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Family Explorer is a printed newsletter of science and nature activities intended for use by parents with their children. Each issue has between four and eight activities and projects. This

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►NOVA

The Nova web site comes from the Australian Academy of Science and provides viewers information on the scientific principles and concepts i

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

This is a huge site that has links and resources for every major and minor science discipline. The site has a special section for K-12 science resources. Every major science section has a "Specialty Gateway," with links to specific disciplines within the field. The site features selected, "hot topic" research articles.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►North American Skies

Ever look up in the sky and wonder where the constellations are in that huge expanse of stars? If you have, then North American Skies, has something to offer you. This site is a monthly guide to astronomical pheonmena occuring over North America for the novice stargazer and is a good choice for introducing children to astronomy. The site includes monthly star charts, calendars of celestial events, information about planetary movements, articles, books, links and more

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Cool Science for Curious Kids

Cool Science for Curious Kids was created to help kids appreciate science. The site consists mainly of five natural science projects for young children. These activities were developed by five museums that receive support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Several of the projects are interactive, while others involve simple projects that can be done in the classroom.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3

►Microbe Zoo

Microbe Zoo was developed by Michigan State University as a learning tool for students of microbiology and microbial ecology. The zoo is divided in five main areas: Waterworld, the Animal Pavilion, the Snack Bar, Space Adventures, and Dirtland. Each area has several subsections with images and discussion about the various microbes that inhabit them. It's also worthwhile to vist the site's parent page, The Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology. Here you'll find more microbial information, including Microbe of the Week, Microbes in the News, and the Curious Microbe, tales of amazing microbes and curious environments.

Grade Level: 7,8,9,10,11,12

►The Soundry

The Soundry is an award-winning, interactive, and fun Web site about the science of sound. This site is broken up into five categories; The Ear and How We Perceive Sound, The Physics of Sound, Applications of Sound, a Timeline, and the Interactive Sound Lab. Students will love the cool interactive applets that allow them to manipulate sound and hear the effects first hand. The Soundry also covers everthing from the history of sound recording to the workings of the inner ear, the Doppler Effect, and the sonic boom.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Athena, Earth and Space Science for K-12

Athena engages students in observing natural phenomena using remote-sensed data to learn about the earth and sky. Here students can study ocean currents by tracking the movements of drift buoys, follow the progress of hurricanes and tropical storms from space, as well as many other activities. This site has a wide scope of activities, broken down into four main areas, Earth, Weather, Oceans, and Space.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Mr C's CO2 Racing Resources

This is one of those sites that middle school kids hope their teachers will find. Building and racing CO2 powered cars is an exciting way to learn the basic properties of engineering and physics. Mr. C's CO2 Racing Resources is intended as a resource for students, as well as teachers currently running or thinking of starting CO2 programs.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9

►Creatures of the Night and You

"Creatures of the Night and You" is an exploration into the sights and sounds, truths and fictions of crepuscular and nocturnal creatures (not just animals) and how we diurnal humans relate to them. The site is offered in English, Spanish, and French and includes activities, adventures, folktales, and more!

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►European Distant Suns

European Distant Suns is a great way to bring the night sky into your curriculum, even in broad daylight. It will also greatly augment programs that include nighttime star watches. The software includes star maps that can be programmed to any date and quadrant of the sky. The tutorial is well put together and guides the user not only through the program but also through a discussion on astronomical concepts, such as the sun's relationship to the seasons and the reason for the North Pole's midnight sun. The tutorial also covers astronomical phenomena.

Grade Level: 11,12

►Explore Zone

This is the place to go for the latest information in the world of science. The site is full of great articles on a fascinating array of science topics sorted by date. Click on the topic heading to find out about global warming, earthquakes, the Hubble Space Telescope, and lots more. The site is oriented to Earth, weather, and space science but also has some interesting articles from other science areas.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►How Our Hawaiian Islands Were Formed

Here is a fun and interactive way to learn about the volcanic formation of islands in the Pacific, specifically the enchanting Hawaiian Islands. The site includes an animated learning module, a game, a set of Hawaiian legends, and more!

Grade Level: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Bugscope

Ever looked at a bug up close? I mean really close? The Bugscope project offers an outstanding opportunity to use the Internet to control an electron microscope from your classroom, resulting in some truly phenomenal views of bugs!

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Catching the Light - Astrophotography

Catching the Light - Astrophotography is dedicated to the art of capturing the universe -- and beyond -- in photography. Here you'll find an inspiring library of astrophotographic images and some great advice about how to make your own with a simple camera and a telescope!

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►General Chemistry Online!

