05/22/06
NOTE: To subscribe to the SciTech Library Newsletter list, simply send an email message to “lyris@lists.nsf.gov”. In the text of your message, put the phrase “subscribe sci-tech_lib_news”. Do not add a signature to your message. Or contact sbianchi@nsf.gov.
Café Scientifique (Arlington)
BACKGROUND: Café Scientifique (Arlington) and its pilot cousin, Café Scientifique (DC), are organized and sponsored by the National Science Foundation, a federal agency in Arlington, Va. The goal: to make science more accessible and accountable by featuring speakers whose expertise spans the sciences — and who can talk in plain English. Upcoming cafés will generally be held the first Tuesdays of the month, rotating locations in Arlington and in Washington D.C. We welcome your input. Complete a survey on-site, or write to Mary (mhanson@nsf.gov) or Sarah (sgoforth@nasw.org).
HISTORY: Café Scientifique began in France and the U.K., based on the French Café Philosophique, as a way for the public and scientists to mingle and discuss science issues in an informal setting. (See the Café Scientifique website). Science buffs and the simply curious meet in a friendly pub for a casual introduction to a current topic, led by an expert. Nearly 30 cafés now exist in the U.S. NSF inaugurated its monthly café in spring 2006. NSF-sponsored cafés to date include:
TO FIND OUT MORE: To hear about upcoming cafés sponsored by NSF, subscribe to the NSF e-mail list. Send a message to lyris@lists.nsf.gov. In the text, write “subscribe cafesci.” Don’t add a signature. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)
Bipartisan bill would expand access to research, greater return on taxpayer investment
http://cornyn.senate.gov/index.asp?f=record&lid=1&rid=237171
“In an effort to increase taxpayers’ access to federally funded
research, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Tuesday introduced the
bipartisan Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006. The legislation is
co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.).
The bill requires every federal agency with an annual research budget of more than $100 million to implement a public access policy. The policy must ensure that articles generated through research funded by that agency are made available online within six months of publication.”
Sen. Cronyn’s website includes the text of the bill, a press release, a one-pager, and a faq.
SKIL Bill, Immigration Reform for Highly Skilled
http://cornyn.senate.gov/doc_archive/05-02-2006_SKIL%20section%20by%20section%20_5-1_.pdf
IEEE Statement on H-1B Cap
http://ieeeusa.org/policy/policy/2006/040606b.pdf
On May 2nd, Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) also introduced an immigration
reform bill that would, exempt all foreigners with a Masters or PhD from an
American college or university, and those who have received post-doc medical
training in the U.S., from the green card caps; exempts all foreign
professionals who have worked in the US for 3 years from the green card
caps (allow all H-1B workers to automatically switch their status after
three years); more than doubles the number of green cards available
annually to 290,000, and retains 57% of these for high-skill immigrants
(other than those already exempted above). The bill also exempts family
members from the cap, making more visas available to more workers.
Cornyn’s bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee and has not yet
been considered. (From IEEE Eye on Washington)
Side by Side Comparisons of Reform Proposals
http://www.tap2015.org/resource/ASTRA.pdf
Brought to you by “Tapping America’s Potential”. Two
charts: a chart comparing the U.S. Senate’s National Innovation Act,
its PACE Legislative Package, and Pres. Bush’s American Competitiveness
Initiative as of February 2006 and a second chart comparing the House Major
Innovation and Competitiveness Legislative Proposals as of March 2006.
