Basics of Space Flight
This training module was designed to help the user identify and grasp basic concepts associated with space travel and deep space missions. Separate sections deal with topics such as the physical environment of space (solar system, gravity, orbital mechanics), flight projects (mission concepts, system requirements, design, onboard systems and instruments), and flight operations (launch, cruise, encounter). Links to related topics are embedded in the text.
US National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change
The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) was created as a high-priority national research program to: address key uncertainties about changes in the Earth's global environmental system, both natural and human-induced; monitor, understand, and predict global change; and provide a sound ...
Triangular Plots in Metamorphic Petrology
These lecture notes discuss the use of three component systems in metamorphic petrology. Common triangular plots used in metamorphic rocks are presented with annotated ternary diagrams. The presentation includes four criteria for reducing the number of components in a system to a workable number. There ...
Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts
This PowerPoint presentation is part of the Whitman College petrology course. This 37-slide presentation starts by presenting a generalized map of the earth's rift system. The composition of mid-ocean ridge basalt is introduced in the context of major-element chemistry, petrography, trace elements, spreading rate, and isotope chemistry. Melt generation in terms of mantle and lithospheric structure is portrayed in a number of schematic diagrams. This resource is part of the Teaching Petrology col
"Principles of Digital Communication I, Fall 2009"
" The course serves as an introduction to the theory and practice behind many of today's communications systems. 6.450 forms the first of a two-course sequence on digital communication. The second class, 6.451 Principles of Digital Communication II, is offered in the spring. Topics covered include: digital communications at the block diagram level, data compression, Lempel-Ziv algorithm, scalar and vector quantization, sampling and aliasing, the Nyquist criterion, PAM and QAM modulation, signal
"Introduction to Neuroscience, Fall 2007"
" This course is an introduction to the mammalian nervous system, with emphasis on the structure and function of the human brain. Topics include the function of nerve cells, sensory systems, control of movement, learning and memory, and diseases of the brain."
"Brain Structure and Its Origins, Spring 2009"
" Outline of mammalian functional neuroanatomy, aided by studies of comparative neuroanatomy and evolution, and of brain development. Topics include early steps to a central nervous system, basic patterns of brain and spinal cord connections, regional development and differentiation, regeneration, motor and sensory pathways and structures, systems underlying motivations, innate action patterns, formation of habits, and various cognitive functions. Lab techniques reviewed. Optional brain dissect
"Neuropharmacology, January IAP 2009"
" The neuropharmacology course will discuss the drug-induced changes in functioning of the nervous system. The specific focus of this course will be to provide a description of the cellular and molecular actions of drugs on synaptic transmission. This course will also refer to specific diseases of the nervous system and their treatment in addition to giving an overview of the techniques used for the study of neuropharmacology. This course is offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP)
Inter-planet Janet in the Solar System - Song
This science rock animated video shows the planets in the solar system. There is a character, Inter-planet Jane, who travels to all the planets and describes them. She also visits the sun and names some of its characteristics.
"Frameworks and Models in Engineering Systems / Engineering System Design, Spring 2007"
" This class provides an introduction to quantitative models and qualitative frameworks for studying complex engineering systems. Also taught is the art of abstracting a complex system into a model for purposes of analysis and design while dealing with complexity, emergent behavior, stochasticity, non-linearities and the requirements of many stakeholders with divergent objectives. The successful completion of the class requires a semester-long class project that deals with critical contemporary
The Next Generation: Youth Speaks
SPARK follows several local teens as they make their way through the final tension-filled rounds of the Youth Speaks spoken word competitions, and get a glimpse of their lives and thoughts in their emotion-packed poetry. This Educator Guide is about the history of spoken word.
Using the Library Media Center
Learn how to find a book using different ecard catalogs... * Find out the difference between Fiction, Non-fiction, and Reference. * Discover the Dewey Decimal System. * Try finding a book in three different libraries! (School library, Public library, and University library)
The Solar System
In this project you will learn about the solar system and will be able to identify basic components of our solar system, including the sun, planets, and Earth's moon.
Just Passing Through
The purpose of this resource is to develop an understanding of some of the relationships between soils of different types and water. Students will time the flow of water through soils with different properties and measure the amount of water held in these soils. They will also experiment with the filtering ability of soils by testing the pH of the water before and after it passes through the soil and observing changes to the clarity of the water and to the characteristics of the soil. Students w
Site Seeing Beginning Level
The purpose of this resource is to investigate the center pixel of a homogeneous land Cover Site in order to understand that individual land areas are part of a larger land system.
Odyssey of the Eyes Beginning Level
The purpose of this resource is to familiarize students with the importance of perspective and various scales of remotely sensed data. Students create a 3-D model of an area and develop a classification system for the landforms in their model. The maps can then be used to answer certain questions about the environment.
Leaf Classification
The purpose of this resource is to develop a classification system for a set of objects and learn about hierarchical classification systems. Any set of objects, such as insects or rocks, may be used as well.
Bird Beak Accuracy Assessment
The purpose of this resource is to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of a classification system. Students sort birds into three possible classes based on each bird's beak: carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Students compare their answers with a given set of validation data.
Microscope Imaging Station
This site shows what blood is, what happens when the immune system goes awry, what are stem cells are, and more. See videos exploring cell structure and function, cell development and motility, plankton, plants, and protozoa. Learn how the sea urchin helps us understand genes, reproduction, and cancer.
Earth's history in 4.56 meters: constructing a timeline with calculator tape
In this short activity, students make a timeline of Earth's history using calculator tape. The tape is 4.56 meters long, so that one billion years is equal to one meter. This exercise is designed to introduce students to the scale of Earth's history and help them gain a familiarity with some major events. It also teaches about scaling, the metric system, as well as the concepts of large numbers and deep time. The activity may be used in an introductory geoscience course. Learning goals, context
