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Biomimicry 3.8 Institute - Biomimicry 3.8 Institute
Grades
9 to 12
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What is Biomimicry? It is the copying of patterns and ideas in nature to solve technological problems. The number 3.8 refers to the billions of years there has been life ...more
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What is Biomimicry? It is the copying of patterns and ideas in nature to solve technological problems. The number 3.8 refers to the billions of years there has been life on this planet. Biomimicry brings biologists and designers together. As our impact on the Earth has wrought much damage, this new approach can solve some of our most pressing problems. Find a wealth of resources within each of the major topics on this site. Use the Inspiring tab to read articles and view other media about Biomimicry. Wish to learn more or pass on information? Use the Educating tab for ideas for K-12 and University students as well as your professional growth. For more information on K-12 tools and curriculum, see this related review, Biomimicry in Youth Education.
tag(s): design (83), engineering (127), natural resources (60), problem solving (273), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to learn more about Biomimicry and how technological problems have been solved using this approach. Share the stories with your students as informational (and inspirational) reading in the sciences. For example, schools of fish swim through a vortex of water that pulls them along with the others. This understanding is being used to design better wind turbines. Look through the Biomimicry Fundamentals ideas to see where you think you should start with your students. Challenge your students to explore the site for articles THEY believe are connected to something they have learned this year in your class. Create a wall of pictures and ideas in the classroom of patterns and processes learned in class that can be an inspiration for design later. Gifted or technology students will love learning about Biomimicry.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Pencil Inventions - Duen Hsi Yen
Grades
4 to 12
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Inspire creativity and the inventive spirit through this activity challenging students to invent a new pencil. Begin with a pencil that needs improvement to gather ideas for making...more
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Inspire creativity and the inventive spirit through this activity challenging students to invent a new pencil. Begin with a pencil that needs improvement to gather ideas for making a better pencil as you explore the creative thought processes and critical thinking skills involved in designing new projects. Although very simple in concept, this site offers simple instructions for looking at everyday objects and the process involved in improving them. This is the Maker Movement in a very simple form!
tag(s): creativity (119), gifted (92), inventors and inventions (95)
In the Classroom
Explore Pencil Inventions on your interactive whiteboard with your class as you discuss inventors and inventions. Have students brainstorm or collect ideas on a collaborative bulletin board like Scrumblr, reviewed here (quick start- no membership required!) Challenge cooperative groups to create their own invention then upload a photo they have taken and add voice bubbles to explain what they created using a tool such as Superlame, reviewed here. This is a great activity for gifted students, to help them "think outside the box." What other items (besides a pencil) could you use for the same sort of activity in your classroom to encourage creative fluency and flexibility?Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spark 101 - Spark101
Grades
7 to 12
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Ignite interest in STEM and bridge the gap between learning in the classroom and the real world! Peruse from a variety of short 10 minute interactive videos that highlight real-world...more
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Ignite interest in STEM and bridge the gap between learning in the classroom and the real world! Peruse from a variety of short 10 minute interactive videos that highlight real-world problems. Videos are aligned to STEM curricula throughout the US and contributed by partnerships with businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. Use the resources to engage your students in problem-solving and inquiry based learning. Videos and resources are found in the Science, Technology, and Math tabs. Be sure to click the Educator tab for downloadable resources to help you Plan, Engage, and Inspire with your students. While looking at the materials in the Educator tab, find a Best Practices webinar date you can attend (held monthly). This one hour training session is instrumental in using the interactive video and instructional materials to facilitate inquiry based learning effectively and increase 21st century skills in your students. Each video includes resources developed by Industry, lessons by educators, and education pathways for students seeking careers in certain STEM careers.