President Signs Executive Order to Develop National Math Panel
http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2006_04_24_legupdate.htm
President Bush signed an executive order that will officially establish a
National Math Panel at the U.S. Department of Education, responsible for
identifying and disseminating best practices in math education; and key
administrators from NSF, NOAA, NASA, NIST, and the Departments of Energy
and Education are summoned to testify about their STEM education programs
before the House Science Committee. (From NSTA)
Survey Reveals CEOs of America’s Top S&T Companies Concerned About Global Competition
http://www.bayerus.com/msms/news/facts.cfm?mode=detail&id=survey06
Survey Reveals CEOs of America’s Top Science and Tech Companies
Concerned About Global Competition, but Few Tap Women and Minority Talent
Pools
A new survey commissioned by the Bayer Corporation found that many CEOs of some of the fastest growing American science and technology companies are concerned about a rising competition for scientific and technical workers and fear their company’s international competitors will gain an advantage. Four in five CEOs polled reported they are concerned that the United States is in danger of losing its global predominance in science and technology due to manpower shortage issues, and one-third are “very concerned.” In addition, well over one-half are concerned that their company will be able to attract and retain the scientific and technically trained employees it needs to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
At the same time, while many acknowledge that their industries suffer from a lack of women, African-American, Native American and Hispanic American STEM workers, only one-third of executives indicate their company or employees participate in precollege education programs that attract, encourage, and sustain girls’ and minority students’ interest in math and science. In addition, executives give an average grade of C to the U.S. education system for how well it is doing providing U.S. companies with diverse and talented graduates who have the skills to be successful in today’s STEM careers. Titled Bayer Facts of Science Education XII: CEOs on STEM Diversity: The Need, The Seed, The Feed, the survey is part of Bayer’s Making Science Make Sense(r) (MSMS) program. (From NSTA Express)
Science Podcasts
http://www.sciencemag.org/about/podcast.dtl
“On a pilot basis, Science will be offering periodic
podcasts built around interesting stories in the journal and on its sister
sites. You can listen to these audiocasts on your own computer simply by
clicking on the ‘Listen to MP3’ links on the podcast
announcements below. If you use a podcast aggregator like iTunes or Juice,
you can subscribe to our podcast feed to automatically download the files
for syncing to portable audio devices.”
Topics include:
A new podcast each week.
Conversation With John Kenneth Galbraith
http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/conversations/Galbraith/galbraith1.html
“Intellectual Journey, Challenging the Conventional Wisdom: Transcript and
video of an interview with John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-2006), “Professor
of Economics at Harvard for more than fifty years; writer and author of more than
20 books, including ‘The New Industrial State’ … [and] advisor
to President Kennedy.” Some of the interview topics include good writing,
U.S. Third World policy during the Cold War, political leadership, and
intellectuals in government. From the Institute of International Studies,
University of California, Berkeley.” (From Librarian’s Index to the
Internet)
St. Lawrence Seaway: Options to Eliminate Introduction of Nonindigenous Species into the Great Lakes
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?meetingid=1411
Tuesday, May 23–24
The St. Lawrence Seaway: Options to Eliminate Introduction of Nonindigenous
Species into the Great Lakes
National Academies’ Keck Building
500 Fifth St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Speakers:
Shirley M. Malcom, Ph.D.,
Head, Education and Human Resources,
American Association for the Advancement of Science
and
Daryl E. Chubin, Ph.D.,
Director, Center for Advancing Science & Engineering Capacity,
American Association for the Advancement of Science.
When:
Thursday, 25 May 2006
Presentation: 6:00pm
Reception: 7:30pm
Where:
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
1200 New York Ave, NW,
Washington, DC
RSVP to Emily MacGillivray (emacgill@aaas.org) by Monday, 22 May 2006.
This seminar, a tag-team presentation and discussion, will take a system’s-eye view of the S&T workforce as more than a supply-demand issue. Please see the attached abstract and speaker biographies for further information. For questions regarding this event, please contact Stephanie Adams (sadams@nsf.gov).
Global Horizons: America’s Challenge in Science and Innovation
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0501usc.shtml
View Video from the USC/AAAS/ Science Conference
“Global Horizons: America’s Challenge in Science and Innovation”
brought leading science thinkers and futurists together in Los Angeles, California
in April. Read about the panel discussions on stem cell research, China and India
as challengers or partners, and science’s ability to solve global problems,
and link to archived video.
Science and Engineering State Profiles: 2003-04. (NSF 06-314).
NSF, 2006.
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06314/
Federal Funds for R&D: FY 2003-05.
NSF, 2006.
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06313/
She Figures: Statistics and Indicators.
EC, 2006.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/pdf/she_figures_2006_en.pdf
U.S. and International Responses to the Global Spread of Avian Flu: Issues for Congress.
CRS, 2006.
http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RL33219.pdf
Overcoming the Barriers to Research Productivity: a Case Study in Immunology & Microbiology.
Publishing Research Consortium, 2006.
http://www.publishingresearch.org.uk/prcweb/PRCWeb.nsf/0/3df67165eb1fca078025716b0048adb8/$FILE/PRC%20Report%20'Overcoming%20the%20Barriers'.pdf
NIH Author Postings: A study to assess understanding of, and compliance with NIH Public Access Policy.
Publishing Research Consortium, 2006.
http://www.publishingresearch.org.uk/prcweb/prcweb.nsf/pubframe
Little Green Data Book.
World Bank, 2006.
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEEI/936214-1146251511077/20916989/LGDB2006.pdf
To Recruit and Advance: Women Students and Faculty in U.S. Science and Engineering.
