Research and Education
Drawing on the talents of three local scholars in and around Miami, this interactive and informative website offers an unique perspective into the experience of the thousands of citizens who left Cuba in small boats, homemade rafts and other such crafts during the raft crisis of 1994. The broader theme of the site is the general post-1959 migration of Cubans to America, which has been the subject of much scrutiny by policy-makers and scholars. Beginning with an interactive map, visitors can get a sense of the route these people have taken over the years, in and around such places as Key West, Havana, and the Caymans. The other documents on the site include photographs of the rafters' experience, timelines of key events, and information from a 2004 conference held on the subject. The site is further enhanced by a number of dramatic video clips and the availability of the material in Spanish. [KMG]
The Center for Labor Research and Education at UCLA is part of the larger Institute of Industrial Relations (AIR) at that institution, and serves as a bridge between the scholarly work in the field and the labor community throughout Southern California. Scholars and students alike take advantage of their materials on campus, and the Web-browsing public can now do the same via this site. Many visitors will want to check out Center's publications, which include the archives of its own "Labor Education News" and a number of other timely reports such as those of NAFTA and a summary report on the situation of Asian Pacific Islander workers. Visitors can also peruse the listings of Center events and also take a look at the websites of some of its affiliates, including UCLA's own urban planning department. [KMG]
http://www.stateofthemedia.org/2005/index.asp
The inaugural edition of the State of the News Media report in 2004 was a tremendous success, and the good people at the Project for Excellence in Journalism have created this second edition of the report for the year 2005. The report contains nine discrete sections, along with a section that gives information on the work's methodology, and additional commentary on the findings from the staff members at the Project for Excellence in Journalism. For those browsers looking for a quick review of the findings, there is an overview section as well. Here they will find some summary results, including the observation that more and more traditional press models (such as the journalism of fact verification) is moving increasingly towards the "talk-show" model, which places a premium on merely asserting unverified facts. The overview also contains some interesting observations about the trends in media ownership over the past year and the general public's attitudes towards the news media. [KMG]
http://analyzer.depaul.edu/paperplate/
The Paper Plate Education website, created by Chuck Bueter at DePaul University, offers hands-on activities covering a range of science topics and education levels. With an abundance of paper plates and a few other common items, students can learn about the seasonal and latitudinal changes of the altitude of the noon sun, correct depictions of the phases of the moon, the interior of planets, and much more. Visitors can view images of a few individuals' paper plate projects. Because the author is always adding more materials, regular users should visit the What's New link to easily obtain the latest science activities. This site is also reviewed in the May 13, 2005 NSDL Physical Sciences Report. [RME]
http://brookings.edu/fp/saban/analysis/darcy20050419.pdf
There has been much discussion about how the United States can improve its relationship and general standing throughout the Islamic world, and despite the best intentions of many policy-makers, policy initiatives, and politicians, it would seem that there are few options that may work. This intriguing 112-page paper from the Brookings Institution (authored by Michael A. Levi and Michael B. d'Arcy) suggests that the respect held for American science and technology may serve as a valuable channel for cooperation. The authors suggest that any coherent strategy should focus on a number of aspects, including a focus on applying technology, taking advantage of Islamic world diasporas (such as the numerous scholars from the Islamic world who are in the United States), and maintaining modest expectations overall. [KMG]
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/expeditions/interactive_main_content.html
During the past nine decades, the Field Museum in Chicago has sent a vast array of scientists into the field to perform hands-on research in areas including paleontology, archaeology, and ecology. With the release of this well-thought-out website, visitors can now learn about the diverse projects currently underway at the Museum. The site opens up to reveal an interactive map that allows users to click on any number of research projects, such as Lande Grande's work on fossil fishes in Wyoming, or the work of Mary Hennen on the peregrine falcon in northern Illinois. Within each project, visitors can view photos of the scientists at work, view streaming video clips of their work, and engage in truly interactive features that let users explore these scientists' research world. Another nice feature is that visitors to the site can also sign up to receive email dispatches from scientists as they explore new places. [KMG]
There are a number of websites providing information on the broad field of development around the world, but Eldis is definitely one of the better ones available for public perusal. Developed at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, Eldis receives funding from a wide range of sources, including the World Bank and the Global Development Network. The core function of Eldis is to act as an Internet-based information service, maintaining a library of online documents and resource guides to such relevant development topics as climate change, health systems, globalization, and pastoralism. Due to this focus, Eldis will be of particular interest to development practitioners, various non-governmental organizations, and researchers. The resource guides are a good place to start out, as they contain brief overviews of each topical area, complemented by a few key documents. Equally enticing is the "News and Events" section, which contains announcements about funding opportunities and advice about seeking employment in the development sector. [KMG]
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/
The Genographic Project is a collaborative effort by the National Geographic Society, IBM, and others to "assemble the world's largest collection of DNA samples to map how humankind populated the planet." The five-year study is being conducted at ten research centers around the world; and "will result in the creation of a global database of human genetic variation and associated anthropological data (language, social customs, etc.)." The Genographic Project website contains background information about the project as well as information about participating in the study. The site also offers an educational Genetics Overview section, and an Interactive Atlas of the Human Journey. This site is also reviewed in the May 13, 2005 NSDL Life Sciences Report. [NL]
