Top of page
Posted by: Danna Bell
From atoms to cells, organisms to ecosystems, and Earth's systems to galaxies, scientists study and make sense of objects and phenomena of all shapes and sizes. Primary sources can serve as starting points for students to explore the ways in which scientists study and communicate about things and events, large and small.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Throughout human history, communities have contended with the consequences and costs of severe weather. Recent discourse about climate, sea levels, and weather events include both national and local-level conversations about building community resilience in response to severe weather. Primary sources can initiate deep learning about severe weather and community preparedness and responses.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Individually and collectively humans exert both positive and negative influences on Earth's systems. Teachers and students studying the interactions among Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere and related human activity can explore images, manuscripts, and recorded oral history interviews from the Coal River community in West Virginia.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Stephen Wesson
From a centuries-old barometer to a twenty-first century climate map, from diagrams of optical phenomena drawn by Isaac Newton to forest-health charts created by West Virginia volunteers, two new primary source sets from the Library of Congress provide rich opportunities to explore the scope and nature of scientific endeavor.
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Danna Bell
Invasive species overtake both ecosystems and news headlines. Historical primary sources, such as newspapers from Chronicling America, paired with modern periodicals, reveal how organisms introduced into new ecological contexts can cause unexpected consequences.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
The Library of Congress is home to millions of historical primary sources, including documents related to the work of Congress. Teachers can explore Congress.gov, the official website for U.S. federal legislative information, and consider how federal legislation can launch science learning.
Posted in: Government and Law, Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Throughout history, humans have devised methods for transporting, testing, and transforming water, a limited natural resource. Examining historical primary sources invites students to grapple with the local, global, social, political, and scientific dimensions of water.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math
Posted by: Danna Bell
Join us for a one-hour webinar on Thursday, March 17, at 4pm Eastern to explore how primary sources can support problem- and project-based learning in science classrooms.
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Cheryl Lederle
Scientific investigations with plants are a staple in elementary school classrooms. Young learners study plant structures and functions, what plants need to grow, how plants reproduce and pass on genetic information, and how matter and energy move in ecosystems. As they learn core scientific ideas, students should simultaneously engage in the practices of scientists. Historic photographs can serve as windows into planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
Posted in: Science Technology and Math, Teaching Strategies