This post is dedicated to highlighting an amazing mega-site providing an awesome collection of resources to educators at all grade levels. The site entitled “Science Netlinks” is so much more then science. It provides a total STEM emphasis by covering the science disciplines along with mathematics/statistics, engineering, technology, health/medicine, and careers, . Before introducing this goldmine of resources… I want to thank you for continuing to return and for continuing to share this blog with others. If you haven’t subscribed, please take a moment to do so. You will be guaranteed future posts by subscribing by either RSS or email. I also invite you to follow me on Twitter at mjgormans. I really do enjoy networking with all of you! Now… on to that goldmine I promised you. Have a great week!
ScienceNetLink refers to itself as a premier K-12 science education resource produced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Perhaps they should consider being the premiere of STEM resources, because they definitely fit the bill. What a wonderful place for educators to find quality teaching tools, interactives, podcasts, and hands-on activities, and best of all… it’s free! The lessons and activities can be printed or used online. A large number of the interactives, esheets, and tools work great on an interactive white board, in a one computer classroom, in a computer lab, or in a one to one setting. The diversity of resources provides opportunities for teachers to scaffold and differentiate. A resource found on the site could allow educators to bring a past lesson into the 21st century. Interested? Take a look at my newest Tech and Learning Magazine Article entitled Ten Steps To Transforming Past Lessons For 21st Century Learners.
Let’s take some time to explore the ScienceNetLinks Website, Upon entering, and after noting the engaging front page of the ScienceNetLinks Website, you may wish to click on the Lessons Tab at the top of the page. You should note that you have access to a search engine that allows you to search grades K-12. Now take a look at the subject areas you have at your fingertips. You will find science areas of earth science, physics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology. But wait… there is so much more! How about health, medicine, engineering, social science, technology, mathematics, statistics, nature of science, and careers? While I can’t show you every lesson… I can say that many address the Common Core by bringing a balanced literacy approach to the table. Take a moment to browse this High School lesson entitled The Wild Trees. How about this middle school lesson involving mathematics, scientific literacy, and ice cream? Then you will enjoy exploring this very cool lesson in problem solving called, Finding Satisfactory Solutions. Elementary students may wish to read The Three Little Pigs as they explore Materials and Manufacturing. All lessons at ScienceNetLinks include;
1. Purpose (essential question explained)
2. Context (content knowledge and application to real world
3. Motivation (advance organizer serving as a entry event building on need to know)
4. Development (specific lesson plans and scaffolding)
5. Assessment (range of formative, summative, content specific, and 21st century)
6. Extensions ( next steps, scaffolding, and differentiation)
7. Related resources (useful for related investigation).
Make sure you explore the various Tools that ScienceNetLinks points to on the web. After all, allowing students to study and interact with simulations is an important part of the new Common Core. It is this practice that brings relevance and real life application to the content standards found in the curriculum. These tools fall into the following four categories—hands-on activities, interactives, teaching aids, or websites. They also include tips to integrate them into your classroom. Some examples include a secondary activity Make A Mission, involving building a spaceship to explore Mercury. How about a hands on non- tech activity in the study of earthquakes entitled Earth Movers? Perhaps you want your middle school students to use a computer to Build a Fish. Primary students may wish to learn more about insects as they create a Monster Bug.
Don’ miss the amazing Collections area of the website found at ScienceNetLinks. Here you will find 29 amazing collections. Click on a collection and you will discover engaging lessons that are associated with these collections. The collections are diverse and cover a multitude of subjects and content providers. I consider this a must explore area… one that words cannot do justice! Make sure you take that moment to explore!
You will find 15 awesome activities in the Afterschool Resource Area . Any activity rich in content standards and 21st century skills that engages students to come after school should be embedded in the school day curriculum. I am sure you just might find some of these gems as you explore gravity, geysers, marbles, bees, sounds, and forces… just to name a few. Bring the after school excitement into your curricular day classroom.
The Science News Section is a must visit! It includes Science Updates which are sixty second kid friendly podcasts with transcripts on interesting new findings in science. Have you ever wondered about the brain research regarding the Pepsi vs Coke advertising battle, or how about the unusual foot anatomy of elite sprinters? Science Updates will engage your students with answers that will promote more deep level and rigorous questions. Each Science Update also includes a valuable reading that allows students to make sense of the research and some questions that allow for reflection and synthesizing. Visit Image of the Day to allow students to practice some meta-cognitive skills and discover possible connections to valuable classroom lessons. Students may wish to read interesting and highly engaging articles provided at Science Now, which is also found in the news section. You may wish to spend a moment to learn more about AAAS and their membership.It should also be noted that ScienceNetLinks is a member of Thinkfinity, an awesome education portal supported by the Verizon Foundation.
Well, there you have it… another STEM related goldmine that will keep you mining resources for a long time Please continue to join me as I discuss other ways you can promote 21st century technology and learning in the classroom. But that’s not all… future posts will also contain resources on Digital Curriculum, evaluating web resources, Project Based Learning, STEM, Web 2.0, and so much more on 21st Century Learning. Please take a moment to subscribe by RSS or email! Your subscription means a lot to me and I thank you in advance. You can also give this article a retweet if you scroll to the bottom! It’s a great way to spread the word and I appreciate your support. Remember to follow me on Twitter at mjgormans. Thanks, and until next time… I am certain you will want to find ways to incorporate the amazing resources found in ScienceNetLinks in your classroom. Have a great week! – Mike
21 st Century Educational Technology and Learning 
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Thanks for sharing with others! – Mike
A nice process of thinking to guide reflective practice as we consider the 21st learner and curriculum updates. Thank you.
Sandi, Thanks so much. I do feel that reflection is the key to both students and educators. I appreciate you pointing that out! Please continue to return and to encourage others to do the same! – Mike