Mitchell Miho
Highlands Intermediate

Solar System

Fri, May 10, 2013 5:34 AM
Useful in-class resource for space

This sciguide is great because not only does it provide you with a ton of learning materials for you and your students, but the simulations for orbits and explanation of how the universe and planets were formed helps to answer a lot of the questions that students ask. Another difficult task that i encountered when teaching this unit is the fact that a lot of students come into space science with a preconceived belief about creationism. This bunch is a bit more difficult to work with because they like to disregard facts in place of their beliefs, but because there is so much useful information that is engaging, even these students at least try to consider another theory outside of their original. I have also found that a lot of the students are closed off to their surroundings and find it hard to believe that aliens and other life forms may exist in another solar system. However, after they have learned about planet formation and other solar systems in the seemingly infinite galaxy, they begin to try and formulate reasons for or against this commonly posed question. I am really grateful to have access to these sciguides. It really helps teaching students outside of the textbook and the interactive portion keeps them moving and thinking.

Coral Reef Ecosystems

Fri, May 10, 2013 5:23 AM
Amazing coral reef resources

This sciguide was a really great resource for my 8th grade science class while we were covering our oceans unit. Being from Hawaii, many of my students have experienced the ocean and the ecosystems that encompass it. However, they only see it as an area for them to hang out or catch fish from, without understanding the system and how it works, along with how delicate it is. My students also really grasped the concept of interdependence and how the removal or addition of a certain type of marine animal can result in the increase or decrease of others. I really love teaching this topic because I am an avid fisherman and in order for conservation to occur, we need to teach this generation and the next about how human impact can affect ocean habitats and the sustainability of life both in the ocean and on land.

Chemical Reactions

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 4:45 PM
Chemical Reaction simulations are really helpful

Even i had a hard time understanding chemistry in high school, but with the simulations provided, students can partake in trial and error learning as they are guided through each step when creating the different types of molecule bonds. This is a lot more engaging than the traditional textbook learning or having your teacher just draw these on the board. The information given is also easy to understand and to follow along with. Great guide.