| |
2001:
destination space
http://www.thetech.org/2001ds/
2001: Destination Space compares the science and technology found
in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), and in the artwork of
Robert McCall, to real science and technology of today. |
American
Institute of Physics: Center for history of physics
http://www.aip.org/history/
A mission of this institute is to preserve and make known the history
of modern physics and allied fields including astronomy, geophysics,
optics, and the like. |
Astronomy
Picture of the Day
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe
is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional
astronomer. |
Astronomy--What's
Up This Month
http://www.learnwhatsup.com/
The best star chart on the web! Want to know where, when, and
how to find a planet? When's the next meteor shower? These pages
are updated monthly or as needed. Written for the beginner to intermediate. |
Beautiful
Birds: Masterpieces from the Hill Ornithology Collection
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/ornithology/
A beautiful site. There are 170 eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
ornithological illustrations from books and art works included in
or loaned to the Cornell University Library's Hill Ornithology Collection. |
Bentley
Snow Crystals Collection
http://informatics.buffalo.edu/faculty/abbas/bms/index.htm
The Bentley Snow Crystal Collection of the Buffalo Museum of Science
is a digital library providing a high-quality collection of stunning,
un-retouched images of Wilson A. Bentley’s original glass slide
photographs of snow crystals, and includes dynamic resources to
further an appreciation and understanding of Bentley and his work.
Also read about Wilson Bentley in the USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/2004-11-28-snow-crystals_x.htm
|
Biographies
of Women Mathematicians
http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm
The biographies of women in mathematics are part of an on-going
project by students in mathematics classes at Agnes Scott College
in Atlanta, Georgia. |
Cloud
Forest Alive
http://www.cloudforestalive.org/
This website was developed to enhance global understanding of the
unique and important cloud forests of Central America. Through their
impact on water and soil quality, climate patterns, and numerous
known and unknown plant and animal species, cloud forests profoundly
affect life surrounding them and life around the planet. Quetzals
are nesting now and there is a camera into their nest again! The
female laid an egg on April 22. Visit the site everyday and you
can be the first one to watch the tiny quetzal chicks hatching.
|
The
Digital Library for Earth System Education
http://www.dlese.org/
This site is a grassroots, community-based effort involving teachers,
students, and scientists working together to create a library of
educational resources. DLESE resources include electronic materials
for both teachers and learners such as lesson plans, maps, images,
data sets, visualizations, assessment activities, curriculum, online
courses, and much more. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation,
DLESE. |
Earth
Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center
http://edc.usgs.gov
"Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center" is a data
management, systems development, & research field center for the
U.S. Geological Survey's National Mapping Division. The EDC stores,
processes, & distributes a variety of data, including cartographic,
satellite, & aircraft data. The EDC's archives also hold the world's
largest collection of civilian remotely sensed data covering the
Earth's land masses. |
Elemental
Data Index
http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/Elements/
Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Reviewed
27 Feb. 2002.
The Elemental Data Index provides access to online scientific data
from the NIST Physics Laboratory for each specific chemical element.
There are three versions of the index: frames, no-frames, and text-only.
In all three versions, you search by clicking on the element in
the periodic table. The results screen displays the element's atomic
weight, ionization energy, ground-state level, and ground-state
configuration, as well as links to all of the NIST databases in
which that element appears, including Atomic Spectra Data, X-Ray
and Gamma Ray, Radiation Dosimetry Data, Nuclear Physics Data, and
Condensed Matter Physics Data. The information on this site serves
as a complement to the WebElements Periodic Table (www.webelements.com)
selected for the MARS Best 2001 list. (RUSQ. Fall 2001. www.ala.org/rusa/mars/best2001.html)
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2002
Fourth Annual List
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS)
American Library Association |
eNature.com
http://www.enature.com/
This site offers online searchable guides to over 4,800 plant
and animal species. |
Eric
Weisstein’s World of Science: A Wolfram Web Resource
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/
Eric W. Weisstein. Wolfram Research.
Reviewed 22 March 2004
Weisstein’s site features biographies and explanations of topics
in mathematics, physics, astronomy, and chemistry. The information
content is appropriate for advanced high school or undergraduate
college course work. The Biography section can be searched by gender/minority
status, branch of science, historical periods, nationality and prize
winners. There are linked references and lists of referenced sources
for each article. The subject area sections of the site are easily
searched by divisions within the discipline. For example, under
chemistry one can look for help under organic chemistry, then hydrocarbons.
In that section are explanations of naming, structures, reactions,
etc. Physics, math and astronomy sections are similarly broken down
by divisions of the discipline and then smaller areas of study.
