USGS Water Science School - Website for water education for students and adults

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has recently revised its web-based water-science education tool, The USGS Water Science School, where students can learn all about water, from what it is, to where and how much there is, to the most in-depth discussions of the natural water cycle anywhere. 

The Water Science School offers several main topic areas: 

• Water Basics
• Water Properties
• Natural Water Cycle (Posters and information in over 60 languages!)
• Surface Water
• Groundwater
• Water Quality
• Water Use
• Activity Center
• Photo Galleries
• Water Q&A
• Teacher Resources
• Water Dictionary

If you have questions or comments, please contact:

Tara Gross, tgross@usgs.gov or Howard Perlman, hperlman@usgs.gov

Chemical & Physical Reaction GIFs to make your lessons pop

Buzzfeed is usually know for its silly quizzes to find out which candy bar you are most like or what state you should really live in.  I came across this post that shows they can actually do something useful. :-)  It's a collection of 23 chemical and physical reaction GIFs that I can't wait to add into my lessons.

Of of my favorites is below; it's a match burning.



https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/extremely-freaky-chemical-physical-reaction-gifs

Life Science Learning Center

The University of Rochester Medical Center has created the Life Science Learning Center for high school teachers.  It's a collection of lessons that have been tested by real teachers and students.  These are not your typical lessons, but rather ones that push students to really think and analyse the topics.  Some of these will be difficult for a 9th grade Biology class, but would be great for an upper level class like an AP or IB course.

Lesson topics include: Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Biology of Drug Abuse and Addiction, AIDS Vaccine Case Study, Environmental Health, Kidney Crisis, Cholera, Nano Particles, Making tools of the Trade, Stem Cells and many more!