January 2003
ENVIRONMENT & ECOSYSTEMSInstilling today's students with a sense of stewardship toward the Earth's environment can be fun yet challenging. Science teachers might have difficulty teaching this broad subject because many news stories and lesson plans stray away from the science and delve into sentiment regarding our responsibility to preserving the Earth's environment. You may find yourself asking: What teaching methods will inform my students while inspiring them at the same time? In this month's issue of Science Class, you can help your students learn about the Environment and its Ecosystems—communities of organisms and the environments in which they function. In recent months, scientists have made several discoveries regarding the Earth's ecosystems. For instance, researchers recently learned that Lake Vida, located in Antarctica, contains the thickest nonglacial lake ice cover on Earth and houses centuries-old bacteria that may help in the hunt for evidence of life on other planets. Scientists have also found that projected increases in rainfall resulting from global climate changes have significant impacts on ecosystems. Scientists aren't the only ones who can make discoveries about the environment and its ecosystems. In this issue of Science Class, teachers and their students can learn more about this topic through news and journal articles, websites, books, and other resources. By sharing the importance of protecting the environment with their students, teachers can help create a new generation of environmental stewards. Environment & Ecosystems in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Service. Tomorrow's environmental protectors are in today's classroom. Help them learn about the Earth's environment and its ecosystems with these timely news stories. Click here for the latest news stories. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/news_stories.htm Environment & Ecosystems on the NetSciLinks® is an interactive, Web-based service from NSTA that connects your lesson and/or course materials (certain textbooks, NSTA books, and journal articles) with online content chosen just for your selected topics. Elementary: Populations, Communities, Ecosystems http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263562110111033 Intermediate: Populations, Communities, Ecosystems http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263565510111033 High School: Pollution http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263569910111033 Environment & Ecosystems in NSTA Journal ArticlesThe following journal articles are sorted by grade level to provide you with ideas for classroom lessons and activities related to the Earth's environment and ecosystems. Elementary: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/elementary.htm Intermediate: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/intermediate2.htm High School: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/high_school.htm Books on the Environment & Ecosystems Check out these titles from NSTA Press and NSTA Recommends: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/books2.htm
Special Announcement
If you are used to looking here for our NSTA Highlights, they have moved to NSTA Express—the new weekly electronic communication that will keep you up to date on the latest happenings at NSTA. Science Class will still come to you every month, with each issue focusing on a science education topic. We will provide the news articles, SciLinks, NSTA journal articles, and books that you have come to expect. And as Science Class approaches its one-year anniversary, look for exciting new features to be added. Professional Development Did you ever wonder who the learner is in "learner-centered education?" Is it the teacher or is it the student? The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse clarifies this often-used phrase as it helps teachers to continue their own professional development plans. Click here to learn more: http://www.enc.org/professional/guide/started/intro/document.shtm?input=BYD-002742-overview NSTA Opportunities NSTA's Science Store is New and Improved for the New Year 2003 Click here to visit: Write for NSTA's JournalsTo learn more, click on the link for the journal of your choice:Science & Children (Grades PreK–5) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/sc.htm Science Scope (Grades 5–8) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/scope.htm The Science Teacher (Grades 9–12) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/tst.htm Meet Award-Winning Author Sally Walker Online The author of Fossil Fish Found Alive: Discovering the Coelacanth
will be available to answer your questions http://www.nsta.org/main/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=43 Next Month's Theme:AssessmentIf your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/. If you have a text-only browser or are having any difficulties with our links, please visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-01/member.htm. THE FINE PRINTThis
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