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Trilobite © 2000 by S. M. Gon III |
CD-ROMS & SOFTWARE
Earthquest
Dorling Kindersley
CD-ROM
1997
"Bring the geological world into your classroom with comprehensive information about rocks, minerals, and the geophysical forces that shape our world. Students can create a 3D volcano, or set off an earthquake and watch its seismic effect on the surrounding environment. Students can even witness transformations of the earth's surface in an accelerated timeline. Photographs, audio, video and text all combine to provide a comprehensive geological reference source." Ages 9 up
School Library Journal: "It well deserves a place in any earth science instructional program as a teaching resource and a research tool."
Entertainment Weekly: Grade A:"Meticulously organized interface--set up like a tourist cavern, complete with a gift shop full of free downloadable postcards--is without a fault."
Children's Software Revue: "The most exciting science program for this issue...(and perhaps this year)."
Booklist: "This fine product will engage users while they learn fascinating facts about the earth."
Parade Magazine: Best Software for Kids 1997: "The often dry subject of Earth Science jumps to life in this 3-D museum filled with Smithsonian-based exhibits."
Uses: This interactive tool will support classroom role-playing and group science exploration or individual study while stimulating interest in Earth Science studies.
Illustrated Dictionary of Earth Science
TASA Graphic Arts & American Geological Institute.
1999
CD-ROM
"The Illustrated Dictionary of Earth Science is a comprehensive geology term reference - an exciting new geology reference CD-ROM, created by collaboration with the American Geological Institute. Geological terms are easier to understand with full color photographs, movies, and labeled illustrations.View a demo for this product by clicking on consecutive screenshots: Includes all these valuable features:
Over 8700 geological terms with definitions. Over 2000 terms are illustrated with a full color illustration, photograph, or movie (video or animated illustration). Term, definition, and images pop up instantly as you select a term. You can click on terms shown in color in the definition to link to that entry in the dictionary. You can print definitions, illustrations, and photographs. The Power Search feature allows you to type in up to three words or phrases and will display a list of Search Results that you can link to."
Uses: Students and teachers can use this dynamic resource as a ready reference to support other Earth Science projects and activities while also building information literacy skills.
Real Science: Careers in the Earth Sciences
Real Science! Series
KTEH Interactive & Videodiscovery, Inc.
CD-ROM
1997
"Students can see what it's like to work in different fields of the earth sciences with this career exploration program. Based on the popular PBS-TV series, this information-packed program features 50 minutes of video, plus dozens of articles, slide presentations and interviews that give students the inside scoop on becoming a paleontologist, space scientist, environmental engineer and geologist while letting them know the academic preparation necessary to achieve each potential career goal. Also features day-in-the-life tours, insights on lab and field work, job-related concepts and demonstrations of specialized equipment and practices, plus information on salary ranges, working conditions and employment forecasts." Grades 6 to 12
From ScienceKit & Boreal Labs"Students learn what it will take to make their science dreams a reality. This informative, interactive series invites students to explore possible careers in science and technology. To help them make an informed decision students hear real scientists working in each field explain what they do, how they do it, and perhaps more importantly, why they do it. Also included are real life overviews of each profession including college preparation and degree required, anticipated salary range, working conditions (from remote outback to office with a desk), and realistic future job prospects. Grades 6 - 12."
Uses: This is an excellent resource for career exploration and also for supporting lessons in science disciplines, systems and methods.Science Seekers: Hidden in Rocks
Tom Snyder Productions
2000
CD-ROM and Teacher's Guide
"In Science Seekers: Hidden in Rocks, students are faced with the challenge of finding the best place to look for fossils in an as-yet unexplored area called Vastland. They must learn about land formations and rock types, and about basic Earth processes like plate tectonics and erosion to pick the best fossil-hunting site." Gr 5-8
From School Library Journal (May2003): Students role-play a team of science problem solvers, headquartered in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History, who must gather information and conduct experiments to find potential fossil sites.
Recommended by: Digital Library for Earth System Education and included in NASA ESE Reviewed Collection
From NASA ESE Reviewed Collection:
"The American Museum of Natural History developed Science Seekers -- a middle school product that includes CD-ROMs, teacher's guides, and hands-on kits. In Hidden in Rocks, students play a team of science problem-solvers on special assignmentoto learn about rock types and rock formations as they explore how scientists use satellite visualizations to help them identify rocks that might contain fossils. Hidden in Rocks consists of three investigations (1. How does uplift change Earth's surface?; 2. Which rocks contain fossils?, and 3. How does erosion change the landscape?) during which students research information to help them achieve their mission objective. During each investigation, students work in cooperative teams to answer questions that will move them closer to solving the problem. Each step of the way, professional scientists guide students' investigations, describing how they've used technological tools such as satellite imagery to solve similar problems and students have opportunities to use some of the same technological tools in their mission."
Uses: This excellent problem-solving, role-playing tool will support Earth Science studies and also lessons on the scientific method, research and data collection and analysis.Understanding Earth
Videodiscovery Inc.
1998
CD-ROM
"Understanding Earth CD-ROM is the first of 4 volumes in the Earth Science Series of CD-ROM programs which includes The Water Planet, The Atmosphere, and The Universe. This two-disc set provides a comprehensive collection of visual resources for earth science and geology. It's a fully interactive research tool that contains thousands of high-quality photos, satellite imagery, computer graphics, and 3-D animations, plus 55 minutes of motion video. From explosive lava fountains to the microscopic composition of a crystal, Understanding Earth comprehensively covers all the subjects addressed in a year-long course. Visual material from NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and internationally recognized museums and photographers help make this program a truly unique view of the planet. Also included are mini-documentaries addressing Science-Technology-Society issues, and stunning aerial footage from the acclaimed America by Air series. Every image includes three viewing options: a full-size, a mid-size with a complete description, and a screen of twenty thumbnail images. Students and teachers can create custom multimedia presentations and print out notes or access ready-made mediashows. The Understanding Earth CD-ROM is an invaluable multimedia resource for the science classroom, lab, and library."
Uses: This thorough reference resource can support science lessons all term and provide images for students and teachers on geology, plate tectonics, volcanos and Planet Earth, for example.
