Featured 7-17-2014: Highlights for High School

 

Highlights for High School is a companion website to MIT OpenCourseWare* providing open educational resources for high school educators and students.

 

Highlights for High School includes content created specifically for high school students as well as resources collected from the MIT curriculum that can be used effectively in high school.

 

Available resources cover not only science and math, but also engineering, humanities, and social sciences. The material can be integrated into classroom lesson plans, shared, reused, and remixed. Though meant primarily for juniors and seniors in high school, motivated younger students can also benefit from these courses.

 

 

The website is organized into two main sections:

• The Subjects section is arranged by topics likely to be encountered in high school, such as mathematics, physics, and biology. Within each of these you will find a variety of content, such as labs, courses, and video resources.
• The Exam Preparation section is aimed at students who are preparing to take AP exams in biology, calculus, chemistry, or physics. These materials are meant to supplement classroom learning. Relevant OCW course materials have been mapped to the topics in these exams and are easily searchable.

 In addition to YouTube access, Highlights for High School has posted all of their videos to TechTV, an MIT-based video service similar to YouTube.

 

*See yesterday’s post

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Featured 7-10-2014: MIT+K12 Videos

 

 

MIT+K12 Videos about STEM topics are made for students by students.

 

Current MIT students are invited and trained to write and host webisodes for kids about their favorite science, technology, engineering, and math topics, seeking to entertain and engage as well as to educate.

 

 

The mission of MIT+K12 Videos is to "use MIT's unique resources to inspire the inner scientist in all learners. We believe everyone can have wonder for our world - so we create fresh and authentic video content that entertains and engages just as much as it educates."

 

These videos strive to show science in a different light from what you might find in a textbook while making the assets that are distinct to MIT accessible to a global audience.

 

MIT+K12 Videos are hosted by MIT students who possess a diverse set of interests, personalities, and backgrounds and are relatable and fun. By training these students to become engaging advocates for science and producing these videos, the hope is to foster an enthusiastic and curious global community of learners and educators.

 

 Visit the MIT+K12 YouTube channel

 

The MIT+K12 Videos are free and accessible to anyone in the world.

 

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Featured 3-31-2014: Next Generation Science Standards

Through a collaborative, state-led process, new K–12 science standards, Next Generation Science Standards for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce, have been developed.

 

Rich in content and practice, the Next Generation Science Standards are logically arranged across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education. 

 

The process for developing the science standards included having the scientific and educational research communities identify core ideas in science and integrate them across grade levels.

 

 

The scientific practices in the NGSS include critical thinking and communication skills that students need for real-world success. In the standards, these science practices are intertwined with content.

 

 See Paul Andersen introduce his video series on the Next Generation Science Standards.

 

The Next Generation Science Standards are based on the Framework for K–12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council. The writing process began in the summer of 2011, and the final version of the NGSS was released in April of last year.

 

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Featured: 1-29-2014 NOVA Education

NOVA Education is a collection of resources from the PBS science series NOVA. The purpose of the site is to bring science, technology, and engineering to life in educational settings.

 

NOVA Education’s free digital library is linked to teaching standards and includes video, audio segments, interactives, and much more. You can browse content by education topics such as Earth and space science, technology and engineering, and more. The library is also searchable by keywords.

 

You can sign up for Spark, the NOVA Education newsletter, to receive updates on new media resources for educators, upcoming NOVA programs, and on opportunities for you and your students. 

 

 

NOVA is the highest rated science series on television and the most watched documentary series on public television. Since 1996, NOVA has been working with journalists and scientists to put great original web-content online. Thousands of resources cover everything from string theory to the evolution of flight to how the Pyramids were built.

 

Note: NOVA Education is required to begin every video with a funder pre-roll, essential to supporting streaming video. For technical reasons, this has caused NOVA Education videos to be blacklisted at certain schools. 

 

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Featured: 1-8-2014 Big History on H2

The Big History series on H2* poses questions and mixes history and science to change the way people view history.

 

Big History takes familiar topics and, by weaving science into the core of history, examines them in new ways that will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew.

 

 

The series creates an interconnected view of things that links history to multiple fields such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, and geology.  The first season ends with a two-hour finale that pulls everything we know about science and history into one grand narrative.

 

 View Not Your Father’s History

 

New episodes of Big History run Saturdays at 10 pm EST (11 pm PST) on H2.

 

*H2 is a digital cable and satellite television network featuring historical and popular science documentaries as well as pseudo-scientific entertainment programs and is a sister network of History Channel. 