NAP, 2006.
http://fermat.nap.edu/catalog/11624.html
Women Physicists Speak Again.
AIP, 2006.
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/gendertrends.html
“Sensitive But Unclassified” Information and Other Controls: Policy and Options for Scientific and Technical Information (RL33303).
CRS, 2006.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/RL33303.pdf
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11540.html
Pandemic Readiness Study.
AMR, 2006.
http://www.amrresearch.com/research/reports/images/2006/0605AMR-A-19413.pdf
Fuel for Life.
World Health Organization, 2006.
http://www.who.int/indoorair/publications/fuelforlife.pdf
Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues (RL33290).
CRS, 2006.
http://opencrs.cdt.org/rpts/RL33290_20060303.pdf
Wadeable Streams Assessment: A Collaborative Survey of the Nation’s Streams EPA 841-B-06-002 April 2006
http://www.epa.gov/owow/streamsurvey/report.pdf
Strategic Science Provision in English Universities: A Follow-up.
House of Commons, 2006.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/1011/1011.pdf
Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs I & II. House of Commons, 2006.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/578/578i.pdf
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/578/578ii.pdf
Meeting UK Energy and Climate Needs: The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2005-06.
House of Commons, 2006.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/1036/1036.pdf
Critical Paths: 12 inspiring cases of ethical careers in science and technology.
SGR, 2006.
http://www.sgr.org.uk/EthicalCareers/criticalpaths.pdf
An Assessment of Balance in NASA’s Science Programs (prepublication).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11644.html
C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11605.html
Improving the Regulation and Management of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11595.html
Is That Real? Identification and Assessment of the Counterfeiting Threat for U.S. Banknotes.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11638.html
Issues Affecting the Future of the U.S. Space Science and Engineering Workforce: Interim Report (prepublication).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11642.html
Funding Biomedical Research Programs: Contributions of the Markey Trust.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11627.html
Billy’s Halo: Love, Science, and My Father’s Dream.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11555.html
Enhancing Philanthropy’s Support of Biomedical Scientists: Proceedings of a Workshop on Evaluation.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11646.html
Review of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Studies.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11481.html
Priorities for GEOINT Research at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11601.html
Aeronautics Innovation: NASA’s Challenges and Opportunities.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11645.html
Improving Road Safety in Developing Countries: Opportunities for U.S. Cooperation and Engagement, Workshop Summary — Special Report 287.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11647.html
Proceedings from the Workshop on Biomedical Materials at the Edge: Challenges in the Convergence of Technologies.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11639.html
Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu (prepublication).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11637.html
Revealing the Hidden Nature of Space and Time: Charting the Course for Elementary Particle Physics (prepublication).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11641.html
Principal-Investigator-Led Missions in the Space Sciences.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11530.html
Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11432.html
Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11381.html
A Risk Reduction Strategy for Human Exploration of Space: A Review of NASA’s Bioastronautics Roadmap.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11467.html
State and Federal Standards for Mobile Source Emissions (prepublication).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11586.html
Measuring and Sustaining the New Economy, Software, Growth, and the Future of the U.S Economy: Report of a Symposium.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11587.html
The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative The Genomic Revolution — Implications for Treatment and Control of Infectious Disease: Working Group Summaries.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11615.html
Overcoming Challenges to Develop Countermeasures Against Aerosolized Bioterrorism Agents: Appropriate Use of Animal Models [prepublication].
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11640.html
Review of the Department of Energy’s Genomics: GTL Program.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11581.html
Testing of Defense Systems in an Evolutionary Acquisition Environment.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11575.html
Dynamic Changes in Marine Ecosystems: Fishing, Food Webs, and Future Options.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11608.html
State and Federal Standards for Mobile Source Emissions.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11586.html
Zombie Curse: A Doctor’s 25-year Journey Into the Heart of the AIDS Epidemic in Haiti.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11541.html
Exploring the Role of Antiviral Drugs in the Eradication of Polio: Workshop Report.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11599.html
Improving the Regulation and Management of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11595.html
Examining the Health Disparities Research Plan of the National Institutes of Health: Unfinished Business.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11602.html
Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization Program: Maximizing Potential (Series: Pathways to Quality Health Care).
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11604.html
Toward an Integrated Arctic Observing Network.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11607.html
Rebuilding the Unity of Health and the Environment in Rural America: Workshop Summary.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11596.html
Reaping the Benefits of Genomic and Proteomic Research: Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation, and Public Health.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11487.html
The Secret Life of Numbers: 50 Easy Pieces on How Mathematicians Work and Think.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11543.html
Identification of Promising Naval Aviation Science and Technology Opportunities.
