Most kids are familiar with the migration patterns of monarch butterflies and Canada geese, but do they know that many more animals are seasonal movers too? The National Science Education Standards point out that middle school students are capable of broadening their understanding of how many different species interact, compete, and coexist in the same […]

In their study of the life sciences, middle school students are making the transition from thinking strictly about individual organisms to developing an understanding of patterns of life found in ecosystems. The National Science Education Standards call for middle school students to analyze the internal structures, chemical processes, and common ancestry of all species, including […]

On March 1, 2007, teachers and students around the world are invited to help launch the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY), a scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic. From March 2007 to March 2009, thousands of scientists from over 60 nations will be involved in more than 200 projects examining physical, biological […]

As students investigate such national and global issues as climate change, water shortages, deforestation, endangered species, or shifting tectonic plates, online thematic maps can connect the issues to locations. Often these maps provide supporting data. Here are some sources of thematic maps that can be useful in the science classroom.
The Map Guide
Here is a […]

April showers bring May flowers—and their pollinators. Many angiosperms, i.e., flowering plants, depend upon animals for species survival. If pollination fails, no new seeds (or fruits) are produced, genetic diversity declines, and the plant population could become threatened. Plants have various adaptations that increase the likelihood of successful pollination. Some require insect pollinators, some bird, […]

Middle school students often have a rather generic concept of plants, failing to recognize the incredible diversity of plants. Unless students are widely traveled, it is unlikely their concept of plant diversity will expand without some intervention. Here are a few resources that can help you impart ideas of species diversity, biological classification, and adaptations, […]

Students are naturally curious about the world they live in. What better way to satisfy this curiosity than by giving them hands-on opportunities to collect data and find answers to their questions? These resources provide opportunities for students to collect data and to present and analyze their findings. These skills are an important part of […]

Planning your spring units? Most kids (and their teachers) love to get into the “field” to do science. Many schools have access to streams and to outreach programs in which state departments of natural resources (DNR) work with schools to survey the biodiversity and abiotic conditions of local streams. The DNRs also have the necessary […]