Space
The World Almanac for Kids now has a companion Web site with dozens of quality informative topics. The Space page in particular contains extensive information on the planets, space exploration, astronauts, astronomers, telescopes, fun facts, and more. The site, which contains many other subjects such as the environment, will give kids hours worth of fun learning.
Global Water Crisis
As mentioned in this Web site -- a free Web Focus from the journal Nature -- over one billion people in the world already lack access to clean water, a crisis that will only intensify as the global population swells and freshwater resource continue to dwindle. Nature offers an analysis of the situation with news stories, features and editorials, interactive graphics, and an archived article from the journal.
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
Popular Science: Best of What's New, 2003
Each year Popular Science selects new and emerging technologies that have profound implications in several different categories. The Best of What's New for 2003 explores innovations in aviation and space, computing, home technology, and engineering. A particularly interesting item is the SpaceShipOne rocket plane, which is one of the leading contenders to successfully demonstrate a cheap, reliable method of escaping Earth's atmosphere. Another featured technology is the newest standard for wirel
Allen Hatcher
Allen Hatcher is a professor of mathematics at Cornell University. On his home page, he offers a link to download his book Algebraic Topology in its entirety. Published in 2002, the book is over 500 pages in length and is free to anyone wanting a personal copy. In addition to Algebraic Topology, there are three other books that are work-in-progress. Despite being incomplete, they could be useful to students in related classes. Several research papers written by Professor Hatcher are also given o
SearchEngineWatch.com: Web Searching Tips
This webpage is much more than its name implies. It provides a series of articles about using search engines efficiently, as well as about the dynamics and operation of search engines. One particularly intriguing article describes how search engines actually perform searches, which is a remarkable task considering the vast amount of data that is indexed. Another article, current as of September 2003, compares some of the most popular search engines in terms of the number of textual documents cov
Mammoth Extinction
Science Netlinks offers this Web-based lesson plan for grades 9-12. The lesson invites students to explore various hypotheses regarding the extinction of the woolly mammoth, with a particular focus on infectious disease. Students use provided worksheets to conduct online research on the topic, focusing on a 1998 American Museum of Natural History expedition to the Arctic circle to hunt for mammoth fossils. In addition to learning about the woolly mammoth and other large mammals that became extin
JAMSTEC Data Site
From the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) comes the JAMSTEC Data Site. Visitors can access several databases and data sites including the Deep Seafloor Image Database, Japan ARGO Delayed-mode Database, the J-CAD Compact Arctic Drifter, MIRAI Data Web, Research Results Report System, Submarine Cable Data Center, and the TRITON Buoy Data Web site. All provide marine science related information from Japan and around the world.
Materials Chemistry at SFU
The Materials Science group at Simon Fraser University (SFU) developed this website to address the group's primary research interests in material synthesis, molecular, electronics, and photonics. Visitors will find explanations covering sixteen research topics including chemical sensors, lithography, non-linear optics, and supramolecular chemistry. Under each topic heading, users will find links discussing the faculties' current goals, recent publications, and patents. The site also features lin
Lava Layering
The Planetary Geology Group at Arizona State University developed this online activity to teach elementary and middle school students "the stratigraphy (layers) of lava flows produced by multiple eruptions" on the moon. The first part of the website provides teachers with background information about the layers of basaltic lava flows that cover about sixteen percent of the Moon as well as how to prepare for the activity and what to expect. Visitors can use the second part of the website as an in
Geoscapes Photography
Sometimes learning or at least sparking an interest in a subject can be accomplished through pictures. The Geoscapes Photography Web site by Emeritus Professor of Geology John A. Karachewski contains spectacular photos of various geologic formations from the western US. By clicking on the main gallery link, students can choose from various locations such as northern California, Point Reyes National Seashore, Colorado, and Utah. Each link then contains the photographs and simple descriptions of t
Air and Space Magazine: How Things Work: Series List
The Air and Space Magazine is a publication of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This special series of the magazine provides insight into various aspects of aerospace principles and technology. Three articles in this section can be accessed, despite the listing of all seven. First is an overview of winglets on airplanes, describing their purpose and how they increase performance. The second article looks at "devices an aerobatic airplane uses to defy gravity." Lastly, ejection seat
What's its Name?
What's its Name? (WIN) is "a concise database of plant names and name changes for Australia." Based on information available from the Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), WIN is a collaborative project of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, and the Australian Biological Resources Study. The Web site includes instructions on how to use the database that provides a clear example. Search results include information sources and links to the more extens
Amedeo: Medical Literature Guide
This Web site from Amedeo, a medical information service, provides convenient literature updates free of charge via email. The registration process is quick and easy: simply select a research area of interest from an extensive list of options, choose from a list of relevant pre-selected journals, and fill out the contact information form. You will then receive a weekly email newsletter that lists newly published journal articles in your area of interest, along with links to downloadable abstract
Astronomical Society of Victoria
The Astronomical Society of Victoria website promotes its efforts to act as a forum for a wide variety of people interested in astronomy. Users can find learn about the monthly meetings open to the public. The website introduces the Society's many sections including Computing, Cosmology and Astrophysics, Current Phenomena, and Radio Astronomy. The Newcomers link furnishes helpful lists of astronomy books, magazines, and computer software. Everyone will enjoy the fantastic images of the Great Ori
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
DesignNotes.com: Design Archives
This novel site gives examples of circuits for a wide range of applications. It is suitable for people looking for specific instructions for a predetermined project or for anyone with an electronics hobby. Circuit diagrams, component lists, and a concise explanation are provided for each item. Many of the circuits were submitted by other visitors to the site, and further contributions are encouraged. Several categories are shown, including audio, motor control, and digital signal processing. Alt
The Turing Test
A man before his time, Alan Mathison Turing is arguably one of the most recognized mathematicians of the 20th century. In 1950, he published a paper that, to this day, sets the standard for artificial intelligence. He proposed a way to determine if a machine has intelligence, and this is now called the Turing Test.In his 41-year life, Turing accomplished a great deal as a mathematician. Bordering on many philosophical issues, his work is recounted in this online biography (1). A very good introd
Indiana University PEPP Earthquake Science Institute
"PEPP (Princeton Earth Physics Project) is a nationwide educational outreach program that combines state-of-the-art seismological research with hands-on classroom training for middle and high school students in the physical and earth sciences." At the website, users can learn about Indiana University's involvement with the program as well as upcoming PEPP, Indiana, and national events. Visitors can find information on current and past earthquakes recorded by PEPP and other organizations. The web
Prehistoric Life
This Web site from Museum Victoria in Australia presents an overview of fossils and what they tell us about prehistoric life. Museum Victoria developed this site in response to frequently asked questions and public interest in paleontology, resulting in a well-presented and easy-to-understand introduction to the topic. Five main sections cover invertebrate fossils, dinosaurs, Ice Age mammals, fossils found in Victoria, and a general explanation of fossils and fossilization. Although a bit text h
