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From: earth science site of the week [mailto:EARTH@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mark Francek Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 2:55 AM To: EARTH@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: 30 September 2006 Earth Science Sites of the Week This week’s 30 September 2006 “Earth Science Sites of the Week” feature the following resources: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PICKS OF THE WEEK: map distance calculator and geologic time on index cards around the classroom (in “Do-able Demo” section) GEOSPHERE 1) Geoscience journal search 2) Interactive mine map HYDROSPHERE 1) Winds, ocean, and upwelling lessons 2) Webcasts from the South Pole ATMOSPHERE 1) Tornado visualizations SOLAR SYSTEM AND UNIVERSE 1) Free planetarium software 2) Index for NASA stories 3) Space physics and terrestrial effects<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> GENERAL, ENVIRONMENT, AND TEACHING TIPS 1) National Geographic News 2) Earth science teaching resources 3) Science podcast competition --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Animations: earth science animations 2) Outstanding Earth Science Image: ancient ripple marks 3) Good Read: Century of Data Shows Intensification of Water Cycle but No Increase in Storms or Floods 4) Good Quote: what constitutes a good curriculum? 5) Doable Demo: geologic time on index cards around the classroom 6) Computer Tip: search for PowerPoint on Google 7) Humor: earth science doublespeak --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PICK OF THE WEEK: G-MAP PEDOMETER, Gmap, using a Google Map interface, create waypoints and then determine distance on the fly between points. A neat feature of the site is the “elevation” button which will produce a topographic cross section of the route traversed. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ GEOSPHERE 1) GEOSCIENCE WORLD JOURNAL SEARCH, Geoscienceworld.org, (suggested by Cheryl Dodes, Weber Middle School, Port Washington, NY), this site hosts many searchable geoscience journals on its website. There is a GeoRef Thesaurus Topic Map that allows one to search by geologic time frames. Journals may also be browsed by subject, geographical location, or alphabetically. Users need to create a free log-in account to use the site. http://www.geoscienceworld.org/ 2) MAP MINES IN KENTUCKY, Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System, (suggested by Joseph Kerski, ESRI ), the Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System allows for investigation of the type and pattern of thousands of coal and other mines across the state through an interactive web mapping service. What does the pattern indicate, and why? The site also allows users to download data for further analysis within a Geographic Information System or to directly query the extensive database. http://minemaps.ky.gov/ HYDROSPHERE 1) WINDS AT WORK, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, (suggested by Michael Passow, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory), consider this set of lesson plans on winds from “Investigating the Climate System” focusing on winds, upwelling, and ocean productivity http://www.strategies.org/docs/Winds_04.pdf. 2) WEBCAST SERIES FROM THE SOUTH POLE, Exploratorium, (suggested by Theresa Schwerin, IGES), in anticipation of the International Polar Year (IPY), which begins in March 2007, the Exploratorium, a hands-on museum in For more information, visit the Exploratorium’s calendar of upcoming events at: http://sodium.exploratorium.edu/cgi-bin/cal/webevent.cgi?cmd=opencal&cal=cal6&. You can sign up for an email newsletter to stay informed of webcasts and other Exploratorium events at http://exploratorium.edu/webcasts/ ATMOSPHERE 1) TORNADO VISUALIZATION COLLECTION, On the Cutting Edge, SERC, (suggested by John McDaris, SERC), this page from the On the Cutting Edge module, Teaching Geoscience with Visualizations, presents animations and films that illustrate or help students investigate how tornados form, current research about the science involved, and the effects of tornados of different strengths. There are simulations and films, interactive flash animations, maps, and other visuals useful in teaching about these destructive weather systems. http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/visualization/collections/tornados.html SOLAR SYSTEM AND UNIVERSE 1) Stellarium, Stellarium.org, (suggested by Sean Fisher-Rohde, http://www.stellarium.org/ 2) INDEX AVAILABLE OF NASA EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE PORTAL STORIES The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), (suggested by Theresa Schwerin, IGES), IGES develops articles on NASA-sponsored education products and programs in Earth and space science. All products featured have passed the NASA Earth or Space Science Education Product Review. Archived indexes of both Earth and space science stories are available at the IGES Web site. Teachers are encouraged to browse these lists for information on resources that may be incorporated into the curriculum or used to help introduce a topic to students. Also included are educational stories explaining the science behind NASA missions. Index of Earth Science Portal Articles http://www.strategies.org/education/index.aspx?sub=education&sub2=eartharticles Index of Space Science Portal Articles