Webquests
General Site with lots of ideas: http://www.techtrekers.com/webquests/science.html
1. Explore and learn about famous inventors and the things they have invented: http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/webquests/inventors/inventors.htm
2. Explore and learn about different habitats around the world:
http://www2.lhric.org/course/irvingtn/rothchan/habitat1.htm
Symetry
http://www.hufsoft.com/software/page4.html
Science Websites: Great for Teaching Ideas and resources for teacher and students.
1. http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/ This site offers a range of different science materials for conducting science experiments geared toward 3rd grade and up. The tabs are user friendly and the categories clear. The best part of this site are the videos that show how the experiments work. The experiments are simple and can be done in a short period of time. The Site also offers supplies at fairly reasonable prices if you do not want to try the supplies yourself.
2. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ This is a very colorful, engaging and user friendly site both for adults and kids. The site is easy to navigate and offers a wide variety of activities, lesson plans, experiments and videos. You can chose from the tabs or from different areas of interest highlighted on the home page. Most of the subjects can be adapted to fit most K-5th grade classes. This would be a site I would personally use regularly and one I would have my student go to because it is so engaging right off the bat.
3. http://www.sciencespot.net/ This site is pretty basic, but it offers some very creative, fun activities for teaching science concepts. For example, under the Earth Science lesson planning tab, you can find such activities as Snicker's Science, Playdoh Mountains, and Rock and Roll - Building Earthquake Proof Homes. Each one of these lessons gives detailed fun and hands-on activities for kids to be engaged in to learn elements of earth science. There are also worksheets and links to other sites under each of these creative ideas that take you to other science sites with more info about each subject. There you can get video as well on these different concepts. The lessons were written and tried by teachers already so are known to be big hits. I will definitely be using this site!
4. http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/ I included this site because it has a whole bunch of fun video game science puzzles that kids can play. Kids can solve science related problems on a medium they love: video games! Geared toward middle and high school aged kids.
5. http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology I love this site. It is awesome! It is supported by the American Museum of Natural History. It is made primarily for kids and would be a great website to directs student to. It is very kid user friendly and easy to navigate through the different areas of interest and activities. You can sign up for a free membership that allows kids to return and collect "cards" that open up different "privileges." additional things to do and see on the site. You can also virtually explore exhibits at the museum. There is a lot of reading, however and no video (lots of photos though) so is probable geared from about 3rd grade - middle school.
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/index_flash.shtml This site offers many animated interactive videos to explore different science concepts. The activities/videos are divided up by grades and touch on different science standards for these grades. You could do this as a computer lab project or on the smart board as a whole class activity.
7. http://www.learningscience.org/ So cool! This site has it all! You can click on the subject area that you like then you are taken to a page that gives you the standards for different grade levels. From there you can from many different web lessons. You are then taken to other various sites. For example, when I click on 5th grade standards and then go to plate tectonics, I am taken to the NOAH website and watch a movies that shows a simulation of volcanic and earthquake activity around the world in one year. Each lesson also has online and other activities that students can do. The site is fairly user friendly and has a huge amount of resources. I also like how kids can listen to the information while getting a visual.
8. http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/ This is a website based of a series of textbooks published my MacMillian/McGraw. You can pick any grade level and any subject you would like. It's like reading the book, but online. The pages are colorful and engaging. There are also videos throughout that visually demonstrate scientific concepts.
9. http://www.youtube.com/user/scishow I included this link because I found it was a quick and easy way to access many scientific video geared toward teaching science to kids.
10. http://www.planet-science.com/ Another awesome site that has a lot to offer. It is fairly user friendly; tabs include under 11's, over 11's, experiments, extras and one for teachers/parents. There are videos and activities and interactive questions ans quizzes. The experiments are made from common household items and are easy to obtain. Each experiment is demonstrated by a video clip.
Field Trip Ideas
Local
1. The Science Factory http://www.sciencefactory.org/ (541) 682-7888 Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium Location 2300 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, Oregon Type Children's museum The Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, located in Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Oregon, United States, is a science and technology center for children, families, and school groups. The 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) museum near Autzen Stadium features changing interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, camp programs, special events and other science and technology-related education programs.
