AI Topics: A Dynamic Library of Introductory Information About Artificial Intelligence
This site, operated by the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), is a great starting point for people who want to learn more about the rapidly growing world of artificial intelligence (AI). AI Topics acts as a central hub for an enormous collection of material that exists on the Web. The links given on the site offer a wide range of information, including basic definitions of AI, discussions about related philosophical issues, journal articles, and current research. The news s
SSSA: Soil Science Society of America
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is the professional organization dedicated to the advancement of "the discipline and practice of soil science by acquiring and disseminating information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management and recycling, and wise land use." After viewing SSSA's bylaws, researchers can learn about the annual international meeting held in Seattle from October 31st through November 4t
Pangaea
Pangaea, the Network for Geological and Environmental Data, is operated by the Germany-based Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research and the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences. The site is described as a "public data library on the Internet aimed at archiving, publishing and distributing geocoded data with special emphasis on environmental, marine and geological research." Data can be searched and downloaded by several straightforward and intuitive methods such as a simple k
Collaborative Lesson Archive
The Collaborative Lesson Archive of the University of Illinois is intended to be "a forum for the creation, distribution, and archival of education curricula for all grade levels and subject areas." The main page contains links to lessons organized by individual grade levels from kindergarten to beyond the twelfth grade. Once chosen, users are presented with a list of subjects including geography, science, and math, among others, which then contain various lessons. The sixth grade science sectio
Nebraska Earth Science Education Network
The Nebraska Earth Science Education Network has as one of its objectives to promote and enhance K-12 earth science education. The Web site provides lesson plans on various subjects including astronomy, geology, mapping, soils, water, and weather. Each submitted lesson gives a recommended grade level and contains objectives, materials needed, procedures, and conclusions, depending on the activity. The site is a great resource that provides unique and original information from teachers for teache
EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online
The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently launched Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO). ECHO retrieves environmental records for approximately 800,000 regulated facilities nationwide. These data are freely accessible under the Freedom of Information Act, but have not been available online until recently. Searching by location yields a list of facilities and businesses in the area, with summary data indicating 1) whether the EPA or state/ local governments have conducted in
Mike's Electric Stuff
Mike's Electric Stuff is a popular Web site with various odds and ends about electronics and related equipment. Ever wondered just how much fun microwaving a CD can be? That's just the beginning of the wild things you can find. The site is divided into three main sections: antique glass (e.g., nixie tubes and neon lamps), Tesla coils and high-voltage stuff, and miscellaneous items such as lasers. Detailed instructions are given for several projects (perhaps crazy experiments would be the better
Logistical Networking for Digital Video on Internet2
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed "an Internet2-enabled personal video recorder (PVR) service." The service is based upon Logistical Networking, which is a new kind of data management that transfers and stores data through a distributed network environment. This online resource provides a detailed explanation of how the technology works and how it can be used. It illustrates the network operations that allow a user to program her or his computer to record a television sho
National Conference on Digital Government Research (DG.o2003)
This website is home to the 2003 National Conference on Digital Government Research. Held in May 2003, the event brought together "researchers in computer and social sciences, government officials and employees, representatives of industry and members of the public to investigate how computers and computer networks can improve all aspects of interaction between citizens and government." Full proceedings from the conference are available online, including nearly 50 papers, many system demonstrati
Clean Coal Technology Compendium
Operated by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Clean Coal Technology (CCT) Program works with new coal burning methods of energy generation that minimize environmental impact. The material on this Web site outlines some of the findings of the CCT program. Most of the information is contained in the topical reports, which deal with environmental control technologies, advanced electric power generation, coal processing for clean fuels, industrial applications, and other general topics.
Drawing with the Hand in Free Space
Leonardo, a journal that focuses on applications of science and technology in art, included this paper in its second-to-last issue of 2002. The author discusses a fascinating method of creating three dimensional shapes in a semi-immersive virtual environment. Developed at Caltech, the technique tracks the motion of a user's hand, which is fitted with a special type of glove. With the help of an eyepiece viewing device, the user can see the corresponding surface drawing floating in midair. Severa
Kids Design the Future
The Human Computer Interaction Lab at the University of Maryland wants children to have "a voice in making new technology for kids." To meet this goal, the group have organized a technology design team which brings together children (ages seven to eleven) and researchers from computer science, education, art, robotics, and other disciplines to meet twice a week and work on projects together. The teams write papers and create new technologies, most of which are available free to download from thi
Institute for Molecular Manufacturing
The Institute for Molecular Manufacturing (IMM) conducts and supports research on molecular systems engineering and molecular manufacturing (molecular nanotechnology, or MNT). The website provides information on the IMM research projects. Also posted here are IMM's "guidelines for research and development practices that will minimize risk from accidental misuse or from abuse of molecular nanotechnology." Some article preprints are also available to download free of charge.
Shakey Snake
This lesson plan comes from Science NetLinks, an online source of educational materials from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Designed for grades K-2, the lesson has students first read "The Adventures of Shakey Snake," an online illustrated story. The questions and activities that follow help students recognize how stories can attribute fictional features to animals. The lesson also touches on the influence of heredity on animal features, as well as the relationship betw
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) website promotes the agency's work to protect human and natural resources in the state. Users can find out the latest Texas environmental news and hot topics. Educators and students can find an abundance of materials dealing with air quality, water quality, and waste. Through the many documents at this website, users can familiarize themselves with the Texas environmental laws and policies. Researchers can learn how to obtain TCEQ data and pub
Museum of Science's Educator Resource Center
The Museum of Science's Educator Resource Center (ERC), based in Boston, MA, offers this website providing educators with "recommended and institutional Museum materials, all mapped to national and state standards, in order to increase the quality of science, technology, and engineering education." The collection includes a wealth of curriculum materials and science project resources focused specifically on engineering and technology education. Each lesson is evaluated in terms of usability, tea
The Illinois Groundwater Association
The Illinois Groundwater Association (IGA) "seeks to advance the knowledge of groundwater resources in Illinois and functions exclusively for charitable and educational purposes." Visitors can read IGA's constitution, by-laws, and its history beginning in 1982. The website provides newsletters describing IGA's latest endeavors and upcoming events. Students and researchers can find out about funding opportunities and employment opportunities. Interested visitors can also find out how to join the
Chipworks: Silicon Art
Chipworks is a "company that analyzes the circuitry and physical composition of semiconductors, photonics and electronic systems." During the company's work, some chips were found to have microscopic artwork hidden in the silicon. Although these features do not change a chip's performance, they simply express the creativity of the designers. Three large galleries of images are presented on this Web site, some with magnifications up to 500 times. Each picture is accompanied by a short description
Galaxies
This Topic in Depth presents the science and research of galaxies. First, the University of Cambridge offers clear, logical descriptions and images of the Milky Way, spiral and elliptical galaxies, clusters, and dark matter of the Universe (1). Users can also find educational tutorials on many other cosmology topics. Next, the Space Telescope Science Institute's "Galaxies Galore, Games and More is a learning module designed to allow elementary students to use their observational skills, recogniz
Low Dose Radiation Research
The US Department of Energy's Low Dose Radiation Research Program supports research that investigates the health risks from exposure to radiation at low levels. This Web site provides an overview of radiation biology, up-to-date information and archived results from program-related research, and other resources for the benefit of researchers and the general public alike. Some research projects include comparing low dose radiation to endogenous oxidative damage, determining thresholds for radiati
