Australian Antarctic Data Centre
http://www-aadc.aad.gov.au/
The Australian Antarctic Division is part of the Australian Government's Department of the Environment and Heritage. Within the department's Web site is the Australian Antarctic Data Centre, which makes all scientific observations and results freely available. Data topics include weather, GIS and mapping, marine science, flora and fauna, and many other topics related to the southern continent. [JAB]
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Geode
http://geode.usgs.gov/
Maintained by the US Geological Survey (USGS), Geode is the "data delivery system of the geologic discipline and continues to provide unbiased scientific and energy related data to the public via a fully functional, web accessed GIS map server." Subjects covered include Coastal and Marine Geology, Earth Surface Dynamics, Earthquake Hazards, Integrated Natural Resource Sciences, Mineral Resources, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping, and Volcano Hazards. This powerful resource gives researchers and scientists an excellent tool for simplifying the often difficult task of data acquisition. This site is also reviewed in the September 6, 2002 Scout Report. [JAB]
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Data Products at COAPS
http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/Data_Products/
Florida State University's Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS) (last mentioned in the February 28, 2001 Scout Report for Science & Engineering) provides a wealth of information on its Data Products at COAPS Web site. Visitors have access to scatterometry, ocean surface meteorology fluxes, and ocean psuedostress products, among others. The site also contains relevant publications and research information for those interested. [JAB]
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Online Maps and Data
http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/
From the California Geological Survey, the Online Maps and Data site contains information focused on natural hazards. Topics include minerals, earthquakes, and landslide and erosion hazards such as the General Location Guide for Ultramafic Rocks in California. The site also has links to a publications page and a new interactive mapping program called the Seismic Hazards Mapping Web page. [JAB]
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Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry
http://ibis.grdl.noaa.gov/SAT/SAT.html
As part of NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, the Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry specializes in the analysis of satellite altimeter data related to problems in physical oceanography and marine geophysics. The Web site provides links to currently active projects with information such as near-real time sea level altimeter data, historical data, European Space Agency data, geophysics data, and more. [JAB]
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Geological Survey Program
http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/
If your research or interests lie in the geology of South Dakota, then the state's Geological Survey Program Web site is for you. Offered are online publications and maps, a geologic reference database, a lithologic logs database, digital base maps, a water quality database, and several other quality information sources worth checking out. [JAB]
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Hydrology Web
http://etd.pnl.gov:2080/hydroweb.html
"Hydrology Web is a site that hosts a comprehensive list of links to Hydrology and related Hydrology resources." Maintained by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Hydrology Group, the site provides a wealth of resources related to the subject. Links are provided to companies, conferences, data, job lists, online chat sites, projects, publications, research, universities, and more. [JAB]
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National Pollutant Release Inventory
http://www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/npri/npri_home_e.cfm
The National Pollutant Release Inventory is maintained by Environment Canada and provides access to pollutant release information for facilities located throughout Canada. The data can be searched by chemical name and location, and results provide detailed information on the substance, its release, its disposal, and its transfer at a particular facility. [JAB]
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Physical Oceanography from Space
http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/kids/
Provided by NASA for kids, the Physical Oceanography from Space Web site gives a short and simple introduction to the subject including how satellites measure the ocean and how scientists use satellite measurements, as well as oceanography history and news. Two experiments are also available that show how sea surface temperature changes with latitude and how it changes along the coast of California during an El Nino event. Although the site may be a bit too technical for young grade schoolers, others will find the information quite helpful and interesting. [JAB]
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Kite Aerial Photography
http://education.ssc.nasa.gov/kap/kap.htm
Scott Calhoun of Mississippi State University developed the Kite Aerial Photography page, which is part of the larger Stennis Space Center Office of Education Web site. The activity lets kids (with an adult's help) do their own aerial photography by attaching a disposable camera to a kite. Complete directions are given including tips on choosing and flying the kite. Sample images prove that it can be done, making this a very unique and fun exercise for students. [JAB]
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Fantasy Island Watershed Activity
http://rodneyscience.freeyellow.com/watershed.html