Some areas of this site are still under construction. However, it
is superior for help with advanced topics in these subject areas
and is notable for listing references.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004
Sixth Annual List
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) |
Exploratorium
: Museum of science, art, and human perception
http://www.exploratorium.edu/
This web site features all fields of science—astronomy, physics,
chemistry, biology, and the earth science. Can you hit a 90 mph
fastball? Play baseball and find out. |
Explore
Mars
http://www.exploremarsnow.org/
This site is a Virtual Tour of Mars called ExploreMarsNow. Explore
the planet with realistic Mars habitats, rockets, ground cars, and
robots. |
FrogWeb.gov
http://www.frogweb.gov/
"FrogWeb" is a multi-agency effort to inform the public about declines
& deformities in numerous amphibian species. The site is designed
for parents, teachers, & children, & it includes general information
about amphibians & their habitats, research currently underway,
programs in which the public can help collect amphibian data, &
activities to help classes & families learn about amphibian biology
& populations. |
Hands-on
Experiments to Test for Acid Mine Drainage
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/of00-369/
"Hands-on Experiments to Test for Acid Mine Drainage" invites students
to learn about the effects of acid mine drainage on our groundwater
& environment through experimentation & observation. The website
explains how to make litmus paper, study aquatic organisms, examine
the weatherization process, & more. |
How
California's Power Crisis Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/california-power1.htm
The power crisis is having a huge effect on 33 million people in
California. Learn how the problem started and how it might affect
the entire U.S. |
How
Stuff Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Explains how things work |
Internet
Learning Network
http://www.getsmarter.org/index.cfm
"Internet Learning Network" provides an opportunity for middle and
high school students to see how their math & science skills measure
up against other students worldwide. The site offers tutorials,
practice opportunities, & reasons why math & science matter in the
world today. |
Invention
Dimension
http://web.mit.edu/invent/
Profiles a different inventor each week with a biographical sketch. |
The
Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/research/lunar_orbiter/index.html
The Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon by Bowker and Hughes
(NASA SP-206) is considered the definitive reference manual to the
global photographic coverage of the Moon. |
Mission
to Mars (Cornell University)
http://athena.cornell.edu/educators/
Artists behold the beauty of the heavens and scientists want to
learn how it all works. Bringing Mars into your classroom fosters
an appreciation of the beauty of another world and offers the excitement
of discovery. |
Monterey
Bay Aquarium
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
The mission of the site is to inspire, enrich and extend a visit
to the aquarium, while fostering a deeper commitment and connection
to the institution and ocean conservation. Included on the website
is "Choices for a Healthy Oceans. Sadly, some of our favorite
fish are disappearing. Your consumer choices CAN make a difference!
The Seafood Card can help you choose seafood that's good for you
and good for the oceans. Arla Jones suggested this site. |
The
NASA Homepage
http://www.nasa.gov/
Space technology. |
NASA's
Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
At the NASA's Earth Observatory you can monitor regional and
global changes on the planet. Also, you can explore with NASA scientists
the causes and effects of climatic and environmental change through
the use of real satellite data. A nice site. |
National
Science Digital Library
http://nsdl.org/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP
The National Science Digital Library is a comprehensive source for
science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. NSDL
contains exemplary resource collections, services, and is organized
in support of science education at all levels. |
The
Nine Planets
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html
The Nine Planets is an overview of the history, mythology, and current
scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar
system. |
NIST
Chemistry WebBook
http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/
P.J. Linstrom and W.G. Mallard, eds. National Institute of Standards
and Technology
Reviewed 25 March 2004
The NIST Chemistry WebBook contains thermochemical data for over
7000 organic and small inorganic compounds, reaction thermochemistry
data for over 8000 reactions, IR spectra for over 16,000 compounds,
mass spectra for over 15,000 compounds, UV/Vis spectra for over
1600 compounds, electronic and vibrational spectra for over 4500
compounds, constants of diatomic molecules (spectroscopic data)
for over 600 compounds, ion energetics data for over 16,000 compounds
and thermophysical property data for 34 fluids. There are numerous
ways to search for data on specific compounds including name, chemical
formula, CAS registry number, molecular weight, chemical structure,
or selected ion energetics and spectral properties. The NIST Chemistry
WebBook is a comprehensive source for chemical and physical property
data for chemical compounds.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004
Sixth Annual List
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) |
North
American Mammals. Reviewed: 18 March 2005
http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Developed by the Natural Partners for Education Outreach Program
of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History,
this site provides a detailed description, distribution range, and
a picture for over 400 North American mammal species with a current
emphasis on those found in the United States. Searching is available
by geographic area, scientific name, common name or conservation
status. Users can browse by order, family, or genus. Eventually,
species will be added from Canada and Mexico. This is a very useful
resource for students and the general public seeking information
about mammals in the United States.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2005
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS)
American Library Association |
Pitsco's
Ask An Expert
http://www.askanexpert.com/
Ask an expert is a comprehensive list with links and information
about contacting professionals who will answer student questions. |
Plants
Database
http://plants.usda.gov
National Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Reviewed 20 March 2004
This database provides a wealth of information about plants growing
in the United States. All types of plants are covered, from noxious
weeds to ornamental flowers and food crops. It is aimed at state
agricultural agencies, plant researchers, students, and the general
public. Users can search the database by common name, scientific
name, or symbol, and uncover results that include one of 16,000
high resolution images, species abstracts, growth distribution data
and maps, crop information, plants symbols, plant growth data, a
plant guide in PDF and word formats (if available), as well as a
list of print resources for further information. A number of Culturally
Significant Plant Guides were prepared with the cooperation of Native
American tribal groups actively using plants in everyday living.
