Generally Helpful Sites & Downloads
Select any unit below:
Sustainability
Ecology: Living on Earth
Cell Biology: World Health
Genetics: Feeding the World
Evolution: Maintaining Diversity
Chemistry: Fueling the World
Chemistry: Earth's Resources
Physics: Mitigating Risks from Waves
Physics: Generating Electricity
Miscellaneous
Sustainability
Click here for Student Handouts & Transparencies for Sustainability Unit
Activity 1
Ecological Footprints
For information on the development of the basic software that measures
ecological footprints, and information on sustainability indicators, visit:
Activity 2
Tragedy of the Commons
For information on, and the full text of, the Brundtland report (also titled Our Common Future), visit:For information on Garrett Hardin and the original development of the Tragedy of the Commons theory, visit:
Activity 3
Lessons from a Small Island
For information on the World Heritage Site of modern day Rapa Nui, visit:
Activity 5
Life in Other Countries
For world maps re-sized according to statistics of interest, visitFor statistics by nation (or state), visit:
Activity 6
How Do We Make Sustainable Decisions?
For more information on BedZED and Ecovillages, visit:
Ecology
Click here for Student Handouts & Transparencies for Ecology Unit
Activity 2
A Population of Duckweed
Duckweed Natural History and Information by the Missouri Botanical Gardens
Activity 6
Energy Traveling Through the Kelp Forest
Information on Kelp Forest Organisms by the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Activity 8
The Photosynthesis and Respiration Shuffle
Recipe for Ginger Ale Demonstration by Prof. David B. Fankhauser of U.C. Clermont College
Activity 11
Where's It Happening?
Information on Electron Microscopes by Tim Palucka of The Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology
Activity 13
Putting It All Together
Information on Biomes by the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Activity 17
Changes Due to Population Growth
Salmon Natural History by the Vancouver Aquarium
Information on Aquaculture by the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Cell Biology
Click here for Student Handouts & Transparencies for Cell Biology Unit
Activity 7: Koch's PostulatesActivity 10: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Video on Penicillin - with closed captions
In this video segment from A Science Odyssey on the Teacher's Domain, learn what led British researcher Alexander Fleming to the chance discovery of antibacterial properties in a mold extract he later named penicillin. It is recommended that you have the latest version of QuickTime installed to properly view this video.
Genetics
Click here for Transparencies for the Genetics Unit.
The following web links have been provided to serve as background information as you teach Science and Global Issues. Within these pages you will find articles and information about the issues that surround the development and use of genetically modified organisms.
Background Information:
Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms by the Australian State of the Environment Committee 2006, Department of the Environment and Water Resources.
Transgenic Crops: Special Resources for Teachers by the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.
Genetically Modified Food: Harmful or Helpful? by Deborah B. Whitman, ProQuest April 2000.
Labeling Transgenic Foods by the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.
Global Biotech Crop Acreage by the Biotech Industry Organization.
Feeding the World: A look at biotechnology and world hunger
Transgenic Crops: An Introduction and Resource Guide by the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.
Activity 12
Genetic modification: Future Recommendations
In this project, students are directed to select a genetically modified organism about which they will collect information and create an informational poster.
The Science and Global Issues Student Page lists a series of links for the following organisms:
- Rice: flood-resistant, drought resistant
- Corn: pesticide resistant, insect resistant
- Fish
- Vegetables: like the Flavr Savr tomatoes
SEPUP provided links for these organisms for two reasons. First, they are genetically modified (gm) organisms that are used as food sources. This connects to the issues presented in Activity 1. Secondly, these gm organisms have been available for longer periods of time, and there is more evidence, collected over a longer period of time, about their impacts on the environment and human health. You may choose to have students select an organism from the list above and begin with the links provided on the Science and Global Issues Student Page.
Activity 16
Which corn is genetically modified corn?
Detecting Genetically Modified Foods Greenomes by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The limits of GMO detection by Simon Kay and Guy Van den Eede, The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission Institute for Health and Consumer Protection Food Products, Unit I 21020 Ispra, Italy; Nature Biotechnology 19, 405 (2001)
Evolution
Click here for transparencies for the Evolution Unit
Activity 2
An Island Biodiversity Hotspot
Biodiversity Hotspots Interactive Map for Extension
Activity 4
Survey of Evolution
For more information on misconceptions about evolution visit: Understanding Evolution
Activity 5
Phylogeny
For more information on phylogeny, see the following presentation titled, “Phylogeny: Evolutionary History and Ancestry.” Available in pdf and powerpoint.
Activity 6
What is a species?
For a pdf of the Endangered Species Act and information on the protection of endangered and threatened species, visit the following links:
• NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Activity 8
Natural Selection
For more information on natural selection, see the following presentation, available in pdf and powerpoint.
Activity 9
Darwin and the Development of a Theory
To introduce Darwin and to start the timeline of evolutionary thought, use the following presentation, available in pdf and powerpoint.
Activity 10
The Genetics Basis of Adaptation
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute model of the Rock Pocket mouse evolution on lava beds (Scroll down to the animation, "Pocket Mouse and Predation".)
Activity 15
Studying a Lineage
For the Extension, use the following presentation, available in pdf and powerpoint.
Activity 17
Statements, Reasoning, and Evidence
These sites contain summaries of common misconceptions about evolution.