NAP, 2006.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11566.html
Life on Air
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/lifeonair/
David Attenborough is going to spend his 80th birthday with an octogenarian
tortoise …
This BBC website has biographical information and film clips.
Junk Charts
http://junkcharts.typepad.com/
“Junk Charts is the sworn enemy of confusion, obfuscation, and
over-illustration in the art of presenting information visually. ‘Chart
junk is everywhere,’ explains the site’s creator, a self-described
and anonymous ‘junk artist.’ For example, in an entry titled
‘Statistics and liars,’ he calls this recent American Petroleum
Institute chart a ‘sloppy and deceptive piece of work.’ Like a Mr.
Blackwell for the slide-rule set, the Junk Charts guy pulls no punches in
assessing the aesthetic merits of each diagram. In ‘Stacks and
groups,’ he writes: ‘This stacked, grouped bar chart is a mess!
There isn’t much right about it: The colors are blinding, the group
labels are taxing, the grouping is obscure…and neither axes have
labels.’ Meowww! Sounds like an assessment of Cher on the red carpet.
Thankfully, examples of good charts are also included.”
(From Yahoo’s Picks of the Week)
Isla Earth
http://www.islaearth.org/index.php
“Isla Earth, a production of the Catalina Island Conservancy, is a
radio series exploring environmental issues of local, national, and global
importance. Our mission is to increase ecological awareness, deepen
understanding, and encourage environmentally sustainable choices.”
Open Access Scholarly Databases — a bird’s eye view of the landscape
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla72/papers/157-Jacso-en.pdf
Additional articles (from ResourceShelf)
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2006/05/24/directories-of-international-repositories-research-results-and-recommendationsdirectories-of-international-repositories-research-results-and-recomme/
An excellent brief round up and discussion of sources of and models for
open access scholarly information by Peter Jasco.
Iraqi Virtual Science Library
https://ivsl.org/
“On an autumn morning in 2004, a small group of AAAS Science &
Technology Policy Fellows conceived what seemed a simple idea: an
Internet-based web portal that would offer Iraqi scientists and engineers
access to the latest journals and research findings. It had the potential
to support the education system, aid in reconstruction and help to sustain
hope in the ravaged nation.
The organizers encountered many challenges over the next 18 months, but now, backed by a network of partners that spans the U.S. science, technology and diplomacy communities, the Iraqi Virtual Science Library came to life. The library-IVSL for short-will deliver millions of full-text scientific articles from over 17,000 science and engineering journals, plus online educational material and access to funding opportunities, to thousands of professionals and students at Iraqi universities and research centers. Organizers say the IVSL resources are similar to those available at top U.S. universities.
The library “provides us an important step toward rebuilding our scientific community,” Samir Shakir Mahmud Al-Sumaydi, the Iraqi ambassador to the United States, said at a 3 May news briefing in Washington, D.C. “This tool offers Iraqi scientists, researchers, doctors and engineers access to a wide body of scientific research in fields critical to Iraq’s reconstruction effort. It…can serve as a vital tool for Iraq’s economic growth and the betterment of Iraqi society for many generations to come.” (From AAAS)
European Commission: Danube and Black Sea
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/enlarg/danubeblacksea_en.htm
WWF in the Danube/Carpathian Area
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/what_we_do/danube_carpathian/
1. Background and policy documents about environmental issues affecting
the Danube and Black Sea regions of Europe. Includes fact sheets on the
Black Sea and the Danube (the river that runs from Germany’s Black Forest
to the Black Sea) and links to material from the DABLAS Task Force, which
works on “protection of water and water-related ecosystems in the Danube
and Black Sea Region.” From the European Commission, European Union (EU).
2. Background and policy about the Danube-Carpathian region, comprised of the Danube River Basin, which flows from the Black Forest in Germany through 10 countries to the Black Sea, and the Carpathian Mountains, which stretch across seven European countries. Discusses forests, animal species, water (including flood protection), and other topics concerning the area’s natural resources. From the World Wildlife Federation (WWF).
