August 15, 2000

Warts and All

By Rebekah Ramos

Here we take a look at software and Internet products that let your elementary and secondary students learn all about frogs. From investigations to virtual dissections to a "frog mystery," these resources provide a range of ribbit-related experiences for all kinds of learners.

Did you know that a frog breathes through its skin, or that its organs are similar in look and function to a human's? Have you ever seen the actual beating of a frog's heart? Do you know why the world's population of amphibians is in imminent danger, or how the decline in frog species is relevant to the survival of our own?

Here, we bring you an overview of frog resources for the science classroom, covering one CD-ROM and three Web sites that, in combination, provide in-depth coverage of the biology, physiology, ecology, and scientific research centering on frogs. The products invite students to research information, engage in a variety of interactive problem-solving activities, and participate in a real scientific study of frog populations.