Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Enter this virtual exhibit to learn about ancient fossil horses and the ecology of time periods from the distant past. Includes a series of well-illustrated, self-paced tutorials on topics ranging from stratigraphy to geological time scales. This site would be a good candidate for an informational Web hunt.

tag(s): fossils (41), paleontology (28)

Students can attend this virtual training camp, learn how to spot energy hogs, and lower their families' energy consumption in the process. Complete all five interactive games to earn the highly coveted Hog Buster Certification. The site is includes a checklist that students can use to evaluate energy use at home.

tag(s): conservation (102), ecology (103), energy (133)

Page through this tutorial for an up-close and personal introduction to icebergs. Beautiful images and informative text combine to address iceberg formations, classifications, life cycles, and appearance. Vocabulary words within the text are hyperlinked to a glossary - a great feature for less advanced readers. After finishing the tutorial, take the interactive quiz.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40), oceans (149)

Keep track of earthquake activity with this near-real time monitor. Earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0 or greater are shown as colored circles on the interactive map. Visitors can even go back in time and view all global earthquake activity over the past five years. The USGS National Earthquake Information Center is the main source for the seismic data on this site. Check out the Education Links on the bottom menu that include lesson plans and resources for teachers.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), sun (71), tsunamis (15), volcanoes (55)

This Wikipedia article scientifically documents and explains the deadly Indian Ocean quake that caused staggering devastation across thirteen countries. Includes an animated image of the tsunami, a description of its characteristics, data on damage and casualties, and links to ongoing news coverage, videos, and photos.

tag(s): earth (184), earthquakes (46), sun (71), tsunamis (15), waves (14)

This on-line textbook takes a comprehensive approach to investigating the earth. Includes interactive graphics, animated visualizations, simulations, a weekly Earth News reports, and links to local resources and careers in earth science. Designed to accompany Earth Science, a high school textbook authored by Spaulding and Namowitz, this site can easily be adapted to supplement your earth science curriculum.

tag(s): earth (184), news (228)

This site is filled with kid-friendly text and engaging interactive activities that introduce "ologies" and investigate topics including marine biology, astronomy, archeology, earth science, and more. Each topic section includes background information, virtual experiments and tours, and suggestions for in-class experiments.

tag(s): anthropology (10), archeology (28), biodiversity (36), brain (56), climate change (99), earth (184), genetics (80), marine biology (31), microorganisms (10), museums (52), paleontology (28), water (102), zoology (18)

View the awe-inspiring attributes of volcanoes on this site that provides impressive photographs and explanations of everything from magma and lahar to fissures and caldera.

tag(s): volcanoes (55)

ScienceBuddies offers a large variety of science resources including science fair projects and free STEM lessons. From the top menu bar, select Science Fair Project to find a Topic Selection Wizard. This tool uses a short questionnaire to guide students to recommended projects based on length of time needed to work on the project, grade level, and topic for research. Be sure to also visit the teachers' portion of the site to find STEM lesson plans for all grade levels, science fair tools, engineering design information, and much more.

tag(s): calories (6), earthquakes (46), electricity (61), energy (133), gravity (43), internet safety (114), recycling (45), robotics (24), science fairs (20), sound (72), STEM (297)

Here's a collection of resources that teachers can use to help students understand the effects of an active volcano on the surrounding habitats. You'll also find a nice collection of information on the history of the volcano itself. Worth a visit if you're planning a unit on volcanoes or national forests.

tag(s): forests (30), volcanoes (55)

This page from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest tells the current status of the suddenly unstable Mount St. Helen's. Try using it to learn what scientists and naturalists are doing to monitor the famous volcano.

tag(s): forests (30), volcanoes (55)

This online introduction to marine life, designed by and for middle school kids, is an excellent primer for field trip excursions to tidal pools. If traveling to the coast is not an option, the online slideshow provides photos and descriptions that are the next best thing to being there. Caution: the site contains several inactive links to videos and related resources.

tag(s): animals (294), habitats (92), oceans (149)

What a great addition to an earth science textbook! This site offers virtual field trips that highlight geologic phenomena from around the world. Use the site's links and images to show your students examples of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Information on environmental geology, as well as additional links to related educational sites is currently not available; however, this work in progress is worth adding to your toolbox of ideas.

tag(s): fossils (41), geology (62), rocks (35)

Life science teachers can find a wide variety of information about many aspects of the natural world in this well-organized site. Topics include geology, plants, fungi, animals, and naming/classifying living things. A section on "tools" provides guidance in selecting the proper items for successful nature study (i.e., field guides, binoculars, notebooks). Most importantly, all of the information is geared toward understanding nature in your own backyard (or schoolyard!). Encourage your students to check out the link to 101 Nature-Oriented Things to Do for some great science-based ideas on how to fill those long summer days.

tag(s): animals (294), classification (22), plants (146)

From the safety of the computer lab, students can investigate some of the world's most intriguing underground realms. Lava tube, erosional and glacial, sea, and solution caves are represented with images, descriptions, and virtual tours. Learn about the physical structures that may be encountered along the way, including conulites, helictites, and stalagmites. Use the virtual cave maps to navigate through the underground rooms and click on the features you would like to learn more about. The images are spectacular, but students will have to read through the explanatory text to get the most out of the virtual tours. This would be a useful site to explore before an actual trip to a local cave.

tag(s): caves (7)

Help students recognize that Earth Day is every day with this thought-provoking resource that addresses the interconnections between the environment, population, poverty, consumption and conflict. Start with the Teacher's Corner page which provides an impressive collection of downloadable activities and interdisciplinary lesson plans aligned to national standards (click on "download curriculum" to access this feature). Informational text is provided in both 60 second and in depth versions. Choose based on the reading lefel of your students. Check out the "Service Learning" opportunities for practical ideas on engaging your students in critical local and global issues. Created by Facing the Future, a non-profit organization.

tag(s): environment (252), population (51)

Involve your students in the monitoring of daily weather by using this math-based science lesson on calculating wind chill. Formulas for Fahrenheit and Celsius are provided. Created by PBS.

tag(s): weather (160)

Use this award winning site to introduce students to the importance of saving endangered species. Colorful and descriptive information on vanishing and extinct species are directly linked to class activities and a thorough glossary of unfamiliar terms. Select from a range of activity ideas that require students to inquire, analyze, compare, and use their imagination. A special section of the site includes articles on important issues that affect endangered animals - from Eskimo Subsistence Whaling, to Global Warming, to Human Population Growth.

tag(s): endangered species (27), extinction (3), population (51), species (16)

Follow the life cycle of a glacier, view satellite images of glacial hazards, find out why glaciers are shrinking, and learn about the clothing and gear required for glacier exploration. This NOVA site offers interactive features, links to related sites, and a teacher's guide. Access to the companion NOVA video is helpful but not necessary.

tag(s): biomes (110), climate (84), glaciers (17)

This site offers an easy-to-follow plan for building a terrarium in less than 3 hours. Also includes suggestions for follow-up projects. The instructions are simple enough for young children to follow as they work independently. Created by Rita Richardson for the Family Education Network.