Science Surfing
- Humans
Skeptical Brains
At the Web site of the McDonnell Foundation, a private funder of scientific research, peruse examples of recent media misinterpretations of brain studies—as chosen by foundation staffers—at a page titled “BAD Neuro-Journalism.” Go to: http://www.jsmf.org/about/s/badneuro/index.htm
- Humans
Quick Flicks
The BrainPOP Web site boasts more than 200 animated movies with accompanying comics and activities that answer students’ questions about science, math, health, and technology. A host of characters explains tough concepts in an interesting and humorous way. Unfortunately, visitors to the site can view only two movies per day for free. A subscription to […]
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Click and Clone
The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah has an interactive Web site that teaches the basics of somatic cell cloning, the type of cloning used to create Dolly the sheep. The central focus of the click-and-clone exercise—to clone a brown mouse named Mimi—is based on a real experiment performed by researchers at […]
- Planetary Science
Exploring Mars
Here’s your chance to help NASA explore the surface of Mars. At its Marsoweb site, the agency provides detailed maps, engineering data, and interactive tools for studying the Red Planet’s alien terrain. Visitors are invited to look for and report important geologic features that haven’t yet been catalogued or even viewed by researchers. Go to: […]
- Humans
A Lewis Carroll Scrapbook
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Oxford, is better known as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and other works. A scrapbook kept by Dodgson is now available online, via the Library of Congress. It contains a variety of items, including newspaper clippings, illustrations, and photographs. The Web […]
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Bone Biology
Susan Ott, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington, has created a Web site that provides information to physicians and others about bone physiology and osteoporosis. Topics include bone density, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and more. There’s also a special section for kids. Go to: http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/
- Tech
Aerodynamics for Beginners
NASA’s Glenn Research Center offers an extensive online tutorial on the basics of aerodynamics. Aimed at elementary and high school teachers, the site provides lots of useful information and has slides and worksheets suitable for classroom use at various levels. Go to: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/bga.html
- Math
Women in Mathematics
From Maria Gaetana Agnesi to Lai-Sang Young, these Web pages provide biographies of prominent women in mathematics. Prepared by students at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, the biographical essays describe the achievements of women in a variety of mathematical fields. Some essays include portraits and other illustrations. Go to: http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/Women.htm
- Animals
Whys Guy
Interested in seeing an exploding watermelon, using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream, or knowing why a hurricane spins? Physicist Mats Selen of the University of Illinois has appeared regularly on a local morning TV program to demonstrate a wide variety of physical and chemical phenomena. View video clips of these entertaining presentations. Requires Windows […]
- Earth
Hurricane Season
The U.S. Geological Survey offers a Web site devoted to the impact of hurricanes and extreme storms on coastal regions of the United States. Historical information reviews the effects of such hurricanes as 2003’s Isabel and 1996’s Fran. Another section looks at erosion along the U.S. West coast caused by El Niño-induced changes. The site […]
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Wonders of Saturn
As the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft begins its detailed exploration of Saturn, get up-to-date information about this fascinating planet and intriguing moons and rings. The Exploratorium’s colorful Saturn Web pages provide data, images, access to Webcasts, and more. Go to: http://www.exploratorium.edu/saturn/
- Humans
Caring for a Historic House
The National Park Service offers advice on taking care of the exterior—or skin—of an old home. From repairing shingles and fixing chimneys to painting trim and improving site drainage, this online course provides handy pointers about what to do and what not to do to keep an historic house in good shape. Go to: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/roofdown/index.htm
