Keystone Weekly
volume 4, issue 7        November 4, 2002

This week's Key Points: *Web Pick of the Week* and *Money for You!*
Scroll for details.

I admit that I had my doubts about an virtual frog dissection. "How realistic could it be?" I thought. Well, I was wrong. While not the same kind of investigative experience as a hands-on study, this site adds enhancements not available during standard dissections, such as pop-up tidbits of relevant information as the dissection progresses and mini-animations to clarify points. You can't go wrong and make surgical mistakes, and the images—they are Flash movies of an actual frog dissection (recycled from schools)—are crystal clear. Steps can always be repeated. You can select either a straightforward dissection (which still has useful facts and mini-animations) or a dissection with quizzes and tests. Don't be squeamish! This site is really worth a visit.

As mentioned, this site requires Flash, which is offered as a download if you don't have it yet.

[Back to Top]

The National Science Teachers Association reports that for the tax years 2002 and 2003, a new "Deduction for Educator Expenses" allows "eligible educators" to deduct as an adjustment to income up to $250 in qualified expenses, even if you don't itemize deductions. You may qualify as an "eligible educator" if you are a K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide and if you work at least 900 hours during a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education, as determined under state law. Qualified expenses include unreimbursed payments you make for books and supplementary materials you use in the classroom. The IRS suggests that persons claiming such deductions keep records noting the date, price, and purpose of each purchase. There are other qualifications and requirements, so consult your tax preparer.

[Back to Top]

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 9819641.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

webteam@keystone.fi.edu

© 2003. All rights reserved.