It’s Science Literacy Week from September 21-27! This year’s theme is Exploration & Innovation and you’ll find a whole host of inspiring events throughout U of T libraries. At OISE, you’ll find teaching science resources, activity kits, and a hands on interactive display of our Curriculum Resources. In addition, this month’s book display features some of the fantastic science resources you’ll find in the OISE library.
life into scientific methods and provide a look at scientists in action. Case studies deepen understanding, sharpen critical-thinking skills, and help students see how science relates to their lives. The studies are organized into different categories, including historical cases, and media and ethics in the scientific process. Each case includes classroom discussion questions, and teaching notes, as well as helpful references. Science Stories is sure to make science enlightening for both students and teachers.
Hands-On Science Mysteries, Grades 3-6 by connects science to real-world situations by investigating actual mysteries and phenomena, such as the strange heads on Easter Island, the ghost ship Mary Celeste , and the Dancing Stones of Death Valley. The studies are created to encourage the development of science inquiry, where students will observe, take notes, make diagrams, interpret data, and arrive at solutions, and include extensions for further investigation.
In Incredible Edible Science by over 160 hands-on, food-based science activities with a strong literacy connection. The book provides everything needed to teach important science process skills in a safe, developmentally appropriate way. Incredible Edible Science received the Learning Magazine 2011 Teachers’ Choice Award and it’s approach to students’ learning is sure to satisfy their scientific curiosity.
More than 50 percent of science lessons in today’s elementary textbooks use visual information to help demonstrate concepts. Developing Visual Literacy in Science, K-8 by help educators to teach their students to develop skills in interpreting photographs, charts, diagrams, figures, labels, and graphic symbols. Visual literacy in science is especially relevant for students who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
With its varied and engaging activities, Hands-On Engineering by prompts students to understand and apply the methodologies of design and engineering as they create innovative solutions to challenges. Each challenge requires students to think analytically, assess new situations, and solve a hands-on, real-world problem. As students design their own boats, skyscrapers, wheelbarrows, hammocks, and more, they will need perseverance, imagination, and teamwork.
In addition, try reading some of these Juvenile Fiction stories to help scientifically inspire your students from a young age.
In George and the Big Bang by Lucy and Stephen Hawking, George hopes to escape his problems by heading to Switzerland to help his friend’s father do an experiment on the origins of the universe, but his problems find him as he faces a mysterious message from his nemesis. The book is targeted toward children ages 12 and up, and includes kid-friendly scientific essays on the the latest theories about the origin of the universe.
The graphic novel, Primates: the fearless science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birut Galdikas, by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks delves into the lives of three great primatologists of the 1960s. Ottaviani looks at the groundbreaking discoveries of these three influential women. The illustrations by Wicks delightfully move along the women’s narratives, and the whole book is a fantastic look overview of the some of the greatest stories in animal research.
All of these titles are available to borrow from the OISE Display Case found on the Ground Floor of the OISE Library. In addition, be sure to check out our display of activity kits from our Curriculum Resources Collection, all to do with science!