Education Links

There are a number of other web sites that may be of interest to educators. These include such things as educational organizations, national programs, educational resources on the internet, and information on various standards programs. Some are sites intimately connected with the Centennial Museum; others are connected only by the principle of intellectual excitement.

Education Associations

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is a national organization that encourages research to better understand how people learn. Its annual meetings and publications provide ways for researchers to share what they have learning about effective teaching.

The Association for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS) strives to promote leadership and support for those involved in the professional development of teachers of science."

The National Association for Research in Science Teaching, (NARST) is an organization dedicated to using scholarly research to study how students learn science. They have both annual meetings and a journal, the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, where professionals share their findings.

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) is a non-profit corporation affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Teachers Association. It is involved primarily in defense against attacks on the teaching of evolution, and it (and links on its pages) are excellent sources of objective information.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is an organization specifically dedicated to helping science teachers teach more effectively. They have both national and regional meetings and publish several journals in which teachers share their ideas and strategies with each other.

The Science Education Associations homepage is the gateway to the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), the National Earth Science Teachers Association, and the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA). This page also provides a multitude of links to other science education associations and resources.

The Texas Education Agency website includes information to Texas teachers about what is happening in this state regarding education. This is also the site that contains the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

The Texas State Teachers Association is the largest teachers' organization in Texas. It is affiliated with the National Education Association. TSTA is an advocate for both children and employees in public education, working with the Legislature, State Board of Education, legal channels, and public relations.

Standards

The National Science Education Standards is available online or can be ordered as a book. The goals for the standards are to help people achieve scientific literacy. Browse or order the book at this website.

Project 2061, Science for All Americans, contains benchmarks developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. These benchmarks give teachers a blueprint of what their students should learn and understand during certain grades. The Benchmarks are available as a book or online. You can find benchmarks by going to the Project 2061 website and following the link to "2061 tools".

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) is the set of standards which was adopted in Texas in 1997. TEKS are broken down by both subject (science, math, social studies, etc) and by grade level. They provide themes for teachers to use in planning their lessons.

Web Resources

Access Excellence is a website dedicated to math and science education. It includes an activities exchange, a place to collaborate with other teachers, information on what's new in science, 21st century classrooms, and more.

The New Middle School Teachers Guide is a website designed to help new and experienced teachers in Middle schools. This site includes information on discussion lists for teachers where they can share their difficulties and solutions. It also has lots of links to suggestion pages and articles where teachers can turn for ideas.

PBS Teacher Connex is a website from the Public Broadcasting System. In addition to schedules of upcoming programs, it also provides suggestions of how to use the programs in the classroom, supplementary activities and materials, and a statement on how teachers can record and use its programs, free of charge, in their classrooms.

Chihuahuan Desert Study Guides from New Mexico State University has a variety of study activities for children.

Publications

Dragonfly is a magazine available from the National Science Teachers Association. The website has tons of fun activities for children to experiment with, regardless of whether they receive the magazine.

The Electronic Journal of Science Education is a journal that exists entirely on the internet. Complete articles dedicated toward learning more about how to teach and learn science are available at the website.

The U.S. Department of Education publishes a wealth of information for teachers, administrators, policymakers, researchers, parents, students, and others with a stake in education. Whether you want educational statistics or brochures addressing parent's concerns about public schools, you can find it here.

National Programs

GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is an international program in which students and their teachers become partners with scientists to learn what is happening on our planet. Students can also become partners with and examine data from other schools, giving students a more thorough understanding of Earth's many different environments. There are GLOBE schools on every continent (yes, even Antarctica), and participating students really get a sense of being part of something larger than themselves. For information on GLOBE workshops through the Museum, click on the "education" link at the top of the frame to your left, then click on "workshops".

Project Learning Tree is a national program that uses trees and the forest as a window from which to learn about numerous subjects. The PLT activity guides are only available to those who take a workshop to be trained in use of the activities. PLT activities can be used to teach any subject and any grade level. For information on PLT workshops through the Museum, click on the "education" link at the top of the frame to your left, then click on "workshops".

Project WET, Water Education for Teachers, is a national program developed in Montana. The goal of Project WET is to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and through the establishment of state and internationally sponsored Project WET programs. Teachers can get WET materials by attending a Project WET workshop. The Museum hopes to offer these in the future, but we do not yet have access to the materials. Check our workshop page regularly to see what is being offered and find out when we are able to offer Project WET.

Project WILD is a national program that uses wildlife and wildlife issues to teach a variety of subjects. The activity guides provide teachers with activities for all grades, to use indoors or outdoors, and to integrate various subjects and concepts. Project WILD activities get students involved with and excited about science. The Museum offers Project WILD training workshops (the only way you can get the activity guides). For information on these workshops, click on the "education" link at the top of the frame to your left, then click on "workshops". You can even see a sample activity, complete with photograph, from one of our past workshops.

Museum Links

MUSEE stands for Museums and Universities Supporting Educational Enrichment, Inc. This website gives information on museum websites from all over the world. It ranks various museum websites based on visitor information, education, research, fun, and other attributes. You can locate museums all over the world, visit their websites, and find out about visiting them physically by exploring this website.

Other

About Arts: Radio Resources - directory of radio related websites and discussion groups.