Use this resource to promote an awareness of mathematics as it occurs in nature, science, technology and human culture. This series of articles and podcasts can be used as teaching resources.
Bruce Parry assists the Nenets women to construct the 'chum' living space during a migration to new pasture. The chum is made of poles and reindeer skins. The Nenets are an indigenous group living in the Russian Arctic region. [1:28]
Learn about bees, their habitat and how to interact with a swarm in this Wild TV video segment.
Are there patterns in nature that can be described by numbers? That is what we will find out here.
Choose from a selection of Bingo Cards to play fun games on a variety of topics.
Students use ultrasonic sensors and LEGO© MINDSTORMS© NXT robots to emulate how bats use echolocation to detect obstacles. They measure the robot's reaction times as it senses objects at two distances and with different sensor threshold values, and again after making adjustments to optimize its effectiveness. Like engineers, they gather and graph data to analyze a given design (from the tutorial) and make modifications to the sensor placement and/or threshold values in order to improve the robot's performance (iterative design). Students see how problem solving with biomimicry design is directly related to understanding and making observations of nature.
Students learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the design of innovative new products. They demonstrate their knowledge of biomimicry by practicing brainstorming and designing a new product based on what they know about animals and nature.
Students construct bird nests and birdhouses. They research birds of their choosing and then design houses that meet the birds' specific needs. It works well to conduct this activity in conjunction with a grades 9-12 woodshop class by partnering the older students with the younger students (but it is not required to do this in order to conduct the activity).
Students learn how various kinds of data and information can be gathered to create a biodiversity timeline that serves as evidence of changes in a population of a species.
This U.S. Department of Labor site defines the careers of recreation and fitness workers. Includes descriptions of the job, employment info, training, and more.
This U.S. Department of Labor provides a page on the career of a woodworker. Includes information on the tasks of the position, employment, training, working conditions, and more.
This site provides biographical information concerning Christopher Marlowe, texts of his works, articles and essays about his works, and a list of other available sources.
This collection features videos that show how native communities use the environment and stories in their heritage. ECHO members include people from Alaska Native Heritage Center and North Slope Borough ECHO Project in Alaska; Bishop Museum in Hawai'i; New Bedford ECHO Project and Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts; and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Mississippi.
Chi means energy. This dance sequence, modeled after the movement of Tai Chi, encourages learners to slow down, focus on their breathing, and appreciate being centered in their bodies. As students are guided through this video, they will discover how moving their bodies slowly and intentionally lets them focus their minds and develop self-awareness. The additional support material encourages educators to go on a nature walk with students, where everyone can take time to notice and appreciate their surroundings. [3:34]
In this Dinosaur Train clip, Shiny and Don build a sand castle for Henry and Stella. When water destroys it, they learn that change is a natural part of life. [3:20]
In this Dinoasaur Train clip, Tiny is sad that her favorite flower has died. This resource teaches students that everything in nature changes because of the plant life cycle. [2:38]
This concise site discusses the fact that wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, play an integral part in the ecology of the watershed, and also have a role in atmospheric maintenance.
In this lesson unit, students examine how Texans altered the environment in order to construct railroads, and the impact of those changes, both positive and negative. They then complete a project where they develop a plan for a railroad or analyze completed routes, and explain the consequences of building the railroad along each route.
An equation for the law of universal gravitation is stated. The weight equation (W=m*g) is related to the law. An interactive Javascript form allows the user to practice determining the force of gravity and the acceleration of gravity for various locations about the earth.
Students begin by reading Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" as an example of how overdevelopment can cause long-lasting environmental destruction. Students discuss how to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of human industry. Student teams are asked to serve as natural resource engineers, city planning engineers and civil engineers with the task to replant the nearly destroyed forest and develop a sustainable community design that can co-exist with the re-established natural area.