Posts Tagged ‘biology’

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Learn with Biology Questions & Answers

November 16th, 2021

Biology Questions and Answers

(www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/)

Grades 6 and up, with parental supervision

This website helps build biological knowledge step-by-step through an intelligent sequence of questions and answers. This Q&A format discusses all branches of biology.

When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction. Then use the menu in the middle of the page to explore hundreds of questions and answers divided into biology branches that include:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Zoology
  • Physiology
  • Botany
  • Genetics
  • Ecology
  • And More!

Each of these branches is then subdivided into specific subjects. For example, under the heading “Microbiology” you’ll find the following subject areas:

  • Bacteria
  • Protists (Protozoans and Algae)
  • Fungi
  • Viruses

Explore the site to satisfy your interest or curiosity in any given subject area. Or enter your question in the search form to find related answers in the archive.

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Windows to Earth & Space Science

November 9th, 2021

Science: Windows To The Universe

(www.windows2universe.org/)

Grades 3 & up, approximately, with parental supervision

The National Earth Science Teachers Association sponsors this website that offers comprehensive, multi-media information to encourage learning Earth and Space science as well as a range of other related sciences for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.

When you get to the website you’ll see a sliding panel featuring several of the science presentations in the archives. You can click on anyone to jump right in, or take some time to explore the menu and see what’s available including:

  • Sun – Explore the closest star to Earth including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
  • Earth – Learn about our planet’s atmosphere and magnetic field, both of which are critical for sustaining life on Earth.
  • Solar System – Discover planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, the heliosphere, and interstellar space.
  • Space – Study stars, galaxies, and other mysterious objects in our Universe.
  • Sciences – Learn how Earth and Space sciences are interconnected with geology, physics, chemistry, and biology.
  • Culture – Browse a collection of myths, folk tales, and stories about the Earth and sky. Check out artwork, poetry, books, and movies that portray the natural world.
  • People – Access biographies of scientists who made science history!
  • Games – Enjoy scientifically themed crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and concentration. Play interactives about the carbon cycle, planets, space, and more! Enjoy coloring pages and paper activities
  • Space Weather – Learn about radiation, fluctuating magnetic fields, solar wind and the complex ways they interact with Earth’s magnetic field, including disruption of cell phone communication.
  • Multimedia – Get links to all sorts of pictures, animations, videos, podcasts, and interactive multimedia that are on the “Windows to the Universe” website.
  • Postcards – Read collections of virtual postcards from scientists doing field research around the world with sharks, penguins, ice, rocks, the atmosphere, and the ocean.
  • Citizen Science – Find out about science projects where the public can get involved in scientific research and data collection.

You’ll also find news, research information, and tips for teachers.

Note: This ad-supported site is free, however, you can purchase a membership to access the site ad-free, along with some other interactive features.

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Marine Science Videos for Kids

October 5th, 2021

Jonathan Bird Productions: Marine Science Videos, Lessons, & More

(www.blueworldtv.com/)

This was designed for students in grades 6-8, but there is something of educational value and entertainment for everyone, with parental supervision.

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World website is an offshoot of a PBS television series by the same name. The website offers free “webisodes” of the underwater science/adventure series online for free WITHOUT advertising – and it’s all accompanied by free study guides and classroom lessons and activities based on National Science Standards (that can be tweaked for home use by families).

The idea is to generate interest in protecting the underwater world by increasing awareness of this realm and the creatures that live there. The episodes and learning materials are packed with information and presented in a way that makes marine biology fun to learn.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a sliding display that highlights current features. (I watched a fascinating, 7-minute video on “Sea Snakes,” one of the ocean’s most venomous critters.) Use the menu at the top of the screen that includes:

  • Watch Webisodes – View about 75 different videos covering topics such as coral spawning, dolphins, learning to scuba dive, shark biology, crustaceans, venomous fish, sea turtles, stingrays, killer clams, sea cows, whales, and much more. You’ll also find “Extras” that include interviews with cameramen, videos on tools of the trade, etc. While all of the webisodes offer downloadable study guides, in the “Curriculum Based” section, you’ll find six videos (so far) that also offer free, downloadable lesson plans.
  • Behind The Scenes – Meet underwater cinematographer Jonathan Bird and the rest of his award-winning science and research team. Peruse a “Photo Gallery,” read “Sea Stories” about incidents that occur behind the scenes, and explore “Other Resources” that contain links to educational websites.
  • For Educators – Access the free Study Guides and Lesson Plans. Learn about National Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and find a direct link to the “Curriculum Based” webisodes.