tag(s): STEM (153)
In the Classroom
The most difficult part of teaching science is finding time to develop effective problem-solving, good inquiry learning, and connecting learning to STEM careers. Use Spark 101 resources to make this easier. Participate in a training video to effectively use any of the resources offered on the site. Be sure to view the Spark 101 Lesson Plan Supports (in the educator tab) for templates and lesson plans. Download other resources to engage students in learning before introducing the videos. The student engagement focus in the videos engage students in creative and collaborative thinking. Search for videos that can be used for a variety of content. Examples include Species Diversity and River Quality, Using Tower Cranes to Solve Engineering Problems, and Using Expected Value to Determine Health Insurance Premiums. After sharing the video, use other resources for students to collaboratively solve problems. Share these videos from industry when students ask "When will I use this?" Use these resources also in your Gifted program or Science Club.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Curious - Curious
Grades
4 to 12
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Learn fascinating information in video format on a plethora of different topics. As you click through, click FREE at the top of each category to se only the free offerings. ...more
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Learn fascinating information in video format on a plethora of different topics. As you click through, click FREE at the top of each category to se only the free offerings. Choose from categories such as Game On, Curious 52, Art and Photo, Smarty Pants, Fit and Active, and Health and Beauty. There is so much more: Learn to Code, Great Outdoors, Popular, Fancy Pants, Around the House, Staff Picks, Pocket Perfect, Language, Crafting, Green Thumb, Software, Tasty Treats, Song and Dance, Business Savvy, and Party Time. Each video has a clickable "timeline" under it where you can read about the video, find lessons, make comments, find related topics, and see assignments. Teach others your skill or talent. Send Curious cards to teachers or others to show what you know. Be aware, not all of the video clips are free.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): art history (72), coding (52), dance (28), family (59), financial literacy (80), money (185), nutrition (159), sports (98), video (276)
In the Classroom
Check out the offerings for videos that support or extend your curriculum. Have your students find a lesson to learn or even a lesson to teach. Be sure to show them where to click "free" to narrow the listings. After previewing Curious on an interactive whiteboard or projector, choose a video to evaluate and gather the important parts of the information. Small groups could each choose a different video. Have students create their own lessons in content areas using these as a model. As you teach about informational text, this is the perfect example of digital writing to convey information. Suggest this site at a parent night to help keep everyone lifetime learners. Be sure to post a link on your website for parents and students to access at home.
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Codecademy - Codeacademy
Grades
4 to 12
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Try Codecademy to learn how to code. Build projects such as interactive websites, games, and apps. Join a community of coders and share the knowledge. Collaborate with others from all...more
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Try Codecademy to learn how to code. Build projects such as interactive websites, games, and apps. Join a community of coders and share the knowledge. Collaborate with others from all over for new projects. Find 18 adaptable lesson plans that link to Codecademy's online courses. You can also build a profile to track progress. Included is a free kit to start an after school coding club. Check out the one hour introductory class on coding for teachers. Codecademy's small lessons help one focus on tasks that might at first be completely foreign or overwhelmingly technical. Discover the curriculum developed for primary and secondary schools. Download an app for iPhones to continue coding. Lessons for coding include JavaScript, HTML/CSS, PHP, Python, Ruby, and APIs.
tag(s): coding (52), computers (92), engineering (127), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Codecademy offers you basic instruction before you begin teaching your students (or learning together with them!). Create accounts for your students, and track their progress. Besides the intrinsic factors that come with learning to code, students will be motivated by the streaks, badges, and points they can earn. After school clubs with Codecademy will be a breeze with everything all set up. Set up a coding activity center for interested students when they finish class work or for rainy days and snow days.
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Made with Code - Google
Grades
4 to 12
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Made with Code is a Google initiative with a goal of getting young women and girls excited about learning to write code. Choose from several different projects such as customizing ...more
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Made with Code is a Google initiative with a goal of getting young women and girls excited about learning to write code. Choose from several different projects such as customizing a bracelet, creating an accessorized selfie, designing an avatar, or making a custom animated gif. Follow easy step by step directions for coding and completing each project. Receive your 3D printed bracelet free in 3 to 4 weeks upon completion of your design! All projects use Blockly programming language to code and personalize projects.
tag(s): coding (52), creativity (119), design (83), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Although Made with Code is aimed at girls, all students will love creating and designing projects with this fun website. Demonstrate how to use the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Allow students to create projects on their own. Include customized avatars or gifs on your class website or with students' multimedia projects. If students create their own blog, challenge them to create a customized avatar. Made with Code would be a great addition for use with after school technology programs or during your school's technology fair. Include in your math or science class to help students learn logical thinking. Be sure to include a link to this site on your class website or blog for students to "play" with at home.
