General
http://archives.library.wisc.edu/oral/oral.htm
The University of Wisconsin - Madison Oral History Project began as an effort to interview prominent emeritus faculty members about their research and careers at the University. The Project's scope has expanded now to include interviews with campus administrators, staff, and students as well as faculty. Several themes have been taken up over the years, such as the Teaching Assistants Strike of 1970 or the protests against the Vietnam War. The new series is on Women in Science and Engineering and includes both interviews conducted prior to 2003, as well as new interviews currently being conducted as part of the series. Although transcripts must be ordered and tapes available for listening by appointment, the website provides tape indexes, which are essentially interview summaries, and a few sample sound clips and transcripts. [VF]
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/index2.jsp
The National Academy of Sciences now has it's own museum! The grand opening of Washington, D.C.'s new Marian Koshland Science Museum is scheduled for April 2004. At this museum, "visitors will discover the links between scientific research and everyday life through interactive exhibits, public events, and educational programs." Geared toward ages 13 and older, the museum exhibits will explore current scientific and (sometimes controversial) policy issues, as presented in reports by the National Academies. The museum’s inaugural exhibits include: Wonders of Science, Global Warming Facts & Our Future, and Putting DNA to Work. Exhibit summaries are available online. [VF]
http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/lessonintro.htm
Jan Smith developed this website (available in both English and Spanish) to provide lessons in computer basics for use at home or in the classroom. The Computer Basics section explains "a lot of the techno-babble that you hear about computers" so that you can "follow along as computer technology becomes more and more important in our world." Other lessons move on to Computer Types, Applications, Input, Processing, Output, Storage, Computer to Computer, System Software, and Programming. The lessons are short and easy to read online, providing some helpful graphic images and tips on purchasing a new computer, hardware or software. A glossary of key terms is also available. [VF]
The National Academies Press publishes this journal on Issues in Science and Technology. Current issues are only on the newsstands, but past issues are available online. Aside from the typical articles and book reviews, the journal also offers a Forum section, which includes letters submitted from policymakers and researchers, From the Hill, which provides updates on Congressional hearings and other news, Perspectives, which highlights a current issue or trend, and Real Numbers, which provides statistics and information on a science and technology topic area, such as university-related research parks. [VF]
"LUGNET™ unites LEGO fans worldwide through discussion groups, web pages, and services." It is "an independent site by fans, for fans" and not operated by the LEGO Company. Some highlights include an online crossword puzzle and a discussion forum that has apparently been called "the friendliest place on the Internet." Also available from this website are links to hundreds of other websites by LEGO fans, a gallery of LEGO creations, information on using LDraw to build your creations using the computer, a Minifig Generator to assist in designing characters, a LEGO survey, an opportunity to build your own web pages on LUGNET, reference materials, an events calendar, and information on LEGO products. [VF]
The Gender, Science and Technology Gateway serves as a resource for researchers, policy makers, and NGOs to inform sustainable development which focuses on gender equality. The site is organized according to the "Seven Transformative Action Areas" identified by the Gender Working Group of the UN Commission on S&T for Development. These areas are: "Gender equity in science and technology education, removing obstacles to women in scientific and technological careers, making science responsive to the needs of society: the gender dimension, making the science and technology decision-making process more 'gender aware,' relating better with local knowledge systems, addressing ethical issues in science and technology: the gender dimension, and improving the collection of gender disaggregated data for policy makers." Links to organizations and online resources addressing these different action areas are sorted by region (Africa, Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean -- with North America and most of Europe not yet posted) or by action area. [VF]
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/step/
The Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) is charged with integrating "understanding of scientific, technological, and economic elements in the formulation of national policies." The website highlights recent projects, including Intellectual Property Rights in the Knowledge-Based Economy, Government-Industry Partnerships for the Development of New Technologies, Tracking Commercial Applications of Nanotechnology, Intellectual Property in Genomic and Protein Research and Innovation, and Measuring and Sustaining the New Economy. Monthly newsletters provide updates on projects and events, primarily in the form of a short description and link to project websites. [VF]
http://www.technocapitalism.com
Professor Luis Suarez-Villa of the Social Ecology and of Planning, Policy and Design at the University of California, Irvine has devoted this website to "the rise of technocapitalism." Technocapitalism is an "emerging era" defined as "an evolution of market capitalism that is rooted in technological invention and innovation." Issues regarding phenomena operating at the societal level as well as phenomena that operate largely at the level of organizations and individuals are discussed. He provides five reasons why this website is different from typical discussions of technology and capitalism, including the use of a format through which "discussions can be added, debated and documented with evidence," the use of empirical evidence, an openness to diverse ideological viewpoints, the attempt to provide a big picture on technocapitalism and the absence of any attempt to predict or forecast the future under technocapitalism. [VF]
