Biology Studies
Access Excellence was originally created by Genentech...
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Access Excellence was originally created by Genentech. It offers some learning resources, such as the mystical evolution of frogs (croak!), but the major goal is to stimulate a professional exchange.
GenScope Project, developed by Paul Horwitz, is an advanced tool which links stored data (such as animations) to software objects with their own properties in disconnected online databases. Computers bridge the gap between a model and the physical world it represents. The domain is a nice application of genetics with multiple levels (DNA, chromosomes, organism, pedigree and population). While the software is content-rich and appealing to students, the major goal of this project is to demonstrate a model for science education. Object-oriented learning strategies have been touted but rarely implemented for K-12. Hopefully, more curricula will emerge exploiting this model for online learning.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute offer special talks for high school students. The topics have been intriguing, such as "The Immune System - Friend or Foe" and "Senses and Sensitivity". Laboratory demonstrations are included, too. They are transmitted via satellite. Look also at GeneticTrail - the story of a young person with a "flawed" gene. With the race to map the human genome over HHMI via BioInteractive has provided an opportunity for students to sequence particular genes and practice using Illustrator. Free CD's are available, too.
Biology: Exploring Life is a subscription service; teachers have contributed materials for high school classes. All the work is online, accompanied by study guides, projects, and problems. It is graphically appealing with solid concept development.
Research tools for molecular biology are available at the CMS Molecular Biology Resource. The Human Genome Center at Lawrence Berkeley Labs shows sophisticated genetic data for advanced students.
A national Biology Information Infrastructure, containing 50,000 factoids in its databases, is now open for students in high school and below. Its selection of curriculum and teacher support resources seems thoughtful. The many projects have been consolidated at Genome Gov. The Centers for Disease Control also includes many databases for student research projects.
Teachers' Domain Professional Development has designed an online course in biology which incorporates media and other interactive technologies. It is inquiry-based and brings in PBS and other sites as well as corresponding to state and national standards.
The Biotechnology Institute, a non-profit, stirs interest in biotechnology and its potential for solving human health, food, and environmental problems, especially disease.
The Medical Mysteries project, focusing on infectious diseases, includes engaging simulated experiments, microscope slides, science games and quizzes. Examples include smallpox and maleria. The activities are linked to standards.And this softare is FREE and easy to download.
Invasive Species: Resource Library was prepared by the US Office of Agriculture.In recent years many new discoveries have been found to strengthen crop production.
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While the cost of accessing sites like Biology: Exploring Life may seem a bit expensive, it illustrates the effort by teachers to receive compensation for developing good stuff. Some schools have shifted entirely to online materials rather than a text.