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ARIS - ARIS
Grades
7 to 12
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Let the games begin with ARIS, an open-source, web-based platform to create and play mobile games, tours, and interactive stories that will run on iOS devices. ARIS stands for Augmented...more
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Let the games begin with ARIS, an open-source, web-based platform to create and play mobile games, tours, and interactive stories that will run on iOS devices. ARIS stands for Augmented Reality for Interactive Storytelling. ARIS is an authoring environment for non-programmers, and also a toolbox of useful code for people that want to make their own interactive mobile apps. You will experience a virtual world of interactive characters, items, and media using GPS and QR Codes through Google Maps reviewed here. During the games, you can trade items with other characters, drop them on the map, get them from characters, or have them taken away. Download the free ARIS app to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to play the games. After creating your player account, select from a list of ARIS experiences. Each game will start on the quest screen, and the quests will likely tell you to go somewhere physically. Open the map screen to see your position and destination to begin the game. QR codes are used to help ARIS determine your position as you complete the quests. A few games contain codes that can be used to access some of the content remotely.
Use the ARIS Editor to create your own games under the "Make Games" section of the site. A separate account is needed to play games, but you can use the same username and password if you want. You'll begin with a Google map on the main screen where you can search to zoom into a particular place in the world. Use the object pallet located on the left-side of your screen to create characters, items, and plaques. Drag and drop the items you authored onto your map to build your interactive game. When your game is ready to publish, you need to set up your iOS device to work with the server for the authoring tool. You need to change the server URL under the ARIS settings to http://arisgames.org/stagingserver1.
Use the ARIS Editor to create your own games under the "Make Games" section of the site. A separate account is needed to play games, but you can use the same username and password if you want. You'll begin with a Google map on the main screen where you can search to zoom into a particular place in the world. Use the object pallet located on the left-side of your screen to create characters, items, and plaques. Drag and drop the items you authored onto your map to build your interactive game. When your game is ready to publish, you need to set up your iOS device to work with the server for the authoring tool. You need to change the server URL under the ARIS settings to http://arisgames.org/stagingserver1.
In the Classroom
Use ARIS to teach your students game design. Connect your students more deeply with their surroundings using this augmented reality experience. Begin by having your students create mock-ups of ARIS games using pen and paper. Create interactive games around your school, campus, or community for your students to complete. Send your students on scavenger hunts to explore geometric shapes, nature, and history. Have your students create games for a field trip or visitors to explore your community. Create educational scavenger hunts for your students or have them create their own scavenger hunt for their classmates. Creating a game would be a wonderful challenge for your gifted students to take their knowledge beyond the required curriculum. Create mysteries for the students to solve as they explore their surroundings or challenge your students to create mysteries for their classmates to solve.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
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Video Lectures - Video Lectures Net
Grades
5 to 12
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Enjoy and use award-winning educational science (and some math) videos. Presented by distinguished scholars and scientists, the videos originated during conferences, summer schools,...more
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Enjoy and use award-winning educational science (and some math) videos. Presented by distinguished scholars and scientists, the videos originated during conferences, summer schools, workshops, and science promotional events. Peruse the Nobel laureate speakers section to become inspired. Categories featured include architecture, arts, astronomy, biology, business, chemistry, computers, computer science, Earth sciences, environment, events, health sciences, humanities, life sciences, mathematics, medicine, military, philosophy, physics, regional, science, social sciences, sports, and technology. There is a free newsletter where you can stay up to date with the latest science information.
tag(s): cells (104), computers (92), creativity (119), data (152), engineering (127), machines (30), scientists (70)
In the Classroom
Keep your students minds wondering with the latest thoughts in science. Use this to create your own, science news events day. Use one of these videos as a center when students are studying a related topic. Share the videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard.
