Category Archives: Websites

Teaching Resources from the Environmental Literacy Council

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The Environmental Literacy Council: Teaching Resources [pdf]
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/category.php/17.html

“Environmental science encompasses a number of fields within the natural sciences, and an interdisciplinary approach to the subject is a must. For educators working in this area, the Environmental Literacy Council’s Teaching Resources site will be a real find. On their site, visitors should click on over to one of the sections on the right-hand side of the page. The sections here include ‘General Resources’, ‘Environmental Science Toolkit’, and ‘Survey & Textbook Reviews’. The ‘Environmental Science Toolkit’ is a good place to start, as it contains data table examples, information on creating citations, a guide to important concepts in environmental science, and an experimental design rubric. Additionally, visitors should not miss the Environmental History Modules which help teachers link up fundamental historical concepts to important environmental issues. These modules include ‘War and the Environment’ and ‘Ordinary Landscapes’, and they are both creative and quite engaging for students and teachers.”

Source: Today’s Scout Report, from the University of Wisconsin

Environmental Health and Toxicology

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The Specialized Information Services of the National Library of Medicine has compiled 26 information portals to date on many important issues in environmental health and toxicology.

Links are provided to overviews, review articles, databases, bibliographies, regulations and policies, and other websites. These concerns include environmental health of ethnic groups, chemical and biological warfare, chemicals and pollutants, natural disasters and diseases.

Habitable Planet — Environmental Sciences Website

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“The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science
http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/envsci/index.html

Phrases like “biodiversity climate” and “ecosystems” are becoming ubiquitous on evening television broadcasts, yet some may still be unfamiliar with these terms and concepts. Fortunately, there is “The Habitable Planet” website, which was designed by Annenberg Media for teachers and adult learners who wish to learn more about current events in environmental science. The content on the site is divided into thirteen areas, which include oceans, water resources, energy challenges, and agriculture. Within each section, visitors can make their way through separate sections within the online textbook, and also view content that includes interactive labs, graphics, video clips, and specialized glossaries. Returning to the site’s homepage, visitors will also note that they can view the content by type, which makes it a bit easier if they are looking for a specific video clip or visual feature.”

Source: The Scout Report — August 1, 2008

Art meets Ecology meets Technology

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From The Scout Report, March 7, 2008 —
A little out of scope, but food for thought:

Ecology, Art, and Technology [Macromedia Flash Player, iTunes, Quick Time]
http://www.ecoarttech.net/

“The intersection between ecology, art, and technology is a complex one, and one that provides the inspiration for the EcoArtTech organization. The organization was created in 2005 and they are primarily interested in “working with digital, networked, and sustainable technologies and contemporary environments to create art about the environmentality of modern life.” Their work is funded by Colgate University, the Turbulence Commission, and the Pine Lake Environmental Campus of Hartwick College. From the homepage, visitors can learn about some recent projects, view video podcasts of installations, and learn more about upcoming events and exhibits. The projects include “Frontier Mythology” which is a mobile, solar-powered environmental digital video and FM radio installation made of recycled shipping pallets. Visitors can watch the Quick Time documentary that profiles this installation, and they may want to mention it to friends and colleagues. Overall, it’s a fine site and one that is quite thought provoking.” [KMG]

Educational Materials in Atmospheric Chemistry

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Professor Daniel J. Jacob of Harvard University has compiled this very fine set of educational materials that deal with various aspects of atmospheric chemistry. He draws these resources from his own teaching experience, along with offering slides, presentations, and information from his own introductory textbook on the subject. Visitors can click through sections that contain resources such as Power Point presentations on halogen chemistry, aerosols, and global biogeochemical cycles. Professor Jacob has also been kind enough to include several versions of his 1999 textbook titled “Introduction to Atmosphere Chemistry” for general consideration and use. Finally, the site also contains resources on chemical transport models intended for graduate students.
Source: The Scout Report — March 14, 2008

There are also some helpful hints about presentations and writing!

Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists [Real Player, Windows Media Player]

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The Exploratorium recently decided to celebrate International Polar Year 2007-2008 by giving cameras to a group of penguin biologists, glaciologists, cosmologists, geologists, and marine scientists working in Antarctica and the Arctic. The results of this interesting idea can be found on this site, and visitors will enjoy learning about the thoughts and experiences of the scientists working in these two regions. Visitors can get started by clicking on the “Check out the dispatches” button. Visitors can learn how penguins function as barometers of climate change, get up close and personal with a smattering of charismatic marine mammals, and learn about the fascinating South Pole Telescope. Visitors can also browse through archived materials and they should definitely revisit the site, as they will be adding posts from scientists in the Arctic over the coming months. [KMG] Source: Scout Report, Feb. 1, 2008

National Pesticide Information Center

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National Pesticide Information Center

‘The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) was created through a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its primary function is to provide “objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions about pesticides and their use.” The site contains seven primary sections, including “General Information”, “Technical Information”, “Pest Control”, and “Emergency”. Most casual visitors to the site should click on over to the “General Information” area. In this section, they will find fact sheets and posters on pesticide safety, storage and disposal, and case studies. Of course, they shouldn’t forget about the other areas of the site, particularly if they are interested in regulatory issues involving pesticides and emergency resources. Finally, the site also contains a search engine for those who know exactly what they need to find. [KMG]’

Source: The Scout Report for Dec. 14, 2007, from Univ. of Wisconsin.

This NPIC site does contain a disclaimer for the Case Profiles. This information is provided as a public service and for educational purposes.

Renewable Energy — website & business note

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RenewableEnergyAccess.com is “a leading online-only publication and business-to-business (B2B) community for renewable energy”. Even though, PennWell Corporation, a business-to-business (B2B) publishing corporation, has become the major owner of the website, its founders, Jim Callahan and Oliver Strube will continue to direct operations.

“RenewableEnergyAccess.com serves 50,000 registered readers by providing comprehensive industry information and insight with its daily news, weekly podcasts, and regular columns and interviews. The site covers finance, policy, and technology for renewable energies including solar power, wind power, biomass and biofuels, geothermal, hydrogen/fuel cells, and hydropower.”

Princeton University has most of the journals listed in the extended entry. However, as always, if anyone needs an article we don’t own, Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery is encouraged.

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