Creator: Popular Science | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
Take a virtual "nerd trip" with science-history geeks. The name of this resource is sure to catch some interest, and the locations feature very interesting histories. Click on each point in the map to read a small synopsis of the site. You can also click links to learn more about many of the sites. We suggest you preview any information prior to sending students to explore on their own. The sites are nontraditional and can raise questions about "pop" science vs "real" science.
In the Classroom
Use these "road trips" as a springboard for unusual research projects on science topics. These are great for gifted students or skeptical students who need the extra spark of researching something a little quirky. These are also great ideas for small group research. Encourage students to create presentations about real life science with its benefits and drawbacks. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools <a href="/content/edge.cfm?c=18">reviewed here</a>. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): <a href="/single.cfm?id=18378">Adobe Spark in K-12</a>, <a href="/single.cfm?id=17424">Animatron</a>, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16373">Sway</a>, and <a href="/single.cfm?id=18390">Beautiful.AI</a>.Be sure to discuss when science enters pop culture in our society. The Center for PostNatural History, one of the sites on this map, is one such example (located near Pittsburgh, PA where organisms have been altered genetically and possibly questionably.)
At Home
Have a budding scientist at home? Share this site with your student. You may even want to visit a site near you or talk about what other quirky locations could have been included in this list.
Tags
Subjects
Astronomy & Space, Biology/Life Science, Chemistry, Earth Science/Geology, Engineering/Technology, Geography (US/World), Gifted, Science, Social Studies, Social Studies,