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Biomimicry in Youth Education - Biomimicry 3.8 Institute
Grades
10 to 12
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Inspire your students to SEE the natural world differently! Biomimicry is the imitation of nature's best design ideas to solve human problems. This tool provides a free resource toolkit...more
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Inspire your students to SEE the natural world differently! Biomimicry is the imitation of nature's best design ideas to solve human problems. This tool provides a free resource toolkit for K-12 educators. View the desktop or mobile version of the toolkit. Immerse yourself in the lessons, videos, activities, and tools offered in this resource. Be sure to check out the links along the side that include Curricula Divided Among the Fundamentals, Youth (K-12), and University. Be sure to notice the extensions, homework, assessments, and other ideas offered with each of the activities. Lessons in the toolkit are arranged in sections: Introduction (exploring what is Biomimicry), Exploring Nature (connecting students with nature), Case studies, Function (how strategies of other organisms can help with our own functioning), Pattern, and Design Projects (to teach the design process). Battle of the Beaks and Velcro Race Game are lesson examples in the Function section. Join the Biomomicry network and connect with others. Find examples of Biomimicry and Cool Biology topics under the Categories section of this resource. Note: Not sure what Biomimicry is? Learn more about Biomimicry in this article.
tag(s): design (83), engineering (127), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Be sure to spend some time with the toolkit to see all that it offers. Use the resources to engage students in content that would otherwise be considered dull to some students. Use the lessons to change from teacher-led information about topics to research-driven student investigations. Use the lessons to provide a vital connection students need to the natural world that is becoming increasingly lost with each generation. Find simple activities found on the Core Concepts pages. Each section has articles and other resources for better understanding. Many of the resources encourage questioning, the creation of ideas, and formation of solutions. Other resources (such as in the Core Concepts), encourage students to look at nature differently and understand how we are part of nature and the biodiversity on Earth. Expand many of the Patterns lessons to identify how humans have copied patterns found in nature around us and how these patterns improve our designs (ex. the shape of an egg/strength of an arch). This resource would be a wonderful extension of the classroom for motivated students, especially gifted! Include it as a challenge level during a unit on plants and other science topics for your gifted middle schoolers. Assign each group a specific concept of Biomimicry to learn and understand. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here or Venngage reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science News for Students - Society for Science and the Public
Grades
6 to 12
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Find science current events and more with this wonderful site. This section also includes information on STEM careers and teaching science to teenagers. Find interesting articles and...more
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Find science current events and more with this wonderful site. This section also includes information on STEM careers and teaching science to teenagers. Find interesting articles and information about Atoms and Forces, Earth and Sky, Humans and Health, and more. Below each article is words used in the article and their meanings. Find information about science projects in the Student Resources section.
tag(s): news (265), science fairs (26), scientific method (67), scientists (70)
In the Classroom
Be sure to check the Educators section to find articles by curriculum topic. Use this site as a resource for current events projects or to relate classroom material to students lives and the world around them. Use the articles by finding an interesting tidbit of information to capture student attention before the start of a new content unit or chapter. Be sure to point out that science discoveries have led to the information about the natural world that we presently have today. Challenge cooperative learning groups to investigate one of the topics and create a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Be sure to include this link on your class page for students to find interesting articles and information about Atoms and Forces, Earth and Sky, Humans and Health, and more. Add the RSS feed from this site to your class Flipboard account.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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scistuchat - Adam Taylor
Grades
6 to 12
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This grass roots effort by a Tennessee science teacher spawned a monthly Twitter chat between high school science students in MANY locations and practicing scientists in the "real world."...more
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This grass roots effort by a Tennessee science teacher spawned a monthly Twitter chat between high school science students in MANY locations and practicing scientists in the "real world." The site looks plain vanilla, but the topic is dynamite! Find information, preparation, and topics for upcoming chats, basic information about the chat formats, chat archives, past pre-chat prep resources, and Twitter handles for the scientists and teachers who participate in the chats. Don't forget to follow @2footgiraffe, the instigating teacher, and click through to his blog for some of the back story on how he was able to convince school administration to unblock Twitter (and other tales of tech challenges). The TeachersFirst editors met Mr. Taylor at the ISTE conference and knew this was a resource our users would want to know about.
