| High
School
a. P1.1 Scientific Inquiry
Science is a way of understanding nature. Scientific
research may begin by generating new scientific
questions that can be answered through replicable
scientific investigations that are logically
developed and conducted systematically. Scientific
conclusions and explanations result from careful
analysis of empirical evidence and the use of
logical reasoning. Some questions in science
are addressed through indirect rather than direct
observation, evaluating the consistency of new
evidence with results predicted by models of
natural processes. Results from investigations
are communicated in reports that are scrutinized
through a peer review process.
- Chaos
Gallery
- Can the chaotic dynamics of math, physics,
and other sciences yield stunning works of
modern art? Apparently so. Grade level is
high school.
- Evidence:
The True Witness
Become
KC Rogers, the forensic detective without a
clue. Apply your newfound knowledge of forensic
science to search for a kidnapper, case a house
for evidence, process evidence in the lab, and
interview suspects. Reference and glossary sections
help keep you on the trail, and a careers section
is included in case you get really good.
- Fear
of Physics - Kids playing on a see-saw
This site has an interactive problem where
there are two children of different weights
that want to balance each other on the see-saw.
They must figure out where to place the children
and the fulcrum.
- Fear
of Physics
- Simulations and video
clips make this more like fun than fear. Lots
of interactive features help students understand
some of the basic physics principles including
speed, acceleration, friction and collisions.
Be patient as animation downloads can be slow.
- How
Stuff Works
Descriptions
of how a TV or alkaline battery works tend to
be brief and impart only a very cursory sense
of what's going on inside. Not here. You get
detailed yet understandable explanations married
with plentiful illustrations and pictures of
how everyday technologies such as engines, VCRs,
cellphones, refrigerators, and smoke detectors
work.
- Inventors
Tool Book: The Elements of Machines
A description of 6 simple machines and where
they are used and also other elements of machines;
there is a link at the bottom of the page to
a site where students try and figure out which
simple machines are used in common devices.
- Inventors
Tool Box: Gadget Anatomy Quiz
A quiz using common devices (3) and students
guess which simple machines are used in them.
Students can check their answers.
- Science
Research
Outstanding!
Your one-stop source for scientific research,
access to numerous scientific journals and public
science databases.
- Virtual
Science Comes Alive
This
site has a number of interactive science animations
available. This site is part of "The Why
Files" site. This is an outstanding interactive
site.
b. P1.2 Scientific Reflection and Social
Implications
The integrity of the scientific process depends
on scientists and citizens understanding and
respecting the “Nature of Science.”
Openness to new ideas, skepticism, and honesty
are attributes required for good scientific
practice. Scientists must use logical reasoning
during investigation design, analysis, conclusion,
and communication. Science can produce critical
insights on societal problems from a personal
and local scale to a global scale. Science both
aids in the development of technology and provides
tools for assessing the costs, risks, and benefits
of technological systems. Scientific conclusions
and arguments play a role in personal choice
and public policy decisions. New technology
and scientific discoveries have had a major
influence in shaping human history. Science
and technology continue to offer diverse and
significant career opportunities.
- APS
Project Sol
- Students can take a virtual field trip into
the inner workings of a photovoltaic (PV)
cell all the way down to an atomic level.
There is also a lot of other information about
solar energy, electricity, fuels, and their
sources. There are also some very good links
to other solar sites.
- Einstein's
Legacy
Outstanding!
- This is an excellent site for students to
view different types of technological
applications of waves such as x-rays, microwaves,
CAT scans, lasers, TV & labtop screens.
There are several interactive sections throughout
where the student can do such things as select
a view to x-ray in a human hand and even put
marshmallows into a microwave!
- EPA-Office
of Solid Waste-Reusable News
This site has a list of Newsletters and Bulletins
about waste, waste reduction, greenhouse gases
and federal, state, and local efforts at recycling.
They are PDF files. There is an Acrobat Reader
download on the site if you don't have it. This
enables you to read the PDF files.
- EPA-recycling
Publications
Explains recycling and why we should recycle.
Also has many links to other sites on recycling.
Recycling solid waste consumers handbook for
reducing solid waste. Includes steps to reduce
the amount and toxicity of garbage. Can be downloaded
as a PDF file or ASCII text file.
- EPA-Office
of Solid Waste-Managing Used Oil
This site contains a PDF file or test format
file to download about how to handle used oil.
The file explains what is considered used oil,
where it can be found, how it is recycled and
how to handle spills.
- ETE
Teacher Pages: Problem-Based Learning - Science
Process - Reflecting
A
teacher's guide for using problem based learning
in the classroom. This site provides a
lot of good information on this subject including,
a definition of problem based learning, goals
and objectives and steps that should be followed
during instruction.
- Environmental
Molecules
This website discusses properties of some
common environmental molecules in terms of risk/benefit
analysis. The emphasis is on agricultural materials.
- ExploraVision
ExploraVision is a competition for all students
in grades K-12 attending a public, private or
home school in the U.S., Canada, or U.S. Territories.
It is designed to encourage students to combine
their imagination with their knowledge of science
and technology to explore visions of the future.
ExploraVision is more than a contest. It can
be a spark to ignite every student's enthusiasm
for science.
- Making
Waves
This site provides background information about
different types of waves and their technological
applications. Making Waves is an excellent resource
enabling students to compare and contrast the
various waves contained in the electromagnetic
spectrum.
- Nuclear
Chemistry and the Community
Here you can take your students through a quick
tour or choose the "2 day class" tour. The expected
outcome is that students can apply nuclear science
to world events and begin to critically evaluate
what they see, hear, and read.
- Renewable
Resources in the U.S. Electricity Supply - Changes
in Matter
This would be a good site for student reports
on renewable resources used for electricity
production. This site provides general information.
- Rube
Goldberg Cartoons
Provides examples of Rube Goldberg pictures
which can be used by students to get ideas for
producing their own Rube Goldberg machine. This
project can be quite beneficial for constructing
a complex machine and analyzing the transfers
of energy involved.
- Rube
Goldberg Projects
Gives examples of Rube Goldberg machines that
have been build and step by step explanations
of how they work. Excellent project for describing
changes in energy and working with complex machines.
- Sodaplay
This site allows a student to construct
a virtual robot and see how it will move. Fun!!
- The
Love Canal Debate
This is a great site for an advanced science
class that wants to learn about hazardous waste
dumping and how it affects the area around it
as well as the people. Students become
active in this site by researching different
interests concerning the issue.
- Whelmers
Whelmers
offers a selection of science activities which
are designed to "catch the eye and mind of even
the most indifferent student". Most materials
are simple and easily obtainable. Activities
have been aligned with the National Science
Education Standards.
- U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office
Serious
about laying your claim to a great invention?
This site, or the office of a good patent attorney,
should be your first stop. The U.S. Patent Office
posts a wealth of information about issued patents
and patent applications, and you can search
its vast patent database to see if your
idea's already been taken.
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