WMS Science Teachers

cool interactive diagram of structure of pterosaur

excellent tumblr blog with pictures of real scientists. 

Great archive of simulations for optics, waves & oscillations

good collection of resources from Jason Byuell about argument driven inquiry in the science classroom. This link includes some sample bio investigations. 

This interactive infographic from Number Sleuth accurately illustrates the scale of over 100 items within the observable universe ranging from galaxies to insects, nebulae and stars to molecules and atoms. Numerous hot points along the zoom slider allow for direct access to planets, animals, the hydrogen atom and more. As you scroll, a handy dial spins to show you your present magnification level. While other sites have tried to magnify the universe, no one else has done so with real photographs and 3D renderings. To fully capture the awe of the vastly different sizes of the Pillars of Creation, Andromeda, the sun, elephants and HIV, you really need to see images, not just illustrations of these items. Stunningly enough, the Cat's Eye Nebula is surprising similar to coated vesicles, showing that even though the nebula is more than 40,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times larger, many things are similar in our universe.

Can the spooky world of quantum physics explain bird navigation, photosynthesis and even our delicate sense of smell? Clues are mounting that the rules governing the subatomic realm may play an unexpectedly pivotal role in the visible world. Leading thinkers in the emerging field of quantum biology explored the hidden hand of quantum physics on the scales of everyday life.

In Ignorance: How It Drives Science, neuroscientist Stuart Firestein writes that science is often like looking for a black cat in a dark room, and there may not be a cat in the room. Firestein discusses why the hit-or-miss process, the "not knowing" is the true engine of science.

great write up of how to model bouncy ball with VPython. 

great story of incredible design of mantis shrimp's "fists"

great archive of material for various physics courses from CU-Boulder

Really excellent summary of Nobel Laurate Carl Weman's research into best practices in science education. 

great list of things to try in a physics class

nice summary of PLoS articles accessible to HS students. 

Very interesting proposal for transforming the way genetics is taught in biology courses. 

Interesting thoughts on the complaint that what we teach students in physics isn't true. 

very cool device built by rice undegrads to show feasibility of catching artillery projectiles w/o damaging the projectile. 

How we measure distances to starts and planets using parallax, etc. 

EO Wilson thinks de-emphasizing math in science will lead to increased interest in science

project physics text. An excellent physics text from 1980

excellent video that explains how mems accelerometers work