International HapMap Project
An international coalition -- with scientists from Canada, China, Japan, Nigeria, the U.K., and the U.S. -- the HapMap project seeks to "develop a haplotype map of the human genome, the HapMap, which will describe the common patterns of human DNA sequence variation." At the site, visitors can take advantage of the bulk downloads of data available here, including several datasets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genotype and frequency data, SNP assays, and more. Some of the data require
Microbiology Current Issues: Water Quality
This well-designed Web site from the American Society for Microbiology offers a comprehensive introduction to microbial contamination of the water supply. Visitors to the site will find information on water-borne pathogens and the diseases they cause, where our drinking water comes from, how water becomes contaminated, scientific advances that could make our water supply safer, and much more. The information in this Web site is clearly explained and does not require an active interest in microbi
IBM Archives
IBM is one of the most recognizable names in the computer industry, with a history that spans over a century. The IBM Archives is an online repository of information that tells the story of how the company began and how it has evolved. Possibly the best way to learn about IBM's roots is to browse the archive's main exhibit, which takes the user on a year-by-year tour of inventions and major business dealings since 1900. A collection of historic documents is also offered, describing landmark comp
From Jungle to Lab: The Study of Life's Complexity
San Francisco's Exploratorium showcases the work of researchers at the Natural History Museum in London and Las Cuevas Biological Station in Belize, who are investigating the nature and diversity of life. From Jungle to Lab is part of the Exploratorium's Origin Project, created to explain how scientists explore "the beginnings of the universe, of matter, of the earth, and of life itself." This well-designed Web site contains loads of multimedia features, such as a slide show of Las Cuevas (inclu
Self-Healing Minefield
The self-healing antitank minefield is an innovative system developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It employs intelligent, mobile mines that can rearrange themselves to repair any breaches in the field. This forces the enemy to destroy a much greater percentage of the total mines, rather than simply clearing a narrow path. The project's Web site has considerable material on the mines' operation, including a very illustrative multimedia demonstration. There are also b
Evolution & the Nature of Science Institutes: Becoming Whales
From the Evolution & the Nature of Science Institutes, this archived website contains a 45-minute lesson about evolutionary links between whales and terrestrial mammals. Through the lesson, high school biology students "experience the historical discovery of fossils which increasingly link whales to earlier land-dwelling mammals. This experience reveals how scientists can make predictions about past events, based on the theory and evidence that whales evolved." The lesson website contains concis
StarTiger
StarTiger is a project of the European Space Agency that is testing a new framework for research and development, with the goal of dramatically reducing the time needed to achieve a breakthrough. The basic method is to assemble a group of doctorate level researchers and engineers, put them in an environment that is free of distractions, and give them access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology. The first success of StarTiger was realized in October 2002, when, after only four months of w
Gflow 2000
Gflow 2000, which was developed by Haitjema Software, is described as a highly efficient stepwise groundwater flow modeling system. It is based on the analytic element method and models steady state flow in a single heterogeneous aquifer using the Dupuit-Forchheimer assumption, and is particularly suitable for modeling regional horizontal flow. The free educational version of the software is available for download from the site, as well as descriptions of the analytic method, stepwise modeling,
Reproductive & Cardiovascular Disease Research Group
The Reproductive & Cardiovascular Disease Research Group is "based in the Department of Biochemistry and Immunology at St. George's, University of London." The Group's "research interests include a number of areas concerned with reproductive and cardiovascular diseases such as trophoblast biology, nitric oxide and apoptosis, with particular emphasis on the role of these subjects in diseases of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia." This website contains descriptions of protocols commonly utilized by
University of Newcastle upon Tyne: Department of Statistics
The Department of Statistics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne has an impressive Web site with a lot of good research information. The Research section of the site is divided into five different group areas, consisting of applied statistics, applied probability, medical statistics, Bayesian statistics, and bioinformatics. Each of these has a statement of the work performed and a list of recent publications. The Postgraduate Study section discusses a number of research projects currently u
Observe forest fires as seen from space
This Earth science resource shows students how atmospheric scientists use infrared imaging to detect and locate forest fires. The introduction explains how visible-light images recorded by satellites are unable to distinguish smoke from clouds. In contrast, infrared imaging, which detects heat, can detect hot spots that indicate the location of forest fires. The resource provides two different sets of satellite pictures. Students are instructed to toggle between the visible-light and infrared im
Quick take on area and volume
This one-page document highlights online resources with virtual manipulatives that can help make area and volume real for students. Be sure to check out the sites these resources are from; the sites contain many other interesting and useful mathematics learning resources.
Examine the sun at different wavelengths
This Earth science resource enables students to observe and compare the sun's appearance under different types of electromagnetic radiation. Students are instructed to move the cursor across the spectrum to see images of the sun under radio and microwaves; infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light; and gamma rays. Each image includes a label that indicates the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength in angstroms and meters, and the layer of the sun in view. Copyright 2005 Eisenhow
Atlas of the Cyrosphere
This site from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) allows visitors to explore and dynamically map the Earth's frozen regions. Viewed from a polar perspective, the available data sources include snow cover, sea ice extent and concentration, glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, and other critical components of the Earth's cryosphere. Users can zoom in to a specific region on the Earth as well as overlay country borders, major cities, and other geographic information. This site provides a ge
Seeds of the world : Journey to Forever
Seeds of the world: Journey to Forever - No seeds, no food, vanishing seeds, most crop varieties already lost, rendezvous with extinction, seed saving, biodiversity, world hunger This site discusses the importance of seeds to humans and the global economy. It provides extension information about genetically modified seeds and the Green Revolution.
Review of Middle School Physical Science Texts
This report provides a review and critique of physical science textbooks in middle school with regard to scientific accuracy, an accurate portrayal of the scientific approach, and the appropriateness and pedagogic effectiveness of the material presented for the particular grade level. Also noted are such things as readability, attractiveness, quality of illustrations, and appropriateness of laboratory activities, home activities, exercises to test understanding, and other resources.
Tortoise and Hare Race
users step through the tortoise and hare race, based on Zeno's paradox, to learn about the multiplication of fractions and about convergence of an infinite sequence of numbers.
Science Sampler : Growth Potential
Students will enjoy carrying out this exciting and challenging research project that combines science with computers and mathematics to investigate how polyacrylate animals change in size over time when placed in water and aqueous salt solutions. The hands-on activity motivates students and provides them with enjoyable and rewarding science project experiences. Here they have an opportunity to solve a problem and use the science inquiry skills of observing, collecting, organizing, and analyzing
Quick take on those dicey decimals!
Understanding decimals is a must and practice with them a basic necessity. These digital resources feature games, lessons, and interactive experiences that encourage understanding and practice at varying levels of mastery.
Science News For Kids
This resource is meant to enhance the usefulness of Science News in the middle-school classroom and offer recreational reading and activities for students interested in science. It is comprised of six zones: a weekly brainteaser for those who enjoy solving and inventing puzzles, entertaining science-fiction composition exercises for those interested in writing, and weekly science fair profiles and tips. The GameZone contains a small selection of logic and memory games, implemented as Java applet
