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Publications: Science

To order any of the educational publications, e-mail ordernie@tampabay.com. You must include the following information:


Alternate Times: Exploring Science Fiction Literature

Alternate Times: Exploring Science Fiction Literature

Grade levels: High school and College

Science fiction is a literature of imagination, of ideas and thought experiments, of “what if.” Setting a story in an unfamiliar environment allows authors to explore the potential consequences of political, social, technological and ecological change; of issues such as war, terrorism, climate change, pandemics and overpopulation; and the possible effects of these on individuals and society. Alternate Times: Exploring Science Fiction Literature introduces students and teachers to this vibrant and diverse genre. This publication was produced in partnership with the Altrusa International of Tampa Bay Wilma B. Hogan Foundation, the Catalina Marketing Charitable Foundation, the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation and the University of South Florida Humanities Institute.

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Click here to visit the writing contest website


Arbor Day 2014

Arbor Day 2014

Grade levels: Elementary and Middle school

Trees provide enormous environmental, social and economic benefits to our community. For example, trees remove pollutants from the atmosphere, improve water quality, reduce erosion and water runoff and provide wildlife habitat. Learn all about the benefits of trees and how you can help keep Tampa’s urban forest healthy and thriving with this NIE publication, created in partnership with TD Green Streets, the Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Tampa, the University of South Florida and the UF/IFAS Extension.

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Click here to download TampaTreeMap.org presentation
Click here to download Tree planting and early care presentation


Be Food Safe

Be Food Safe

Grade levels: Middle and High school

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in this country can be traced to foodborne pathogens. ­That is why food safety is a serious matter. This publication, produced in partnership with Publix Super Markets Inc. and Florida Press Educational Services, will enhance your awareness of foodborne illnesses and how you and your family can stay healthy.

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Celebrating Tampa Bay’s wildlife and habitats

Celebrating Tampa Bay’s wildlife and habitats

Grade levels: Middle and High school

Florida has a unique and diverse natural landscape. Only two states have more plant diversity than Florida, and 8 percent of Florida’s flora and fauna are found nowhere else in the world. This publication explores three types of ecosystems commonly found in west-central Florida: coastal, freshwater and upland. This publication was created in partnership with The Florida Aquarium, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and VISIT FLORIDA.

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Visit the project website


City of Largo Sustainability

Grade levels: Middle and High school

The City of Largo is improving the environment, becoming more sustainable and enhancing the quality of life for Largo residents and visitors. Learn all about their sustainability and resiliency initiatives, programs and events in this publication, created in partnership with the City of Largo.

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Coasters 101

Coasters 101

Grade levels: Middle and High school

Your pulse quickens, your stomach churns, your eyes water, your heart rate increases, you lose all sense of time and space. You cannot tell which way is up, down or sideways. The effect of riding roller coasters is tremendous. This Coasters 101 educational poster, created in partnership with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, explains what causes your sense of unbalance and excitement on a roller coaster. This poster will teach you all about physics.This poster has been updated to include new information focused on Falcon's Fury and the 2014 Florida Standards.

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Discovering Prehistoric Species

Discovering Prehistoric Species

Grade levels: Elementary and Middle school

Dinosaurs lived on earth for about 160 million years – from about 225 million years ago until about 65 million years ago. What did they look like? How did they act? What did they eat? Learn about these fascinating animals and the scientists who study them in Discovering Prehistoric Species, created in partnership with Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

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Click here to download the Geologic Timeline poster


Discovering Prehistoric Species

The Do's and Don'ts of Recycling in Hillsborough County

Grade levels: Middle and High school

Reducing, reusing and recycling conserves natural resources, reduces the amount of waste that must be landfilled or burned and decreases pollution and the demand for energy. This publication, produced in partnership with Hillsborough County, will give you and your students tips on how you can make a difference in your community and learn how to be a better partner and neighbor to other Hillsborough County residents and the environment.

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Fire Prevention

Exploring creativity through mobile app development

Grade Level: Middle and High school

“Computing radically changes how humans solve problems, and even the kinds of problems we can imagine solving. Computing has changed the world more than any other invention of the past hundred years, and has come to pervade nearly all human endeavors. Yet, we are just at the beginning of the computing revolution,” wrote Dr. David Evans. Florida will add more than 100,000 new jobs in STEM fields by 2024, with an average wage of almost $30 per hour. One of the most exciting, dynamic and fast-growing careers in information technology today is in mobile app development. This brand-new Newspaper in Education publication, created in partnership with Vybe Software, will introduce your students to the basics of computer science in a user-friendly, fun and engaging way.

