General Interest
http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/feelnikon/discovery/universcale/index.htm
Created by Nikon, this website provides a bit of insight into the world of scale and the equally enigmatic world of comparing and understanding things which cannot be physically compared. It’s a bit hard to compare the size of an elephant to say, Saturn, but this visually stimulating site makes it happen, in a matter of speaking. After a brief introduction, visitors can use the “Universcale” interface to move in and out of various scales, ranging from that of the known universe to the microscopic. Along the way, visitors can also click on the “Help” button to get tips on how to navigate the graphic interface. It’s pretty easy to imagine that science teachers at a variety of grade and skill levels could use this site to complement class lectures and other activities. [KMG]
http://www.bu.edu/prc/landmark/
The Boston Globe once referred to the Photographic Resource Center (PRC) at Boston University as “one-stop shopping for the photo buff”. For visitors who can’t make it into the Hub, the PRC website offers a cornucopia of visually elegant online exhibits, coupled with more basic information about their various programs and educational resources. First-time users of the site may wish to stop by the “Northeast Exposure Online” area, which offers a web-based showcase of emerging photographic artists from New England as selected by staff members at the PRC. Those persons interested in visiting the PRC should take a look at their “Exhibition” section, where they can also find look over some of their recent online exhibitions such as the excellent “Document: Contemporary Social Documentary Work from Greater Boston”. [KMG]
http://www.achievingthedream.org/
Bringing a more diverse student body into the world of higher education is important, and a number of organizations have teamed up “to help more students reach their individual goals, which may include earning a community college certificate or degree.” The organizations involved with the “Achieving the Dream” initiative include The American Association of Community Colleges and The Community College Leadership Program. Visitors to their site can learn more about this initiative and then learn about various community college strategies and events across the United States. Moving along, the “Data and Research” area is a real gem, and visitors can learn about their research reports and read their monthly newsletter, which addresses such topics as financial aid and developmental math and science courses. [KMG]
http://www.unesco.org/csi/index.htm
The phrase “sustainable development” may not seem to be an obvious fit for certain coastal regions and small islands, as development in these regions tends to be focused on tourism of the decidedly non-sustainable sort. Many of these areas are concerned about these trends, and working with UNESCO, they are growing more interested in creating policies that encourage sustainable development. As a statement on the site remarks, this program allows for the voices of small islands to be amplified and there is also the intention that indigenous knowledge will be mobilized for “equitable resource governance.” On the site, visitors can learn about some of these initiatives, read about the hopes and aspirations of youth in these affected areas, and also read up on their field projects. These projects are well worth a look and they include underwater archaeology efforts in Alexandria, Egypt and plans to create sustainable livelihoods for fishers in Jamaica. [KMG]
http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/sketchbooks/
Ever wondered what is in an artist’s sketchbook? Luckily, if you have wondered just such a thing, the Harvard University Art Museums happen to have a number of artists’ sketchbooks, and they recently digitized a selection of these revealing works for this site. The site was designed to complement a recent in situ exhibition, and visitors can look inside the sketchbooks of John Singer Sargent, Reginald Marsh, Christopher Wilmarth, and others. Visitors can start their journey by listening to an audio clip of the curator, Miriam Stewart, talking about these works, and then can dive right into the digitized sketchbooks. One sketchbook that should not be missed is the sketchbook created by Jacques-Louis David for his work, “The Coronation of Napoleon I”. Visitors can look at both the verso and recto sides, and within these pages they will find outlines of Josephine, Napoleon, and such minutiae as the colors and fabrics of their costumes. [KMG]
A nonpartisan project on the long-term challenges of the federal budget might seem like an impossibility, but a number of organizations have banded together to address this rather important and timely subject. Some of these organizations include the Brookings Institution, the Heritage Foundation, and Viewpoint Learning, and they are all concerned with calling for “meaningful action in confronting the various challenges to long-term fiscal stability.” As they note on their site, some of these challenges include the impending retirements of the Baby Boomers and the growth in health care costs. First-time visitors may wish to explore the “Why It Matters” section at length, and then they should take a look at the “Resources” section. Here visitors will find a number of “Fast Facts” documents, a glossary of terms, and a selection of widgets. Visitors can also look over the blog and sign up to receive email alerts. [KMG]
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2006/21/gip-21.pdf
That swirling bard of American letters and transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once opined “We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.” This need never be the case for educators and members of the general public who give careful consideration to this excellent pamphlet created by the United States Geological Survey. Compiled by Matthew A. D’Alessio, this document contains ten short articles on earthquakes designed for classroom use. The articles originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, and they include such titles as “Find the Fault: Recognizing Active Faults”, “Looking into the past with earthquake trenches”, and “How do we make buildings and roads safer?”. Additionally, each article contains helpful graphics, illustrations, and photographs. [KMG]
http://crmjournal.cr.nps.gov/Journal_Index.cfm
In 2003, the National Park Service started The Journal of Heritage Stewardship in an effort to share new insights across cultural resource disciplines. To this end, the Journal includes peer-reviewed scholarly articles, viewpoint essays, interviews with experts in a range of relevant disciplines, and compelling reviews of exhibits and websites. For example, in a recent issue the Journal included an essay on cultural heritage and poverty eradication in Uganda, a review of an exhibit on America’s culinary heritage, and a critical review of a book on Mexicans at Hull House. After looking at a couple of issues, visitors may also wish to consult the submission guidelines or opt to contact one of the editors with an idea of their own. [KMG]