 

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Featured: 11-21-2013 Tinkerbox

TinkerBox is a fun, free, iPad physics puzzle game full of interesting science facts and basic engineering concepts.

 

TinkerBox is a product of Autodesk, the 3D design software firm whose products include AutoCAD, Inventor, and SketchBook Pro.

 

The objective of TinkerBox is to make physics less ominous and more fun for teens. TinkerBox is designed with the intent of sparking teen interest in mechanical engineering. Players are challenged to solve puzzles, create, and share inventions with their friends.

 

 

In Invent mode, manipulate tools to explore your creativity and imagination. Build unbelieveable machines and share them with your friends. Puzzle mode immerses you in physics-based puzzles and mechanical concepts, where creative problem solving is your only hope for success.

 

 See a video trailer for TinkerBox

 

TinkerBox is available for iPad in the iTunes App Store for free. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.

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Featured: 9-23-2013 Virtual Experiments

Virtual Experiments are multi-dimensional nonlinear movies of real experiments available on the web in any modern browser.

Virtual Experiments are not simulations. The user has full control of various parameters in the experiments so that he/she can carry out the experiment in their browser* just as if they were remotely controlling the real experiment. No physics or other science is coded into a VE, and whatever may be discovered in the real experiment can also be discovered in the VE.

Virtual Experiments are not intended to replace the real hands-on laboratory, but they can offer value as warm-ups to the real thing, or when equipment is scarce, dangerous, or expensive. They can be repeated as often as you like, and can't be broken.

Virtual Experiments are developed at the University of Reading (UK) Department of Physics for student levels from GCSE through to final-year university using a well equipped photographic studio and staff who contribute to their design, production, and programming.

*Does not appear to work on iOS devices

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Featured: 8-5-2013 PhysicsCentral

PhysicsCentral is intended to communicate the excitement and importance of physics to everyone.

The physicists of the American Physical Society invite you to visit PhysicsCentral regularly to find out how physics is part of your world. Get answers to your questions about how things work and keep informed with daily updates on physics in the news.

The Discover portion of PhysicsCentral includes topics such as chaos, compression waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, material science, and more.

Other sections of PhysicsCentral:

• Physics Buzz Blog
• Physics in Action
• Physics in Pictures
• Physics +
• Physics@Home
• Podcasts
• Physics Quest
• More

Additionally, PhysicsCentral provides an opportunity to keep up with the latest research and the people who are doing it.

PhysicsCentral also distributes thousands of their Spectra comic books, reaching an audience that may otherwise miss out on the fun and excitement of physics.

 See a video about Physics Central's comic books

The American Physical Society represents some 48,000 physicists. Most of their work centers on scientific meetings and publications.

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Featured: 8-1-2013 Sensor Tools

Sideric Sensor Tools lets students perform classroom physics experiments using their own smartphones.

Sensor Tools uses built-in sensors and Internet connectivity to turn the phone into a personal instrument for physics experiments, collaboration, and learning.

Version 1.2 of Sensor Tools includes two modules:

• Motion Tracking - for capturing, analyzing, and plotting the motion of a falling ball or a glider on an air cushion track, for example. 
• Light Refraction - for analyzing the refraction of light from one medium to another and determining the index of refraction.

All data, graphs, and video/photo material can be easily exported to Dropbox and/or shared via email.

Sensor Tools is $2.99(USD) in the Apple iTunes Store. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS 5.0 or later.

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Featured: 7-2-2013 Engineering is Elementary

Increasing students' interest in and confidence about engineering is the intent of Engineering is Elementary (EiE). The mission of EiE is to foster engineering and technological literacy among elementary-aged children.

Engineering is Elementary's 20 units present fun, engaging engineering challenges that allow students to apply science knowledge. The units are designed to be taught in conjunction with (or soon after) a corresponding science topic. EiE also integrates with literacy, mathematics, and social studies.

Engineering is Elementary works to:

• Reach children who are underserved or underrepresented in STEM fields.
• Improve elementary educators’ ability to teach engineering and technology.
• Increase the number of schools in the U.S. that include engineering at the elementary level.
• Research teaching and learning at the elementary level.

Each EiE unit can be used in multiple grades because they are designed to be taught in conjunction with a science topic. EiE units include a number of modifications to help differentiate the lessons and activities to be appropriate for a variety of students.