General Chemistry Online is a Web site designed as a resource for first-year general chemistry students. Included on this useful site are interactive tutorials, quizzes and exams, a Slide Index of high-quality diagrams, an FAQ, and an Ask Antoine section, where students can get the answers they need to puzzling problems.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►The Journey North

The Journey North is an outstanding collaborative Internet project that involves classrooms in the study of wildlife migration and the changes to the environment as spring moves north across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A sister site, Journey South, follows the same information in the fall and prepares students for the spring's Journey North.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Red Wolves of Alligator River

If you are looking for a great Internet project to use in your classroom, then you'll like the Red Wolves of Alligator River. The site critically examines the plight of the endangered red wolf in the Alligator River area of North Carolina. Lesson plans are included.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►The Space Place

The Space Place is filled with great projects and activities related to current space missions and information. It features lots of space graphics that are sure to turn kids on to astronomy and space science. Kids are sure to love the fun and unusual activities outlined on this site and will learn lots doing them.

Grade Level: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►ES2000 - Endangered Species of the Next Millennium

ES2000 is a comprehensive site on endangered species created by students for students. This ThinkQuest entry includessuch informational sections as What? Why? And How? Species Profiles and Media Gallery.

Grade Level: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Turtle Trax

Anything you ever wanted to know about sea turtles can be found on this site. It includes descriptions as well as photographs of sea turtles. There is a section on why the turtles are endangered and what you may do to help protect them.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Web Weather for Kids

Web Weather for Kids explores what thunderstorms are all about. Through a series of simple experiments that can be done at home using ordinary materials, students are able to make a thunderstorm and create lightning or a tornado. The Teacher Tips page includes tips for using the lessons in the classroom from teachers who have done the experiments. Simple drawings, pictures, and audio and video clips fully explain each lesson. The audio and video clips require an mpeg player, such as Microsoft's ActiveMovie player. Users can view and listen to student explanations of the weather phenomena.

Grade Level: 4,5,6,7,8

►Planet Earth

The activities are an exceptional resource for any educator who teaches ecology. The major components of the site include The Earth's Treasures, You Make a Difference, Conflict Yellowstone Wolves, Teacher's Toolkit, and Ecology Hotlist. In Earth's Treasures, students complete an interactive treasure hunt and are encouraged to make a commitment to help the environment. When they click the Click here to write your story bar, students can retrieve a printable copy of their treasure hunt. Students produce a public service announcement for radio, television, newspaper or Web page, using the online proposal maker, in the You Make a Difference WebQuest.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►O. Orkin Insect Zoo

This well-designed and comprehensive teaching unit on arthropods was created through the Natural Partners Initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and Mississippi State University. Guests can take a virtual tour of the Insect Zoo by clicking on an interactive map of the actual layout at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Teachers can find many activities at the Teacher Resources section. Developers of the site have also included comments on the adherence to the national standards.

Grade Level: 4,5,6,7,8

►Mount Wilson Observatory

Teachers, students, and astronomy buffs in general will find this site an interesting resource for learning more about astronomy. Visitors will be able to take a Virtual Tour of the observatory through photographs and text. The handy map allows exploration of the individual sections of the tour.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►WebMolecules

The interactivity of this site makes it fascinating to the serious chemistry student or anyone who is interested in molecular structures. All models can be viewed in full 3-D, rotated, or panned. The database is searchable by Formula, CAS Number, NSC Number, or Common Name. Included are tips for searching using any of the methods.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Exploring Planets in the Classroom

Lead your students through the process of identifying landforms on Mars, intrigue them with the study of geology with "edible rocks," or have them simulate the process of digital imaging using crayons and paper. Exploring the Planets in the Classroom provides the activity pages for these and many others. other topics

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►SpaceKids

SpaceKids is a comprehensive space site that includes movies, photos, interactive games, space facts, and space mission news.

Grade Level: 5,6,7,8

►The Eagle Watch

This collaborative Web site was created by students and features a live video camera trained on an eagle's nest at Reelfoot Lake in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Users can view the eagle's perch right from the browser or learn all about eagles by visiting the different sections of the site.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6

►Drought: A Paleo Perspective

This site focuses on the droughts of the North American continent in an effort to provide a better understanding of the causes of past draughts and improve prediction of future occurrences.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Mr. Eclipse

Mr. Eclipse not only features spectacular photographs of solar and lunar eclipses but also photos of other "wonders of the night sky," such as Comet Hale Bopp and the Milky Way. Visitors to the site can read informational articles on solar and lunar eclipses for beginners, view a listing of upcoming eclipses, and find tips for observing eclipses safely.

Grade Level: 7,8,9,10,11,12

►Profile of a Scientist

This site contains everything a user needs to teach the cross-curricular, nine-week unit on inventors and scientists. Student Page includes individual and group assignments, instructions, and links to needed resources. Teachers will find objectives, implementation suggestions, and sample rubrics for evaluation.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Schoolscience.co.uk

Biology, chemistry, and physics teachers everywhere will find these "e-sources" (electronic resources) a great supplement to their instruction. All the resources use interactive diagrams, glossaries, quizzes, and a find feature.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►I Can Do That!