2. Salmon Watch at Whitaker Creek http://eweb.4j.lane.edu/salmon.php Raising salmon in the classroom is one of our most popular programs with both students and teachers. Any Eugene 4J teacher can choose to participate in this exciting project. We supply all of the equipment, provide an after school
workshop to help you set up your tank, provide ready to go lessons and how-to materials, and provide extensive online information. If you would like to participate, contact Tim Whitley at 790-5920 or e-mail him at: [email protected]
Teachers of 4th grade or blended 4/5 grades who raise salmon, also have the opportunity to take a field trip to either Fish Creek or Whitaker Creek to see spawning in the wild! There are some requirements in order to qualify for these popular trips. If you are interested, watch your e-mail. Tim will be sending out
information about the trips in early fall.
3. West Eugene Wetlands http://www.wewetlands.org/school_programs.php phone: 541.338.7047
Explore the amazing West Eugene Wetlands with WREN's talented environmental educators. Field trips take place in the West Eugene Wetlands and are available to grades Pre-K to 12. Students will experience hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. During each program, students become wetland scientists discovering our native Willamette wet prairie and upland habitats. Activities include inspired exploration, learning wetland functions in the ecosystem, studying key wetland and upland species, and seasonally identifying macro-invertebrates. Students also gain an appreciation of the cultural history of the land and the peoples who have utilized its resources. Programs are designed to engage students in hands-on, minds-on learning, meet Oregon State Content Standards and provide an
interpretive approach.
4. Mt. Pisgah - http://www.mountpisgaharboretum.com/ The Arboretum’s Discovery Tours Program, established in 1981, is the largest and longest-running environmental education program of its kind in Lane County. Each Spring and Fall, 3000 K-5th grade students hike the Arboretum trails with
trained nature guides and participate in environmental education activities and
games.
5. EWEB - (541) 685-7000 or email EWEB's Community Education Coordinator. The Water Treatment Plant at EWEB provides a variety of classroom presentations and facility tours. The tours are designed to help students come away with a better understanding of the energy and water resources that support our use of electricity and clean water. Whether it involves safety, science concepts, hands-on building or a facility tour, we strive to offer programs that create excitement as well as understanding of these topics.
Close but out of Town
1. OMSI 800-955-6674 http://www.omsi.edu/ Located in Portland, OMSI contains three auditoriums, including an IMAX Dome theatre, planetarium, and exhibition halls with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits focused on natural sciences, industry, and technology. Transient exhibits span a wider range of disciplines.
2. Portland Zoo (503) 226-1561 http://www.oregonzoo.org/ Founded in 1887, the Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoological park west of the Mississippi. About 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates make their home here. You'll find all the usual suspects here, such as elephants, rhinos, monkeys and giraffes, along with some rare and endangered creatures. It is a great place to take students studying animals.
3. Newport Aquarium 541-867-3474, Ext. 5301 http://aquarium.org/ The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a world-class marine educational attraction nestled on beautiful Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon. The Aquarium is a living classroom for all learning styles and ages. As one of Oregon's top tourist attractions, the Aquarium is a vital educational resource for the state, with over 40,000 students visiting the
aquarium each year. The Aquarium strives to be a center of excellence for ocean literacy and plays an active role in conservation and animal rehabilitation efforts.The best way to experience Oregon's coastal environments and biodiversity is here, at the Aquarium. Kids can touch, see, hear and talk about animals, plants, birds and other sea life.
4. Hatfield Science Center 541-867-0100 http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/ Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center creates a unique, dynamic environment for lifelong exploration and discovery. The Visitor Center encourages adults and children to enjoy marine science as they learn more about the natural world. Their exhibits, programs and classes demonstrate how scientific research enhances our ability to interpret the natural patterns and forces that shape our world, and equips us to better appreciate, manage and sustain coastal and marine resources.
The Visitor Center also provides opportunities for conducting research on devices, methods and concepts for informal science education that will advance the art of life-long public education.
5. Seal Rock - Tide Pools http://guide.oregonfoto.com/2012/06/09/seal-rock-state-park-oregon-coast/
or Yaquina Head - Tide Pools http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/files/teacher_packet.pdf Both of these sites offer information on exploring the tide pools on the central Oregon Coast. For a more comprehensive field trip the Yaquina Head link offers a teacher packet and better contact information and resources. both of these beaches offer wonderful tide pool exploration and seal watching and observation. Yaquina Head has the added benefit or a lighthouse and is rich in Oregon history.
Local
1. The Science Factory http://www.sciencefactory.org/ (541) 682-7888 Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium Location 2300 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, Oregon Type Children's museum The Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, located in Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Oregon, United States, is a science and technology center for children, families, and school groups. The 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) museum near Autzen Stadium features changing interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, camp programs, special events and other science and technology-related education programs.
