Google Science Journal is a neat app I've been playing with. The name is misleading. It's really a collection of "devices"--using your phone's sensors to measure light intensity, sound, and acceleration in three planes. It also records and graphs data from those sensors and allows you to make notes on the conditions in which you … Continue reading Google “Science Journal”
My children's school participates in Project Learning Garden. The school got a variety of gardening materials, curriculum, and training. But the neatest part was the way this project bridges to eating. Participating schools get a cooking cart that has materials and recipes to take into classrooms to prepare foods from the garden. The teachers have … Continue reading Project Learning Garden
I realize I'm writing about gardening in the bleak of winter, but now is the time to plan if you have a school garden. That, and you have take advantage of this opportunity by February 15. Bonnie Plant Farms is giving cabbage plants to THIRD GRADE classes (only) that will allow students to grow a … Continue reading Giant Cabbage Heads
I learned recently about a fascinating twist on school gardening available through the International Space Station. You can request tomato seeds that have spent time on the ISS. Then your students grow them in your school garden and compare them to Earth-bound controls. They even get access to the data from all other participating schools. … Continue reading Out-Of-This-World Gardening
Project ATMOSPHERE workshop: The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has a lot of cool teacher offerings, but here's a fun-looking one in Kansas City, MO that will give you a chance to learn about the newest technologies in weather work. It's July 16-28 includes a stipend, graduate credit, travel money, and room and board. Apply by … Continue reading Three More Summer Adventures (plus a round-up)
I've posted about summer adventures before, and this is high time for making your selection and getting applications in. I am particularly intrigued by the Maury Project Workshop. You get to spend 2 weeks at the United States Naval Academy working with NOAA and AMS scientists to learn about physical oceanography. And do research cruises. … Continue reading ‘Tis the season to plan for summer
Ever wanted to be a park ranger? Spend a portion of your summer in a National Park as a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (really not sure how they decided to cobble that name together). You will get a stipend for travel and living expenses and a chance to get to know one of our national treasures. Details of … Continue reading Another Summer Adventure
You want to have a classroom pet. You know how good they are for kids. But they are expensive. Pets in the Classroom grants to the rescue! If you are a preK-8 teacher, you can apply for a grant to purchase a classroom pet and supplies, and reapply annually to keep your pet's food bowl … Continue reading Classroom Pets and Supplies–Free!
At the Alabama School Library Association (ASLA) conference this summer, I sat in on a great presentation by Lisa Hathcock at Saks Elementary. She described how she uses tri-fold boards to set up centers in her MakerSpace. They feature specific science information, "Making" challenges, and highlight books from her library's collection. I thought they were … Continue reading Classroom/ MakerSpace Center (Free)
I usually post about science education, but I know some of my readers teach multiple subjects. I took one of these free, online courses with Waynesburg University several years ago in order to improve my ability to help all subject areas with content-area literacy. These courses help teachers locate primary sources from the online holdings … Continue reading Teaching with Primary Sources
Once Upon a Science Book 