I Can Do That! offers a painless way to gather information about DNA, RNA, cells, protein, and cloning. The content takes the form of a conversation between four characters -- Gene, Polly (DNA polymerase), RayNa (RNA), and Chloe (a chloroplast).

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►AmphibiaWeb

This large database grows daily. The goal of the site managers is to eventually provide information about every species of amphibian. The main database is fully searchable by genus, species, vernacular name, family, or order, and users can browse by scientific or vernacular name. The species accounts include descriptions, photos, life history, conservation status, and literature references.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Predators and Prey

Students will enjoy the easy-to-read text, colorful digital pictures, photos, and information they will find at this site. After reading about the animals and their prey, students can take the predator quiz and follow the directions for creating their own predator project.

Grade Level: K,1,2

►Find Out Why

Find Out Why answers such questions as "Why do we sneeze?" "How does a CD work?" and "Why does it rain?" with fun, informative animations. Students can search by typing a topic into the search box or by clicking on one of the section links and choosing a topic from the main page. For a more in depth look at a topic, users can click on Find Out More.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6

►RocksForKids.com

This site provides simple information, and offers links to more-substantial information, about rocks, minerals, fossils, natural disasters, and careers in geology and Earth science.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►ROVer Ranch

Anyone with even the slightest interest in robots and robotics should enjoy this page. ROVer Ranch provides background information in Robots 101 to familiarize users with important aspects of robotics. The teacher's guide correlates the lessons with national science and math standards and links to other educational resources.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Under the Sea

This site, created by teacher Susan Seagraves, has everything you will need to teach a unit on marine biology. The Teacher's Guide includes background information on marine animals and oceanography as well as activities for the classroom.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5

►Replicators: Evolutionary Powerhouses

Replicators: Evolutionary Powerhouses explores evolution from a biological, cultural, linguistic and philosophical standpoint.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Water Works! El Agua Trabaja!

This project Web site focuses on how water affects life in Chicago's Little Village, but the information is useful for anyone who teaches about the role water plays in a community.

Grade Level: K,1,2

►ScienceMaster

ScienceMaster provides news, information, links, columns, and homework help in all major areas of science.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Who Dunnit?

This site provides students the opportunity to explore the world of forensic science. Visitors to the site can learn about fingerprinting, powder analysis, teeth impressions, and foot-to-height ratio.

Grade Level: 6,7,8

►2001destination space

This online exhibition, an accompaniment to a traveling exhibition, examines the art, science, and technology of the real 2001 and compares it to the art, science, and technology depicted in the movie 2001 A.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Edison Kids Power Lab

This site has lots of information about energy use, electrical safety, and why energy conservation is so important as well as links to related sources.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►How Volcanoes Work

This is the place for you and your students to go for anything you ever wanted to know about volcanoes. Visitors will find informative articles and answers to any questions.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►It's a Pond's Life

Students discover how science works in a pond ecosystem and how acquiring water monitoring skills can benefit their community.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►Periodic Table ADventure

The Periodic Table ADventure includes lessons on the History of the Periodic Table; Inside an Atom; How to Read the Periodic Table; Metals, Nonmetals & Metalloids; and Element ADventure WebQuest.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Science Playwiths

Just as the name implies, Science Playwiths offers activities and experiments using "everyday things to pose interesting questions" on a variety of topics.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Bridging the Watershed

This site offers performance-based curriculum activities for studying the watershed.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Eighth Grade Sci-ber Text

Science teachers everywhere will appreciate the curriculum connections this online resource contains. Major topics of the science curriculum are covered in these chapters Matter, Energy, Forces, Machines, and Earth.

Grade Level: 6,7,8

►Saving the Sea Turtle

Take your students on an expedition to observe one of the oldest living reptiles on earth, the leatherback sea turtle!Photographs and interviews with the scientists give students an understanding of what is being done to save the sea turtles from extinction.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Peggy E. Schweiger's Physics Site

This site, created by physics teacher Peggy Schweiger, is a rich resource for the physics teacher or student. It includes lesson plans, lab forms, and quizzes.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►An Introduction to Microscopy

An Introduction to Microscopy not only gives information on buying and using a microscope but also covers its history and links to Micscape magazine and its archives.

Grade Level: 3,4,5

►Energy Quest

This site, from the California Energy Commission, would be a great supplement for the science curriculum on energy. It includes background information, art contests, games, science projects, teacher and parent resources, and more.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Risk Watch

This innovative safety site from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a companion to RiskWatch, a comprehensive injury-prevention program for children in pre-school through grade eight.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Bucket Buddies

This telecollaborative project from the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) compares pond water samples from around the world.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5

►Fear of Physics

"FearOfPhysics.com shows you physics in action. This site is an interactive, highly visual, and non-technical way for you to see the laws of physics in action."

