Science Standards
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NGSS - Next Generation Science StandardsNext Generation Science Standards from the National Science Teaching Association. Standards are linked and downloadable from the page.
Web Resources & Lesson Plans
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Animal DiversityOnline database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation. Text, pictures of live animals, photographs/movies of specimens, and/or sound recordings. Students write text of these accounts; we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Descriptions of levels above the species level, especially phyla, classes, and in some cases, orders and families. Hyperlinked pages and images illustrate traits and general biology of these groups. Professional biologists prepare this part.
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Becoming HumanThe Institute of Human Origins (IHO) is affiliated with Arizona State University and is the developer of this site. The site contains interactive modules on evolution and physical anthropology, a time line of human evolution and much more.
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Bill Nye, the Science GuyCompanion to the popular television program, this website contains possible classroom experiments, fun facts, and more.
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BioEd Online: Biology Teacher ResourcesBaylor College of Medicine in Houston produced this website aimed at K-12 science educators. Included are high-quality websites, lesson plans, and a collection of peer-reviewed, annotated PowerPoint slide sets on topics of interest to science educators.
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BioInteractiveA wide range of topics in biology are covered with lectures, videos, animations, and virtual laboratory exercises. For teachers and students, from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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CERNFind presentations, recorded lectures, teaching materials, movies, animations, games, posters, photos, games and ideas for practical activities in the classroom. All this material is available for free when used for educational purposes.
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Educator's Reference DeskThe Educator's Reference Desk provides high-quality resources and services to the education community. Developed by the Information Institute of Syracuse, the Educator's Reference Desk has 2,000+ lesson plans, 3,000+ links to online education information, and 200+ question archive responses. Browse by subject to find resources or lesson plans specific to biology.
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ExploratoriumSince 1993, the Exploratorium has been one of the best science museums to build a site on the World Wide Web. The site now contains over 18,000 award-winning Web pages exploring hundreds of different topics.
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Interactive SimulationsFun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado.
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K-12 Science & Arts Gateway for Education (SAGE) from Cornell UniversityThis gateway provides links to resources in mathematics, science, and the arts for educators and students in grades K-12. Very comprehensive site; look for the Biology link in left menu.
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Khan AcademyThe Khan Academy, which began in 2006, is a free website that currently contains more than 1600 short (10-20 minute) videos that teach a variety of subjects, especially in math and science. Louisiana-born creator Salman Khan, a former Silicon Valley investment manager with an MBA from Harvard, hopes that Khan Academy will bring a “free, world-class education” to the world. Mr. Khan narrates all the videos using only a blackboard and colorful writing. Endorsed by Bill Gates, whose childre
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National Science Foundation Classroom ResouresA diverse collection of lessons and web resources for classroom teachers, their students, and students' families. Materials are arranged by subject area to help you quickly find resources in your interest area, and then use them to create lesson plans or at-home activities.
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NSTA Daily Do - National Association of Science TeachersDaily Dos are sensemaking tasks teachers and parents can use to engage their students in authentic, relevant science learning. Includes lesson plans for elementary, middle, high school, and family learning.
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Smithsonian Learning LabThis site from the Smithsonian Institute includes lesson plans, educational resources that align with state standards and online collections.
