- Wall Street Journal
- I am a big fan of the Wall Street Journal. It's expensive and
time-consuming to read, but it's worth every penny and every second.
The journal regularly includes articles about education, scientific
discoveries, health, the environment, and technology - articles that
are applicable to the high school science classroom. For example,
today's (Monday October 24) edition included an article about school
competition, an op-ed article about nuclear energy, an article about
the avian flu, a number of business articles related to the
pharmaceutical industry, and a 14-page technology insert.
Most importantly, these articles are generally timely and make the
connection between society and science.
The Journal can be subscribed to as a printed paper or on-line. I
still prefer to do much of my reading in print format, so I subscribe
to the print version. The cost of the journal is $264 for the print
version and $99 for the on-line journal. The journal is published
Monday through Friday, with a special weekend edition on Saturdays.
[reviewed by Ross Ruschman, Fall 2005]
- General Comments
- I would give a student extra credit if he or she found chemistry
in a source such as a newspaper, and explained it or quantified it
further. [suggestion made by Lou Pacchioli, Fall 2005]
- National Geographic
- A recommendation that was made to me by a biology teacher was to
have as many videos as possible in your classroom. He recommended
those by national geographic. national geographic offers a lot on
various topics. The videos can be used to introduce a topic or
fill-in an empty slot. they are very inforamative and educational.
they can be purchased at a video store, ebay or ordered through the
company. [reviewed by Marilena Carranza, Fall 2005]
- Discoveries This Week
- This show airs on the Discovery Science Channel on Fridays at 8
p.m. I really like this show because it shows how science is used to
solve real world problems. There is a new show weekly, and because of
this it is really up to date. This show also covers a wide variety of
scientific topics. Because stories on the show relate to biology,
physics, chemistry, and earth science, it can be used for almost any
science class. This show can also open students eyes to different
careers in science. [reviewed by Kristina Carone, Fall 2005]
- CNN Presents Science in the News: Chemistry Connections
- The resource I chose was the CNN videos in the Holt, Rinehart,
and Winston catalog. This particular catalog is online and a part of
Holt Chemistry (textbook).
Holt Chemistry © 2006
CNN Presents Science in the News: Chemistry Connections
Product Code: H55328-8
ISBN: 0030553288
Price: $54.85
CNN Presents: Science in the News videos, each with its own
Teacher's Guide, contains CNN news footage that expands on the topics
covered in the Student Edition. Accompanying Critical Thinking
Worksheets further students' understanding of the video and the news
in general.
My husband and I recently ordered these videos. I think they will be
perfect for showing students relevance for topics taught in the
classroom. We have not recieved these videos thus far. I will
definitely let you know what we think. [reviewed by Natasha Chromey,
Fall 2005]
- PBS Home Video
- This is a video of an episode of the PBS program, The American
Experience, entitled “Meltdown at Three Mile Island”.
This is an excellent historical look at the TMI#2 accident. Using
video footage of the day, this program explores the accident and the
response. This video does a particularly good job of portraying the
fear and uncertainty of those days in 1979, and causes the viewer to
consider the risks and benefits of nuclear power. This video can be
used as part of a lesson on the societal implications of power
generation, and the moral resposnibilites of science. [reviewed by
Eric Overholt, Fall 2005]
- Einsteins Big Idea
- I chose the televison movie Einsteins Big Idea produced by NOVA
and aired on PBS. It is availiable online at www.pbs.org.
The program detailed the life of Einstein and the many scientific
discoveries throughout history that influenced his famous equation
E=mc2. The presentation was fun and extremely well done, it clearly
explained some of the difficult ideas using fun graphics and
characters. I was pleased and surprised with the accessibility of the
information that was presented. [reviewed by Greg Hoffner, Fall 2005]
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- The media resource that I am looking forward to using in the
classroom are videos from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. I got
them free online and they are really interesting...one is on RNA,
another is on the biology of fat and another is on Cancer. There is
about 7 that I have so far and each spring and fall they usually come
out with a new one. You can get them on DVD or on VHS and there are
also curriculum suplements to go with each one. These supplements
have mini labs and worksheets. You can apply online at
www.hhmi.org. [reviewed by Jen
LaBar, Fall 2005]
- The Life of Mammals
- I recommend the DVD set of the BBC television program, Life of
Mammals with David Attenborough. I watched some of these videos for
my Mammology class and they were great. Mr. Attenborough is a
fascinating narrator and the five-disk set is logically laid out.