The site also highlights a “Plant of the Week, and links to
off-site resources such as the Flora of North America (http://www.fna.org/FNA/
)and the ITIS Biota Checklist (http://www.itis.usda.gov/index.html
). The site loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and includes a section
on how to cite the PLANTS Database. This is a comprehensive resource
for finding information about plants in the United States.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004
Sixth Annual List
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) |
Powers
of Ten
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/
View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then
move through space towards the Earth in successive orders of magnitude
until you reach a tall oak tree just outside the buildings of the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida.
After that, begin to move from the actual size of a leaf into a
microscopic world that reveals leaf cell walls, the cell nucleus,
chromatin, DNA and finally, into the subatomic universe of electrons
and protons. |
Science
and Technology Sources on the Internet
http://www.istl.org/03-summer/internet.html
“This guide is designed primarily for the mathematics educator,
whether in the role of teacher or as the student in a college education
program. The majority of resources included here focus on primary
and secondary education, but many may easily apply to college level.”
|
ScienceDaily
Magazine
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Dan Hogan, Editor
Reviewed 9 March 2004
This site will serve you well whether you are a high school student
assigned to report on a current science topic or are just interested
in information on recent scientific developments. The home page
provides headlines and links to the day’s top science news
stories, as well as links to major subject areas in science, health,
and computing. Sources, along with links to original news releases,
are given for all articles; articles can be printed or emailed.
Also available is an encyclopedia containing definitions and information
drawn from the Wikipedia Web site (http://en.wikipedia.org/ ) Clicking
on the Wikipedia links will take you to the Wikipedia site, where
you can view the information in a variety of other languages including
German, Spanish, French, and simplified English.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004
Sixth Annual List
RUSA Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) |
Sedna
http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/sedna/
On 15 March 2004, astronomers from Caltech, Gemini Observatory,
and Yale University announced the discovery of the coldest, most
distant object known to orbit the sun. The object was found at a
distance 90 times greater than that from the sun to the earth --
about 3 times further than Pluto, the most distant known planet. |
Science
for the Millennium
http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/Expo/
An online expo that focuses on astronomy, astrophysics, advanced
computation, and virtual environments. |
Sloan
Digital Sky Survey
http://www.sdss.org/
This website presents data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, a
project to make a map of the entire universe. This site shows the
beauty of the universe |
SOHO:
The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
"SOHO: The Solar & Heliospheric Observatory" provides an uninterrupted
view of the sun. It is designed to study some of the most perplexing
riddles about the sun, such as its extensive outer atmosphere, the
origin of the solar wind, & the stream of highly ionized gas that
blows continuously outward throughout our solar system. The site
offers lesson plans, never-before-seen pictures of the sun, a question
& answer service with Dr. SOHO, & collection of space science information.
|
Sue
at the Field Museum
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/sue/default.htm
Read about Sue. She is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved
Tyrannosaurus rex. She was discovered by fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson
in 1990, in the badlands of South Dakota. The Field Museum (Chicago)
purchased Sue at public auction in 1997 with generous financial
support from McDonald’s Corporation, Walt Disney World Resort and
private individuals. This is a site for kids and adults. From Mike
Dunlap: Did you know that Sue will be at the Sternberg Museum at
Ft. Hays State University this semester? |
Sustainable
Seas Expeditions
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/websites/retiredsites/supp_SSEretired.html
"Sustainable Seas Expeditions" focuses on exploration & discovery,
scientific research, cutting edge underwater technologies, & public
awareness of the marine environment. Visitors will find high-quality
marine science teaching materials (linked to national standards),
a multifaceted approach to teacher professional development, educational
opportunities for students, & more. |
WebElements
Periodic Table
http://www.webelements.com/
WebElements is an award-winning online periodic table. There is
a Scholar Edition for students as well as a Professional Edition.
Researchers click on the symbol for any element on the periodic
table displayed on the home page. Information given for each element
includes the name for the element in several languages, essentials
(name, symbol, atomic weight, etc.), description, and isolation.
Sidebars provide well-known compounds that contain the element and
more detailed information on the element’s properties and history.
The Scholar Edition at ,
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/ provides more pictures demonstrating element structures and periodic
properties. Both versions are excellent teaching tools as well as
helpful ready reference resources.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2001
Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) of the Reference and
User Services Association (RUSA) of American Library Association |
The
Why Files: the science behind the news
http://whyfiles.org/
Supported by the Graduate School / University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Founded by National Institute for Science Education, National Science
Foundation. |
The
Wildflower Center
http://www.wildflower.org/
The mission at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to educate
people about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural
beauty of native plants". |
Windows
to the Universe
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/
Windows to the Universe is a fun and different website about the
Earth and Space sciences. |
The
World From The Space Station
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights_dmsp_big.jpg
The image is a panoramic view of the world from the new space station.
It is a night photo with the lights clearly indicating the populated
areas. You can scroll East-West and North-South. |
Visible
Earth
http://www.visibleearth.nasa.gov/
Visible Earth provides a consistently updated central catalog/collection
point to the superset of Earth science-related visualizations and
images. There is a searchable directory. |