tag(s): social networking (112), twitter (44)
In the Classroom
Even if you do not choose to join this particular Twitter chat with practitioners in the field, mark this simple site as a professional development resource to learn how to plan and organize successful Twitter chats between your students and the outside world. If you teach another discipline, try searching on Wefollow, reviewed here for people in the field that connect to your curriculum: writers, artists, curators, engineers, and more. Need to learn more about Twitter? Start with help from TeachersFirst's Twitter for Teachers page. Extend the curriculum for your gifted students by having them help organize a chat with professionals and write the questions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cosmo Learning - CosmoLearning.com
Grades
6 to 12
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Cosmo Learning aggregates an extensive library of subjects (42 total), courses (thousands to browse), video lectures, documentaries, images, books and other multimedia in dozens of...more
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Cosmo Learning aggregates an extensive library of subjects (42 total), courses (thousands to browse), video lectures, documentaries, images, books and other multimedia in dozens of subjects, all from sources all over the world. Their goal is to be a free online school. Subjects range from Anthropology to Entrepreneurship to Political Studies to Veterinarian Medicine. Find specific content using the search feature. You can also search using links to academic subjects or type of materials such as courses, documentaries, videos, or images. Registration isn't required, but allows you to save and rate features on the site. Be warned: there is a LOT to explore at this site! If your district blocks YouTube, videos may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid reviewed here to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): anthropology (11), archeology (32), architecture (84), business (57), engineering (127), environment (318), geology (81), german (65), marine biology (33), medicine (70), paleontology (40), politics (99), psychology (66), religions (68), sociology (22)
In the Classroom
Use materials from Cosmo Learning as part of any unit or lesson plan. Use materials on the site for flipped lessons or share with gifted learners as an enhancement to current course content. Using the flipped classroom format is helpful if YouTube is blocked at your school. Share lessons on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Teachers of gifted can share this with their students whose interests fall outside typical school curriculum to encourage independent study or projects. Provide the link to this site on your class wiki or website for students (and families) to access anytime.
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Have Fun With History - havefunwithhistory.com
Grades
4 to 12
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Have Fun With History offers a large selection of history videos on American History topics. These videos (and the topic selection) are a MUST see! Browse through videos coinciding...more
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Have Fun With History offers a large selection of history videos on American History topics. These videos (and the topic selection) are a MUST see! Browse through videos coinciding with monthly topics or sort by people and events. Search using the timelines (People Timeline and Events Timeline). Use the search bar to locate content by specific topic. Videos include links to similar topics and related activities. Don't miss some of the fun in the Thanksgiving section, including presidential turkeys! If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid reviewed here to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): 1900s (37), aircraft (24), american flag (11), american revolution (89), artists (76), bill of rights (29), civil rights (122), civil war (145), colonial america (108), flags (22), industrial revolution (25), kennedy (27), lincoln (86), martin luther king (38), native americans (78), pearl harbor (12), railroads (11), slavery (72), space (218), thanksgiving (37), underground railroad (11), war of 1812 (15), world war 1 (53), world war 2 (141)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your favorites for use with almost any history unit. Your visual learners will find history more understandable using the video and interactive options. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as Wordle (reviewed here), Tagxedo (reviewed here), or WordItOut (reviewed here). Share links to specific videos on your class website or blog for students to view at home. Have students create timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Capzles (reviewed here). Have students use Fakebook (reviewed here) to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a person in a video.
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Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay Bridge Construction 1934-1936 - The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco
Grades
6 to 12
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This collection of photographs of the construction of both the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay Bridge during the mid-1930s helps illustrate what a massive undertaking these projects...more
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This collection of photographs of the construction of both the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay Bridge during the mid-1930s helps illustrate what a massive undertaking these projects were. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is one of the United States' iconic landmarks. It's come to symbolize the vitality of the US West Coast and of the building projects that sprang from the later years of the Great Depression. There are both individual photographs, relevant documents, and a PowerPoint presentation overview of the construction of the Golden Gate. The articles accompanying the photos include extensive data about the structure and the challenges in accomplishing the construction.
