This video looks at some common misconceptions that students can develop about natural selection, and how teachers can teach this topic effectively. [10:07]
Photosynthesis: Blinded by the Light — explores student misconceptions about matter and energy in photosynthesis and strategies for eliciting student ideas to address or build on them. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Science: A Work in Progress - shows how science isn’t produced through one linear method, but through an interconnected set of practices, and examines ways that teachers can make learning science in the classroom more authentic. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Research has shown that teaching students directly to their preferred learning styles does not really improve their performance. Instead, we should teach a topic (in this case science) in a variety of ways for all students. [7:17]
That’s so Meta(cognitive)! — investigates how explicitly teaching students metacognitive strategies helps them become more effective learners, able to integrate knowledge rather than just memorize isolated science facts and definitions. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Time: It’s Like, So Deep — explores common difficulties with understanding the immensity of the geologic time scale (often referred to as “deep time”) and suggests approaches to help students grapple with this transformative concept. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
‘Tis the Season for a Reason — investigates common student difficulties in understanding the cause of the seasons as well as common pitfalls and helpful approaches. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
What’s the “Matter” with Cells and Atoms? — investigates the difficulties students have with applying ideas about matter consistently and appropriately across the life and physical sciences, and with interpreting and relating different representations of microscopic structures. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Why Right Brained is Wrong…Brained — explains that the popular differentiation between “left” and “right brained” people discredits the complexity of the human brain. Science — just like history, art, math, or literature — requires both sides of the brain. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses insects and insect adaptations. Students will enjoy the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will appreciate the student handouts provided, as well as the list of resources.
The Smithsonian National Zoo offers a close-up photograph the Grevy's Zebras found at the zoo. Links to a zebra fact sheet and an article written about these zebras are also provided.
Learn about the work of Alexander Calder in the collection of the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C., in this podcast of curator Evelyn Hankins discussing the Calder's work. [15:35]
Learn about the American abstract painter Morris Louis in this podcast of the curator of the exhbition "Morris Louis Now: An American Master Revisited" at the Hirshorn Museum, talking about the exhibition.
This site is your link to teaching resources about Hispanic heritage. Choose from topics such as Musica del Pueblo, Mexican America, Latino Voices in American Art, or many others. Explore links to interactive exhibits, lesson plans, and to the National Museum of American History, which shows Hispanic artifacts.
History Explorer's site is designed for use by K-12 teachers and students as well as anyone interested in learning and teaching American history. Hundreds of innovative online resources are offered. Lessons, activities, interactives, PD, web links are all included in this expansive site from the Smithsonian.
Find out how this paleontologist believes dinosaurs rose to higher grounds following a mass extinction hundreds of thousands of years ago. [36:38]
Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of flight. They will learn about the four forces of flight and practice their observation skills through a number of fun experiments. In addition, students will look at aircraft design and the importance of streamlining. Each lesson comes complete with clear instructions and supplemental discussion and explanations. Also provided are the accompanying student handouts and a resource list.
A zoologist from the National Museum of Natural History discusses his discovery of new mammals and why scientists are still looking for new mammals. What can finding new mammals tell us about Earth? [37:59]
An archaeologist explains how the bones of early humans can reveal information about their diets. [29:15]
Find the human ancestor you are interested in and click on it either in the timeline or the list below for more details. Each fossil or reconstruction pictured includes links to more details about it.