Nsta Environmental Science Teaching Resources Free Materials And Educational Support

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) offers various resources for educators, including free materials specifically for environmental science instruction. This article examines the available free resources provided by NSTA that support environmental science education, along with other related educational materials from reputable organizations.

Overview of NSTA Resources

The National Science Teachers Association is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. With a current membership of 55,000 that includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education, NSTA serves as a comprehensive resource for science educators across the United States.

NSTA provides free resources through several channels, with their most direct offering being the "Freebies for Science Teachers" section available on their official website. This section contains materials specifically designed to support environmental science instruction along with other scientific disciplines.

Free Materials Available Through NSTA

NSTA offers several types of free resources for environmental science educators:

1. Direct Freebies: The NSTA website hosts a dedicated page featuring free materials for science teachers at http://www.nsta.org/publications/freebies.aspx. While the specific content of these freebies is not detailed in the provided sources, this page represents the primary location where NSTA distributes complimentary educational resources to its members.

2. Budget Crunch Helpers: NSTA maintains a Suppliers Guide section that includes "Budget Crunch Helpers" at http://ecommerce.nsta.org/suppliers/. This resource provides coupons and deals from various educational suppliers, allowing teachers to obtain materials at reduced costs when their institutional budgets are limited.

3. Curriculum Resources: Through their Scope, Sequence & Coordination Project (http://dev.nsta.org/ssc/), NSTA offers "MicroUnits" for curriculum development in grades 9-12 across all science disciplines, including environmental science. This collection of resources is described as a "lesson plan goldmine" by the sources, indicating the high value and comprehensive nature of these materials.

Additional Environmental Science Resources

While NSTA provides specific resources, other organizations also offer valuable environmental science educational materials:

1. SciStarter: This organization connects the public and educators to citizen science projects of all types, from simple individual online projects to broader initiatives. SciStarter aims to make science accessible and fun for people of all ages and serves as a resource for both formal and informal learning environments.

2. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): The N.C. DEQ Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs partners with the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences to offer weekly lectures on environmental education, environmental science, conservation, sustainability, and related topics. Past lectures can be viewed online and may be used for continuing education credits.

3. Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO): This organization provides a FREE resource for science teachers called the CAPCO Science Class Challenge Kit. The kit contains all materials necessary to teach students about the earth's protective ozone layer, CFCs, and aerosol products, which directly relates to environmental science education.

Environmental Science Curriculum Resources

Several comprehensive environmental science curricula are available for educators:

1. It's Our Water: This is a complete curriculum divided into five modules, each beginning with a short video that presents water quality topics, reviews scientific principles, shows real-life examples of current water issues, and introduces students to various professions related to water quality.

2. Project WILD: This organization offers resources for both homeschooling and traditional classroom environments. The materials include "a wealth of easy-to-do outdoor activities" that require little preparation or materials, making them accessible for various educational settings.

3. Science Junction: Located at North Carolina State University, this interactive website promotes inquiry-based learning and provides resources aligned with National Science Education Standards. It includes network science projects, a "Game Room" of science-based activities, and a clearinghouse of online science education resources and lesson plans.

Virtual and Digital Resources

In response to increasing demand for remote learning options, several organizations have developed virtual environmental science resources:

1. Virtual Field Trips: Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space offers virtual field trip programs for groups, providing educational experiences on cultural and environmental topics from remote locations.

2. NC360: This immersive experience allows virtual discovery of North Carolina's natural and cultural attractions. These experiences, produced by the NC Department of Information Technology, provide digital access to environmental learning opportunities.

3. Sci NC: This multiplatform production combines broadcast programs, digital shorts, blogs, and interactive lesson plans adaptable for classroom or homeschool use. The content focuses on nature and science in North Carolina and includes professionally correlated lesson plans aligned with educational standards.

Specialized Environmental Science Programs

Several specialized programs offer targeted environmental science education:

1. Aqua Kids: This award-winning K-12 program educates young people about ecology, wildlife, and science. The program has produced episodes in North Carolina that are available on YouTube, featuring environmental experts and topics.

2. Astrobiology Supplement: Originally published in Research Penn State magazine, this high-school level article on astrobiology is available as a separate educational supplement. While focused on astrobiology, it contains environmental science elements and is appropriate for educators, students, researchers, and community members.

3. Bright Ideas Online Publication: This quarterly publication from the International Technology Education Association is free to teachers, supervisors, and teacher educators. It includes free activities, program spotlights, and information relevant to environmental science education.

Professional Development Resources

In addition to classroom materials, NSTA and other organizations provide resources for teacher professional development:

1. NSTA Chapters: The association maintains chapters and associated groups across all states, which can be located through https://www.nsta.org/about/collaboration/chapters.aspx. These local chapters often provide additional networking and professional development opportunities.

2. Journal of Geoscience Education: Members of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) receive online access to this publication as part of their annual membership, which includes professional development resources and teaching materials.

3. NASA K-12 Internet Initiatives: Through Quest (http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/), NASA offers interactive projects and resources for educators, including those focused on environmental science and earth systems.

Conclusion

The provided source material offers limited but valuable information about NSTA's environmental science resources. While the specific details of available free materials are not comprehensively documented in the provided sources, several clear pathways exist for educators to access complimentary resources:

1. The NSTA Freebies page (http://www.nsta.org/publications/freebies.aspx) provides direct access to complimentary teaching materials.

2. The Budget Crunch Helpers section (http://ecommerce.nsta.org/suppliers/) offers coupons and deals from educational suppliers.

3. The Scope, Sequence & Coordination Project (http://dev.nsta.org/ssc/) provides curriculum materials for grades 9-12.

Additional environmental science resources are available through organizations like SciStarter, the North Carolina DEQ, and specialized programs like Project WILD and Aqua Kids. Virtual learning options have expanded significantly, with offerings like virtual field trips and immersive digital experiences.

Educators are encouraged to explore these resources directly through the provided links to access the most current and comprehensive materials available for environmental science instruction.

Sources

1. National Science Teachers Association
2. Teacher Freebies Resources
3. General Science Links
4. North Carolina Environmental Education Resources