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 * Getting the Most Out of NSDL Science Literacy Maps **

Digitized versions of the progression-of-understanding maps published in Project 2061’s Atlas of Science Literacy have become a popular feature for searching and accessing teaching resources in the various collections of the [ http://www.nsdl.org/ ]National Science Digital Library (NSDL). Now, with a new grant from the National Science Foundation, Project 2061 will be working with various NSDL entities to help increase and improve the use of the NSDL [ http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/ ]Science Literacy Maps as tools for understanding how K–12 students make progress in their science learning and the implications for selecting and using NSDL resources.

Beginning in January 2011, the two-year $510,000 grant will enable Project 2061 to conduct face-to-face workshops at national and regional science education conferences to help NSDL users understand and take advantage of all of the features of the Science Literacy Maps. A set of just-in-time online learning tools will also be developed and embedded in the maps themselves and made accessible through the NSDL [ http://www.nsdl.org/about/?pager=pathways ]Pathways that serve as the major portals to collections of NSDL resources for K–12 science educators. Ultimately, the goal of this new effort is to help educators gain a better understanding of the K–12 conceptual and cognitive framework that is presented in the NSDL Science Literacy Maps and to help them make better selections and use of the digital resources that are linked to the maps.

In addition to the new grant, Project 2061 is also funded by the NSDL program to build the capacity of digital library developers to determine how well their resources address K–12 science content standards. See the August 2010 issue of [ http://www.project2061.org/publications/2061Connections/2010/2010-04.htm ]Project 2061 Connections for an update on that work.

1) **[|Some great teaching resources especially on difficult topics.]**

2) Misconceptions in Science Resources [|Paul Robinson's website] (physics and Road Runner clips) [|Resource #2] [|Resource #3] [|Operation Physics list]

3) [|New PSTA website]

4) Growing Worms in the Classroom, 4-12 You might want to take a look at []

This site is published by Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, and they have some very interesting lessons on using red worms and the vermicompost bins for support of many topics from chemistry and biology.

5) NIH (The National Institutes of Health) provides some up-to-date and well written materials for middle and high school science. See: [] You can download the documents which I prefer. You may also order a hard copy. The work on DNA and Disease is excellent.

6) Improving Rigor and Relevance in Science Teaching, K-12 See the following link for their framework: International Center for Leadership in Education. See []

7) Human Population Dynamics The following web site helps show the rate at which human population is increasing. The site and questions probe world population change over time. [] Teachers using this site might wish to add information on food supply, type of food, disease, and agricultural practices as some variables which impact global population change.

8) Inquiry lessons for secondary science Check out POGIL - (process oriented guided inquiry learning). [] You'll find some great classroom activities that are inquiry based, and also opportunities for POGIL workshops.