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tag(s): bridges (8), california (27), engineering (127), great depression (26)
In the Classroom
These are great primary source images and documents for the study of 1930s construction projects related to the rebuilding of the US during the final years of the Great Depression. Share the PowerPoint and photographs on your interactive whiteboard. Have students create a multimedia presentation using UtellStory, reviewed here. This tool allows narrating and adding text to a picture. To find Creative Commons images (with credit, of course), try Wikimedia Commons, reviewed here. Use the photos as part of a physics or technology unit about bridges. Include this as one of several structures for students to research and analyze using their new-found concepts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fantastic Contraption - KONGREGATE
Grades
1 to 12
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Test out your logic, mechanical understanding, and creativity as you create amazing 2D contraptions! Each contraption uses wheels, wooden stationary logs, and power moving water rods...more
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Test out your logic, mechanical understanding, and creativity as you create amazing 2D contraptions! Each contraption uses wheels, wooden stationary logs, and power moving water rods to create a moving vehicle to push a target to the goal. Get a taste of the challenge by trying your hand at the introduction activity. Then begin your regular contraption. Each level adds more challenge. Use the delete button, and try again until you succeed. Registration is not required to use this site. However, more options are available if you register (FREE). As you progress through a level, earn points and badges. Save your designs and send your best designs to your friends using a specific url. You can turn off the (rather annoying) music by clicking the speaker icon.
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tag(s): creativity (119), energy (202), gifted (92), inventors and inventions (95), logic (239), machines (30), motion (61), problem solving (273), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
In the classroom, develop logic, perseverance, and creativity for your gifted and high achieving students. These activities could be used with all learning levels. Use this activity as part of a unit on inventions or as a lead in to a Maker's Faire. Introduce this activity on your interactive whiteboard or projector and you will have all students hooked! Your ESL/ELL students and weaker readers will be on equal footing with their peers since this site requires very little reading after the introduction. Capture the attention of your students by gamifying science and logic. Continue with class discussions of movement, energy, logic, and strategy. Use as a stepping stone to begin a unit on geometry, energy, or motion. In elementary science classes, include this activity for students who have mastered required curriculum to go beyond the basics of simple machines and motion. Have students add a written explanation of the contraption to take sequencing to a new level. (A screenshot would help them illustrate their writing.) After drawing a scaled model, create the contraption using real objects. Discover the types of energy and movement that are in the model. Organize a contraption competition. Share this link on your class website for students (and their parents) to "tinker" with at home.
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eGFI - American Society for Engineering Education
Grades
K to 12
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eGFI (Engineering, Go For It!) is a delightful, interactive website dedicated to the exploration of all things engineering. Click on any of the images to learn about the different types...more
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eGFI (Engineering, Go For It!) is a delightful, interactive website dedicated to the exploration of all things engineering. Click on any of the images to learn about the different types of engineering, such as chemical, civil, or mechanical. Explore career options at "Engineer Your Path," including average salary information, strategies for success, and scholarship opportunities. "What's New?" offers the latest articles and information from all engineering fields. Don't miss the free lesson plans and class activities in the teacher section. There are classroom activities beginning as early as kindergarten!
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tag(s): engineering (127), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark eGFI as an excellent resource for STEM and career exploration activities. Have students choose one of the engineering fields to explore as part of a career unit. Download and share monthly magazines with students to include as part of independent reading activities or reading centers. Have students use Fakebook (reviewed here) to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about an engineer in their chosen field. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools (reviewed here).
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Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
K to 12
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Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media offers a large collection of media-based resources to bring engineering (and Next Gen Science) to students at all grade levels. Think...more
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Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media offers a large collection of media-based resources to bring engineering (and Next Gen Science) to students at all grade levels. Think of design as problem solving by applying science and math. Begin browsing by choosing from grade level options for descriptions of activities including grade level and type of resource offered. Each activity includes additional resource links, correlations to Next Gen Science Standards, and support materials. Discover the most popular resources by viewing the number of times other users designated them as favorites. Learn about wind powered vehicles, mechanical arms, designing a skyscraper, and much more. Everything on the site is free; however, after viewing three resources you will be prompted to create your free account. Account creation offers the ability to save and favorite resources.
tag(s): architecture (84), energy (202), engineering (127), problem solving (273), robotics (24), STEM (153), structures (24)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of many different STEM-based topics. Use this site for enrichment or to help non-readers understanding concepts through video. Include it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here or Venngage reviewed here. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as Wordle reviewed here, Tagxedo reviewed here, or WordItOut reviewed here.