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TeacherTubeVideos, podcasts, images, and other resources for teachers
Science & Technology Teaching ebooks
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Ambitious Science Teaching by
Publication Date: 2018Outlines a framework for science teaching to ensure that instruction is rigorous and equitable for students from all backgrounds. -
Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physical Science by
Publication Date: 2016The book is divided into two basic parts: 1. An introduction to the stages of argument-driven inquiry--from question identification, data analysis, and argument development and evaluation to double-blind peer review and report revision. 2. A well-organized series of 22 field-tested labs designed to be much more authentic for instruction than traditional laboratory activities. The labs cover four core ideas in physical science: matter, motion and forces, energy, and waves. -
Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physics, Volume 1 by
Publication Date: 2017Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physics, Volume 1 focuses on mechanics and has two parts. The first part describes the ADI instructional model and the components of ADI lab investigations. The second part provides 23 field-tested labs covering a wide variety of topics related to forces and interactions, energy, work, and power. Some investigations are introductory labs that expose students to new content; others are application labs to help students try out a theory, law, or unifying concept. -
Brainball: Teaching Inquiry Science as a Team Sport by
Publication Date: 2014Lesson plans that use team games to teach science. -
Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning by
Publication Date: 2021Learn how to use each crosscutting concept (CCC) across disciplines, understand the challenges students face in learning CCCs, and adopt exemplary teaching strategies. -
Everyday Engineering by
Publication Date: 2012-01-01Engineering lessons using ordinary objects such as ballpoint pens, ziploc bags, tooth brushes, flashlights, etc. -
Exploring Science with Dyslexic Children and Teens by
Publication Date: 2021This book is a collection of ideas, activities and approaches for science learning, to support kids with learning differences aged 9+ to grow in confidence, recall and understanding. The multi-sensory and fun ideas and activities can be adapted to suit individual students' needs and skills, and curriculum stage. -
Front-Page Science: Engaging Teens in Science Literacy by
Publication Date: 2012Uses science journalism techniques to help students become better consumers of, and contributors to, a scientifically literate community. From the National Science Teachers Association. -
A Guide to Teaching Elementary Science by
Publication Date: 2015Helps teachers develop curricula compatible with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core Standards; offers detailed sample lesson plans in each STEM subject; and more. -
Picture-Perfect Science Lessons by
Grades 3-6
Classroom lessons that combine use of children's books with lessons related to physical science, life science, and earth and space science. -
Picture-Perfect STEM: Lessons, K-2 by
Publication Date: 2017This book's 15 kid-friendly lessons convey how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics intersect in the real world. They embed reading-comprehension strategies that integrate the STEM subjects and English language arts through high-quality picture books. You'll help your K-2 students engage in STEM activities while learning to read and reading to learn. -
The Science Teacher's Toolbox: Hundreds of Practical Ideas to Support Your Students
Publication Date: 2020Concise chapters fully explain the research basis, necessary technology, Next Generation Science Standards correlation, and implementation of each lesson and strategy. Lessons cover topics such as setting up labs, conducting experiments, using graphs, analyzing data, writing lab reports, incorporating technology, assessing student learning, teaching all-ability students, and more. -
Teaching Science Fact with Science Fiction by
Publication Date: 2004Offers deas and resources for teaching concepts in the physical, earth, space, and life sciences, as well in history and mathematics; and suggested activities for a variety of grade levels (4th thru 12th grade). -
Teaching Science Through Trade Books by
Publication Date: 2012By using children's books to pique students interest, you can combine science teaching with reading instruction in an engaging and effective way. From the National Science Teachers Association. -
Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science, Vol 1, Force and Motion
45 assessment probes enable teachers to find out what students really think about key ideas in force and motion. Teacher Notes provide info on the purpose of the probe; related concepts; an explanation-for the teacher-of the force and motion idea; related ideas in Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the National Science Education Standards; research on typical student misconceptions; and suggestions for instruction & assessment.The book specifies grade spans-K-4, 5-8, 9-12-for each probe. -
Uncovering Student Ideas in Primary Science, Volume 1 - 25 New Formative Assessment Probes for Grades K-2 by
Publication Date: 2016Offers 8 life science probes, 11 physical science probes, and 6 Earth and space science probes that target K-2 disciplinary core ideas, including reproducible pages for students , detailed teacher notes, and connections to national standards. -
Understanding Climate Change: Grades 7-12 by
Publication Date: 2019From the National Science Teachers Assn, a nine-session module for teaching middle school or high school students about climate change. The unit addresses Next Generation Science Standards and was created is using the Learning Cycle and the BSCS 5E Instructional Model.
