Posts Tagged ‘research’

Discover the Burgess Shale in Canada

July 8th, 2022

It’s Friday, July 8, 2022, and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

Royal Ontario Museum: The Burgess Shale – Virtual Sea Odyssey

(burgess-shale.rom.on.ca/introduction/)

All grades; children with parental supervision

Climb into a “virtual submarine” and dive into the depths of the past to see virtual recreations of creatures that once lived in the area now known as the Burgess Shale. Located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Canada, the Burgess Shale is “one of Earth’s most important fossil deposits.”

With this website from the Royal Ontario Museum, view animations and photos of:

  • Descent – Dive below the sea surface to the seafloor.
  • Swimmers
  • Predators
  • Grazers
  • Filterers
  • Scavengers
  • Burial – what it may have looked like when the Burgess Shale community was covered by a rapid mudflow event

Underneath the animation tours, click on the various species images to learn more and to find more animations and images.

After you have finished your “virtual sea odyssey”, use the upper menu to learn more about the Burgess Shale and its discoveries. Select from:

  • Introduction – Learn about the Burgess Shale through text and images.
  • Fossil Gallery – Examine images of the fossils found and see 3D animations and model of the creatures.
  • Science – Discover the science behind the Burgess Shale.
  • History – Explore the history of the research and discovery involved.
  • Parks Canada – Get more information about Yoho National Park and the Burgess Shale.
  • Resources – Find topical reading suggestions, other related museums and webpages, and lesson plan links.

Amazing Oceanic & Atmospheric Photos!

May 31st, 2022

It’s Tuesday, May 31, 2022, and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

NOAA Photo Library

(www.photolib.noaa.gov/)

All grades, with parental supervision

Incredible photographs! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association offers this amazing collection of artistic and educational photographs that you won’t want to miss.

When you get to the site, click on the word “collections” near the top of the page. You will see that NOAA has divided their photo library into albums and catalogs based on topic. As you browse through the menu, you will see collections that include:

  • Flying with NOAA – fly with pilots through the clouds
  • NOAA’s Ark – all kinds of animal photos
  • Sanctuaries – marine sanctuary images
  • Voyage to Inner Space – undersea research
  • National Severe Storms Laboratory – including hail, lightning, and tornadoes
  • And much, much more!

Click on any category and a new page opens containing a short introduction. You can click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

While this site stands on its own as a representation of artistic expression through photography, be prepared for it to pique your family’s interest in any given topic. It’s a great way to introduce a subject you may want to study – or to enhance your current studies. It’s also just a visually pleasing experience to look through these amazing photo albums.

Learn About America’s 50 States

May 5th, 2022

It’s Thursday, May 5, 2022, and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

State Symbols USA

(statesymbolsusa.org/)

All grades, with parental supervision

If you are looking for an all-in-one website to concisely learn about state symbols, icons, mottoes, landmarks, and much more, then today’s website is the site for you.

After arriving at the link, there are few ways to explore the site:

  • Use the clickable state map at the center of the page to select a state.
  • Use the left hand side bar menu of the state names.
  • Use the right hand side bar menu to search for specific types of state symbols and icons.
  • Scroll down below the map and click on the images of specific categories such as capitals, coat of arms, flags, historic and iconic figures, holidays and events, museums, name origins, tartans, threatened species, and much, much more.
  • The upper menu on any page contains links to get back to the home page, search by state symbols, places and even includes a whole section for national symbols

If you select to research by state, after selecting the state, when the page loads there will be images of the various symbols and facts relating to the state. Select your topic of interest and discover a brief overview. Or you can use the sub-menu located above the images across the top to search for related information based on:

  • Symbols & Icons
  • Cities & Towns
  • Parks
  • Landmarks
  • Historical Markers

Navigating this ad-supported website with so many options makes short work of searching for specific information and the succinct text keeps even the most reluctant student interested. This is one website you will want to bookmark for all of your state study adventures.

Science Journals Just In Time For Earth Day!