 Watch a video about Engineering is Elementary

Engineering is Elementary units are mapped to national and state science and technology/engineering standards. EiE units do not follow a particular sequence and do not build upon each other so they can be used in any number or order.

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Featured: 6-11-2013 Science Museum

Visit London's Science Museum online. Find out about the museum's objects, arts projects, and medical collection, play educational games, and discover climate science, and more.

You can also check out the Science Museum blogs, a tabloid history of science, and the latest contemporary science news. The Talk Science Blog gives great ideas for promoting discussion about science in the classroom.

Science MuseumTeacher Resources include activities, videos, online games and websites, tips, tools, and demos. Browse the resources or search by age, subject, and topic.

The Science Museum was founded in 1857 as part of the South Kensington Museum, and became independent in 1909. Today the Science Museum is world renowned for its historic collections, awe-inspiring galleries, and inspirational exhibitions.

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Featured: 1/15/2013 Understanding Science [Science]

The objective of Understanding Science is to provide a free, entertaining, and easily accessible resource that accurately illustrates what science really is and how it works.

The focus of the Understanding Science project is a re-engagement with science beginning with teacher preparation and ending with broader public understanding. The immediate goals are to:

• Improve teacher understanding of the nature of the science.
• Provide resources and strategies that encourage and enable K-16 teachers to reinforce the nature of science.
• Provide a clear and informative reference for students and the general public that accurately portrays science.

Understanding Science was produced by the UC Museum of Paleontology of the University of California at Berkeley, in collaboration with a diverse group of scientists and teachers, and was funded by the National Science Foundation.

Understanding Science gives users an inside look at the general principles, methods, and motivations that underlie all of science.

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Featured: 11/14/2012 Curiosity in the Classroom [STEM]

Together, Discovery Education and Intel have created Curiosity in the Classroom, a program designed to "guide teachers and students on a journey through life's biggest questions."

Curiosity in the Classroom helps you explore some of life's most interesting and important questions with your students by providing free, standards-aligned lesson plans and videos for students in grades 6-12 (ages 11-17).

Download free content and materials to help your students become the innovators, scientists, and engineers of the future. These lesson plans, activities, videos, and interactives can bring key concepts to life and inspire an interest in science-related careers.

Explore ways to develop students' scientific thinking using the lessons and other things available at Curiosity in the Classroom. Transition from textbook science to authentic inquiry and scientific practices with these engaging resources.

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COD - 8/1/2012 - Science of Cycling [Science]

The Science of Cycling is the second in a series of planned sports science resources from the Exploratorium focusing on the science behind popular spectator and recreational sports.

Get the answers to questions such as "Why do road bikes have thin tires, while mountain bikes have fat tires?", "What are the best materials for frames?", and "How does drafting help a cyclist?"

The Science of Cycling is divided into six main sections:

• The Wheel
• Drives & Gears
• Frames & Materials
• Braking & Steering
• Aerodynamics
• Human Power

Included are twenty audio and video clips, many images, and interactive elements. The Science of Cycling is an introduction to an enormous and fascinating topic. You can also find information on the history and unique culture of cycling at the Science of Cycling. 

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Science of the Summer Olympics

Engineers, athletes, and TV have teamed up for a 10-part video series that explores "Olympic-size subjects" ranging from biomechanics to split-second timers.

"Science of the Summer Olympics" is the latest collaboration of the National Science Foundation, NBC Learn, and NBC Olympics. The series continues from earlier educational videos that focused on the sports of the Winter Olympics as well as football and hockey.

In this series, engineering is the focal point, illustrating how engineers can influence both sports and society.

Lesson plans tied to the videos will be made available via the NBC Learn website in August. 

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COD - 6/27/2012 - Physion [Physics]

Physion is a free 2D physics simulation software that can be used to easily create a wide range of interactive physics simulations and educational experiments.

Physics teachers may find Physion useful as a virtual physics laboratory which they can use to demonstrate some basic physics concepts in the classroom.

Users can create various physical objects such as circles, polygons, and gears and joints (eg. springs, pulleys, and so forth) that obey the laws of physics. Scenarios can be created which may be either simple physics experiments or complex structures or mechanisms.

Physion can also be a friendly tool for introducing students to programming. Physion allows users to execute their own JavaScript scripts/programs with the results of the commands being visualized immediately.

Watch a Physion general tutorial

Physion is available in English, Greek, Russian, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Indonesian. 

Note: Physion runs on Windows (XP, Vista, 7) and Linux (x86 and x86_64) operating systems.

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