Posts Tagged ‘anatomy’

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Amazing Online Science Activities for All Ages

September 13th, 2011

Hi! It’s Tuesday, September 13, 2011 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
COSI: Online Activities

Age Range: All (Grades Pre-K-12 and beyond with parental supervision.)

The Center of Science and Industry in Ohio sponsors this website that is an extension of their museum and provides free educational activities in science, industry, health, and history.

When you get to the site, you’ll see an icon menu of online activities that include:

*Virtual Knee Surgery – Take on the role of a surgeon as you conduct knee replacement surgery.

*Open Heart – Learn about the anatomy of the heart, heart disease and heart surgery.

*Bet the Farm – Invest in a farm and try to make it as profitable as possible while dealing with inclement weather, insects, plant disease and market forces that conspire to ruin harvests and kill profits.

*Zoom: Travel To A Star – Travel near the speed of light to other areas of the galaxy and strange things happen to the passage of time!

*Simple Machines – Learn about levers, wedges and pulleys.

*Stop: Practice Stopping A Vehicle at Intersections – Pick a vehicle and practice safely stopping at or crossing busy intersections.

You’ll also find out if you can parachute to safety from the stratosphere, jump over sharks on a water ski, and try your hand at a Tangram challenge!

Bookmark this site to explore all of these fun investigations in science!

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4th of July!

June 23rd, 2011

Hi!  It’s Thursday, June 23, 2011 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Since this is the last ClickSchooling review before my summer break, I thought I’d give you several websites to explore themed around the 4th of July.

Recommended Websites:
See Below

Age Range: Varies (with parental supervision)

Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government for Kids:
The Declaration of Independence

I can’t think of a better way to tie in language arts with the 4th of July than to visit this website (designed for grades K-12) where you can read The Declaration of Independence. Scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find links to explore the history behind it, information on the signers, and an outline of U.S. History.
 
 
Kaboom!

Sponsored by PBS Nova, this site is all about the science behind fireworks. When you get to the site you will see a menu that includes:
 
*Anatomy of a Firework – An illustrated guide to the different parts that make up a firework.

*Pyrotechnics: It’s Elemental – Find out what elements from the Periodic Table of Elements are used in fireworks.

*Demolition Woman – Read an interview with a female pyrotechnician and find out what her job entails.

How Stuff Works: Fireworks

Did you ever wonder how fireworks are made? This website explains the basic components in fireworks from simple firecrackers and sparklers to the more complex aerial fireworks displays. There is a fascinating section and animation on the different shell types and the patterns they create when launched and exploded. There is also a great video clip that explains how fireworks are made too.

Make Your Own Aerial Fireworks Interactive

Try a fun online activity that allows you to create your own aerial fireworks display. (Note: This site is part of a larger site that I have not reviewed. If you click away from this page, you do so at your own risk.)

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Posted in social sciences

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Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection

June 21st, 2011

 Hi!  It’s Tuesday, June 21, 2011 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
KidWings: Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection

Age Range: 8 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The KidWings website offers a free “Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection.” What’s an owl pellet? It’s the regurgitated bones and hair — the undigested leftovers — from an owl’s meal. If you pull the pellet apart, you find the hair and bones from the creatures the owl eats — for example, mice, rabbits, voles, etc.

You can learn a lot about owls and their prey from studying real owl pellets. If you don’t have any real pellets handy, this interactive dissection is a great (and a much less icky) substitute.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a menu with three choices:

*Pellet Information – Read a description of an owl pellet, learn how they are formed, see what’s inside a pellet, and more.

*Pellet Directions – Get instructions on how to conduct the online virtual pellet dissection. (Click on the “next” buttons on the clipboard to read them all.)

*Virtual Owl Pellet – Use your “mouse” to dissect a virtual owl pellet. Identify contents with a handy bone chart.

When you’re through with the dissection, place your cursor over “More Pellets” on the horizontal menu at the top of the screen. A drop down list appears from which you can select more dissection opportunities. Dissect pellets from these birds:

  • Barn Owl
  • Barred Owl
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Eastern Screech Owl
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Herring Gull
  • Loggerhead Shrike
  • Long-eared Owl
  • Northern Hawk Owl
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl
  • Snowy Owl

Click on any one, and a new page opens with a picture of the pellet. Use your mouse to break apart the pellet and organize the various bones inside of it. Then, identify the creature the bones belong to and reassemble its skeleton.

You’ll also find “Teacher Resources” with links to a free downloadable worksheet, bone chart, coloring pages, and instructional videos on owl pellet dissection.

While you’re on this page, notice the menu on the left side of the screen.  Use it to discover many more interactive learning opportunities about birds including information on:

  • Bird Skulls
  • Eggs
  • Nests
  • Feathers
  • Beaks
  • Feet

Click on “Bird Topography” to assemble a bird by clicking on the various parts of its anatomy while learning the scientific name for each.