These DVDs would be good for a diversity lesson, or if you look at
the contents, they can be applied for specialty lessons featuring
weird adaptations or physiological processes. The web site is...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/mammals/tv/ [reviewed by Chris Briggs, Fall 2005]
- The media resource I chose is a DVD collection, The Life of
Mammals. This film collection is hosted by David Attenborough of the
BBC and it was released in 2003. I have seen several clips from this
4 disc set and I think they show spectacular examples of biological
concepts. I would like to have the entire collection available to
show to my students whenever it corresponded with a lesson. I found
it on www.learningfromdvds.com
for $59.99. This would tie in well to my unit on vertebrates, and
more specifically to my lessons on mammals. [reviewed by Megan Donovan, Fall 2005]
- From the Earth to the Moon
- Originally broadcast in April and May of 1998, the epic
miniseries From the Earth to the Moon was HBO's most expensive
production to date, with a budget of $68 million. Hosted by executive
producer Tom Hanks, the miniseries tackles the daunting challenge of
chronicling the entire history of NASA's Apollo space program from
1961 to 1972. For the most part, it's a rousing success. Some
passages are flatly chronological, awkwardly wedging an abundance of
factual detail into a routine dramatic structure. But each episode is
devoted to a crucial aspect of the Apollo program. The cumulative
effect is a deep and thorough appreciation of NASA's monumental
achievement. With the help of a superlative cast, consistent
writing, and a stable of talented directors, Hanks has shared his
infectious enthusiasm for space exploration and the inspiring power
of conquering the final frontier.
NASA's complete participation in the production lends to its total
authenticity, right down to the use of NASA equipment, launch
locations, and even spacecraft. The re-creation of the lunar
landscape is almost as impressive as the real thing and is further
enhanced by the use of helium balloons to lighten the actors playing
moon-walking astronauts. (These and other backstage details are
revealed in the "making of" featurette, along with a wealth of
supplemental materials, on a bonus disc in the miniseries' DVD
package.) With a fictional, Walter Cronkite-like TV reporter (Lane
Smith) serving as the dramatic link for all 12 episodes, this
ambitious production may not be a great work of art. But as a
generous and definitive example of nonfiction drama, it's full of the
same kind of awe, inspiration, and humanity that led to "one giant
leap" in the all-too-short history of 20th-century space exploration.
US Theatrical Release Date: April 5, 1998
Production Company: Clavius Base, Go Flight Inc., Imagine Entertainment
DVD Release Date: September 20, 2005
[reviewed by Kathy Youshock, Fall 2005, both paragraphs quoted from
Jeff Shannon via the Amazon.com website.
- United Streaming
- Excellent site if your school will foot the bill. ($6,000 for a 5
year membership for the entire high school). My mentor teacher showed
me the web site. It contains full length videos, 1-10 minute video
clips, images, and articles for grades K-12. Since she has shown me
the site, there hasn't been a topic that I could not find a visual
aid for. There is a lesson planner, teacher center, and learning
tools section. There is even a "Play List" so that categorize the
media that you use and save it for future use. It is extremely easy
to use and works with both Macs and PCs. Most of the media found at
this site is from Discovery Channel School, United Learning, Standard
Deviants, Weston Woods, and many more. This site is well worth the
money (especially when teachers in all subject areas can use it.)
This site is "powered by" Discovery Education. [reviewed by Mylissa
Burns, Fall 2005]
- The Stopwatch Gang
- I found a show on forensics on the Learning Channel called "The
Stopwatch Gang." The show detailed the work to solve murder and
robbery crimes. In one case, there was blood evidence on a denim
jacket, and the DNA test had to be ruled inconclusive because dyes
from the jacket can contaminate the sample and interfere with the DNA
lab procedure. (Both students and science teacher learned something
with that one.) In a second case, gold flakes found in a closet of a
suspect were traced back to the original source. As standard
practice, gold bars from each source are mixed with silver and
bronze, and the percent compositions are accurately measured to many
significant figures. So, the suspects that were also found to be near
the airport at the time of the shipment of the gold were caught by
chemistry.
General Comments about media sources:
I believe that using media sources has value. It allows for
opportunities to search for relevance. The teacher and/or the student
finds evidence of relevance.
In the above case, even if the student does not want to be a forensic
scientist, he or she can at least increase their appreciation or
enjoyment of the show if they have some background in the process and
the knowledge of science. Lou Pacchioli [reviewed by , Fall 2005]
- The Day After Tomorrow
- I think that the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" would be a good
example to show the students to get them motivated. If the volcano in
the Canaries were to cause a tsunami it could (not) hit NYC, Also it
is very cool! [reviewed by Kathy Youshock, Fall 2005]
- Einstein's big idea: E=mc2
- I watched the PBS NOVA special Einstein's big idea: E=mc2 and
found it fascinating. In the special NOVA explored the stories
behind E = mc2 and related how Einstein came to his
conclusion that mass and energy are two forms of the same thing. This
program could easily be used in a chemistry, physics and/or astronomy
curriculum.