2. Salmon Watch at Whitaker Creek http://eweb.4j.lane.edu/salmon.php Raising salmon in the classroom is one of our most popular programs with both students and teachers. Any Eugene 4J teacher can choose to participate in this exciting project. We supply all of the equipment, provide an after school
workshop to help you set up your tank, provide ready to go lessons and how-to materials, and provide extensive online information. If you would like to participate, contact Tim Whitley at 790-5920 or e-mail him at: [email protected]
Teachers of 4th grade or blended 4/5 grades who raise salmon, also have the opportunity to take a field trip to either Fish Creek or Whitaker Creek to see spawning in the wild! There are some requirements in order to qualify for these popular trips. If you are interested, watch your e-mail. Tim will be sending out
information about the trips in early fall.
3. West Eugene Wetlands http://www.wewetlands.org/school_programs.php phone: 541.338.7047
Explore the amazing West Eugene Wetlands with WREN's talented environmental educators. Field trips take place in the West Eugene Wetlands and are available to grades Pre-K to 12. Students will experience hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. During each program, students become wetland scientists discovering our native Willamette wet prairie and upland habitats. Activities include inspired exploration, learning wetland functions in the ecosystem, studying key wetland and upland species, and seasonally identifying macro-invertebrates. Students also gain an appreciation of the cultural history of the land and the peoples who have utilized its resources. Programs are designed to engage students in hands-on, minds-on learning, meet Oregon State Content Standards and provide an
interpretive approach.
4. Mt. Pisgah - http://www.mountpisgaharboretum.com/ The Arboretum’s Discovery Tours Program, established in 1981, is the largest and longest-running environmental education program of its kind in Lane County. Each Spring and Fall, 3000 K-5th grade students hike the Arboretum trails with
trained nature guides and participate in environmental education activities and
games.
5. EWEB - (541) 685-7000 or email EWEB's Community Education Coordinator. The Water Treatment Plant at EWEB provides a variety of classroom presentations and facility tours. The tours are designed to help students come away with a better understanding of the energy and water resources that support our use of electricity and clean water. Whether it involves safety, science concepts, hands-on building or a facility tour, we strive to offer programs that create excitement as well as understanding of these topics.
Close but out of Town
1. OMSI 800-955-6674 http://www.omsi.edu/ Located in Portland, OMSI contains three auditoriums, including an IMAX Dome theatre, planetarium, and exhibition halls with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits focused on natural sciences, industry, and technology. Transient exhibits span a wider range of disciplines.
2. Portland Zoo (503) 226-1561 http://www.oregonzoo.org/ Founded in 1887, the Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoological park west of the Mississippi. About 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates make their home here. You'll find all the usual suspects here, such as elephants, rhinos, monkeys and giraffes, along with some rare and endangered creatures. It is a great place to take students studying animals.
3. Newport Aquarium 541-867-3474, Ext. 5301 http://aquarium.org/ The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a world-class marine educational attraction nestled on beautiful Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon. The Aquarium is a living classroom for all learning styles and ages. As one of Oregon's top tourist attractions, the Aquarium is a vital educational resource for the state, with over 40,000 students visiting the
aquarium each year. The Aquarium strives to be a center of excellence for ocean literacy and plays an active role in conservation and animal rehabilitation efforts.The best way to experience Oregon's coastal environments and biodiversity is here, at the Aquarium. Kids can touch, see, hear and talk about animals, plants, birds and other sea life.
4. Hatfield Science Center 541-867-0100 http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/ Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center creates a unique, dynamic environment for lifelong exploration and discovery. The Visitor Center encourages adults and children to enjoy marine science as they learn more about the natural world. Their exhibits, programs and classes demonstrate how scientific research enhances our ability to interpret the natural patterns and forces that shape our world, and equips us to better appreciate, manage and sustain coastal and marine resources.
The Visitor Center also provides opportunities for conducting research on devices, methods and concepts for informal science education that will advance the art of life-long public education.
5. Seal Rock - Tide Pools http://guide.oregonfoto.com/2012/06/09/seal-rock-state-park-oregon-coast/
or Yaquina Head - Tide Pools http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/files/teacher_packet.pdf Both of these sites offer information on exploring the tide pools on the central Oregon Coast. For a more comprehensive field trip the Yaquina Head link offers a teacher packet and better contact information and resources. both of these beaches offer wonderful tide pool exploration and seal watching and observation. Yaquina Head has the added benefit or a lighthouse and is rich in Oregon history.