Week 3: February 1, 2012
Announcement of cancellation of this week's discussion podcast. Please rejoin us next week!
Seismic Waves
The first site for this Topic in Depth comes from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological University and is called What Is Seismology? (1). The site describes the basics of seismology, the various types of waves associated with it, and even contains a link that shows you how to make your own P and S waves. Next is the Earthquakes Overview site (2), provided by The Tech Museum. Visitors can explore topics such as seismographs and waves through an
Meningitis Research Foundation
Based in the United Kingdom, the Meningitis Research Foundation is a charity organization focused on the prevention and treatment of meningitis (and associated infections) through research and public education. The Foundation website describes common symptoms (with photographs); and contains a variety of specific information about meningitis and septicaemia. For health professionals, the site offers "guidance notes and protocols to promote best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
Stanford University: Center for the Study of Language and Information
The Center for the Study of Language and Information (CSLI) "is devoted to research in the emerging science of information, computing, and cognition." This "new science" is an interdisciplinary project that developed through a shared interest among computer scientists, linguists, logicians, philosophers, psychologists, and artificial intelligence researchers "in how agents, whether biological or artificial, acquire, process, and convey information." The Center, initiated by researchers from Stan
NatureWorks
Developed by New Hampshire Public Television and the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, NatureWorks offers teachers an excellent resource for biologically related subjects geared for students grades 3-6. Sixteen topics are included, ranging from species diversity to fresh water communities. Each subject has a one page description for students to read and a short quiz for them to take. A teacher's guide offers additional vocabulary, hands-on activities, teaching tips, and external links.
RAND Publications: Science and Technology: Online Research
RAND is described as a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. And following its mission, the publications portion of the Web site helps disseminate the results of its work "as broadly as possible." The Science and Technology: Online Research publications page contains access to monograph/reports, documented briefings, conference proceedings, testimony, RAND Graduate School dissertations, issue papers, research briefs, white papers, and
Southern California Swell Model
The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) created the Southern and Central Swell Model experiments for those with a general interest in oceanography. After learning how the model works, users can view several up-to-date graphics illustrating regional and detailed swell heights on maps and plots. Although acknowledging possible errors, the website provides three day forecasts for coastal waves, tides, and swell heights. The Frequently Asked Questions link provides sufficient information on how
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science was established in 1876 and remained the only high quality research facility for the basic sciences until the early decades of the twentieth century. Visitors can discover an abundance of information on its research in the fields of Material Science, Solid State Physics, Inorganic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Energy Research, and much more. Scientists can find out about upcoming conferences such as the Colloquium for Young Physicists. The
Center for Research in Scientific Computation
The Center for Research in Scientific Computation (CRSC), based at North Carolina State University, aims to "foster research in scientific computing and provide a focal point for research in computational science, engineering and applied mathematics." The Center has developed a teaching experimental laboratory "where students are exposed to experimental design and data collection through demos and actual hands-on experience." The Center's multidisciplinary research addresses topics in scientific
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
This US Geological Survey database provides information on nonindigenous aquatic species for resource professionals and the general public. Distribution maps and species information for a variety of aquatic vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species includes photos, description of the life cycle, native and non-native habitat range, and potential impacts the non-native species has on its habitat. The site is easy to navigate; users can find information by species name, state, or drainage basin.
Urban Aeronautics
This Web site introduces the X-Hawk, "a vehicle that has the [vertical takeoff and landing] capability of a helicopter, but without the exposed rotors that make it dangerous or impossible for helicopters to maneuver in complex urban and natural environments." It has received considerable attention from the media, as is apparent from the press clippings provided online. The Film and Downloads section has a technical document that was presented to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronau
Platonic Realms
The Platonic Realms website is a project initiated by a small group of math and math education graduate students, led by B. Sidney Smith, at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The group's goal is "to provide high-quality mathematical content for secondary-school and college students that was free, motivational, and instructional." The introductory page features a historical note, a daily quotation, a daily mathematics challenge, humorous articles, and a "math moment" which uses multi-media t
IOL: InterOperability Lab
The University of New Hampshire has compiled this excellent collection of resources on networking and computer technology. Over twenty categories are represented, including emerging technologies such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Very high rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), and wireless standards. Many of the resources are papers or tutorials written by researchers at the UNH InterOperability Lab, while others are links to various academic and industry efforts. The site is suitable for a broad audie
New York State Ambient Air Monitoring System
The Ambient Air Monitoring System: Near Real Time Data Web site is presented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The collected data includes pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and methane among others, as well as all common meteorological data. Records are collected and reported hourly, and can be viewed by parameter or by station, which are located throughout the state. One other interesting link gives the current air quality index for each si
Modeling & Simulation
Modeling & Simulation is a journal published by The Society for Modeling and Simulation International. The Society has made its 2004 Modeling and Simulation Resource Guide available free to download. The directory provides descriptions and contact information for the many modeling and simulation software packages currently available, as well as listings for various modeling and simulation organizations worldwide. Two guest articles describe techniques for the application of real-time simulation
A Citizen's Guide to Understanding and Monitoring Lakes and Streams
The Washington State Department of Ecology?s Water Quality Program offers the Web site A Citizen's Guide to Understanding and Monitoring Lakes and Streams. The five chapters include the basic scientific knowledge needed to partake in water quality monitoring. For example, visitors can learn about parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH, as well as how to report and analyze the collected data.
NOAA Coastwatch Great Lakes Node
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) CoastWatch program provides near real-time satellite observations and in-situ Great Lakes data. Visitors can view AVHRR imagery, contour maps, GOES imagery, and other Great Lakes data imagery. The website offers data on the physical characteristics of the Great Lakes as well as data on the average surface water temperature and current and historic water levels. QuickTime movies illustrate changes in water temperature throughout a given
Stress, Inc.
Students explore the physical and psychological effect of stress and tension on human beings. Concepts of stress and stress management are introduced. Students discover how perception serves to fuel a huge industry dedicated to minimizing risk and relieving stress. Students complete a writing activity focused on developing critical thinking skills. Note: The literacy activities for the Mechanics unit are based on physical themes that have broad application to our experience in the world — conc
Spring Away!
This lab demonstrates Hooke’s Law with the use of springs and masses. The students attempt to determine the proportionality constant, or k-value, for a spring. The students do this by calculating the change in length of the spring as different masses are added to it. The concept of a springs elastic limit is also introduced, and the students must test to makes sure the spring’s elastic limit has not be reached during their tests in the lab. After compiling all of their data, they attempt to
The Boxes Go Mobile
To display the results from the previous activity, each student designs and constructs a mobile that contains a duplicate of his or her original box, the new cube-shaped box of the same volume, the scraps that are left over from the original box, and pertinent calculations of the volumes and surface areas involved.