This is a terrific learning resource that the whole family will find educational and entertaining!

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Tools for Young Biologist to Explore the World Around Them!

August 31st, 2021

BioKids: Kids’ Inquiry of Diverse Species

(www.biokids.umich.edu/)

Grades 4-8, with parental supervision

This website is part of a research project developed by the University of Michigan with resources and activities to improve learning science with a focus on biology and biodiversity. It’s designed for classroom use, but it’s a terrific resource for homeschoolers as well!

When you get to the site use the horizontal menu near the top of the screen to explore:

  • Critter Catalog – Discover an array of vertebrates such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Then check out the invertebrates that include mollusks, insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans. Information here includes pictures, specimens, sounds the critters make, and scientific classification.
  • Field Guides – While there is a focus here on the wildlife habitat of Michigan, you’ll find terrific all-around information under “Tracks and Sign” that includes keys to animal tracks, marks left by animals chewing, biting, and rubbing, things animals build, eggs, and things animals leave behind.
  • Resources – You’ll find a terrific archive of links to websites about animals and biodiversity. Don’t miss the “Multimedia Resources” in the “Links for Teachers” section that include links to sites with ideas for curricula.

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Full Biology Book Online – Check This Out!

August 3rd, 2021

Michael J. Farabee, Ph.D.: Online Biology Book

(www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobooktoc.html)

Grades 8-12, with parental supervision

This website provides a free biology textbook with illustrations online.

This is written by a university biology professor, but may be very useful for a motivated middle-schooler and would be an appropriate online text for a high-school-level, full-year biology course. As one of our readers put it, “It’s free, thorough, highly visually appealing, contains numerous references and links, and an online linked glossary of terms. Some chapters include a list of learning objectives and review questions.”

There isn’t much more to add except that when you get to the site, you’ll see the table of contents that covers subjects such as:

  • Atoms and Molecules
  • Chemistry
  • Cells and Cell Division
  • Thermodynamics
  • Photosynthesis
  • Genetics
  • DNA
  • Plants and Their Structure
  • Flowering Plant Reproduction
  • Animal Organ Systems
  • The Circulatory System
  • The Lymphatic System
  • The Digestive System
  • The Nervous System
  • The Endocrine System
  • The Reproductive System
  • The Muscular/Skeletal System
  • The Respiratory System
  • Paleobiology
  • Biological Diversity (Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, Fungi)
  • and much more!

Click on any one to read the chapter and feed your brain.

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Peruse this Visual Dictionary Reference Tool!

July 21st, 2021

The Visual Dictionary

(infovisual.info/en)

All grades, with parental supervision

This ad-supported website offers a free online Visual Dictionary. It’s different from a regular dictionary – instead of just word definitions, it provides colorful visual images that enhance the meaning of the words and concepts you explore. Concise textual definitions (in three languages) are included, but it’s secondary to the images.

When you get to the site, you’ll see an icon menu of the list of topics that are in The Visual Dictionary. We suggest you click on “List of Topics” on the menu tab because then you can see each topic area with a drop-down list of what it covers as follows:

  • Biology Vegetal – See images (with text) that define and describe plant cell structure, structure of a leaf, leaf shapes, types of roots, flower germination, diagram of the stages of mitosis, fruits, vegetables, and much more.
  • Biology Animal – Learn about the structure of a bacterial cell or an amoeba or paramecium, find out about the anatomy of an earthworm, starfish, jellyfish, snake, frog, fish, shark, fly, bee, cricket, spider, bird, bat, cat, dog, deer, gorilla and more.
  • Human Body – Explore cells, muscles, skeletal system, finger nails, parts of a tooth, nervous system, eyes, ears, nasal and oral cavities, digestive system, respiratory system, human heart, reproductive system, and more.
  • Music – Discover a wide variety of instruments from around the world including Europe, India, China, Africa, and South America. Get info on percussion, wind, brass, and string instruments. Learn about music notation.
  • Transport – Learn all about automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, planes, hot air balloons, and rockets. Get details on engines, air filters, brakes, shock absorbers, tires, and more. Explore roads and bridges.
  • Clothing – Everything you ever wanted to know about clothing and accessories including info on cultural differences in styles. Check out uniforms and costumes too!

This is a great reference tool. Just exploring The Visual Dictionary is sure to springboard interest in a wide variety of topics. Bookmark it to return often!

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