Created by high school teacher Rod Benson, the Fantasy Island Watershed Activity provides a very hands-on and visual way for students to learn about water resource issues and the dynamics of watersheds. The activity is easy to complete, needing only a few materials including modeling clay and an eyedropper. Mr. Benson even provides a related worksheet to print out, making dealing with the annoying pop up ads of the free Web site provider well worth it. [JAB]
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Geoscapes Photography
http://www.geoscapesphotography.com/
Sometimes learning or at least sparking an interest in a subject can be accomplished through pictures. The Geoscapes Photography Web site by Emeritus Professor of Geology John A. Karachewski contains spectacular photos of various geologic formations from the western US. By clicking on the main gallery link, students can choose from various locations such as northern California, Point Reyes National Seashore, Colorado, and Utah. Each link then contains the photographs and simple descriptions of the unique landform and geology represented. [JAB]
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The Rock Cycle Experiments
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/rocks/rockcycle.shtml
Maintained by the BBC Education Web site, The Rock Cycle Experiments page contains ten activities related to the rock cycle, beginning with weathering and ending with the uplift of rocks. Each activity pops up after clicking the link within the very well done interactive diagram of the rock cycle. The activities are simple but effective; for example, the transportation lesson has students run water through sand to see its effects. The hands-on experience of the activities helps reinforce the learning and of course makes it fun. [JAB]
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Fear of Physics
http://www.fearofphysics.com/
The Fear of Physics Web site contains more than twenty interactive physics related activities. Everything from things that spin, sound, atoms, collisions, and the Doppler effect are included. The Speed and Acceleration link teaches about movement by allowing users to choose two vehicles and change their position, speed, and acceleration. After pressing the GO button, the program runs, and students get to see how the chosen variables affect the vehicles' movements. A great collection of online learn-by-doing experiments. [JAB]
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Air Travelers
http://www.omsi.edu/visit/physics/air/home.html
Offered by the Science Learning Network, the Air Travelers Web site is "an introduction to the basic principles of buoyancy, properties of gases, temperature, and the technology involved in hot air ballooning." Four activities are described along with any materials needed, directions, and questions that help students understand the concepts. A bonus activity is also provided that explains how to build your own hot air balloon using common household items. [JAB]
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Funderstanding Roller Coaster
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/
Provided by Funderstanding.com, the Roller Coaster Java applet Web site allows students to design their own roller coaster. After waiting for the program to load, users can change the height of two hills and the loop, the speed and mass of the car, and the gravity and friction being applied. After hitting the green start button, you get to see if the car flies off the track or doesn't make it through the loop. A simple but fun site. [JAB]
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What is Climate Change?
http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/posters/cc_en.asp
The What is Climate Change? Web site is offered by Canada's Natural Resources Department. The main page describes the basics of the phenomenon, while the links tell about the impact of climate change on health and safety, communities, land resources, water resources, and coastal regions. Although specific to Canadian regions, the site will give visitors from all over a good introduction to the potential problems of "global warming." [JAB]
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Virtual Antarctica
http://www.terraquest.com/va/index.html
Provided by Terraquest.com, the Virtual Antarctica Web site presents a ship's expedition to the continent and describes what is found along the way. The science portion describes such things as the geology, geography, and climate of the area, as well as various biological features of the land and water. Other sections of the site contain information on Antarctica's history and ecology, as well as other resources such as a glossary and map. [JAB]
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Basics of Remote Sensing from Satellite
http://www.esad.ssc.nasa.gov/Default.asp?bhfv=5&bhfx=5.0%20r41&bhje=0
Developed by Jim LaDue of NOAA, the Basics of Remote Sensing from Satellite tutorial Web site describes the basics of how to interpret the satellite imagery that is available on the Internet. The table of contents includes partitioning of radiation, emissivity, satellite imagery and the spectrum, enhancements, a glossary, and references, as well as links to additional information. [JAB]
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Highpointers.org
http://highpointers.org/guide.shtml
Highpointers.org offers information on the highest mountain peaks in each state, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC. Data includes the name and height of the mountain and additional climbing information such as the vertical climb in feet. Clicking on the individual states brings up other information about the peak and any available pictures. Although created for mountain climbers, other non-climbers will find visiting the site worthwhile. [JAB]
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The American Southwest
http://www.americansouthwest.net/
