Science Podcasts

Middle School Science Minute--Foul Odors

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:16:52 -0500

This middle school science minute is about safety in the classroom. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ken Roy answered a question about foul odors found in some of the sinks in the back of a classroom. He shares some possible solutions and some possible causes.

STEM Education Minute-Science and Engineering Differ Pt 1

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:05:00 -0500

This podcast looks at the differences between science and engineering. It is the first part in a two part series. In the new Framework for K-12 Science Education, they start describing the differences between science and engineering. In part one of this series, the focus is on the differences between investigations and engineering design.

Climate Change Minute--Role of Human Activity

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:20:33 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more the causes of climate change is NASA's Climate website, at:
http://climate.nasa.gov/causes

Human activity plays a role as a cause of climate change. The IPCC concluded a 90% probability that human activities over the past 250 years have warmed our planet.

Middle School Science Minute--Transforming Field Trips

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:11:06 -0500

This middle school science minute is about transforming field trips. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Rebecca Morris wrote an article entitled, "Transforming a Field Trip Into an Expedition: Supporting Active Research and Science Content Through a Museum Visit.” Rebecca shares the methods that she used with her 6th grade students. She developed the museum field trip into a short-term, active research project assignment.

STEM Education Minute-DefinitIon of T,E, and Application

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:06:14 -0500

This podcast looks at the definition of three terms:
Technology-any modification of the natural world made to fulfill human needs or desires.
Engineering-a systemic and often iterative approach to designing objects, processes, and systems to meet human needs and wants.
Application of Science-any use of scientific knowledge for a specific purpose, whether to do more science; to design a product, process, or medical treatment; te develop a new technology; or to predict the impacts of human actions.
These definitions come from the Next Generation Science Standards K-12 Framework.

Climate Change Minute--Contributing Gases

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:25 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more the causes of climate change is NASA's Climate website, at:
http://climate.nasa.gov/causes

Certain gases contribute to the expansion of the "greenhouse effect." They include:
Water Vapor
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide
Chlorofluorocarbons

Middle School Science Minute--Not Another Lab Report

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:41:55 -0500

This middle school science minute is about writing lab reports. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Fred Enge wrote an article entitled, "Not Another Lab Report." Fred shares his ideas on helping his 8th grade students improve on their lab reports. Two important factors came into play:
1. Relevance
2. Guidance

STEM Education Minute-What is STEM

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:38:42 -0500

The question is often asked, "What is STEM?" In an article written in the New York Times, "STEM Education Has Little to Do With Flowers," they explore the acronym. In this podcast the acronym is defined, Dr. Eric Lander is interviewed, and historical information is shared to help develop a better understanding of STEM.

Climate Change Minute-Satellite Information Part 4

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:54:11 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more about satellites and climate change is NASA's "Eyes on the Earth 3D" website:
http://climate.nasa.gov/Eyes/eyes.html

This site provides the information for a series of four podcasts on satellites which provide information on vital signs of our planet. This is the fourth and final podcast in this series. In this podcast, we look at four satellites that provide information about our lands. The four satellites are the:
EO-1
GRACE
LANDSAT-7
TERRA

Middle School Science Minute--Nature Journaling

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:40:45 -0500

This middle school science minute is about Nature Journaling. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Janita Cormell and Toni Ivey wrote an article entitled, "Nature Journaling: Enhancing Students' Connections to the Environment Through Writing." Janita describes how she shared her passion for nature with her sixth-grade students through nature journaling and how her students gained a better understanding of the natural world.

STEM Education Minute-Big Questions Part 2

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:49:15 -0500

This is the second podcast in a two part series on two BIG questions dealing with STEM Education.

The first question is:
Why has STEM education received more attention in recent years?

The second question is:
How can parents become more involved in engaging their kids in STEM Education?

In this podcast, Joyce Malyn-Smith, Managing Project Director of EDC, responds to the two questions.

Climate Change Minute-Satellite Information Part 3

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:34:01 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more about satellites and climate change is NASA's "Eyes on the Earth 3D" website:
http://climate.nasa.gov/Eyes/eyes.html

This site provides the information for a series of four podcasts on satellites which provide information on vital signs of our planet. This is the third of four podcasts in this series. In this podcast, we look at two satellites that provide information about our oeans. The two satellites are the:
JASON 1
OSTM / JASON 2

STEM Education Minute-Big Questions Part 1

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 17:39:08 -0500

This is the first of a two part series on two BIG questions dealing with STEM Education.

The first question is:
Why has STEM education received more attention in recent years?

The second question is:
How can parents become more involved in engaging their kids in STEM Education?

In this podcast, Stephan Turnipseed, President of LEGO Education North America, responds to the two questions.

Middle School Science Minute--Metal Safety

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 09:31:00 -0500

This middle school science minute is about metal safety. In the December, 2011 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ken Roy wrote an article entitled, "Test Your Metal (safety knowledge)." He investigates the safety issues involved in using metals with middle school students. If you would like to read the article in its entirety, please visit:
http://www.nsta.org/publications/browse_journals.aspx?action=issue&thetype=all&id=10.2505/3/ss11_035_04

Climate Change Minute-Satellite Information Part 2

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 09:26:05 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more about satellites and climate change is NASA's "Eyes on the Earth 3D" website:
http://climate.nasa.gov/Eyes/eyes.html

This site provides the information for a series of four podcasts on satellites which provide information on vital signs of our planet. This is the second of four podcasts in this series. In this podcast, we look at four satellites that provide information about our atmosphere. The four satellites are the:
CLOUDSAT
QUICKSAT
SORCE
TRMM

Climate Change Minute-Satellite Information Part 1

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:35:03 -0500

A great site to visit to learn more about satellites and climate change is NASA's "Eyes on the Earth 3D" website:
http://climate.nasa.gov/Eyes/eyes.html

This site provides the information for a series of four podcasts on satellites which provide information on vital signs of our planet. This is the first of four podcasts in this series. In this podcast, we look at four satellites that provide information about our atmosphere. The four satellites are the:
ACRIMSAT
AQUA
AURA
CALIPSO

Michigan e-Blast for Dec 8 - 21, 2011

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:12:32 -0500

(17 Minutes) This is a podcast of the December 8 - 21, 2011 Michigan Science Matters e-Blast. The e-Blast is distributed to Points of Contact, Key Leaders and State Partners in the Science Matters Network in Michigan. The song featured at the end of this podcast, recorded by Science Explosion, is "Planet Earth." The text version of this podcast can be found at:
http://msta-mich.org/smn

Middle School Science Minute--Cockroaches

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:14:14 -0500

This middle school science minute is about cockroaches. In the December, 2011 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ron Wagler wrote an article entitled, "Using Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches to Develop and Enhance the Scientific Inquiry Skill of Observation in Middle School Students." He shares activities that students can do to enhance their observational skills.

Climate Change Minute-Rapid CC Evidence, Pt 2

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:32:54 -0500

This Climate Change Minute is the second of two podcasts on the compelling evidence for rapid climate change, provided by NASA through their website:
http://climate.nasa.gov
In this second podcast, the evidence is aligned to:
Declining Arctic Sea Ice
Glacial Retreat
Extreme Events
Ocean Acidification

Middle School Science Minute--Physics of Curling

Mon, 5 Dec 2011 10:50:34 -0500

This middle school science minute is about the physics of curling. In the December, 2011 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication), there is an article entitled, "Swept Away: Exploring the Physics of Curling" by Liza Esser. In the article, Liza explains the game of curling, the physics of curling, and then she develops a 5E lesson that she uses in her unit on forces and motion.