http://www.strategies.org/education/index.aspx?sub=education&sub2=spaceartic les 3) Space Physics and Terrestrial Effects, NOAA, (submitted by Virginia Malone, Educational Consultant, http://www.sec.noaa.gov/Curric_7-12/index.html GENERAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND TEACHING TIPS 1) NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS, NewsNationalGeographic.com, (suggested by Virginia Malone, Educational Consultant, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060619-rainbow-fire.html 2) The New York Instructional Collection (suggested by Holly Devaul, Digital Library for Earth System Education, Boulder, CO), the site is a thematic collection in DLESE ( www.dlese.org) focusing on instructional materials that support teaching and learning in relation to the New York Earth science regents exam. The topics covered by the collection include solid Earth forms and processes, atmospheric composition and dynamics, forms and mechanics of water, bodies and mechanics in space, Earth history and Earth models. Newly added resources utilize Google Earth to explore landscape regions in http://www.dlese.org/library/query.do?q=&s=0&ky=01f 3) 21ST CENTURY EXPLORER PODCAST COMPETITION, NASA, Entries Due: Oct. 10, 2006, (suggested by Theresa Schwerin, IGES), how will space exploration benefit your life in the future? That's the question NASA's 21st Century Explorer competition asks of students ages 11-18. The first NASA 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition challenges students to create unique audio and video podcasts. Running from Sept. 1 through Oct. 10, 2006, the competition is open to http://www.explorationpodcast.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) ANIMATIONS: Prentice Hall Animations, (suggested by Charles Burrows, Spring Valley High School, Rockland County, NY), find a variety of QuickTime animations relating to earth science. http://phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=cuk&wcsuffix=9999 2) OUTSTANDING EARTH SCIENCE IMAGE: Ancient Ripple Marks, (EPOD) (suggested by Martin Ruzek, USRA, http://epod.usra.edu/archive/epodviewer.php3?oid=269600 3) GOOD READ: Century of Data Shows Intensification of Water Cycle but No Increase in Storms or Floods, USGS, (suggested by Charles Burrows, Spring Valley High School, Rockland County, NY), “A review of the findings from more than 100 peer-reviewed studies shows that although many aspects of the global water cycle have intensified, including precipitation and evaporation, this trend has not consistently resulted in an increase in the frequency or intensity of tropical storms or floods over the past century.” http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1475 4) GOOD QUOTE: (suggested by Virginia Malone, educational consultant, 5) DO-ABLE DEMO: William Wilson, NY state teacher, Geologic Time on Index Cards Around the Classroom, in class to start off the earth history unit I put up index cards with dates from 4.6 BYA to NOW around the edge of the room in appropriate positions and then when the students come in I hand each a card with a fossil or event on it and tell them to go stand around the room where then they think the event occurred. Once everyone is in I have them check each other's positions and readjust as they think needed (relative time guesses). Then from a prepared list I give each the actual time and they have to go stand there - gives everyone a lot of stuff to discuss about relative dating, absolute dating, the history of the earth and how we know everything we do know - great for a unit opening activity. 6) COMPUTER TIP: Search for PowerPoint on Google (suggested by Nate Fairchild, mentor, 6-8 Science, 7) HUMOR: Earth Science Doublespeak A mobile section of petrified matter agglomerates no bryophytes. A rolling stone gathers no moss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Earth Science Sites of the Week” dating back to 1999 are now available and can be searched by keyword. To access past archives go to the “Earth Science Site of the Week Archives” link half way down the page at http://webs.cmich.edu/resgi/ Another way to access sites is to consult RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE AND GEOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION at http://webs.cmich.edu/resgi . Over 1000 reviewed links are organized around the sequence of topics typically taught in an introductory earth science or physical geography class. Links are also available for environmental science, earth science/geography education, career opportunities, and more. The sites selected are based on image quality, ease with which lesson plans can be developed, organization, authenticity, scope, and format. Please contact me at Mark.Francek@xxxxxxxxx to remove yourself from the mailing list, add a new subscriber, or suggest a site to be listed. *********************************************** Mark Francek Professor of Geography Dow 285 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 ********************************************************************** Manage your ISTAtalk-L subscription at http://listserv.uiuc.edu/wa.cgi or contact listadmn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for assistance. To unsubscribe, send a message to listadmn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx that states, "Please unsubscribe me from the ISTATALK-L listserv." ***********************************************************************
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