Tag: nature

Education, Independent Study, K-12, Research, Science, Teaching Tools, Videos, Websites

The Ark in Space

Terri Eichholz
Flickr photo from Photomatt28, included in Ark in Space article on Burrowing Owls

The Ark in Space – A Compendium of Creatures is exactly that.  If you have any students who are researching animals, or who have any kind of passion for them, this is the site for them.  There are astounding photos and videos that will fascinate any nature lover.  The articles are short, and certainly not as comprehensive as other sites, but many of them are unique to this site.  For example, take a look at Synchronized Swimming in the Animal Kingdom, or Sea Slug Symphony for collections of stunning photographs that I doubt you will find anywhere else.  Or, browse the small collection of videos, and you will find Two Unlikely Friends at the Zoo, a touching video that might bring a tear to your eye.

Photographs or videos from The Ark in Space are a sure way to grab the attention of your students!

Art, Creative Thinking, Education, K-12, Student Products, Websites

Children’s Eyes on Earth

Terri Eichholz

 

Children’s Eyes on Earth is sponsoring an international youth photo contest.  To enter, you must be 17 or under, and have parental or guardian consent.  There are two themes:  “I Love Nature” and “I Fear Pollution”, and each participant must upload at least one photo for each theme.  The deadline for this contest is September 15th.  Even if you don’t plan to have your students formally enter this contest, these would be neat themes to use for a classroom display of photographs taken by the children.  It will also be interesting to visit the site once the winning entries are posted, and to discuss the subjects of the images.  Be sure to watch the video on the home page that features world-renowned professional photographer Reza explaining the concept of this contest.

Art, K-12, Math, Teaching Tools, Videos, Websites

Nature By Numbers

Terri Eichholz

This is the week of video posts, so here is your third one – an absolutely stunning video that visually relates how nature and math are absolutely connected.  This video was brought to my attention by a fellow teacher, Shari M., who knew that my gifted students would enjoy it as much as I would.

Nature by Numbers from Cristóbal Vila on Vimeo.

You could: pause this movie after the number pattern to see if your students can identify the pattern, have them research Fibonacci, challenge them to list all of the natural objects represented, ask them to find other items in nature that have connections to this pattern.

The creator of this video has an amazing website that explains the math, shows stills of his work in progress, and more.