The American Southwest is a personally maintained Web site that, though primarily a travel guide, is also a unique collection of photographs and descriptions of physical geology of seven states. Dozens of photographs and even several panoramic views are available from California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, as well as a special section on slot canyons. If only for the freely viewed photos, this site is a fabulous resource. [JAB]
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Astronomy
http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subj/astronom.html
As part of the University of California Santa Barbara Library, the Astronomy subject Web page contains dozens of links on the subject. Sites are categorized in indexes and gateways, NASA pages, observatories, organizations and associations, current topics, interactive resources, and periodicals. If all that isn't enough, the site even has an astronomy picture of the day. [JAB]
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What You Always Wanted to Know About Salt
http://www.saltinstitute.org/4.html
The What You Always Wanted to Know About Salt Web site is maintained by the nonprofit organization the Salt Institute. Information on nearly every aspect of salt can be found here, including salt facts, properties of sodium chloride, salt deposits in the US, the various uses of salt, salt in the winter, the history of salt, and much more. [JAB]
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Chemical Backgrounder
http://www.nsc.org/library/chemical/chemical.htm
Offered by the National Safety Council (NSC), the Chemical Backgrounder Web site provides information on more than one hundred of the most common health affecting chemicals. Each backgrounder such as the Acetone page contains a description, its chemical properties, identification, health effects, exposure values, manufacturers, relevant regulations, and additional information and links. [JAB]
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The Grand Canyon
1. Lost in the Canyon
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/canyon/
2. Sleuthing at the Grand Canyon: Using Rocks to Tell Us About the Past
http://www.studyworksonline.com/cda/content/explorations/0,,NAV2-77_SEP888,00.shtml
3. The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center Fiscal Year 2000-2004 Monitoring and Research Strategic Plan [.pdf]
http://www.gcmrc.gov/WorkPlan/Ltp5-1.pdf
4. Unconformities in the Grand Canyon
http://www.casdn.neu.edu/~geology/department/staff/naylor/geo1212/gc_unc.htm
5. The Geology of the Grand Canyon
http://www.kaibab.org/geology/gc_geol.htm
6. 3-D View of Grand Canyon
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/viewrecord?8334
7. Canyons, Culture, and Environmental Change: An Introduction to the Land Use History of the Colorado Plateau
http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/index.htm
8. River Forecasts and Data
http://www.cbrfc.gov/
The first site from PBS.org, called Lost in the Canyon (1), offers an excellent online learning experience. Visitors learn about John Wesley Powell's expedition down the Colorado River, covered in transcripts from the companion television show and a timeline of Powell's life. Other features include an interactive lesson on running rapids and a look at the unique geologic history of the area. Next, from StudyWorks! Online comes the lesson entitled Sleuthing at the Grand Canyon: Using Rocks to Tell Us About the Past (2). Through basic descriptions, photographs, and illustrations, students learn how rocks form, how scientists use them to find out about past environments, and much more. The third site is provided by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center called The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center Fiscal Year 2000-2004 Monitoring and Research Strategic Plan (3). Readers will discover the mission of the center, history of monitoring in the area, management strategies, research activities, and much more. Next is a site offered by Richard S. Naylor of Northeastern University's Department of Geology called Unconformities in the Grand Canyon (4). Visitors will find descriptions and photographs of several sites in the Grand Canyon that exhibit geologic unconformities or surfaces that represent a break in the geologic record. The fifth site is maintained by kaibob.org called the Geology of Grand Canyon (5). This site contains basic information on how the canyon was formed, where all the rock came from, why it looks like it does, and when it all happened. From NASA's Visible Earth Web site comes the 3-D View of Grand Canyon (6) page. The canyon can be viewed in a low or high resolution JPEG format, which shows the surrounding area, part of the Colorado river, and the canyon itself in dynamic colors. Part of Northern Arizona University, the seventh site is entitled Canyons, Culture, and Environmental Change: An Introduction to the Land Use History of the Colorado Plateau (7). The site provides an introduction to the environmental history of the Colorado Plateau and summarizes a vast body of research from multiple disciplines in an easily accessible format. The last site from NOAA's Colorado River Basin Forecast Center is the River Forecasts and Data page (8). Provided are data from various sites along the river that offer a wide range of relevant information such as simulated hydrographs. [JAB]
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Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The NSDL Scout Report for the Physical Sciences.
The single phrase below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing any portion of this report, in any format:
From The NSDL Scout Report for Physical Sciences, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
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Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-2002. The Internet Scout Project (http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
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