Monday, April 9, 2012

21st Century Topics and Tools

During my internet search, I discovered a website http://www.strangematterexhibit.com/whatis.html which features materials science and materials scientist.  This website has information about this interesting field for students, parents, and teachers.  Material scientists give insight into their world of science.  This interactive website offers visitors a wide array of games, activities, experiments, and videos.  This website will allow students to view 21st century skills being used in the workforce.  The terminology in this website will afford them the chance to enhance their scientific literacy.  This website can be used in a lesson to connect students to authentic science experiences.  The only challenge that comes to mind is access to laptops.  However, if the computer lab is in use, I can schedule the mobile laptops for my class.  

Braincake is another website http://www.braincake.org/default.aspx that I think will make an impression on middle school students.  Especially, girls will find this website appealing.  This website is tailored towards the need to draw more females into the fields of math and science.  This website provides a resource for girls to locate programs that educate and groom them for careers in math and science.   

Another website http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/ that will capture the attention of middle school  students is Amusement Park Physics.  This interactive website is a great tool to use when teaching physics law.  Students design their own roller coaster which enables them to grasp the physics laws involved in amusement park rides.  This website can be used to engage students in collaborative learning.