Fresh year, fresh semester, and a time of thinking about what comes next: the perfect time to consider a summer adventure. I consider the free summer programs available to science teachers to be one of the greatest perks of our profession—you can often find a program that lets you do something science-y that few other … Continue reading New Year, New Adventures
(my apologies to everyone else) The Atlanta Science Festival is coming March 9 – 24. But NOW is the time to sign up for a) bus vouchers up to $300 to take your students to for an exciting field trip to the Expo; and b) a chance to have an area STEM specialist come to … Continue reading Two Opportunities for Atlanta-Area Educators
Are you familiar with GSTA's Georgia Standards of Excellence Phenomena Bank? A phenomenon is an interesting "hook" for a topic that students can use to drive exploration. For example, The Blue People of Troublesome Creek introduces a (real life!) family in rural Kentucky who were blue. Students can work from this unusual example to studying … Continue reading Cool hooks and phenomena to drive explorations!
I have come across several science teachers, STEM teachers, media specialists and MakerSpace organizers who have found themselves with a set of Lego Mindstorms that they aren't sure how to use. I was intrigued by this set of free online courses to help you get started. (You can even take a test and get "certified" … Continue reading Got Mindstorms?
I got this information in an email recently: Thursday, October 12th School Librarians Get to the Source FREE Webinar, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET TPS-experienced elementary, middle, and high school librarians discuss key considerations for connecting Library of Congress resources with K-12 classrooms. Tom Bober, Heather Balsley, and Jenn Hanson provide insight and strategies to promote inquiry … Continue reading Primary Sources for School Librarians
It's exactly one month until Solar Eclipse 2017--time to figure out your viewing site. NASA has a fantastic collection of libraries, museums, national parks, and other places where groups will gather and experts will be on hand to answer questions. Search their official NASA event locations at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/event-locations!
Everybody knows you can't just stare at the sun, with an eclipse being no exception. The Washington Post helpfully explains about a program in which libraries are helping spread safe eye wear for the big event. Take a look, and get your free eclipse glasses today!
I spent part of the weekend down a rabbit hole with an app that a friend cursed me with showed me (thanks, Lisa!). It is trying to be the shazam! for plants--you take a picture of a leaf or flower and it matches it against similar images. It's way too much fun for nature geeks … Continue reading Shazam! for Plants?
Last summer, I posted about the AudioBook Sync program that gives away 2 FREE audiobooks for teens* every week through the summer. This is week 2, and they have Dogulas Adam's classic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, read by Stephen Fry. Click over here to get it--the link expires Thursday (but will then be replaced … Continue reading AudioSync Hitchhiker’s Guide
(Note: Man leaping over graph is a professional. Do not try this at home.) I am currently in love with datanuggets.org, if you can be in love with a website. It features current, engaging scientific research and the data the scientist collected. Students read (or in some cases can see a video) about the the … Continue reading Real Science Research
Once Upon a Science Book 