• Understanding Evolution
• Talk Origins
Activity 19
Conservation Plan for Birindy
Sustainable Measures
Chemistry: Fueling the World
Replacement Pages
Teacher's Guide: Activity 4, Table 1
Additional Resources
Download SGI-Trade-offs-Fueling for ways to incorporate instruction about trade-offs into different activities in the chemistry unit.
Activity 12
The Atomic Theory and the Mole
PowerPoint Presentation
Suggestions for using the presentation are included in the notes section that accompanies each slide.
Chemistry: Earth's Resources
Activity 1
Sustainability and the Earth's Natural Resources
Transparency 1.1: Per Capita Use of Selected Resources
Activity 2
Metals and their Ores
Student Sheet 2.1: Map of the World
Extension: The Footprint Chronicles
Export of Ores
Import of Ores
Export of Metals
Import of Metals
Activity 3
Physical Properties of Ores and Metals
Student Sheet 3.1: Testing Physical Properties
Activity 4
Extracting Metal from an Ore
Student Sheet 4.1: Processing Ores
Student Sheet 4.2: Inputs and Outputs
Activity 6
Making Inferences
Student Sheet 6.1: Obscertainer Inferences
Activity 7
Developing a Model of the Atom
Student Sheet 7.1: Anticipation Guide: Developing a Model of the Atom
PowerPoint: Developing a Model of the Atom
Useful Link: Misconceptions about Science
Activity 8
The Periodic Table of the Elements
Student Sheet 8.1: Periodic Table of the Elements
Extension: Other Types of Periodic Tables
The Periodic Table Live!
Activity 9
Trends and Relationships in the Periodic Table
Transparency 9.1: Relative Atomic Radii
Transparency 9.2: Electron Arrangements for Periods 1 through 3
Transparency 9.3: Representation of Equal Mass Samples of Two Elements
Activity 10
The Reactivity of Metals
Video Clip: Alkali Metals with Water
Activity 11
Gaining and Losing Electrons
Student Sheet 11.1: Atoms and Ions
Student Sheet 11.2: Ionic and Covalent Bonds
Activity 12
Types of Bonds
Molecular Workbench
Simulator 1
Launch Molecular Workbench.
Select the Activity Center.
Under the “Chemistry” heading, select “Chemical Bonds.”
Choose “2. Distorting Orbital Shape with Electric Charge.”
Activate the simulator by clicking on it.
Simulator 2
Launch Molecular Workbench.
Select the Activity Center.
Under the “Chemistry” heading, select “Chemical Bonds.”
Choose “6. Electronegativity Difference Determines Bond Type.”
Activate the simulator by clicking on it.
Activity 13
The Strengths of Bonds
Student Sheet 13.1: Three-Level Reading Guide: The Strengths of Bonds
Extension: How Geckos Stick - New Find May Lead to New Glue
Activity 14
Modeling Hydrocarbons
Student Sheet 14.1: Naming Hydrocarbons
Useful Links: IUPAC Nomenclature: Link 1, Link 2
Activity 15
Distillation of Simulated Crude Oil
Transparency 15.1: Diagram of a Fractional Distillation Tower
Activity 16
Modeling Polymers
Transparency 16.1: Some Common Synthetic Polymers
Transparency 16.2: Some Biochemical Molecules
Extension--Links to Historical Information on Synthetic Polymers: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Activity 20
Taking a Vote
Student Sheet 20.1: Analyzing Claims
Student Sheet 20.2: Ballot Paper
Activity 21
Industrial Symbiosis
Transparency 21.1: Rules for Playing “Industrial Symbiosis”
Student Sheet 21.1: Company Balance Sheet
Physics: Waves
Click here for Student Sheets and Transparencies for the Physics Waves Unit
Activity 1
Predicting Earthquakes
PBS Online News Hour: Predicting Earthquakes
USGS: 100% Chance of an Earthquake
Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network: Earthquake Prediction
Activity 7
History of Earthquakes, by State
US Earthquake Information by State
Activity 9
Snell's Law
The Physics Classroom Tutorial: The Mathematics of Refraction
Refraction and Reflection Applet
HyperPhysics: Reflection and Refraction of Light
Activity 16
Spectroscopy and Air pollution
European Space Agency: Global air pollution map
Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation: UV/Visible Compact Spectrometers
National Centre for Atmospheric Science: City-scale air pollution
Activity 18
Nuclear Power Plants, by State
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Power Plants in the United States
Physics: Generating Electricity
General Resources
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Energy Information Administration (EIA)
National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
A list of commonly used energy terms from the EIA
California ISO
Activity 6
Microscopic View of Charges
Balloons and Static Electricity Simulation from PhET
Activity 8
Current in Circuits
Circuit Construction Kit (CCK) Simulation from PhET
Activity 10
Graphing Resistance
Circuit Construction Kit (CCK) Simulation from PhET
Activity 14
Electric Motors and Generators
Faraday’s Electromagnetic Lab Simulation from PhET
Activity 16
The Electric Grid
PG&E Electric Grid
Supply and Demand for Electricity for California from LBL
Miscellaneous
Click here for presentation slides from the SGI Conference (Summer 2008)
Click here for the “Ice Breaker” comments from the SGI Conference (Summer 2008)