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Click here to learn how to hold a Hackathon at your school


Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention

Grade levels: Elementary and Middle school

On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day. The best way to avoid injury in case of fire is to be prepared. This Newspaper in Education publication, produced in partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department, will educate you about fire dangers and provide tips for you to be prepared.

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La Florida – Land of Flowers

La Florida – Land of Flowers: Ornamental Horticulture with Florida Native Plants

Grade levels: Middle and High school

La Florida focuses on the critical role that using native plants in ornamental horticulture can play in preserving native species, protecting Florida’s native habitats and ecosystems, and creating beautiful and sustainable ornamental landscapes. This publication was created in partnership with the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust and the Florida Native Plant Society.

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Fuel Your Fitness

Fuel Your Fitness

Grade levels: Middle and High school

“You are what you eat.” Nutritious food is important to good health. However, good nutrition is only half of the equation to being fit. It takes making nutritious choices and being active to create a healthy lifestyle. Get tips from the pros in this publication created in partnership with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Cares.

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Just the Facts: Vaccination protects

Just the Facts: Vaccination protects

Grade levels: Middle and High school

There’s a lot of information out there about vaccines and vaccinations, and it can get confusing. Just the Facts helps cut through the confusion by covering the basics of what vaccination is, how it works, what it protects against and why it is important. It also covers vaccine safety, busts some myths about vaccines and points to trustworthy sources for additional information. Just the Facts was created in partnership with Pfizer’s Independent Grants for Learning & Change program.

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Lights On Tampa 2014: Explore, engage, enjoy (MS)

Lights On Tampa 2014: Explore, engage, enjoy

Grade levels: Middle and High school

Lights On Tampa is a major cultural event that brings free, public access to light-based public art. This publication, created in partnership with the City of Tampa and Lights On Tampa, explores the art, science and technology of light by examining the artistic works making up Lights On Tampa 2015.

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Pasco Recycling 2018: Show You Care

Pasco Recycling 2018: Show You Care

Grade levels: Elementary, Middle and High school

Recycling saves energy, money and the environment. Learn about the many recycling programs and events available to Pasco County residents and how you can make a difference every day. This publication was created in partnership with Pasco County Recycling and Pasco County Schools.

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Recycle Today 2018

Recycle Today 2018

Grade levels: Middle and High school

Recycle today is Pinellas County’s guide to resource management. Use this guide to sharpen your recycling skills and find out what goes where … whether you’re recycling at home, at school or at your business. Recycle Today was created in partnership with Pinellas County Solid Waste.

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Recycle Today 2018 - High School Edition

Recycle Today 2018 – High School Science Edition

Grade level: High school

Dig into the science of recycling with standards-based activities on topics including environmental engineering, food waste, pollution and the economics of recycling; explore the science behind single-steam recycling and Waste-To-Energy; and learn how to recycle right in Pinellas County with this special edition, produced in partnership with Pinellas County.

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Severe Weather

Severe Weather

Grade levels: Elementary and Middle school

Being prepared for severe weather is critical to being able to survive it. In Florida, we face a variety of severe conditions, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, flooding and hurricanes. This bilingual (English/Spanish) teaching poster, created in partnership with WTSP 10News, will help students and families to understand the types of severe weather they will encounter in our state and how to prepare for them.

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Springs: Florida’s Natural Wonders (MS)

Springs: Florida’s Natural Wonders

Grade levels: Middle and High school

A spring is a natural opening in the ground where water flows directly from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Springs are vital headwaters, the upper tributaries, of many local rivers. Springs are unique water resources that provide natural, recreational and economic benefits. For thousands of years people have been attracted to the natural beauty and habitat of these ecosystems. This publication, produced in partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explores the springs of west central Florida and the role humans play in protecting and restoring those springs.

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Street Smart

Street Smart Prevention

Grade level: Middle and High school

Let’s face facts. The misuse and abuse of alcohol, over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs and tobacco affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including young adults. Not only does misuse of these substances affect the users, but it also affects their families, neighbors and the rest of our communities. The Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance (HCADA) knows this and works with community partners to promote healthy communities. This Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education publication, created in partnership with the HCADA focuses on educating young people and the adults in their lives about substance abuse prevention.

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Wicked Garden

Wicked Garden

Grade levels: Middle and High school

According to the 2012 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, almost one in ten Florida high school students has misused prescription pain relievers or prescription amphetamines. The FYSAS also reveals that the percentage of youth reporting prescription drug misuse/abuse jumps dramatically between middle and high school. Wicked Garden, created in partnership with the AMA Foundation and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, presents the facts and reveals the myths about prescription drug abuse/misuse and provides resources for educators, students and parents.

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Click here to download the Pre/Post test