Web resources for information about ecological exploration
Arthropods
Center for Insect Science Education Outreach
Early elementary integrated lessons about insects with targeted National Science Standards. Easy-to-read information sheets for up to 6th grade. Guidelines for working with live insects in the classroom. Visit website
Bugscope
Excellent site including links to various activities to do with insects in the classroom and the schoolyard. Visit website
Insects in the Classroom
A link to “Insects in the Classroom: Bugs as teaching tools for all ages.” Lesson plans arranged according to grade level (PK-8). Visit website
Wonderful World of Insects
A great site for further research and information about insects. Reading level is middle school. Visit website
City Bugs
Although this site is set up for schools in San Francisco, it is a great resource for lessons, identification and links. Visit website
Birds
National Audubon Society
Links and activities for students and avid bird watchers. Visit website
For the Birds
Interdisciplinary five part lesson to use in conjunction with a bird unit. (Middle school-High School) Visit website
Nature Songs & Pictures
Great pictures and bird songs. Also a resource for plants of Verde Valley and Sedona. Visit website
Project PigeonWatch
All you ever wanted to know about pigeons and more! A link to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Visit website
Ecology
Nature Serve
An online encyclopedia of plants, animals, and ecological communities. Entries include scientific and common names, conservation status, distribution maps, and life histories to name some of what is available. Visit website
Inquiry Theory
Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards
An entire book on-line!!! All about inquiry in the classroom with resources and references. Visit website
Mapping
Geo Resources
Links to all types of maps, field stations, and fieldwork techniques. Visit website
GIS Education Community
A model of how to use GIS in the classroom. Opportunity to get free GIS software for your classroom.Visit website
Nature Writing for Students
Samples of natural history writing by high school students and a link to tips for students and teachers. Visit website
A direct link to two Arizona high school writers:
Arizona student’s writing 1
Arizona student’s writing 2
Plants
Resources for Science Learning
Lesson plans, factual information, and great ideas for studying “living organisms.” Elementary-middle school level. Visit website
Arizona State University’s Herbarium
Link to ASU’s herbarium, great resource for information and pictures of local flora and fauna. Visit website
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service
Database for plants all over the world. Type in the name of a plant and you will get the classification, distribution, images, detailed characteristics and all the information about that plant that you ever wanted to know! Visit website
Ask a Biologist
An ASU site that not only has experiments, but you or your students can type in biology questions and get a response from a biologist at ASU. Plus schedule biologists to come to your classroom. Visit website
CAP LTER
Central Arizona Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research project’s home page. Find out what the scientists with the project are doing. Visit website
IN-VSEE
Interactive Nano-Visualization In Science and Engineering Education. The site contains complete science lessons, multiple links, advanced technology applications for the classroom, and teacher training opportunities. Visit website
SCENE
Southwest Center for Education and the Natural Environment web site has information about local resources, programs they offer for high school students, and programs for schools developing native habitat gardens. Visit website
Science Lessons
Access Excellence Activities Collections
Good site for high school biology teachers, links to lessons developed by Access Excellence Fellows. Visit website
Brain Pop
Fun and educational resource for informative science animation videos. Visit website
Environmental Education Exchange
Arizona environmental education site with links to programs, curricula and environmental education resource guides for Arizona and New Mexico. Visit website
Schoolyard & Classroom Investigations
Various experiments that you can do in your schoolyard. All the experiments are linked to Illinois State Standards, but can easily be linked to Arizona standards. Visit website
Social Science
Earth Trends
EarthTrends is a comprehensive online database, maintained by the World Resources Institute that focuses on the environmental, social, and economic trends that shape our world. Visit website
Environmental Protection Agency
Find out more about the environmental conditions in your community, laws and regulations affecting you, and a whole section for kids! Visit website
Scorecard
Another site to find out more about environmental conditions in your community. Includes maps of everything from air pollution to lead hazards. Visit website
Right to Know Network
Access to databases, text files, and conferences on the environment, housing, and sustainable development. You can search for the toxic pollutants in your area. Visit website
Water
Environmental Protection Agency – Water
Site that links you to your watershed and data relating to it. A wealth of information and links to resources! Visit website
Water on the Web
Resources for teachers and high school students. Contains data and visualization tools from Remote Underwater Sampling Stations (RUSS) in four Minnesota lakes. Visit website