The Owlet includes the following resources for subscribers:
Chemistry
We start our chemistry section by discussing interesting facts about each of the elements in the periodic table.
Cognition and Learning
The Owlet promotes an understanding of advances in neuroscience and cognitive theory — areas that can benefit teaching and learning practices in any classroom. Scientific approaches to education—such as STEM and integrative sciences—will have the best chance of success if educators understand and apply current scientific theories on how children and adults learn.
Contributors
This is a list of professionals, scientists and educators, that have contributed to the owlet. We thank them and acknowledge their invaluable input.
From the Bench to the Classroom
In this section, guest scientists will present and discuss their published data and research questions. This will help teachers understand and use the current scientific research data to construct lesson plans that inspire students to pursue science.
Integrating Sciences
The laws of nature are best understood through the lens of integrated sciences. An integrated approach provides a unified and powerful way to think about science, while also exposing students to the distinct historical disciplines. Each exploration in this section has several objectives: 1) Revise the fundamentals of science, 2) Integrate and understand these principles, 3) Construct an activity aimed to show understanding of the theory, 4) Create and review lesson plans to be used in middle or high school classrooms.
In The Scientific Press
Selective current topics and trends discussed in the scientific literature are presented in this area of the Owlet.
Lesson Plan Bank
The Lesson Plan Bank is an immediate and practical resource for teachers. The goal is to collaboratively develop lesson plans that are scientifically sound and pedagogically excellent.
Life Science Dictionary
A glossary of many useful scientific terms. It is always being revised and new terms added
Mini-Lectures
Mini-lectures explain important concepts in biology, and refocus established interpretations of past results by incorporating new scientific evidence. Participants are encouraged to comment or ask questions in the comments area below each lecture.
Professional Development
These are hybrid courses with on-line and on-site components. The design of this professional development course seeks to promote the participant’s learning and growth as educators.
Reviews
The Owlet will produce up-to-date reviews of scientific research. We will survey trends in biology and identify how the latest data takes science research in new and unexpected directions.
The Pedagogical Stop
The Pedagogical Stop asks guest educators to share their interests, experiences, and expertise with our participant teachers. Their contribution may be a piece of writing giving advice, reflecting on their work as educators, expressing their opinion on the fundamental areas a teacher should focus on developing, or anything they may want to share with a new generation of educators.
The World of Fungi
Life on Earth would look very different in the absence of fungi. For example, without wood-decomposing fungi; fallen timber would render forest impenetrable. The are many other examples of how difficult life would be without them. We will write about many aspects of the importance of fungi for life on Earth. This is a topic rarely studied and we hope this mini-reviews will spark interest and above all induce you to ask us question about the fungi.
Useful Links, Etc.
This section will feature a growing list of recommended books and websites.