|
Integrating Educational
Software
Science Grades 4-8 |
|
|
Integrating Educational
Software
Science Grades 4-8 |
|
Click on a featured software title, or scroll down through all the reviews. |
| Title: Big Science
Ideas: Systems |
| Publisher: The Learning Company/MECC |
| Grades: 4-8 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Description:
Students learn all about systems and interaction through three
different simulations--a pond Environment, a toilet tank and the earth's
lithospheric plates. Thinking tools include a lab notebook and graphs
and tables to record data along with puzzles to reinforce learning.
Simulations teach students how to identify systems, their components and behaviors, how components interact, record qualitative and quantitative data and practice scientific method skills. |
| Integration: |
| Individuals or pairs of students |
| Multiple classroom computers preferred |
| Teacher guide includes basics of each system, reinforcement activities, assessment and 9 lesson plans incorporating research, creative writing, field trips, and homework. |
| Title: The Great Solar System Rescue |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-8 |
| Platform: Mac CD-ROM & WinCD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 4 |
| Description:
Students learn about planetary science, earth science and social
science in this cooperative learning title. Students role-play
geologists, historians, astronomers and meteorologists as they work
together to rescue space probes lost throughout our solar system.
Students view a video describing one of four missions, analyze data and information presented in the video and in their role-playing booklets and determine which planet is where the missing probe resides. They must then determine which rescue plan is most appropriate by conducting various tests, keeping track of their budget along the way. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each (for whole class to work on same mission), or use one computer per team if assigning different missions |
| Requires 1-3 class periods per mission |
| Guide and CD-ROM include all mission videos and student handouts to complete the four missions along with 18 additional lesson plans and corresponding video library. |
| Title: Science Seekers: Hidden in Rocks |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-8 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 2, 4, 6 |
| Description:
Students work in cooperative teams to find the best place to look
for fossils in an unexplored area. Developed with the
American Museum of Natural History, students work with professional
scientists using technology tools such as satellite imagery and computer
modeling to solve problems.
In this title, students learn the basic internal structure of Earth, the rock cycle and formation of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock, plate tectonics, and how fossils are formed. They also discover how wind and water work to weather and erode rock, about stratification and the Law of Superposition and how fossils are exposed on the surface. Students learn how to set up experiments to demonstrate what happens at different plate boundaries, demonstrate the formation of the three rock types, and model the creation of river canyons by weathering and erosion. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each |
| Requires 3-5 class periods |
| Curriculum reinforcement and extension |
| Guide includes all student handouts and activities to complete their investigation, along with list of materials needed for the labs, assessment materials, extension activities (including Internet connections and online lesson plans), and satellite images. |
| Title: Science Seekers: Endangered Species |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-8 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 |
| Description:
Students work in cooperative teams to discover why the sea otter
population of Ocean Edge is declining. Developed with the American
Museum of Natural History, students work with real scientists as they
study the kelp forest ecosystem.
In this title, students learn what an ecosystem is, the roles of primary producer, consumer and decomposer, that many food chains connect to create a food web and that all species play a role within an ecosystem. They will discover the relationship between predators and prey, about physical and behavioral adaptations, how birth and death rates compare in a stable population, and about the various factors that influence the survival of a population. Students will set up a mini-ecosystem to observe relationships between living things, conduct an experiment to measure how physical changes within an environment can affect living things, and play a simulation game that demonstrates the many factors that can affect the survival of a sea otter population. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each |
| Requires 3-5 class periods |
| Curriculum reinforcement and extension |
| Guide includes all student handouts and activities to complete their investigation, along with list of materials needed for the labs, assessment materials, extension activities (including Internet connections and online lesson plans), and reproducibles for simulation game. |
| Title: Science Seekers: Safe Water |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-8 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 2, 4, 6 |
| Description:
Students work in cooperative teams to find out who is polluting
the groundwater of Fairview. Developed with the American Museum of
Natural History, students work with real scientists as they explore
Fairview's groundwater system.
In this title, students learn about the role of groundwater in the hydrologic cycle, about water tables, and the porosity and permeability of rock. They will also study aquifers, the basics of groundwater flow rate and direction, and how pollution can affect an aquifer. Students will set up experiments to model a groundwater system, measured the porosity and permeability of sand and gravel and model the flow of pollution through a groundwater system. Computer modeling is done with the assistance of a hydrogeologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each |
| Requires 3-5 class periods |
| Curriculum reinforcement and extension |
| Guide includes all student handouts and activities to complete their investigation, along with list of materials needed for the labs, assessment materials, and extension activities (including Internet connections and online lesson plans). |
| Title: The Great Ocean Rescue |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-8 |
| Platform: Mac CD-ROM & Win CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 3, 4 |
| Description:
Students learn about earth science, marine biology, environmental
science, oceanography and geography in this cooperative learning title. Students role-play
geologists, marine biologists, oceanographers and environmental
scientists as they work
together to complete rescue missions in Georges Bank, the Red Sea,
Okinawa and Juan de Fuca Ridge.
