National Estuaries Day
Get the most out of National Estuaries Day (October 5, 2002) by visiting this Web site from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Follow a link to Estuary Live!, which offers online interactive fieldtrips through a number of estuaries around the nation. Guided tours of eight estuaries will be webcast live October 3 and 4, supplemented by videos from a number of other estuaries. Internet participants "will have an opportunity to see the fascinating creatures that make estuar
probeBase
The Microbial Ecology Group of Munich's University of Technology has recently launched probeBase, "a comprehensive database containing published rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe sequences, DNA microarray layouts and associated information." Users may search for sequences by target organism, which "can assist in the development of new rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)," or by probe name for rapidly retrieving published probes targeting desired s
Microsystems Technology Laboratories' Annual Report 2002
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Microsystems Technology Laboratories (last reviewed in the March 15, 2000 Scout Report for Science and Engineering) has its annual report for 2002 available online. The report is actually a very large collection of research abstracts, giving a thorough overview of the lab's latest work. Documents are divided into eleven general topics, including Microelectromechanical Devices, Quantum-Effect Devices, Submicron and Nanometer Structures, and Optoelectron
Virus World
Created by the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this Web site offers high quality virus images that may be used for seminar presentations or any other noncommercial use. Users can choose from American Society for Virology conference poster images, enhanced EM pictures, and images of virology-related book and journal covers. Images may be searched by virus name; the results page will provide links to summary information from the Protein Data Bank and to the
International Herald Tribune: Steel Shell to Encase Chernobyl
Following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station, a concrete sarcophagus was built to enclose the remnants of the destroyed reactor. Now, nearly seventeen years later, engineers are faced with a new problem: the sarcophagus is literally falling apart. In a December 2002 news article, plans to build a giant steel shell around the sarcophagus are explained. Once completed, the shell "may be the largest movable structure ever built," around 370 feet high and 20,000 tons. The article de
UniGene
Created by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, UniGene is "an experimental system for automatically partitioning GenBank sequences into a non-redundant set of gene-oriented clusters." In addition to gene sequences, this Web site also offers thousands of novel expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences, a useful gene discovery resource. Organisms currently cataloged include human, rat, mouse, cow, zebrafish, clawed frog, fruitfly, mosquito, wheat, rice, barley, maize, and cress. Users
Jules Map Server
The Jules Verne Voyager, created by UNAVCO Boulder, is a precision interactive map tool to "better visualize the inter-relationships of geophysical and geologic processes, structures, and measurements with high-precision GPS monument data and solutions on Earth" as well as other major bodies of the solar system. The tool allows users to zoom or pan on a detailed local map, which is displayed in a Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection. New visitors can find helpful tutorials and practice exerci
EUMETCAL
The EUMETCAL website promotes education in meteorological computer-based technologies. The website now offers free access to the two EUROMET modules libraries: Satellite Meteorology and Numerical Weather Predication. The in-depth materials are available in English, French, Dutch, and Spanish. In the EUMETSAT link, users can find a Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) module dealing with rapidly developing storms, 1.6 and 3.9 micrometer channels, and calibration. The website also addresses EUMETCAL a
Talkelab Web Page: Tribology and Mechanics Lab
The Tribology and Mechanics Lab, headed by former IBM researcher Dr. Frank Talke, is located at the University of California at San Diego. The laboratory's work deals with magnetic tape and disk storage devices, specifically the head-tape and head-disk interfaces. Since both types of devices have moving parts, there are important mechanics issues that must be considered with the highly sensitive and precise head as it reads and stores information on media. A good introduction to each interface i
African Elephant Specialist Group
The African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) operates under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The AfESG is composed "of technical experts focusing on the conservation and management of African elephants. The broad aim of the AfESG is to promote the long-term conservation of Africa's elephants and, where possible, the recovery of their population to viable levels." The AfESG website contains useful information for conservationists, wildlife m
The Red Kite
The Gigrin, a family-run sheep farm in Wales with a conservation mindset, offers this Web site devoted to the red kite, a small raptor that humans have attempted to protect longer than for any other bird species in the world. Readers can expect a solid introduction to red kite natural history, and an encouraging example of conservation by private landowners. The main Web page provides a general background information about the red kite, including a short audio clip of a red kite call. The follow
Grass Manual on the Web
This extensive source of information on grasses is derived from the _Manual of Grasses for North America_, a project that has received support from Utah State University and a host of other organizations including the Flora North America Association, National Science Foundation, US Forest Service, National Park Service, and more. This online Manual provides information about a multitude of species from Achnatherum aridum to Zoysia pacifica. Information options for most grass species include Map,
CSMoS Ground-Water Modeling Software
The Environmental Protection Agency Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMos) Web site provides free public domain groundwater and vadose zone models. Currently, twenty six models are available, which are listed on the main page along with each one's version, release date, and operating system requirement. Each link gives a more in-depth commentary on the models description, system requirements, instructions for installing the program, and more. CSMos provides free technical support for man
UCMP Evolution Forum for Teachers
This website originated during a short course on evolution for teachers in the year 2000 at the University of California's Museum of Paleontology. It allows instructors to access and share information related to the teaching of evolution. Links provide access to activities, tips and resources, and documentation provided by the speakers at the museum. Topics range from the evolution of eukaryotes to mass extinction at the K/T boundary.
Learning math : Measurement
This college level course, developed for elementary and middle school teachers, begins with the fundamentals of measurement, then examines standard units in the metric and customary systems. Online workshop sessions cover measurement of a circle, area and volume formulas, angle measurement, and indirect measurement encountered in trigonometry. The final session explores ways to apply these concepts to K-8 classroom teaching. Each of its ten sessions contains video programming, problem-solving ac
Looking at the sky through a glass ceiling : women in astronomy
This article looks at the involvement and acceptance of women in astronomy. Before introducing readers to three significant female astronomers from the 1900s and three from the present day, the article mentions the work of the first known female astronomer--Aglaonike from 200 B.C. Statistics are also provided concerning contemporary women's participation in astronomy. The three astronomers featured from the 1900s are Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Eac
Quilt blocks: geometry with a cultural warmth
This lesson describes how quilting activities can be used to integrate geometry and lessons about various cultures into the classroom. Suggested ways of creating paper quilt blocks include Hawaiian techniques, where many different blocks are brought together to make a quilt; Amish techniques, where shapes are pieced together in an intricate pattern; and African techniques, which have an emphasis on strip textiles made on hand looms and religious symbols. The geometric concepts of symmetry, tilin
USA Today - How Weather Works
This is a very extensive site, providing backround information about virtually all aspects of weather. Topics include: the role of the sun; wind; storms and fronts; forms of water; flood and droughts; snow and ice; lightning, thunderstorms and tornadoes; hurricanes; the sky; weather prediction; climate change; weather extremes; and a bibliography of other resources. Within each topic are several brief articles about a specific weather-related phenomena, typically accompanied by excellent illustr
Linear Function Machine
This activity allows the user to explore simple linear functions. This Java applet requires a Java-capable browser. If you don't see the applet Java may not be functional in your browser or on your machine.
Science Sampler : Weathering database technology
Collecting weather data is a traditional part of a meteorology unit at the middle level, but making connections between the data and weather conditions can be a challenge for students. One way to help students make these connections clearer is to enter the data into a database. This allows students to quickly compare different fields of data and recognize which readings are associated with certain types of weather.
