TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jun 22, 2025
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to go to the Featured Sites Archive
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Smithsonian Institution - Smithsonian
Grades
K to 12tag(s): aircraft (17), critical thinking (137), inquiry (30), museums (52), space (220), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Explore historical innovations on the National Air and Space Museum or Smithsonian Science Education Center websites and challenge students to design and build a model inspired by a historical invention (ex., a Wright brothers' airplane or a Mars rover). Three-dimensional models can be created online using Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here or Tinkercad, reviewed here. Have students explore a Smithsonian virtual exhibit, such as the National Museum of Natural History, and provide a scavenger hunt list with key artifacts, asking students to find and describe their significance. Select a primary source or artifact from the Smithsonian Learning Lab or a digital collection and have students analyze the object. Students can present their findings in an infographic using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here or make a mini-documentary using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here.Reid Park Zoo - Reid Park Zoo
Grades
K to 12tag(s): virtual field trips (131), zoology (18)
In the Classroom
Have your students research an animal on the live camera by creating a poster, diorama, or a digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can watch other live cameras from different zoos to compare and contrast the animals from zoo to zoo. Finally, students can track the animals' day, including feeding, "playing," and sleep patterns.Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animals (293), virtual field trips (131), zoology (18)
In the Classroom
Students can participate in the Animal Cam Bingo provided on the site. Students can compare and contrast the animals at the Smithsonian National Zoo to other zoos using a digital tool such as Canva's Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Finally, students can research what we can do to help save animals by creating a public service announcement.New England Aquarium - New England Aquarium
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coral (11), virtual field trips (131), webcams (19), zoology (18)
In the Classroom
In addition to using all the free educational resources and activities in the classroom, students can watch web cameras on the animals from different aquariums/zoos. Younger students can create a digital story using WriteReader, reviewed here. Older students can create digital stories using Elementari, reviewed here. Finally, students can write letters or create short videos sharing the importance of protecting our environment to save the animals. Create and share videos using Mootion, reviewed here. Mootion uses AI to create short videos based on your prompts - ideal for all ages.Houston Zoo - Houston Zoo
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animals (293), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Students can research the animal on the live camera by creating a poster or diorama. Use a digital tool such as Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can watch other live cameras from different zoos to compare and contrast the animals from zoo to zoo. Finally, students can track the animals' day, including feeding, "playing," and sleep patterns.Georgia Aquarium - Georgia Aquarium
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (293), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Have students research the animals on the live camera by creating a poster or diorama, or enhance learning by asking students to use Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can watch other live cameras from different zoos to compare and contrast the animals from zoo to zoo. Finally, students can track the animals' day, including feeding, playing, and sleep patterns.The Aquarium of the Pacific - Aquarium of the Pacific
Grades
K to 12tag(s): adaptations (16), conservation (101), environment (251), marine biology (31), STEM (312)
In the Classroom
After watching an educational YouTube video on marine ecosystems, students can create dioramas of different ocean zones. Watch videos on animal adaptations, and challenge students to design their own "new" marine creature using knowledge about survival traits such as camouflage, feeding strategies, or defense mechanisms. Using the aquarium's website, create a scavenger hunt where students must explore specific exhibits or educational content online to answer questions about marine life, conservation efforts, and ecosystems. Use the lesson plans on conservation and sustainability to inspire students to create their own conservation campaigns.Gez.la Virtual Trips - gez.la
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this site to visit places where time, money, and mileage inhibit your dreams of bringing your students into wondrous worlds. Find ways to visit where your class has never gone before. Small groups or individual students can focus on one of the tours and use it as a starting point for additional research. ENL/ESL learners will appreciate the visual tours. Reach all types of learners through a class visit. Use these virtual reality tours as a class anticipatory guide, center activity, home connection, or extra credit. Challenge your gifted students to guide their own learning. Extend learning and challenge students to create their own virtual tours using Google My Maps, reviewed here. Google My Maps includes tools for you to add routes, images, videos, and more to create virtual field trips anywhere in the world.Smithsonian Open Access - Smithsonian
Grades
K to 12tag(s): art history (108), creativity (87), images (263), primary sources (119), Research (88), sculpture (18)
In the Classroom
Think of Smithsonian access as your virtual museum of downloads to use without copyright restrictions. Search and find images to use for any need. Use the images in newsletters, teaching materials, student projects, digital books, and more. For example, include images on shared Google Slides, reviewed here, and ask students to annotate features using text or the drawing tool. Share the site with students to use when creating webpages using Site123, reviewed here, or to create posters in Canva Edu, reviewed here.Shedd Aquarium Educational Materials - Shedd Aquarium
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): marine biology (31), oceans (149)
In the Classroom
Find everything you will need for your classroom from Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, Climate Change, and Dolphins, to Wild Reef Exhibit Guides by grade level.Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): animals (293), biomes (110), oceans (149), virtual field trips (131), webcams (19)
In the Classroom
Try the TeachersFirst interactive Biomes of the World Unit in grades 4-8 to get your students involved and engaged with their own research. Have them work alone or with a partner on laptops or in a lab. Use a webcam with younger students, asking them to observe and record animal behavior as a center on your classroom computer or a whole-class activity on a projector.Monetery Bay WebCams - Monetery Bay Aquarium
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (293), oceans (149), virtual field trips (131), webcams (19)
In the Classroom
Science teachers can have the class or small groups take the entire online tour for an afternoon of learning and fun! The cams include otters, penguins, and other special collections! Use your whiteboard or projector to have the class view the cams as a brain break.Giant Panda - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (293), habitats (93), video (267)