The links posted here are organized by topic and not by the order we will learn them.
Science on the Web
A great way to advance your learning in science and prepare for high school biology and chemistry is to explore sites and stories of recent scientific discoveries on the web. Let me know when you find something fascinating.
My Secret Life - Video shorts on the lives of modern day scientists.
SIXTH GRADE!! STUDY FOR YOUR TEST USING THESE FIRST TWO SECTIONS ON CELLS AND THE BODY. Your test focuses on Cells and cell processes, diffusion and osmosis, the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems, and how cells are organized in human bodies. The test is open notes, but only for the last 15 minutes.
GENETICS AND HEREDITY
INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS - an inspirational overview of genetic science
What is Heredity? - Utah Genetics gives a tour of the basics (not optional)
Take the tour and make connections to your Science Reading Assignment
What is a trait? - click on "what is a trait", watch and answer the worksheet questions
MENDELIAN GENETICS - Explains Gregor Mendel's work and the principles of genetics
MENDEL'S LAWS OF GENETIC INHERITANCE - An interactive site
CHROMOSOMAL GENETICS - If you want to know more, this high school teacher explains non-Mendelian Genetics or the way multiple genes work together.
ABOUT GENETICS: Stanford University site covering...
WHAT IS A GENE?, HOW DO GENES WORK?, and WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT?
GENE MUTATIONS - mutations that matter and others that don't; sickle cell anemia
STEM CELL RESEARCH - Utah Genetics explains current work with stem cells.
Can We Live Forever? - The full NOVA episode about genetic engineering (the segment with the little rat that is growing an ear for an injured soldier begins just before 10 minutes)
A beginner's guide to Punnett Squares - explaining gene crosses
DO IT YOURSELF STRAWBERRY DNA EXTRACTION - Eighth Grade Lab Prep:
Read the instructions carefully to be fully prepared.
Seeing Color - An activity to find out how other organisms see color.
DNA Roulette
THE MATING GAME - survival of every species means successful reproduction. Here's a light-hearted informative look at the reproductive strategies of several interesting species.
NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION - Video explaining how sexual selection is a dominant evolutionary force
BIRDS OF PARADISE - Mating dance - what some apecies go to to assure survival of their genetic line.
THE LYRE BIRD - David Attenborough's videos of the mating ritual of the Lyre Bird
THE BEAUTY OF POLLINATION - simply beautiful footage of flowers and their pollinators in action
THE BASIS OF LIFE: CELLS AND LIVING PROCESSES
Introduction to Cells - a short motivational trailer for you
GALLERY OF CELLS - looking at structure and function in human cells
Single Celled Organisms
A TOUR OF THE CELL - a teacher explains the structure and function of cells - too advanced for 6th
Leeuwenhoek and the first microscopes - the beginning of Cell theory
The Discovery of Cells - a somewhat corny reenactment of the discovery of cells
Cell Size and Scale - to answer your many wonderful questions about cell size!
Why are cells small? - a high school teacher explains cell size by volume and surface area - not for 6th
Comparing Plant and Animal Cells - Images
Cell Membranes - Just Passing Through - an interactive site showing how molecules cross cell membranes
A SENSE OF SCALE - Not sure where to put this, but it helps give perspective to life especially as you think about atoms making molecules, molecules making proteins, sugars and fats and then creating the structure of a cell. Cells together make tissues. Tissues make Organs. Organs make organ systems and systems make Organisms.
HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS - Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems, Organisms
Human Body Interactive - Identifying Systems of the Body
THE HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - An excellent coverage of the structure, function,and process of respiration. I think it was made when I was in middle school
Respiratory System Labeling Interactive
WHY DO I YAWN, SNEEZE, ETC...?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I BREATHE? - Watch the short video clip at the bottom
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM SITE explains how the respiratory system is structured, how it works and connects to a page on lung conditions and illnesses. Just use the subject lines on the left side of the page. Check out the interactive model at the bottom of the page.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - online QUIZ
3-D ANIMATION OF THE WORKING HEART with an explanation of circulation
HEART ANATOMY AND FUNCTION - for students seeking deeper understanding
BUILDING A HEART
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - online QUIZ
HUMAN DIGESTIVE PROCESS - watch for the general process and disregard the technical terms. We will learn the needed terms in class and in your written material.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - online QUIZ
THE HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM: An interactive site exploring nerve cells, how messages move, and how we keep our balance, to name a few.
NERVOUS SYSTEM - online QUIZ
NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS - Dr. Chudler's World of Neuroscience. Explore!