The program was interesting in that it pieced together the
discoveries of scientists who as forerunners of Einstein laid the
foundation of the concepts underlying each of the pieces of the now
famous equation.
The presentation was done in a dramatized manner. It chronicled the
personal lives, professional trials and tribulations of the
scientists and detailed the "AH-HA" moments of the scientists on
their path to discovery.
PBS has a statement on their website that teachers can tape the
special off the air and use that copy for educational purposes for up
to one year. Teachers can also order a video, or program transcript
of the special. The website also includes a special section for
teachers with program overviews, viewing ideas, classroom activities,
related NOVA resources and interactive activates for students.
More information about the NOVA can be found at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/
[reviewed by Michele Fogarty, Fall 2005]
- Osmosis Jones
- The movie "Osmosis Jones" chronicles the life of a white blood
cell "cop" and his sidekick cold pill buddy who fight the most
virulent virus ever seen. Portrayed in both real life (Frank and
friends) and cartoon (inside Frank's body aka. the City of Frank), we
learn about Frank (Bill Murray), an incredibly disgusting zoo worker
with a sweet daughter. Basically Frank gets really sick, and Osmosis
(voice of Chris Rock) saves the day. Written by the Farrelly Brothers
(Something about Mary, Dumb and Dumber, Fever Pitch), this movie has
lots of humor and keeps the attention of 7th graders quite well.
Although it is not totally accurate in terms of how white blood cells
work etc., it does have elements that can be applied to middle school
life science. Its also a nice treat that the kids will enjoy. Rated:
PG [reviewed by Amanda Popielski, Fall 2005]
- CSI
- A media resource I can't wait to use in my classroom is the TV
show CSI. It is my favorite show, and is also very popular with
students. I think it is a good resource because it would get the kids
motvated, and it also has really good concepts in it. They use
experimentation, inquiry, models, technology and questioning to come
up with answers. It is about teamwork and making sure your own work
stands up to questioning. It would also be good example for showing
short clips of peolpe working in a lab, getting DNA samples, or even
looking at the parts of the body when they are performing autopsies.
They even have a
section
on the website, the CSI handbook, where you can look up and learn
more information about forensics (tools, procedures and evidence).
The episodes are available on DVD, are in syndication, and new
episodes are on three nights a week. (CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:NY).
Forensics are a popular field, partly because of this show, so to
utilize it in the classroom would be well worth it.
[reviewed by Julie Evans, Fall 2005]
- Commercials
- I once used a Jeep commercial (the one where the girl drops some
GPS coordinates on a guy’s table and later you see him drive up to
her hiking group on top of a mountain) to introduce maps, compass,
and GPS to earth science students. We ended up exploring geocaching
and we even made our own cache for the school. We placed a matchbox
Jeep in it to commemorate the initial placing. Students loved it!
Many convinced their parents to buy handheld GPS units and began
hunting caches all around the area.
For chemistry, I like using commercials that make chemical claims
such as “pH balanced for a woman”, or “contains more calcium than the
leading brand”. I use these to get students to question things that
the media states as fact. We explore different antacids and
deodorants for acid base chemistry. I also use The Simpsons
television cartoon because they incorporate a lot of chemistry in
their show (the Springfield Isotopes baseball team, the nuclear power
plant, etc.). The media is one of the best sources for creative
examples and real world experiences for students.
[reviewed by Jeff Wisnoski, Fall 2005]
- Biography: Charles Darwin Evolution
- I reviewed the movie, "Biography: Charles Darwin Evolution
(2000)," by A & E Home Video (released February 7, 2000.) It is being
sold on Amazon.com for $18.95 (with free Super Saver Shipping on
orders over $25.) It usually ships within 24 hours. The movie is
about the life and times of Charles Darwin, "from his historic voyage
on the Beagle to his personal anguish over publicizing his findings."
The movie includes excerpts from his journals, as well as narration
by leading scientists and scholars, including the author of "Charles
Darwin: Evolution of a Naturalist." The movie depicts the development
of Darwin's theories based on his discoveries and observations made
while on his trip on the Beagle, the controversy surrounding the
introduction of his ideas, as well as his own personal struggles.
[reviewed by Megan Morgan, Fall 2005]
- Law and Order
- I chose Law and Order (I don't watch too much TV, let alone the
news...) but I would take an episode of that and relate it to
chemistry--how they found out who did it based on chemical clues at
the crime scene. Such as the chemical components of a fiber, etc.
[reviewed by Lauren Ricci]