Students view a video describing one of four missions, analyze data and information presented in the video and in their role-playing booklets and determine where the problem is occurring. They must then determine which rescue plan is most appropriate by conducting various tests, keeping track of their budget along the way. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each (for whole class to work on same mission), or use one computer per team if assigning different missions |
| Requires 1-3 class periods per mission |
| Curriculum reinforcement and extension |
| Guide and CD-ROM include all mission videos and student handouts to complete the four missions along with 22 additional lesson plans and corresponding video library. |
| Title: National Geographic Mammals |
| Publisher: National Geographic |
| Grades: 2 -12 |
| Platform: hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 3 |
| Description: This
multimedia encyclopedia is a treasure trove of of interactive
information about more than 200 mammals from around the world. All
information is cross-referenced: you can browse leisurely or investigate
a specific animal or group of animals.
Each mammal's entry includes basic characteristics, one or more photos with the mammal's vocalizations, videos (not all mammals), and numerous facts and vital statistics. Also included is an Orders Index for the Animal Kingdom. Ten interactive essays about various aspects of the world of mammals are provided along with six narrated tours that feature many mammals in habitats around the world. Six mysteries are provided in the Games section where users must identify a mammal and solve a mystery using clues and deductive reasoning. |
| Integration: |
| Individuals/pairs of students or the entire class (large screen projection needed) |
| Single or multiple classroom computers |
| Best used as curriculum supplement, for enrichment or as an activity center |
| Teachers guide includes five lesson plans for elementary and middle school students. |
| Title: Earth Quest |
| Publisher: DK Interactive Learning |
| Grades: 4 -12 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 4 Language Arts Std. 5 |
| Description: Extensive database of earth science information combined with a fascinating, interactive 3-D museum filled with the Smithsonian's collection of minerals and other earth science exhibits. Students will come to understand the tectonic processes, learn about some basic mining techniques, conduct experiments on the effects of earthquakes and volcanoes in a simulated setting, acquire appropriate earth science vocabulary, and identify many rocks, minerals and gemstones. |
| Integration: |
| Entire class or individual students |
| Lab or multiple classroom computers, or single computer |
| Curriculum introduction, teaching and/or supplement, or enrichment as an activity center |
| Extensive teacher guide includes 22 lesson plans for upper elementary, middle school and high school students. The program and majority of activities are best suited for students in grades 7 to 12. A subset of activities address special needs. |
| Title: Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe |
| Publisher: DK Interactive Learning |
| Grades: 7 -12 |
| Platform: Win CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 2, 4 Language Arts Std. 5 |
| Description: Extensive interactive encyclopedia lets students explore astronomy, space science and space technology. Content is organized into 10 key topics: The Star Dome, The Universe, History of Astronomy, Observation and Telescopes, Space Race, Space Hardware, Who's Who, Cosmology, Technical Manual and The Quizmaster. A virtual planetarium lets students map out the sky at any point on earth, from 3000 B.C. to 7000 A.D. |
| Integration: |
| Entire class or individual students |
| Lab or multiple classroom computers, or single computer |
| Curriculum introduction, teaching and/or supplement, or enrichment as an activity center |
| Extensive teacher guide includes 41 lesson plans for jr. and senior high school students. |
| Title: Dinosaur Hunter |
| Publisher: DK Interactive Learning |
| Grades: 4 - 8 |
| Platform: Win CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Science Std. 1, 3 Language Arts Std. 5 |
| Description: This
interactive "Museum" brings dinosaurs to life. The
Museum's timeline features 53 dinosaurs -- hear them roar, watch them
evolve, follow them from birth, through the struggle for survival, to
death and extinction. See how bones were fossilized and dug up by
paleontologists. Students can even bring dinosaurs back to life!
Extensive content includes 650 info screens, 30 interactive consoles, 15 videos, 50 animations, 470 illustrations, guided tours and a searchable index. |
| Integration: |
| Entire class or individual students |
| Lab or multiple classroom computers, or single computer |
| Curriculum introduction, teaching and/or supplement, or enrichment as an activity center |
| Teacher guide includes 30 lesson plans designed for students in grades 4 to 8.. |