PhET meets PowerPoint

I've talked about PhET before, so you know that I love it! In case you don't know what it is, it's a website that has simulations that you can use in your physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and mathematics classroom. Many of them are available as part of PhET's free PowerPoint Add-in.

While at first I found this add-in I didn't think much of it. I didn't see the value in it when you can just go to the website. While this is true, the great thing about this add in is that you can use the simulations just like you were on the website but you don't need to leave your PowerPoint presentation.

56 of the PhET simulations are available to insert into PowerPoint presentations through the use of the add-in . With the Add-in installed you can browse the available simulations and insert them into your slides. The simulations work in your slide just as they do on the PhET website.  A note about the add-in; if you are in a Microsoft school your Microsoft admin may have turned off the ability to use add-in or may have to approve them.  So if you are having trouble finding the add in, please reach out to your tech admin. 

A Few of my Favorite Things - Teacher Small Business Gift Guide

 With all of the small business who are struggling now I thought it might be a good idea to share a few things that I love from small business.  Maybe you need a gift for a fellow teacher or for yourself, either way these are cute items that I think you'll love! 

Oh Hello Co (this link will get you $10 your first purchase)

Weekly Notepad	Candle for teachers
Teaching Beauty Mug	I became a teacher lanyard

 

The Redheaded Camel - these are just a few I picked out but everyone on her site is so cute!

Teacher Bundle	Frosted Glass Ornament
Be Kind Canvas	Christmas Lights Shirt

 

Steady and Flight

Mini Candle Set

This Week Notepad

 

I love SJ's

Apple Pencil Holder

Apple Earrings

 

Arcadia Natural

Orange Peel Exfoliating Soap

Personalized eco-friendly spa

 

 

Interactive 3D Brain Model

BrainFacts.org launched an interactive 3D brain. You and your students can get up close and isolate sections, explore each region, and learn about brain health and disorders. It illustrates how our brains inform our bodies to stop at a red light, taste popcorn, or solve intricate problems.


The site also features brand-new interactive games and trusted peer-reviewed content. The whole site is easily accessible for non-scientists in living rooms and classrooms. It is a great tech advancement for students of all ages.


BrainFacts.org is overseen by an editorial board of leading neuroscientists from around the world. It is run by the Society for Neuroscience.

A trip through the GI Tract [video]

The video below from the Canadian Museum of Nature shows the inside of the human digestive tract. It is a 3D, computer-generated animation that starts at beginning of the esophagus and ends at the anus.

Top 5 Posts of July

What was everyone reading in July?  Well, here's a recap of the top five posts from last month.  Check them out!

       Short videos on the science topics you teach       Websites for the Earth Science Classroom        Introducing students to the scientific method       Why Does the Moon Have Phases? - literacy activity        Chemical & Physical Reaction GIFs to make your lessons pop

First, free access to my new products if you sign up for my email list

I would like to give a little bonus to those of you who sign up for my newsletter.  I will send you an email each time a post a product that matches what you are teaching.  It will include a link that will be good for 24 hours to get the product for free.  :-)   Don't worry, you won't be overwhelmed with emails from me; they'll be one or two a month.

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Short videos on the science topics you teach

I have always liked showing videos as part of my science classes, but I don't want to spend a whole period showing a video.  Plus, we know that the kids won't pay attention to a video that long anyway.  Check123 is a great site for finding short videos.  All areas are represented, but of course we all care about the science section. ;-)

The videos are all less than 4 minutes long.  You can do a search for what you are looking for and even narrow down the results based on the length of the video you are looking for.  For the most part these videos are hosted on YouTube, so if this is blocked in your school it won't work.  (On a side note, if it's blocked in your school you should really talk to the powers that be because it's a valuable teaching tool!)

What's one of your go to site for find videos for your classroom?

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!