Don’t miss “Just for Fun” — Play a bone matching game, assemble a bird puzzle, do an owl word search and cross word puzzle, or enjoy the online coloring book.

If you enjoy virtual dissections of owl pellets you might want to try the real thing. You can order an owl pellet kit and get a 10% discount on the merchandise. Details are on the website.

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The Golden Number – Phi

June 13th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Monday, June 13, 2011 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:Phi: The Golden Number

Age Range: 9 and up (with parental guidance)

This website is devoted to the exploration of Phi — an irrational number like Pi — that is the ratio of the line segments that result when a line is divided in a special way. You’ll find many demonstrations of Phi along with its history from ancient Greece and Egypt, to the Renaissance, to modern day with its appearance in quasi-crystals — a form of matter discovered in the 1980s.

When you get to the website click on the words “START HERE“  (near the top of the page under the “welcome” message) to get a basic introduction to the number and where it appears.

Then, return to the “Home” page and use the menu to see Phi demonstrated in all of these areas:

  • Mathematics – Including Means, Fibonacci Patterns, Pascal’s Triangle, and more.
  • Geometry – Look for Phi in Bucky Balls, Circles, Triangles, Orthogons, Quasi-crystals, Spirals, and more.
  • Life — Explore Phi in Human Anatomy, Animals, Plants, DNA, and Population Growth.
  • Design/Composition – Phi is in Art, Architecture, Color, Music, Poetry, Marketing, and even Credit Cards.
  • Stock Markets – See how Phi and Fibonacci numbers are used to predict stock market moves.
  • Cosmology – Phi appears in the Solar System, Universe, Quantum Matter, Quantum Time, etc.
  • Theology – See a demonstration of Phi in the Bible. Note: The creator of this website calls himself “The Phi Guy,” and in addition to mentioning his credentials, credits his Christian faith for this website’s inspiration. He allows that everyone must ponder the natural physical laws of the universe and determine for themselves if it is part of a divine plan.

This is an ad-supported website that provides a fascinating demonstration of mathematics (and particularly Phi) in all aspects of life. It is beautifully illustrated and clearly written.

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Posted in math, music

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Interactive Human Anatomy Games!

June 7th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, June 7, 2011 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
BBC Science: Human Body & Mind

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The BBC offers free, interactive, drag-and-drop games that help kids (and people of all ages) learn about human anatomy. The educational content is top-notch, but as always, parents should preview the site to determine the suitability of content for their own children.

When you get to the site you’ll find a menu that includes:

*Organs – Learn the location and function of your Appendix, Bladder, Brain, Heart, Kidneys, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Pancreas, Stomach, etc. 

*Muscles – Explore the muscles of the body including Facial Muscles, Skeletal muscles, Cardiac Muscles – and how they all work. 

*Skeleton – Find out the names and locations of the bones in your body including those in your arms, legs, hands, feet, chest, spine, and skull. Learn about bone growth and structure and how broken bones mend.

*Nervous System – Discover the functions of the Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves, and Nerve Cells and how they affect balance, hearing, reflexes, sight, smell, taste, and touch.

*Puberty – See an animated demonstration of how the male and female body change during puberty. Includes information on growth spurts, body development, and reproductive organs.

Click on any one and a new page opens where you can select a diagram of the male or female body. Then, place the organs in the correct position in the body. As each organ appears on your screen, you can read about its purpose and function.

Note: A side-menu offers information on “Brain Sex” that explores the differences between the male and female brain, and a “Sleep” section with the latest research from sleep scientists. These sections are geared more for an adult audience.

The BBC website is massive and it is easy to click away from the anatomy games to other areas of interest. Again, parental supervision is (as always) advised.

 

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Science with Ladybugs!

March 8th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, March 8 2011 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
LadybugLady.com

Age Range: All (with parental guidance)

I saw the first Ladybug of Spring in my garden yesterday and it reminded me that a Maryland ClickScholar had recommended this website that is all about Ladybugs.  Maintained by an entomologist, this site offers free scientific information, terrific photographs, fun facts, coloring pages, and Ladybug craft ideas!

When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction. Use the menu on the left side of the screen to explore the site that includes:

  • Ladybug Life Cycle
  • Ladybug Anatomy
  • Ladybug Classification/Types
  • How Ladybugs Help Gardeners
  • Unusual Ladybugs

You’ll also find the answers to questions such as:

  • Why Do Ladybugs Have Spots?
  • What Do Ladybugs Eat?
  • Are Ladybugs poisonous?
  • How do Ladybugs protect themselves?
  • How did the Ladybug get its name?

You’ll also find information to use for science projects and fairs, find out how to care for a Ladybug as a temporary pet, and why they are considered a “beneficial” insect.

Enjoy!

 

Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling
http://www.ClickSchooling.com

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