April 19th, 2022

It’s Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

The Natural Inquirer

(www.naturalinquirer.org/all-issues.html)

PreK-12, with parental supervision

Earth Day is this week! This website offers FREE science education journals: “The Natural Inquirer,” for middle and high school, “Investi-gator” for upper elementary, and readers for PreK-2. Scientists with the USDA Forest Service share their research in a fun and engaging way.

Each issue of “The Natural Inquirer” introduces students to the scientists who conduct the environmental research and includes an article or more on a specific research project. Some of the issues are entitled:

  • World’s Forests
  • A Burning Question
  • Chew on This!
  • Full Throttle Model
  • Fresh Water
  • Wilderness
  • Flower Power
  • And more!

Each issue also contains a “Discovery FACTivity” designed to help students learn scientific vocabulary words included in the articles. There are also discussion questions designed to help students think more about research. You can download the issue(s) you are interested in or order hard copies (only 5 issues at a time).

Be sure to check out the top menu under “For Educators” for links to lesson plans, science cards and posters, and more.

This is a treasure trove of environmental learning resources! Bookmark this one, as you’ll need to visit many times to explore the vast content!

Maple Syrup Virtual Field Trip

February 18th, 2022

LM Sugarbush, LLC: Leane & Michael’s Sugarbush

(www.lmsugarbush.com/ordersyrup.html)

All grades, with parental supervision

Real maple syrup is a delight for the senses – and learning about how it is made is fun for the entire family!

At this website you can take a virtual tour of a homeschool family’s maple syrup farm. Through interesting text and photographs you can learn about the entire maple syrup process from tree to breakfast table.

But that’s not all! This homeschool family recognizes the learning value of the maple syrup process and has designed an entire Unit Study to accompany their virtual tour! It is available absolutely FREE at their website. Just click on “Unit Study” on the menu, then click on the tabs that open in the left-hand menu. There are 10 weeks of lesson plans that include:

  • Indian Syrup Making
  • Pioneer Syrup Making
  • Modern Syrup Making
  • All About Maple Trees
  • Tapping Maple Trees
  • Gathering Maple Sap
  • Boiling Sap Into Syrup
  • Bottling Pure Maple Syrup
  • Selling Pure Maple Syrup
  • The Sugarbush Annual Maple Syrup Festival

But wait! There’s still more! The unit studies include craft ideas, and lots of links for such things as crafts, further research, and even recipes! (NOTE: Not all the links were working at the time of our review.)

After visiting this site, you might want to purchase a jug of Sugarbush Pure Maple Syrup! (It’s also a nice way to support the efforts of this homeschool family and thank them for the gift of these free learning materials.)

Bring Physics to Life Through Pictures!

February 1st, 2022

Physics Central: Physics In Pictures

(www.physicscentral.com/explore/pictures/)

Grade: Around middle school & up; younger children may enjoy as well. Parental supervision required.

Want to get your physics on? This is the place! The American Physical Society sponsors this exciting website that demonstrates through multi-media technology, how things work and the importance of physics to everyone. You’ll find free information on the physics of light, sound, matter and more in the form of articles, animations, and videos.

The site is massive, so I’m featuring one of the most engaging sections for this review called “Physics In Pictures.” It provides virtual “illustrations of nature’s infinite variety and humankind’s ingenuity.”

Each picture and title entices you to want to know more. You can explore the science content by reading a brief explanation and then further your learning with links to stories on related current physics research. Your brain can take a quick dip in the physics waters or dive in and soak it all up.

When you get to the site, you’ll see some featured “Physics Pictures” that include. Click on any one to learn more. Then, if you look at the menu on the right side of the screen, you’ll see a list of “Physics in Pictures by Topic” that includes:

  • Chaos
  • Compression Waves & Sound
  • Electricity & Magnetism
  • Force & Motion
  • Light & Optics
  • Material Science
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Space & the Universe
  • Thermodynamics & Heat

Click on a topic to explore more. When you’re through, use the menu at the top of the screen and click on “Experiment.” You’ll be rewarded with experiments to try at home along with other activities sponsored by this website.

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