WHO AM I? - UK Science Museum answers Qs about your brain and your body
MUSCLE MEMORY? Larry Fitzgerald catching footballs upside down + reaction time
Can We Live Forever? - The full NOVA episode about genetic engineering (the segment with the little rat that is growing an ear for an injured soldier begins just before 10 minutes)
BRAIN TALK 101 - Learn how the brain works in helping us make good decisions
Can We Live Forever? - The full NOVA episode about genetic engineering (the segment with the little rat that is growing an ear for an injured soldier begins just before 10 minutes)
Earth!
Planet Earth - the original BBC trailer for the series Planet Earth
Intro to the Characteristics of Life - Just to get you thinking, which you already do so beautifully.Watch and ask questions. Write them down. Bring them to class!
CELL DIVISION:
The CELL CYCLE - An introduction to the wonder of cell division put to music. First 2:45
THE CELL CYCLE, MEIOSIS and MITOSIS - explains the cell cycle in general for students who are ready for a high school level lecture. Otherwise, watch the videos below!
Cells Dividing - very short video of actual cells dividing
Mitosis in Action - another very short video of cells dividing
Mitosis Explained - short video explaining the stages of cell division
BACTERIA MULTIPLYING - Asexual reproduction, marvels of efficiency!!
Cell Differentiation - a video of the first stages of human cell differentiation after conception
Journey into DNA - NOVA Science explains the structure of DNA molecules in the human genome
How to Extract DNA from anything living - Visit this site to prepare for Science Adventure Lab
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
CLASSIFYING CRITTERS
ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION GAMES
A TOUCH OF CLASS - An interactive site Classifying animals by behaviors and structures
NEUROSCIENCE FOR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH
THE HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM: An interactive site exploring nerve cells, how messages move, and how we keep our balance, to name a few.
NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS - Dr. Chudler's World of Neuroscience. Explore!
BRAIN TALK 101 - Learn how the brain works in helping us make good decisions
WHO AM I? - UK Science Museum answers Qs about your brain and your body
MUSCLE MEMORY? Larry Fitzgerald catching footballs upside down + reaction time
ECOSYSTEMS AND ECOLOGY
BIODIVERSITY - Bill Nye's overview of ecosystems
ECOSPHERE - Closed System
WATER AND LIFE - a video which explains how and why water is so important to life.
THE DIRT ON DIRT - Soil, fungus, worms, and microorganisms keeping us alive
LIFE on YOUR SKIN - a Science Friday video on populations of bacteria which peacefully cohabit with humans
ARKive - exploring the world's endangered species
THE BEAUTY OF POLLINATION -
EVOLUTION and BIODIVERSITY
DISCOVERING THE GREAT TREE OF LIFE - a video exploring the science behind discovering the millions of branches that make up the tree of all organisms. Just watch the first five and a half minutes. Watch the bunnies change color!
EVOLUTION FOR STUDENTS - videos and interactive games about evolution (PBS)
ADAPTATION AND NATURAL SELECTION - a series of film clips and lessons about adaptations observed in nature including evolution of the eye, a praying mantis that looks like a leaf, and the mimicry of an orchid and a b
NOVA SCIENCE - EVOLUTION GAMES - Build a tree of life, Search for connections
NOVA SCIENCE VIDEOS - Short clips with explanations of evolution and natural selection
GUESS THE EMBRYO!
THE ZOO OF YOU! -
HOW DO WE KNOW EVOLUTION HAPPENS?
DNA AND MUTATIONS - Understanding the importance of mutations to survival of species
ISN"T EVOLUTION JUST A THEORY? - NOVA discusses what a theory in science actually is
SPECIATION - a video explaining how species are formed
ALL ABOUT FANCY MALES - a game for choosing the male of bird species
MAMMALS - an amazing interactive tree of life by OneZoom.org. Try it out!
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE - photos of diverse creatures and their classification
OCEAN LIFE - National Geographic's photo gallery for sea life
DEEP SEA OCEAN LIFE - More National Geo photos - Strange and wonderful creatures
DECODING NEANDERTHALS - NOVA takes a look at new research into the caveman's connection to modern man. A few surprises to change our original viewpoint.
ALL IN THE FAMILY - an interactive way to explore and compare skeletons of various animals in order to determine how closely related they are.
7 BILLION - A video showing ways to think about the global population and how did we get so big so fast.
GENETICS AND HEREDITY
INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS - an inspirational overview of genetic science
MENDELIAN GENETICS - Explains Gregor Mendel's work and the principles of genetics
MENDEL'S LAWS OF GENETIC INHERITANCE - An interactive site
CHROMOSOMAL GENETICS - If you want to know more, this high school teacher explains non-Mendelian Genetics or the way multiple genes work together.
