Challenge on the debate-lfrf list. To join debate-lfrf go online to the
INTERACT section and under Collaborative Projects you will find the form.
Susan Hurstcalderone and Eileen Bendixsen
Co-moderators, debate-lfrf
"THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
From: Eileen Bendixsen
Subject: "THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
Date: Sun, 10 May 1998 12:42:12 -0400
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Welcome to "THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
Looking for a great way to end your LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST unit? Join the
Biodiversity Challenge. We are offering two challenges with different
levels of difficulty so that teachers will be able to find one that fits
the ability level of their students and their time frame. Both challenges
offer students an opportunity to demonstrate a number of processes that are
part of key science benchmarks. To see how the challenges fit content and
performance standards from various state curriculum objectives visit the
PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE evaluation site at http://www.edc.org/CCT/ptk/ea/ and
take the self-assessment profile.
The end of the school year is coming soon and you have a great deal to
cover. You don't know how you could possibly fit one more thing into your
schedule. Either challenge could be assigned as an extra credit assignment
or as a report students complete on their own or in small groups. Use it as
an end-of-unit assessment activity. In our school we often have days when
half the class is missing due to chorus or band practice and I really don't
want to continue with our current topic. This would be a good activity to
do with the students who are in class. Biodiversity Challenge answers may
be submitted by an entire class, a team, or by individual students.
Multiple entries are encouraged.
If you have any questions about this activity please contact me
us for a discussion about the Biodiversity Challenge on the debate-lfrf
list. To join debate-lfrf go online to the INTERACT section and under
Collaborative Projects you will find the form.
***
Researcher Q&A is still accepting questions until May 30. Your individual
responses may come back from some of the INPA/Smithsonian researchers on
location in Manaus. Claude Gascon, Susan Laurance, and Mario Cohn-Haft have
already submitted answers to our students' questions.
Before sending new questions we request that you please check out the
existing archive of "onair" questions already answered during the live
programs by experts from the Smithsonian. You might find that the
information you need is already available, and we try to preserve the
valuable time of our experts for new questions. Please send only one
question per e-mail message. This allows us to send your question to the
correct expert. Also please be very specific in forming your question. For
tips on how to ask a good question visit the LFRF web site at
http://passport.ivv.nasa.gov/rainforest and under the INTERACT section
click on Researcher Q&A. Questions can also be submitted from this page and
very soon you will find an archive of the answers here.
***
LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST will remain active until the end of May, but as we
wind down and start to think about next year it is important that you let
us know what worked and what didn't. One of the things that has always set
PTK apart from other projects is the connection to teachers using the
project. We welcome your suggestions on how PTK projects can be even more
useful for you in your classroom.
Happy Mother's Day and Have a Great Week!!!
Eileen Bendixsen
Moderator, Discuss-lfrf
For more information about PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE see:
http://passport.ivv.nasa.gov
Biodiversity Bingo Challenge Form
From: Eileen Bendixsen
Subject: Biodiversity Bingo Challenge Form
Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 19:17:10 -0400
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Dear Discuss-lfrf Members,
This is the form to submit your answers for the Biodiversity Bingo
Challenge. Please submit all completed forms to me at ebend@netlabs.net and
not to the list.
Thanks,
Eileen Bendixsen
Moderator, Discuss-lfrf
Teacher's Name:
Grade Level:
School:
Group Name:
The data collected represents a range of geographical areas and has a
diverse level of grades submitting work. Look at ALL of the data submitted.
Then take the list below of things to find and see if your class can answer
all 12 items:
1. What species was the most common?
2. What species was the most rare?
3. Which site had the lowest temperature?
4. Which site had the highest temperature?
5. Which site had the greatest biodiversity?
6. Average number of species seen by participants April 7-13?
7. Average number of species seen by participants April 14-20?
8. Average number of species seen by participants April 21-27?
9. Which site had the greatest change in number of species seen?
10. What is the genus and species of the dandelion?
11. What is the genus and species of a rolly-polly?
12. What is the phylum of the earthworm?
Describe in detail how you organized your data set to get the answers to
all of the questions. (Did you go through them one at a time to answer the
questions? Did each person or group take one question? Did you use a
spreadsheet? etc.)
All submissions must be in by May 30, and must include an answer for each
of the twelve questions and a description of how the class or the group of
students found the answers.
Biodiversity Experiment Challenge Form
From: Eileen Bendixsen
Subject: Biodiversity Experiment Challenge Form
Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 19:17:24 -0400
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Dear Discuss-lfrf Members,
This is the form to submit your answers for the Biodiversity Experiment
Challenge. Please submit all completed forms to me at ebend@netlabs.net and
not to the list.
