AAAS Science Netlinks — lessons, tools, resources for K-12
Academy of Applied Science resources for teachers
Cool The Earth awesome program that encourages the school community to become greener by use of green coupons–everything is on-line, all you have to do is participate
Cloud Dreamer, Puzzle Blocks, Tinker Ball, Word Play Creative Thinking–whether “gifted & talented” or “differently abled” (the lines are blurred in my mind), these are great ways to think outside of the box & expand your mind—for adults & children alike!!
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center has down-loadable activities to do before, during & after a visit; these materials can also be used for your own nature experiences around the school campus
Acorn Naturalist resources for learning through hand’s on nature & science activities
Austin Nature & Science Center’s educational programs
The Edible Schoolyard: Outdoor Gardening & hands-on learning great on-line resources for how to bring learning in the school garden (the workshops are in Berkeley,CA)
Earth Awareness curiculum on ProTeacher website for educators
Energy Conservation, Energy Star website interactive website to learn simple ways to save energy, lesson plans for teachers
Environmental Awareness lessons plans on NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education) website, gathered from many sources
Exploratorium’s Teacher Institute hands-on activities for Middle & High School Science teachers
Exploratorium additional hands-on activities
Global Education Outreach for Science Engineering and Technology (GEOSET) — teaching resources
Hornsby Bend Living Lab sample curriculum for Earth & Life Sciences; similar to what I did in a college class
Healthy Habitat grants supports students in doing service-learning projects to benefit wildlife and the environment
Hand’s on science/ nature activity kits at Keep Austin Beautiful various, great hands-on kits that I’ve used for the science club: Insects, Watershed, Aquifer, Trees, Nature Hike experiences, Recycling, Composting, Landfills, Packaging, etc; each kits contains a few different activities—free
Computer Programming for Kids–MIT’s program called Scratch allows children of all ages to learn computer programming; free download; educational curriculum available
Clean Creek Campus Keep Austin Beautiful will help set your campus up in this program, a great learning experience for the students–hand’s on & empowering; resources for teachers & educators includes TEKS based activity lesson plans, activity kits, powerpoint presentations
Electricity & Energy Conservation with Austin Energy In-classroom presentations about electrical safety, electrical physics, and where electricity comes from; Power Plant tours are also available, contact educational coordinator with Austin Energy, Russell.Cowen@austinenergy.com to schedule an event
Math Explorer Activity Database from the Exploratorium, tailor your hands-on math activity based on math topic (algebra, multiplication, probability, etc) and type of activity (crafts, games, outdoor, science, tools, or puzzles)
Multiple on-line science resources gathered by Saginaw Valley State University
MIT’s Open Course Ware Here find the courses developed by MIT for high school students
Outdoor Classroom with UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences
Science & Technology curriculum from the Smithsonian
Science Buddies help with science fair, resources for children, parents, educators
The Study of Invention and Innovation the Smithsonian’s on-line curriculum for invention at play
Tinkering School to inspire you
Austin Hands-On Science Education Centers
Austin Science Fun Guide created by Texas Memorial Museum, contains descriptions and information about many of the centers listed below
Austin Nature & Science Center
ACCESS list of science & museum centers for AISD teachers
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database
Center for Environmental Research (CER) at Hornsby Bend
City of Austin Nature Preserves
Crowe’s Nest Farm
Inner Space Cavern
Girlstart encourages girls in science & technology through hands-on activities
LCRA Natural Science Centers water quality, wildlife, geology, and other science and natural history topics in these TEKS-aligned programs. One-day and multi-day programs are offered.
Aquarena Center
Zilker Botanical Gardens
Books:
Exemplary Science in Grades Pre-K through 4: Standards-based Success Stories features Austin’s own Hornsby Bend Living Lab program that I was fortunate enough to have been able to volunteer with & see it in action
A Trail Through Leaves: The Journal As Path to Place by Hannah Hinchman
