Research and Education
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/RocketScience101/RocketScience101.html
On occasion, when one is asked to describe a common activity or simple concept, the other party may exclaim, “Well, it’s not exactly rocket science.” Well, this website is exactly that: rocket science. To be more precise, NASA has created this elegant and visually stimulating demonstration website that allows guests the opportunity to learn how two different types of rockets (the Delta II and the Atlas V) are constructed. First-time visitors will most likely want to take advantage of the short tutorial that explains the basic part of the launch vehicle, how it is constructed, and how all of these parts effectively help launch a NASA spacecraft. After looking over this section, visitors will want to get started on constructing their own rocket. They will have the opportunity to learn about different parts of each device, and then select each item for the rocket. At the conclusion, visitors will get to see a demonstration of how each rocket works during flight. [KMG]
http://www.purplemath.com/index.htm
Designed and maintained by Elizabeth Stapel, an educator and holder of an advanced degree in mathematics, Purplemath contains hundreds of lessons designed to help students who might be having trouble with algebra. As Stapel notes on the site’s homepage, “These lessons emphasize the practicalities rather than the technicalities, demonstrating dependable techniques, warning of likely “trick” questions, and pointing out common mistakes.” Visitors can get started by clicking on the “Lessons Index” tab on the left-hand side of the homepage, and they will be whisked away to a categorized section that contains lessons on dozens of algebraic situations, such as using the midpoint formula, finding the slope of a straight line, and graphing systems of linear inequalities. The site also contains a section of external sites which have been reviewed by Stapel, including those that offer quizzes, worksheets, and related materials. [KMG]
http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/cc/
In 1986, the Baker Library at the Harvard Business School issued a rather elaborate exhibition catalog that presented a collection of materials from the Bleichroeder Collection of prints. These prints ranged in date from the sixteenth to nineteenth century, and included images of stock exchanges, money lenders, corruption, and other such related topics. This exhibit is essentially an updated and greatly enhanced version of this original exhibit, and it is a true delight. Visitors have access here to a great selection of images divided into such contentious and intriguing categories as “Politics and War”, “Speculation and Credit”, and “Vanity and Virtue: Allegories on the Pursuit of Riches”. There are a few images that should not be missed, including “The Unhappy Lot of the Rich” by Phillip Gale and “The Ill-Sorted Couple” by that old master, Albrecht Durer. The site is rounded out by a nice bibliography for those with a further penchant for works including “Religious Factors in Early Dutch Capitalism, 1550-1650”. [KMG]
As more and more persons are seeking high-quality English as a Second Language (ESL) resources, a number of sites have sprung up to provide just such materials. One notable site is UsingEnglish.com, which provides grammar glossaries, reference sheets on irregular verbs, phrasal verbs and idioms, teacher handouts, and ESL forums. The forums are particularly useful, as registered users can post questions in the “Ask a Teacher!” feature, and receive a response from one of their team of expert advisors. The articles area contains short pieces on using punctuation properly, teaching English in South Asia, and formal letter writing. The site also has its own weblog, which contains brief musings on various elements of the English language that may be helpful both for ESL teachers and those seeking to learn the language. [KMG]
http://www.bgci.org/files/Worldwide/Wellbeing/Presspack/wellbeing.pdf
Comprised of over 800 botanic gardens and botanical institutions located around the world, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI) group frequently produces publications of interest for both the general public and those interested in the role of such institutions in contemporary society. This rather intriguing 36-page report, authored by Kerry Waylen, looks at how “botanic gardens across the world are involved in a variety of projects that use biodiversity to improve human well-being.” It is an ambitious work, and is based upon a rather exhaustive literature review and a survey of BGCI’s members. The report contains information on some specific programs currently in place, such as the work of the Aburi Botanical Garden in Ghana, which has successfully improved local access to medicinal plants by helping communities set up medicinal gardens. Overall, this is a timely report that is definitely worth a closer look. [KMG]
http://www.benfranklin300.org/index.php
In his writings, Benjamin Franklin once observed, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” Franklin certainly followed this sage advice, as people continue to read his works and replicate some of his experiments (and adventures) across the globe. 2006 happens to mark the three-hundredth anniversary of his birth, and a consortium of interested organizations and individuals have created this website to act as a clearinghouse of information about the various celebrations, exhibits, and other such activities that will be taking place over the next couple of years to celebrate Franklin’s life and accomplishments. Complete with a typeface that would be familiar to those reading American printed works of the 18th century, the homepage contains sections on the ongoing Franklin exhibition that is traveling the world and an education area that contains materials for teachers seeking to incorporate discussion of Franklin into their classrooms. The “Programs” area is a real gem, as it contains links to a variety of projects (including a multimedia site designed by middle school students that examines Franklin’s legacy) created in honor of this most momentous occasion. [KMG]