Thanks,
Eileen Bendixsen
Moderator, Discuss-lfrf
Teacher's Name:
Grade Level:
School:
Group Name:
Look at the data collected. Given this data, what hypothesis can you make?
Describe what pattern you see in the data collected that leads you to this
hypothesis.
Describe how your experiment is to be conducted.
Describe how the data will be collected from each class.
Describe how you will analyze the data to see if your hypothesis is supported.
Student submissions are due on May 30 and should clearly state the
hypothesis, a description of the pattern that students observed in the data
that lead them to generate this hypothesis,
and their experimental design that could test this hypothesis. Multiple
entries are encouraged.
Biodiversity Challenge
From: Eileen Bendixsen
Subject: Biodiversity Challenge
Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 20:17:35 -0400
Back to top
Dear Discuss-lfrf Members,
Have you had a chance to start the Biodiversity Challenge? My classes
started working on it today. Each group (3-6 students) was given a packet
containing all of the e-mail messages of collected data that were posted to
the debate-lfrf list. It took some time to print out the messages, but it
was probably the easiest way for the students to really be able to look at
the data and organize it so that they could complete the challenge. I have
four classes participating and I was tempted to use the same packets for
each class, but then I realized that they would need to keep their sheets
in a particular order for their next class. By sharing packets they would
have to start over at the beginning of each class. Each group was also
given some small post-its. I suggested that they use them as tabs to keep
their data sheets organized. Every student was given a blackline master of
a world map with the latitude and longitude lines marked and a copy of the
forms for each of the challenges. Even though they will work in groups I
will have each student submit a paper.
The first activity I gave them to do was to locate each school on the map
using the latitude and longitude data that was given by the schools. Then I
had them work on the Biodiversity Bingo Challenge. I thought that actually
using the data would help them become more familiar with the data that was
collected. Once they have completed this they will then form their
hypothesis and design their experiment. Developing problem solving skills
by formulating hypotheses, and planning experiments is one of the New
Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for science.
It was amazing to see how well all of the students worked on this activity.
In fact one of my classes, with the biggest behavior problems, was still
busy working when the bell rang and they had to quickly put their materials
together. It was noisy, but they were busy discussing how to organize the
data and how to answer the questions. Some of the teams came up with some
great ideas. One group is even color coding everything.
Please let us know how you are doing. We would love to hear your
suggestions as you proceed. Some technique that may seem simple to you,
might be just what another teacher needs to help them use this activity in
their classroom.
Eileen Bendixsen
Moderator, Discuss-lfrf
"THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
From: Eileen Bendixsen
Subject: "THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 16:48:24 -0400
Back to top
Welcome to "THIS WEEK" IN "LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST"!!!
You would like your classes to participate in the Biodiversity Challenge,
but don't have time to print out all of the messages that were posted by
the students on debate-lfrf. Go to
http://www.netlabs.net/hp/ebend/lfrfsurvey.html where I have placed a table
containing all of the student data. The data was placed in the table in the
order that it was posted to the list. I did not include all of the student
descriptions, but I did keep the actual data as it was posted. There are
some errors in the data that was posted by the students, but we would like
the students to realize the importance of being accurate when they record
and post data. I did include the latitude and longitude for one of the
schools who did not include the information in their original posting. I
have also placed a copy of the Biodiversity Challenge and the two forms for
submitting your answers on the web page with the table.
I would recommend that you make a copy of the tables for each group. The
students can then cut them into strips, so that they can rearrange them to
answer the questions.
I hope you will be participating in our challenge. My students are really
enjoying this activity. As a teacher it has been a thrill to sit back and
watch them use the skills we have worked on all year.
***
Researcher Q&A is still active until May 30. On Friday I submitted a
question to one of the scientists before I went to a computer class. When I
returned two hours later the answer was among my messages. We can't promise
you that you will have a return message that quickly, but I do encourage
you to submit your questions.
Before sending new questions we request that you please check out the
existing archive of "onair" questions already answered during the live
programs by experts from the Smithsonian. You might find that the
information you need is already available, and we try to preserve the
valuable time of our experts for new questions. Please send only one
question per e-mail message. This allows us to send your question to the
correct expert. Also please be very specific in forming your question. For
tips on how to ask a good question visit the LFRF web site at
http://passport.ivv.nasa.gov/rainforest and under the INTERACT section
click on Researcher Q&A. Questions can also be submitted from this page and
very soon you will find an archive of the answers here.