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►GF Awesome

GF Awesome is a great resource for planning your ecology curriculum. Use the materials here to help students understand all about our forest system: how it functions, its wildlife, and other facts about nature.

Grade Level: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

►Space CAD

Give your students the opportunity to learn about the history of the NASA space program while learning to use CAD (computer-assisted drafting and design) software. A "lite" version of the software is available for download from the site. SpaceCAD offers a series of 11 lessons, slide shows, interactive quizzes, and design projects that are based on authentic technical drawings from NASA. Students will learn the basics for creating two-dimensional drawings, orthographic projections of three-dimensional objects, sectional views, and isometric drawings.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Stormy Weather

Integrate technology seamlessly into your curriculum with these engaging activities. Students will not only meet the earth science standards but enhance their technology skills as well. Students begin with the Weather Hotlist to glean important background information, then put together a Weather Scrapbook with the collected text, graphics, and multimedia.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►POP Goes Antarctica

This site features a research project in which a teacher participates in a polar expedition that explores the effects of POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) on the food chain of Antarctica.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Inventing Modern America, from the Microwave to the Mouse

This site is a companion to Lemelson-MIT Program's 2001 book Inventing Modern America, from the Microwave to the Mouse. It features excerpts from the book, games, and video files.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►WhaleNet

WhaleNet has been around for a while, but it is regularly updated and revised. In addition to its maps and databases, the site offers students and teachers the opportunity to share information and to use the data to learn more about marine animals.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Geography4Kids

Geography4Kids explores the physical side of geography or earth science. It is divided into six main areas: Energy, Sky, Land, Earth, Water, and Climate.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►Science, Tobacco & You

Science, Tobacco & You is a multidisciplinary, multimedia, science curriculum resource developed by the Center for Integrating Research and Learning at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►Froguts.com

Froguts is a free virtual online frog dissection that uses photos of frogs recycled from schools.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►exZOOberance

"exZOOberance is dedicated to those who love and support the animal kingdom." The site includes a virtual zoo, a photo gallery and much more.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Flying Turtle Science and Technology

The Flying Turtle covers all types of energy in nature and human technology and is "dedicated to learning and a simple appreciation of the wonder of life." Written in a creative style that holds the interests of middle school students, it provides basic explanations of how energy controls the way things work in nature.

Grade Level: 6,7,8

►Mercury Rising: Bearing Witness to Climate Change

This Web site chronicles an expedition by the One World Journeys team into the Monteverde Cloud Forest to study the effects of climate change on our planet.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Ask the Answer Worm

"It's a dirty job but someone has to do it," and "Skworm" is up for the task. Young students will enjoy worming their way through the easily read content as Skworm teaches them about soil. Children can follow Skworm through a series of 13 questions that explore such topics as how soil is made, how water stays in the soil, how air gets into the soil, why plants like soil and soil conservation. At the end of the questions, students can download a diploma. This is a great earth science resource, and you could use it as a reading-for-information lesson.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5

►KidsPlanet

KidsPlanet, from the Defenders of Wildlife, is a resource for teachers and students on wildlife preservation that includes lesson plans and interactive games.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8

►Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a rich oceanography resource for students and teachers.

Grade Level: 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Ocean.com - Everything Ocean

Just as the name implies this deep resource offers a multimedia look at any and everything that has to do with the ocean from sea animals to scuba gear.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►The Physics Zone

The Physics Zone presents introductory level physics concepts in a multimedia format that is engaging as well as informative.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►WonderNet: Your Science Place in CyberSpace

WonderNet, part of the larger Chemistry.com site from the American Chemical Society, offers hands-on science activities and explanations for children and adults.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5,6

►The Visible Human Server

The Visible Human Server, offered by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, is an interactive site that allows users to view the human anatomical structures in 3-D.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Focus: Oceanography

This site is a rich resource for the study of oceanography that includes facts, photos, and information about experiments and naval discoveries.

Grade Level: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

►Kids Go Wild

The Wildlife Conservation Society, headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York, offers this site full of fun activities and information about animals and conservation for children.

Grade Level: K,1,2,3,4,5

►Anatomia

Teachers developed Anatomia for other teachers and students. These interactive activities about the skeleton, eye, skull, digestive system, respiratory system, and skin will make learning about the human body fun for everyone. The simple drag-and-drop activities are a great way for students to practice what they have learned. Activities are available in nine languages with more to come in the near future.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

►Build the Virtual Frog

"Building a frog can be harder than it looks." The object of the game is to place all the frog's organs in the proper position. If a player gets stuck,the direct link back to the Virtual Frog Dissection Kit allows review of the placement of the organs as well as their functions. This is an interactive site that students may enjoy more than manipulating and studying the organs of a real frog!

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12