Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Learn basic facts about each element, including what it costs (!) using this interactive site. You can also learn how elements are named and much more. The site requires good reading skills, since the element names are quite challenging.

tag(s): elements (33), periodic table (44)

Investigate modern accomplishments in technology through these exhibits of technology accomplishments. Tech Ed and science teachers of all disciplines can highlight these accomplishments as real world connections to classroom learning or ask students to research the application of their classroom learning in the technology world. Of certain interest are topics that explain our systems of weights and measures, the technology time line, and the and stone wall test as a real world application of scientific method for practical purposes.

tag(s): engineering (129)

Listen to songs to teach important (and less important) science concepts. This collection of MP3 files was generated from an old set of records (yes, those round vinyl things that had scratches). While the actual copyright holder information is a gray area, you can feel safe in playing the songs from the site. Most likely, these songs from the 1950s and 60s are past copyright at this point. In any case, you can click to play from smaller or larger file versions. Be patient while they load, even over a broadband connection. It will be worth the wait to teach parts of plants, the water cycle, weather, motion, energy, electricity, and MANY other topics with just a computer and set of speakers to help students retain the information. Most of the content is elementary to middle school age, but some is high school level. Learning support teachers seeking alternate study strategies will love this one!

tag(s): animals (294), energy (133), mammals (22), motion (47), plants (146), space (222), water (102), water cycle (22), weather (160)

Really excite your AP biology, ecology, and biochemistry students with these real-world applications of the sciences in solving problems. Each case is presented in a narrative, and the learner resources include advice on reading cases, collecting data, and all the steps to solve the problems. There are over two dozen problems across several biology, chemistry, ecology, and molecular biology disciplines. These are college-level problems, so you may want to use one as a whole-class activity to model the process and spur enthusiasm for further scientific study. The ideal is then to allow groups of students to continue with the investigations, if they have sufficient knowledge to do so on their own.

tag(s): genetics (80), scientific method (48)

High school chemistry teachers will find this collection dealing with the chemistry behind everyday objects and substances an interesting way to connect chemistry's abstractions to real life. Dealing with everything from light sticks to asphalt and baseballs, the site explains the chemical processes that make these things valuable.

Sometimes you just need to take a break from lab work and let loose with some content-based fun. This site is filled with chemistry based goodies that entertain, enrich, and challenge. Includes "Impossible Mission" quizzes in multiple levels of difficult, chemistry hangman, crossword puzzles, and word searches. These are Java applets. That means that you must have the current version of the Java plug-in installed and turned on within your web browser.

This site is designed to be a supplement for students of organic chemistry. The interactive tutorials, laboratory guides, and self-grading tests are extremely helpful in clarifying fundamental concepts. Includes a message board (free registration required), glossary, and overviews on new research in organic chemistry.

This site, created by a high school chemistry teacher, features an extensive collection of printable study cards highlighting content that general and AP chemistry students need to know.

tag(s): resources (83)

Investigate the relationships between temperature, pressure, and volume of an ideal gas with this virtual experiment that illlustrates Boyle's Law and Charles' Law. Students can control pressure and temperature while observing the results. A printable "exploration guide" provides step-by-step instructions, and interactive assessment questions are included.

tag(s): temperature (34)

It's goofy, but it just might work! Imagine the elements of the periodic table. Now imagine them as lyrics set to the music of Arthur Sullivan (as in "The Pirates of Penzance"), and you can begin to grasp the unique nature of this animated little gem. A perfect anticipatory set to liven up your science class. This site requires FLASH. If you see a blank screen, you need to install the Flash player. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): elements (33), periodic table (44)

Complete a free online registration and begin to explore an impressive collection of learning modules that address chemistry, general science, physics, math in science, process of science, earth science, and scientists and research. Many modules contain interactive animations, a glossary, related current events, practice exercises, and biographic information about scientists who worked with that particular concept. Members can personalize each module with comments, links, or notes.

tag(s): acids and bases (8), carbon (17), cells (82), darwin (13), earth (184), energy (133), gravity (43), light (56), matter (45), molecules (43), optics (11), paleontology (28), periodic table (44), photosynthesis (21), planets (113), reading comprehension (149), rock cycle (12), rocks (35), scientific method (48), scientists (67), space (222), water (102), waves (14)

This series of articles reveals the chemistry behind everyday products like toothpaste, silly putty, Cheese Wiz, and erasers. These fascinating and sometimes shocking revelations will motivate your students to pursue an investigation of their own favorite product. This award-winning site can be incorporated into an environmental science unit or used as a basis for a research project.

tag(s): chemicals (39)

Designed by Dr. Nigel Saunders, Head of Chemistry, Harrogate Granby High School, UK, this site is loaded with "outside of the box" approaches to understanding and applying principles of science and chemistry. Interactive crossword puzzles, games, "missions," PowerPoint shows, and quizzes can be used as entertaining and productive review tools for students. Structured worksheets are also provided to guide hands-on experiments on a variety of chemistry-related topics. Many of the ideas provided on this site would be ideal for use with a Chemistry Club. (Java, Javascript, and Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher required.)

tag(s): experiments (55)

Oxford University's "pre-university" chemistry introduction may well be beyond the scope of most high school students, but the characteristically verbose presentations provide an interesting approach for an introduction to the subject. While secondary chemistry teachers may find the approach interesting, its actual utility in the classroom will depend largely on your local curriculum.

tag(s): chemicals (39)

Who better to offer an online periodic table than the American Chemical Society? Theirs offers links to a full complement of background information and resources on each element. There's a wealth of information in this one.
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tag(s): periodic table (44)

Oxford University's online chemistry offerings include this collection of "virtual experiments" in a number of areas, along with a complete online "pre-university chemistry course." While the entire collection may be more than most secondary teachers can use, the individual components - with lots of animations and video - are well worth a look, especially if your laboratory resources are limited.

tag(s): experiments (55)

The American Chemical Society offers a complete series of activities for grades K-8, all based on hands-on experience. Click Education in the middle of this opening page find programs and units for Elementary through Graduate School. Also offered is a section for careers in science. This is a great resource for science teachers who need additional chemistry content or activities.
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tag(s): chemicals (39), energy (133), experiments (55), inquiry (24), matter (45)

This Art Institute of Chicago site is an intriguing resource for high school fine-arts teachers looking to supplement their curriculum by studying science and technology's application in the art world. The site can also be used by chemistry and technology teachers looking to expand students' understanding of science's real life applications. The site has multi-media lecture resources, as well as lesson plans on a range of topics, including the Chemistry and Physics of Light and color, and chemical oxidation's effect on paint color.

tag(s): art history (102)

This main portion of this site is best suited for High School Biology and Biochemistry students looking to expand upon their in-class curriculum with virtual labs on DNA, chromosomes, and gender testing. The Animation Console has animations of basic and advanced body system functions and sex determination processes that can be downloaded for in-class demonstrations.

tag(s): dna (43), human body (93)

High school chemistry teachers, especially those teaching AP students, may find MIT's online course materials useful. MIT has committed to putting its entire curriculum on the web, and these early offerings include syllabi, reading materials, and a variety of subject-specific class notes. Before using these pages, teachers, students, and parents should all be aware of what Open Courseware is and is not.

tag(s): advanced placement (26)