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Edspire - Jim Moodie
Grades
11 to 12
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This tool is much like a trip advisor for your online learning. Find information to help with courses, learn for personal enjoyment, improve professional skills, or develop a hobby,...more
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This tool is much like a trip advisor for your online learning. Find information to help with courses, learn for personal enjoyment, improve professional skills, or develop a hobby, passion, or interest. Choose your path, then select from subjects or topics. Topics vary from Psychology to Literature to Engineering and countless others. Choose your learning style: from visual, audio, interactive, words, structured learning, learning at your own pace, or blended (a variety of the rest). Choose the time you have to spend as well as cost you are willing to pay, including free. What you get is a list of online courses and materials from which to choose. As these are mostly university open courses, the resources are useful to increase your knowledge or those of upper level students. Copyright law would prohibit teachers from using the materials on this site as their own.
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tag(s): advanced placement (23), learning styles (20)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to learn information to increase your knowledge and extend learning beyond the textbook. Link to this site from your gifted resource page. Gifted students will find a great variety of courses and materials in many fields and interests that can stretch their learning past the High School level. If you teach an AP class in your school, encourage students to find a passion related to your class. If possible, create an assignment where students choose their area of interest, take a course related to it (many courses are only 4 hours in length), and present material to the rest of the class.
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Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest - Evergreen Packaging
Grades
K to 12
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Enter the Made By Milk Contest (a design and building challenge) for a chance to win up to $5,000 for your school or simply to learn. Offered each spring and ...more
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Enter the Made By Milk Contest (a design and building challenge) for a chance to win up to $5,000 for your school or simply to learn. Offered each spring and fall, this contest is sure to inspire creativity in all participants. Simple rules make it easy to participate. Create a design using 100 or more milk cartons. Take pictures of the completed project, and include a short essay explaining why your school should win. Be sure to check out the Past Winners page for ideas on what it takes to create a winning entry. (Hint: earn extra points if reward money is to be used for green projects.) Even if you do not want to join in the contest, the challenges offer wonderful STEM projects to try within your school or at home.
tag(s): architecture (84), counting (120), grants (19), STEM (153), structures (24)
In the Classroom
This project is perfect for individual classroom participation, Art Clubs, or after school clubs. Incorporate this project into your math class and have students count the number of cartons used, estimate how many cartons needed, or calculate how long it will take to gather the number of needed cartons. Join in the challenge in conjunction with a science unit on structures or a physics unit at much higher levels. Include as part of your nutrition unit to help students understand the importance of dairy in a healthy diet. Share this information with your PTO/PTA as a possible "makers movement" idea for an evening of fun and learning, even if you never enter the official contest. Let your gifted students (or a school service club) organize and plan a mini-version of the contest within your school, perhaps using the smaller milk cartons from the cafeteria. Make re-using milk cartons a creative event for Earth Day.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Fair Coach - Maille
Grades
3 to 12
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Looking for some new ideas (and tips) for the science fair? Check out the free material available on this blog created by a PhD in Oceanography who works as an ...more
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Looking for some new ideas (and tips) for the science fair? Check out the free material available on this blog created by a PhD in Oceanography who works as an environmental microbiologist. She created the site to coach parents and kids through the science fair process. You will not only find ideas to use for a science fair project, but also the steps to follow to complete a project successfully. Find some great ideas that you can tweak to fit your needs and interests. Find many great ideas for data to collect and explanations of the variables involved in the scientific method. There are great tips for students doing projects, including questions to expect from judges!
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tag(s): science fairs (26), scientific method (67), STEM (153)
In the Classroom
Use information from this site to help students who struggle with te concepts of creating and carrying out a good science fair project. Assign science fair projects as extra credit for students to pursue individualized experiences and knowledge or as a regular part of the curriculum for scientific method. Even if you don't do a full science fair, use ideas form this site to help students envision scientific method through specific examples. Have them make a graphic organizer that shows the progression of steps involved in science investigations. Use a site such as Canva, reviewed here, to create visual graphic organizers. Share this link on your class website during science fair time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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