One of my colleagues shared a unique news story about using Google Earth for research. It seems birds are not the only animals who sense the magnetic field of the Earth. Researchers looked at the orientation of cows when they were grazing or resting using imagery from Google Earth. Here's a link to the article:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93970746
Maureen (MO) Friese and I presented this past spring at Harrison at the workshops there. If you'd like to learn how to use this rich source of primary data with your students, please feel free to contact me directly. You can find me in GroupWise as Herman Wood.
Science Resources
Recent Posts
- Mableton, Mt. Bethel & Clarkdale Receive New Gardens
- Q & A about the new Science Standards
- Celebrate GA STEM Day on May 3rd!
- GA State ESO Volunteers Needed
- Atlanta Falcon Cam
- Exploring Forestry & Wildlife in GA Workshop
- Volcano Webcams
- Summer PD Opportunity w/ Teacher Stipend
- Butterflies are Coming!
Science Links
Google Earth for Elementary Science
Google Earth is a free application that is approved for use in Cobb County. Let's investigate how this dynamic program can be used to enhance and enrich our Georgia Science curriculum. Google Earth allows teachers and students to travel to specific locations to see satellite images, maps, terrain, and much more. Explore, document and share your tours with others in and outside the classroom.
More information can be found at Google Earth on the internet.
Atomic Learning offers tutorials for Google Earth 4 that are very easy to follow. Check it out at the link below to get started using this wonderful resource available for Cobb County employees.
Atomic Learning Tutorials for Google Earth 4
Follow the link and login to start using Atomic Learning.
Grade 1 Science
S1E1. Students will observe, measure, and communicate weather data to see patterns in weather and climate.
b. Investigate weather by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and recording weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic journal or on a calendar seasonally.
c. Correlate weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) to seasonal changes.
We will investigate how teachers and students can mark their school location and use the weather layer to track weather patterns and record data. Students will examine the standards using dynamic, real-time data, which is updated regularly for any location of their choice.
The document below is the step-by-step directions for setting up Placemarks and Weather in Google Earth.
Step-by-Step Directions for Weather Layers
Download google_earth_1_science_pc.pdf
Download getting_to_know_google_earth_interface.pdf
Grade 3 Science
S3E1. STudents will investigate the physical attributes of rocks and soils.
You can use the websites below and the application FullShot to capture images that could be used as custom icons for placemarks use in Google Earth.
Rocks and Rock Cycle Websites
Mineral Resources
Soil Resources
Grade 5 Science
S5E1. Students will identify surbace features of the Earth caused by constructive and destructive processes.
a. Identify surface features caused by constructive processes.
- Deposition (Deltas, sand dunes, etc.)
- Earthquakes
- Volcanoes
- Faults
b. Identify and find examples of surface features caused by destructive processes.
- Erosion (water- rivers and oceans, wind)
- Weathering
- Impact of organisms
- Earthquake
- Volcano
A Google Earth Twist: Another idea for using Google Earth is to have students design a Google Landform Trip. Using the links below, there is a wealth of information that transforms the earth science classroom into a real-time search and research of surface features.
Great Websites for Landform Trips
Great Georgia Landforms Webquest
Great Geologic Google Earth Files
Step-by-Step Directions
Download google_earth_landforms_trip_5_science_pc.pdf
Landform Trip Resources
Download constructive_destructive_worksheet.pdf
Google Sky for K-5
Google isn't just for Earth anymore! You can now look at the sky in Google Earth. It's called Sky! It's the same piece of software, Google Earth, but instead of looking down, it looks up. If you don't have Google Earth loaded on your computer, place a work order by calling 770 426 3330 or emailing techhelp.support@cobbk12.org and requesting the software be loaded on your computer. (If you don't know, look for this icon 
on your computer.)
Start by reading what Google tells us about it: http://www.google.com/sky/about.html
Using our standards for a guide, let's take a look at features in Sky:
In Kindergarten:
SKE1 Day and Night Sky
Students will describe time patterns (such as day to night and night to day) and objects (such as sun, moon, stars) in the day and night sky.
Google will allow you to see the day/night line on the Earth as it appears from space. Click on the 
icon to see the day/night line on the image of the Earth.
Click on the 
icon in the top menu bar. That gives you the "sky"view. Click on the slider to move the time forward or back manually.
Clicking on the play icon on the right will play an animation of the day/night line as it moves across the Earth.
Second Grade:
S2E1 Stars
Students will understand that stars have different sizes, brightness, and patterns.
Imagery in Sky certainly shows stars with with differing sizes, brightness, and can show patterns as well.
S2E2 Sun and Moon
Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
Sky works in layers. Because of the wealth of information that can be seen, it's helpful to turn some layers off to better see others. The layer called Our Solar System has a layer within it that is time based. It can show the motion of the planets across the sky as a function of time over a 2 year period.
To see the layers, click on the Layers palette in the lower left area of the screen so that the disclosure arrow is down. Click on the + next to the Our Solar System layer.
Click on the Our Solar System Introduction and it will open a window to explain how the layer works.
Fourth Grade:
S4E1 Physical Attributes of Stars, Star Patterns, and Planets
Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets.
Imagery in Sky shows star patterns. Many objects in Sky have a window that opens when clicked. It may contain only basic data, such as location and distance, or may even have links to Google searches for web pages and news on that object.
S4E2 Position and Motion of the Earth
Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.
The moon's phases can be animated over time by going into the "Our Solar System" layer. Double click on it, as we did above. Double click on The Moon. As before, there is a control at the top of the screen for playing. When clicked, the progress marker can be opened up to show the moon's images over time.
The center of the bar can also be opened by hovering so that an I beam appears. 
Once you click and drag the I beam, images of the moon phases over time appear on the page.
Acceleration / Remediation Strategy
Here's a simple strategy to help your students review and preview concepts in your class. Eric Hazelip, a 6th grade science teacher at Campbell MS, shared this acceleration/remediation bulletin board idea. The idea is to create a "Movie Poster" themed bulletin board. The first poster is "Coming Soon." This lets children see what they will be learning about in the future. The "Now Playing" poster shows what the students are currently studying. The final poster, "Available on DVD," is a reminder to students about the unit of study recently completed. Mr. Hazelip allows his students to create the posters. This is a great strategy to help students connect what they are doing in class from unit to unit.
Do you have a strategy you'd be willing to share? Send me an e-mail w/ photo and tell me about it.
Why do we need science in elementary schools?
Science is a vital part of a child's elementary experience. Teachers need to encourage students to build scientific understandings, scientific literacy, and investigative skills. Students can accomplish these goals through active inquiry or hands-on learning. Teachers, of elementary students, should help students connect their previous knowledge with new ideas and evidence.
Students should focus on "doing" science related to earth science, life science, physical science, rather than merely reading about science topics. Embedding the Characteristics of Science standards into Content standards, will enable students to learn how to do science while simultaneously learning content.
Science at the elementary level doesn't have to be complicated. Simple labs, observations, and simulations are power techniques to help young children build scientific literacy. Guided inquiry labs are an easy way to allow students to "play" while learning.
