Website: ChemCollective

CHEMCOLLECTIVE is an online resource for teaching and learning chemistry.

The website contains virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, tutorials, and concept tests. The materials are organized by topic and resource type. A Teachers section provides ideas for modifying and creating activities.

Librarians will find that teachers and students enjoy the varied, hands-on activities. Some of the activities would work well in a learning station to draw interest in STEM activities.

To visit the website, go to http://chemcollective.org.

Website Review: BBC Bitesize

BBC BITESIZE is a website providing small chunks of instruction on key topics across the curriculum.

Although designed for students living in the United Kingdom, the focused, online study guides are useful in the K-12 US curriculum too. The website provides elementary, middle, and secondary content in areas such as art, music, media studies, English, science, technology, social studies, business, history, and many other areas. Users can access content by primary or secondary grades or by subject area.

While some topics include learning guides, others contain short animated clips, video clips, interactive games, quizzes, tutorials, or other instructional content.

While the website can be overwhelming for students, librarians will find a wealth of resources. Work with teachers to connect specific topics to the curriculum and link students directly to the resource such as the tutorial or video clip.

To visit the website, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/education.

Website Review: Learn. Genetics

LEARN. GENETICS from the Genetic Science Learning Center provides high-quality, interactive information about genetics as well as the foundational science related to genetics topics.

Sponsored by the University of Utah, the website is divided into the areas of genetics, cell biology, ecology, human health, neuroscience, and science tools. Each section provides fascinating tutorials and interactives related to core concepts.

The Genetics section begins with a tour of basic genetics. Then, examines specific aspects of the field such as characteristics of inheritance and epigenetics. In addition, it explores practical applications such as pigeon breeding.

Each resource includes interesting information and visuals. Most incorporate interactive elements to keep students interested.

Librarians will find many connections to the science curriculum. Consider working with the science teacher to select specific sections that might be used to introduce or reinforce a science lesson.

To visit the website, go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/.

Website Review: Edheads

The EDHEADS website provides a wealth of interactive educational resources for all ages.

The website contains a wide range of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities.

Resources for elementary and middle school youth include Simple Machines, The Compound Machine, Weather, and Design a Cell Phone.

Resources for middle and high school youth include Trauma, Deep Brain Stimulation, Virtual Knee Surgery, Choose the Prosthetic, Virtual Hip Replacement, Virtual Hip Resurfacing, and Aortic Aneurysm Surgery.

Resources for high school students include Sickle Cell DNA, Crash Scene, Stem Cell Transplant, Stem Cell Heart Repair, and Nanoparticles and Brain Tumors.

The Teacher Resources section encourages educators to participate by exploring materials teachers have created to go with the interactives as well as the opportunity to share ideas.

Librarians will find these high-quality interactives to be popular with both students and teachers. The online activities are attractive, engaging, and educational.

To learn more, go to the website at http://edheads.org.

Website Review: Mocomi

Mocomi is an educational website providing short, informational interactives and reading experiences.

The term “mocomi” stands for MOtion COMIcs. Originally designed for children in India, the website’s goal is to help educate young people around the world through animation and storytelling. Designed for children 12 and under, the website contains over 1500 modules across content areas. The colorful graphics and animation will appeal to elementary grade learners.

The website is divided into “fun” and “learn” sections.

The “fun” section provides interactives in the areas of arts & crafts, drawing, printables, games, stories, poems & rhymes and kid’s wallpaper.

The “learn” section includes resources related to science, math, geography, history, english, civics, culture, environment, the arts, and general knowledge. Keep in mind that these interactives weren’t designed for US schools, so not interactives apply to American education. The interactives vary in their quality and format. While some are mostly linear, informational reading experiences, others contain interactive aspects. Many take the form of infographics.

Although the website contains lots of advertising, it shouldn’t be too distracting for students.

The MocomiKids YouTube channel contains dozens of high-quality educational videos. Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/mocomikids.

Librarians will enjoy working their way through the interactives matching them to the curriculum.

To go to the website, go to http://mocomi.com/.

Website Review: John and Hank Green Online Resources

Brothers John and Hank Green are social media celebrities, but they also provide important content that young adults love. John is best known for his award-winning YA novels like The Fault in Our Stars, while Hank is the creator of endless online content. Over the past several years they’ve developed a staggering amount of online content.

The CrashCourse YouTube Channel feature short, live action and animated videos exploring key concepts from world history to biology. Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse.

The SciShow YouTube Channel uses quick, enthusiastic videos to discuss science news, history, and concepts. Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/scishow.

The vlogbrothers YouTube Channel features videos on current topics of interest to teens. They do an outstanding job putting important global issues into language young people understanding. Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers.

The Project for Awesome is a great example of social activism focusing on topics such as education and literacy. Users are encouraged to create videos to support their favorite charity. Go to http://www.projectforawesome.com/.

Are you a Nerdfighter? Teacher librarians should be aware of this online community popular with teens. Associated with the Green brothers, the subculture promotes togetherness and positive peer support. Their motto is DFTBA, “Don’t Forget To Be Awesome”. Nerdfighters is a community website that includes book and music discussions and engaging projects such as short story writing contests. Go to http://nerdfighters.ning.com/.

For John and Hank’s website go to http://nerdfighteria.com/.
For John’s Tumbler, go to http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/.
For Hank’s Tumbler, go to http://edwardspoonhands.com/.