if they are so inclined.

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This week's Scout Report

Posted by Ingrid Thomson | 19 May, 2007

Two interesting websites for Maths and Science Teaching are on this week's Scout Report.

We All Use Math Everyday comes from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (USA), providing a list of resources that Maths educators can use.

MIT's OpenCourse Ware Initiative provides the content of a course on Kitchen Chemistry, providing the syllabus, readings, assignments and links to further readings.

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