ABOUT GENETICS: Stanford University site covering...
WHAT IS A GENE?, HOW DO GENES WORK?, and WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT?
GENE MUTATIONS - mutations that matter and others that don't; sickle cell anemia
STEM CELL RESEARCH - Utah Genetics explains current work with stem cells.
Can We Live Forever? - The full NOVA episode about genetic engineering (the segment with the little rat that is growing an ear for an injured soldier begins just before 10 minutes)
What is Heredity? - Utah Genetics gives a tour of the basics (not optional)
Take the tour and make connections to your Science Reading Assignment
What is a trait? - click on "what is a trait", watch and answer the worksheet questions
A beginner's guide to Punnett Squares - explaining gene crosses
DO IT YOURSELF STRAWBERRY DNA EXTRACTION - Eighth Grade Lab Prep:
The first segment is to remind you of cell structure. The second video is the technique. Read the instructions below the videos to be fully prepared.
CHROMOSOME VIEWER - A fascinating look at Chromosomes in detail: Interactive
Seeing Color - An activity to find out how other organisms see color.
Genes in Common - An activity to learn how many genes we share with other organisms
Are you a Super Taster - find out if you have more sensitive taste than your friends
THE MATING GAME - survival of every species means successful reproduction. Here's a light-hearted informative look at the reproductive strategies of several interesting species.
BIRDS OF PARADISE - Mating dance - what some apecies go to to assure survival of their genetic line.
THE LYRE BIRD - David Attenborough's videos of the mating ritual of the Lyre Bird
THE BEAUTY OF POLLINATION - simply beautiful footage of flowers and their pollinators in action
PLANTS
Time-lapse of plants growing
Photosynthesis
Illuminating Photosynthesis
MICRO-WORLDS
Life in a Drop of Water - video with an explanation of cells
UNDERSTANDING PROTISTS - A high school biology teacher explains protists
PROTISTS - A very short video showing amoeba, volvox, paramecium and paranema.
Single-Celled Organisms - a video clip showing the world of microorganisms - click on view
Single Celled Euglena in action - just fun to watch!
Amoeba Lunch - an amoeba engulfs two paramecia.
Colonies of Algae Cells - Volvox - 50,000 individual cells living together
Worlds We Don't See - Microscopic views of water-borne microorganisms
Virtual POND DIP - Look at all the things you DON'T see in the water
Making a Microscope Slide of Onion and Cheek Cells
Microbiology ONline - Fascinating Facts about microrganisms
Microorganism Growth Conditions - I know, it's Microorganisms for dummies, but they explain things very well!
OTHER FUN PLACES TO GO
Neuroscience for Kids - sixth and seventh grade will be visiting brain awareness week at the University of Washington in March. This site contains activities and extended lessons for students who are fascinated by how our brains and nervous system work.
Blick's Picks Awesome science videos, including polar bears at play, flowers blooming, the amazing xylophone, and the wonder of pollination
Who Am I? - A great site for finding answers to questions about the human body, cells, systems, genetics, and survival.
WONDER OF THE DAY from WONDEROPOLIS - Something to wonder about with a parent or friends. Changes daily.
SCIENCE UPDATES - Science in the News, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
HUNTING THE ELEMENTS - a NOVA episode on the elements
Beach Sand Magnified 250 times
Amazing Fractals
American Museum of Natural History
Young Naturalist Awards American Museum of Natural History
PBS NOVA
Cells Alive!
Microorganisms - A Virtual Pond Dip - click on pond organisms and see them swimming around under a microscope's magnification.
The Dirt on Dirt - Soil, Fungus, Worms, and Microorganisms
ARKive - exploring the world's endangered species
More about Endangered Species - the World Wildlife Fund
WATER AND LIFE - a video which explains how and why water is so important to life.
Science Friday Videos - explore!
UW Game Science Center
Invention Competition for Kids
Science News for Kids
Science Weekly News - The Guardian science news
SCIENCE BUDDIES: Research at least one career in the Life Sciences. Go to the site and choose one career on the Career List that interests you. Take notes as follows:
An overview of the work
Projected job growth and median salary
What to study in high school and minimum degree required
Related occupations
Education and training, other qualifications
Nature of the work, work environment,and description of what they do "on the job"
LIFEWORKS - Careers in Biological Science from the National Institute of Health
BECOMING A SCIENTIST - Videos from Howard Hughes Medical Institute
MEET THE EXPERTS - Environmental Health Connections - People at the front lines of envirohealth problems
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