Science learning activities
Part 2
[ 20 Online Science Resources ]
[ 20 Online Science Resources ]
As I mentioned in my review of the Gizmos at Explore Learning, my theme for this semester has been integration. Since I am a computer technology teacher, I have the opportunity to integrate my curriculum very easily with the core subjects of math, English, social studies, and science. For this course, I have primarily focused on integration with science. Below, you will find 20 resources that could be used within the computer tech classroom to support both science and computer learning. These middle-school level activities would be perfect for extending the science curriculum and improving computer literacy.
Nasa Science Education
Nasa has numerous games and simulations centered largely around space (no surprise there). These activities would be perfect to use when the students are learning about Space in their science class and would complement a variety of computer tech lessons (such as using the “weight in space” activity while the students are learning how to collect and organize data within Excel).
Brain Pop Microbes Game
In this game students work to analyze data to determine which microbe started a plague. One of our computer standards is for students to “Collect, organize, and analyze digital information.” This application works perfectly for that as students have to determine the best way to collect and analyze information in order to solve the problem. Not only would this test problem solving skills, it would also test how well the students understand excel and if they are comfortable collecting and analyzing data.
Glencoe – Probeware Labs
One of our computers standards is for students to learn how to use probeware and other hardware devices. Glencoe has a pretty enormous collection of probeware labs (as do many publishing companies) that would be great for combining science and computer curriculum. Students could perform part of the lab in science class and then the probeware portion during computer class.
Creaza – Mind Maps
Another computer standard is for students to “Independently use appropriate technology tools (e.g, graphic organizer) to define problems and propose hypotheses.” This fits perfectly will the science standard of proposing and defining hypothesis. Students could create a graphic organizer/mind map during computer class for a lab they will be conducting in their science class.
VoiceThread Presentations
Middle school students in computer technology must also learn to “Plan, design, and develop a multimedia product to present research findings and creative ideas effectively, citing sources.” Voicethread would be perfect for this and students could create a presentation over a recent science experiment they had done. This presentation could then be given in computer or science class.
Explore Learning
Another site that would be great for students to practice collecting data and organizing simple spreadsheets is Explore Learning. Many of the gizmos allow for the exportation of data to Excel and students could work on science gizmos for class, while at the same time practice in Excel.
Rice University – Science Web Adventures
For this site, students could complete the interactive science adventures and then write blog responses about their experience. This would cover our computer standard on using communication and collaboration tools such as blogs.
Biology in Motion
Another good science site that could help students with their spreadsheet skills is Biology in Motion. Students could work through the simulations while collecting and organizing data in Excel. They could graph their information and use it in reports for their science class.
University of Utah – Learn Genetics
This site could be used in conjunction with students creating computer-based presentations and reports. The students could work through the labs and simulations, taking screenshots, and then reporting what they found and learned throughout the experience. The could make their presentation in Prezi, in Voice Thread, in Powerpoint, or really any presentation tool at all!
BioLogica – Web Labs
The final site that would be great for Excel and spreadsheet integration is BioLogica. Much like Biology in Motion, students could use these simulations to create data and then organize and analyze that data through Excel.
Additional Resources:
Nasa Science Education
Nasa has numerous games and simulations centered largely around space (no surprise there). These activities would be perfect to use when the students are learning about Space in their science class and would complement a variety of computer tech lessons (such as using the “weight in space” activity while the students are learning how to collect and organize data within Excel).
Brain Pop Microbes Game
In this game students work to analyze data to determine which microbe started a plague. One of our computer standards is for students to “Collect, organize, and analyze digital information.” This application works perfectly for that as students have to determine the best way to collect and analyze information in order to solve the problem. Not only would this test problem solving skills, it would also test how well the students understand excel and if they are comfortable collecting and analyzing data.
Glencoe – Probeware Labs
One of our computers standards is for students to learn how to use probeware and other hardware devices. Glencoe has a pretty enormous collection of probeware labs (as do many publishing companies) that would be great for combining science and computer curriculum. Students could perform part of the lab in science class and then the probeware portion during computer class.
Creaza – Mind Maps
Another computer standard is for students to “Independently use appropriate technology tools (e.g, graphic organizer) to define problems and propose hypotheses.” This fits perfectly will the science standard of proposing and defining hypothesis. Students could create a graphic organizer/mind map during computer class for a lab they will be conducting in their science class.
VoiceThread Presentations
Middle school students in computer technology must also learn to “Plan, design, and develop a multimedia product to present research findings and creative ideas effectively, citing sources.” Voicethread would be perfect for this and students could create a presentation over a recent science experiment they had done. This presentation could then be given in computer or science class.
Explore Learning
Another site that would be great for students to practice collecting data and organizing simple spreadsheets is Explore Learning. Many of the gizmos allow for the exportation of data to Excel and students could work on science gizmos for class, while at the same time practice in Excel.
Rice University – Science Web Adventures
For this site, students could complete the interactive science adventures and then write blog responses about their experience. This would cover our computer standard on using communication and collaboration tools such as blogs.
Biology in Motion
Another good science site that could help students with their spreadsheet skills is Biology in Motion. Students could work through the simulations while collecting and organizing data in Excel. They could graph their information and use it in reports for their science class.
University of Utah – Learn Genetics
This site could be used in conjunction with students creating computer-based presentations and reports. The students could work through the labs and simulations, taking screenshots, and then reporting what they found and learned throughout the experience. The could make their presentation in Prezi, in Voice Thread, in Powerpoint, or really any presentation tool at all!
BioLogica – Web Labs
The final site that would be great for Excel and spreadsheet integration is BioLogica. Much like Biology in Motion, students could use these simulations to create data and then organize and analyze that data through Excel.
Additional Resources:
- PBS – The Brain
- Michigan State University – Animal Diversity Web
- Virtual Cell Collection
- Shedd Aquarium – Build a Fish
- Online Dissections
- Exploratorium
- Cells Alive
- Science Kids
- National Institute of Health – Quizzes and Puzzles
- 3-D Interactive Cell Models
- Interactive Amazon Rain Forest
- PBS – Nature Series
- Minnesota Zoo – Zoo Matchmaker Game
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