***
As you finish your LIVE FROM THE RAINFOREST unit we would like to hear how
you implemented LFRF in your classroom this year. Let us know what worked
and what did not. What did your students enjoy the most? Did they enjoy the
multimedia aspect of the project?
Have a great week!!!
Eileen Bendixsen
Moderator, Discuss-lfrf
For more information about PASSPORT TO KNOWLEDGE see:
http://passport.ivv.nasa.gov
Space Day Thursday
From: mwall@rockingham.k12.va.us (Marilyn Wall)
Subject: Space Day Thursday
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 10:02:00 -0400
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The Countdown to Space day is T-2
Late last week, some one had requested the info onthe satellite coordinates for
CyberSpace Day. I hope this helps.
Sounds like a great day of activities.
Marilyn K. Wall
JWE
Bridgewater, VA
CYBER SPACE DAY - May 21, 1998
10:00A.M. - 6:00P.M. - EASTERN TIME
www.spaceday.com
Organizations and schools with C-band satellite downlink capability can
also receive a full audio and video feed of the Webcast by tuning to
Telstar-4, transponder 9, at 89 degrees West. Polarization is
vertical and the downlink frequency is 3880.
* Hour One: Space is for Everyone (10 a.m. EDT; 1500 GMT)
The first hour will feature guests from around the world discussing how
space exploration has become a truly collaborative global endeavor.
In addition, school children will be featured discussing how they are
celebrating Space Day '98 in their local communities.
* Hour Two: Great Moments in Space Exploration (11 a.m. EDT; 1600 GMT)
>From the launching of Sputnik 1, to the day man first walked on the
moon, to last summer's historic landing of the Mars Pathfinder, this
hour will celebrate many of the milestones in the exploration of
space. Children will be able to talk to people who have been
involved in some of the most astonishing moments in space history.
* Hour Three: What's it Really Like in Space? (12 a.m. EDT; 1700 GMT)
This hour will be devoted to the numerous questions young people have
about space travel including: What do you eat in space and how? What
is the scariest part of space travel? What do you do when you get
sick? Guests will be astronauts and other professionals who prepare
travelers for life in space.
* Hour Four: Mars-The New Frontier: What's Next From the Red Planet? (1
p.m. EDT; 1800 GMT)
No other planet conjures up such a rich tapestry of myth and
speculation. The Mars Pathfinder Mission last summer was an enormous
success that captivated the minds of people around the world. This
hour will delve into mankind's fascination with our closest neighbor.
* Hour Five: Mysteries Beyond Our Galaxy - What Don't We Know? (2 p.m.
EDT; 1900 GMT)
Where did we come from? How did life begin? Can we travel through
time in a black hole? In the last two months, there have been
stunning breakthroughs in space exploration. During this segment,
kids will talk to astronomers, physicists, scientists and authors
about the discoveries that are changing the way we view the universe.
* Hour Six: Space - Opportunities in Space (3 p.m. EDT; 2000 GMT)
You don't have to wear a space suit to take advantage of the last
frontier. A recent NASA study on space travel and tourism said "the
hurdles are no longer intractable." Today, 16 privately funded teams
are racing to build the kind of spacecraft that would enable tourists
to travel to space. This hour will feature a range of amazing stories
about space travel in the 21st century. It will also feature what
young people can do in their own backyards to enjoy the excitement of
space exploration.
* Hour Seven: Storytellers of Space (4 p.m. EDT; 2100 GMT)
Fiction and fantasy have always fired the imagination. In fact,
science fiction is the back door through which many of today's space
professionals entered the field. This segment will feature filmmakers
and celebrities who have played a major role in capturing the public's
imagination about space.
* Hour Eight: Signs of Life (5 p.m. EDT; 2200 GMT)
New discoveries suggest that we are not alone. Some scientists predict
that the discovery of life beyond Earth may occur before the year
2000. As space agencies prepare probes to detect organisms on other
planets, astronomers are scanning thousands of stars to detect radio
signals that may provide evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial
life. As we move from science fiction to reality, kids will be able
to ask experts what the discovery of extraterrestrial life may mean to
our planet and to our everyday lives.
Organizations and schools with C-band satellite downlink capability can
also receive a full audio and video feed of the Webcast by tuning to
Telstar-4, transponder 9, at 89 degrees West. Polarization is
vertical and the downlink frequency is 3880.
This message sent from Rockingham County Schools using the
FirstClass SMTP/NNTP Gateway for Mac OS.
Please visit us on the web at http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us
