SciCo - Science Connections

Potatohead Genetics is a fun paper and scissors lab that gives students an introduction to basic genetics by manipulating the facial features of potatoheads. The worksheets are designed to be used by a classroom of students, however they can be used by a few or even one student in a tutorial. Students are given karyotypes of a male and female potatohead. Working in pairs they construct the potatohead faces from the gene pairs on the chromosomes using scissors and glue. They then randomly assort

This lab activity simulates Mendeleev's organization of the elements to acquaint students with several of the elements, introducing the ideas of symbols, atomic masses, properties and the patterns in which elements react together to form compounds. At the same time students are introduced to the periodic patterns that are observed in the Periodic Table. The activity also becomes an exercise in recognizing similarities in the elements and grouping the elements accordingly. There is no attempt t

One of the most important concepts in Chemistry that is often ignored because the equipment is expensive or takes time to set up. This is a simulation of spectrum tubes and a spectroscope. The student turns on the tubes and adjusts the spectroscope over the glow to observe the spectral lines. The simulation can be used as a brief presentation of the concept or used with the included scaffolded notes as a learning, thinking activity. The simulation can be run as Spectroscope.html, .app or .exe.

These are 133 images that I have used to teach grade 10 electricity. For increased flexibility, the images are unlabelled so that they can be added to illustrate classroom notes, tests, transparencies and presentations. Topics include basic electron theory, methods of producing electricity, simple circuits and electromagnetism.

These are 183 images used to illustrate a Biochemistry section in grade 12 Biology. The images are unlabelled to make them flexible for use in worksheets, tests, transparencies and presentations. Topics include proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, protein structure DNA replication and transcription, and enzymes.

The Atom is a new way to teach, test and learn about the discovery of the inner workings of atoms. The Atom is the fourth in an interactive series of learning programs that combine theory, labs and videos to teach Science Concepts (SciCo). SciCo is ideal for the home schooled or independent learner and for enriching students who want to expand their understanding of chemistry. Teachers with access to a computer lab may use The Atom to enhance the classroom experience. If you want to learn t

The Elements is something new! A new way to teach, test and learn about the elements and periodic table in a single computer program. The Elements is the second in an interactive series of learning programs that combine theory, labs and videos to teach Science Concepts (SciCo). SciCo is ideal for the home schooled or independent learner and for students who want to expand their understanding of science. Teachers with access to a computer lab may use The Elements to enhance the classroom expe

I have used these 151 jpg images to illustrate biology courses from the grade 9 to 12 levels. The images are unlabelled to maximize flexibility so that they can be used to illustrate notes, tests, transparencies and presentations. The topics include cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, cell ultrastructure and organelles, basic histology and basic genetics.

How good is my diet? The Nutrient Density Lab allows students in grades 4-10 to explore the foods they eat. The PinQ Calculator is used to easily determine the nutrient densities of thousands of different foods using data provided by the USDA. The PinQ Calculator is a .swf file that works in any browser that uses Flash Player. A written lab is included that focusses students on their task, guiding them to explore breakfast, lunch and dinner foods and to make decisions themselves based on the ca

This is something new! A new way to teach, test and learn Introductory Chemistry in a single computer program. Introductory Chemistry is the first in a interactive series of learning programs that combine theory, labs and videos to teach Science Concepts (SciCo). SciCo is ideal for the home schooled or independent learner and for students who want to expand their understanding of science. Introductory Chemistry, includes several labs. demonstrations and activities. Topics include: Why Chem

"You may not think that Chemistry is important but I beg to differ, Chemistry surrounds you, chemistry is you ..." So begins a short (4:30 min) video that is an introduction to a grade 8-10 Chemistry unit. The camera tours a house looking for examples of chemistry and finding them everywhere. Along the way students are convinced of the importance of chemistry to their lives. Included is a worksheet and answer key that will focus students on the importance of Chemistry.

The Nucleus is an exciting new way to teach nuclear physics using SciCo (Science Concepts) to introduce an understanding of the inner workings of the atomic nucleus. The Nucleus is the first in a series on introductory nuclear physics. It is an interactive learning program that combines theory, simulations and labs to teach about the discovery and understanding of the properties of the atomic nucleus. This unit follows the ChemCo unit on The Atom. The Nucleus is part of the SciCo learning sy

The Compounds is a new way to teach, test and learn about the ionic and molecular compounds in a single computer program. The Compounds is the third in an interactive series of learning programs that combine theory, labs and videos to teach Science Concepts (SciCo). SciCo is ideal for the home schooled or independent learner and for students who want to expand their understanding of science. Teachers with access to a computer lab may use The Compounds to enhance the classroom experience. Wan

Many students need to visualize science concepts.The ultrazoom microscope is a simulation that allows you to zoom into a solid liquid and gas to observe simulated molecular motion. The simulation can be used as a short presentation or use the included worksheet to focus students on the concept of the Kinetic Molecular Theory. The simulation can used as UltraZoomScope.html, .app or .exe.

Geiger Counter is a simulation of a Geiger Counter, complete with radiation sources. The simulation is reasonably accurate though t is intended for a high school audience. Geiger Counter can be used on different levels. • On the simplest level, Geiger Counter can be used as a simple demonstration of a Geiger counter on a computer screen or on a smart board. • Students can use Geiger Counter as a lab activity to familiarize themselves with radiation. Without the organization and expense of a c

Chromatography s a common separation process used in Chemistry and Biology. This is a simulation of paper chromatography illustrating a process that can be readily duplicated with simple classroom equipment. The simulation can be used as a quick demonstration of paper chromatography or can be used with the supplied worksheet to encourage students to learn the process in greater depth. The simulation requires a Flash player enabled browser or can be used as a stand alone .app (Apple) or .exe fil

These are 136 images that I have used to illustrate a section of high school Organic Chemistry. Diagrams include structural formulas and space filling models of various organic molecules.

This is a package of three short .mp4 videos that can be used separately or can be downloaded for use with Introductory Chemistry, an integrated, interactive teaching program. The videos are Do Gases Have Mass Phases and Phase Change Suspensions and Centrifuges

This is a simulation used to illustrate and visualize different groupings of elements on the Periodic Table. Click on 'alkali metals' and they are highlighted. The simulation can be used with a presentation program or can be used individually for students to explore the elements. There is a series of four scaffolded worksheets that accompany the simulation and the answer keys. The program comes as PeriodicTable.html to run in a browser or as .app or .exe for Apple and PC.

This is a short (6.05 min) .m4v video that deals with the common misconception that gases do not have mass. The video shows the behaviours of dense gases and warns students about some of the dangers of dense gases. A worksheet is included that confronts students with some of their misconceptions and focuses the students on the video.