(From Librarian’s Index to the Internet)
Australian Biological Resources Study
http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/#activities
“Deceptively simple but rich in scope, the mission of the Australian
Biological Resources Study (ABRS) is to document which plants and animals
are found in Australia, map their locations, and provide information this
information to the general public. Part of their mission is fulfilled quite
nicely by the presence of this website, which includes material on their
research activities and administration, and most importantly a series of
online databases. The first of these databases is ABRS Fauna Online. Using
this database, known as Platypus, visitors can learn all about the fauna
found on the continent, and even download the database package for
taxonomists. Of course, visitors would be remiss not to take a look at the
like-minded database of Australian flora, which includes similar material.
For taxonomists, biologists, and others who are harboring a secret love of
such fields, this website is truly a treat. [KMG]” (From the Scout Report)
National Institutes of Health: Office of Science Education
http://science-education.nih.gov/
“Created in 1991, the Office of Science Education (OSE) is a division of the
National Institutes of Health that is primarily concerned with both
encouraging science literacy in adults and children as well as attracting
young people to biomedical and behavioral science careers. For educators and
the curious public, the site is truly delightful, as it compiles its primary
resources into topical areas, such as cell biology and bioethics. It also
divides its materials into a list of resource formats, which include lesson
plans, newsletters, and book covers. Additionally, visitors can search
materials by the appropriate educational level, such as elementary or
secondary. Along with this veritable treasure-trove of educational
materials, there is the ‘Research Results for the Public’ area. Here,
visitors can read fact sheets that decipher some of the more complex medical
research from highly technical language into a language that is both lucid
and accessible. [KMG]” (From The Scout Report)
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Announced
http://www.paemst.org/
On April 28 President Bush announced the 100 recipients of Presidential
Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for
2005. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and
science. The Awards recognize highly qualified K-12 teachers for their
contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Excellent teachers
perform miracles everyday with little or no recognition. The Presidential
Awards demonstrate the value and appreciation the nation has for the
teaching profession.
Guidance on New STEM Grant Program
http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2006_05_08_legupdate.htm
The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance on the new grant
program for STEM majors and has sent information to school districts on the
federal loan forgiveness program for qualified science and math teachers.
(From NSTA)
New NASA Explorer Schools Named
http://www.explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes
NSTA Article
http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=52018
“This ‘pipeline’ strategic initiative promotes and supports the
incorporation of NASA content and programs into science, technology and
mathematics curricula in classroom grades 4-9 across the United States.
Targeting underserved populations in diverse geographic locations, NASA
Explorer Schools will bring together educators, administrators, students
and families in sustained involvement with NASA’s education programs.”
(Thanks to NSTA)
2006 Tapestry Awardees
http://www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry/
“Toyota TAPESTRY, the nation’s largest science teacher grant program of
its kind, awarded nearly $550,000 in grants to 76 K-12 U.S. teachers who
submitted creative science project proposals. Fifty awardees received up to
$10,000 each and 26 received minigrants of up to $2,500 each. Large grant
winners accepted their awards at the NSTA National Conference on Science
Education this month.”. (From NSTA)
Super Mileage Challenge winners average over 1,000 MPG
http://www.imstea.org/
Super Mileage Challenge winners average over 1,000 MPG, Rensselaer
Central reaches 235.98
“The 11th annual IMSTEA Super Mileage Challenge was held at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Monday, April 24, 2006. Thirty-three Indiana high schools fielded 36 cars in the two classes of competition. The Stock Class winner was Mater Dei High School of Evansville, Ind., at 1,242.76 MPG, and the Unlimited Class winner was William Henry Harrison High School of Lafayette, Ind., at 1,060.30 MPG. Cars from Buffalo Grove High School in Illinois, Rose Hulman University, Ivy Tech College and Cedarville University in Ohio also ran, though they were not eligible to win the event. The Super Mileage Challenge is run for Indiana schools, but other states are welcome to come.
In the Stock Class, Rensselaer Central High School placed 12th, with 235.98 MPG. In the Unlimited Class, Winamac High School placed second, with 813.28 MPG.
The students build their own cars under the supervision of a faculty member. They are responsible for the design and construction of the car and for raising all funds needed for the project. Engines are furnished by Briggs & Stratton Corp., but all other items must be either purchased or donated by sponsors. The students learn not only the technical and scientific aspects of building a high mileage car, they also learn how to work as a team and solve complex problems.
To be eligible to compete, each school must submit a detailed technical proposal covering all aspects of the design and construction of the car. Such things as aerodynamic drag, friction forces, braking forces and cornering forces must be calculated and discussed in detail. The proposal insures that the students are exposed to the scientific principle of high mileage as well as to the technology of building the car.
These students are the future scientists, engineers and technicians who will be designing, building and servicing the cars of the future. What they learn in this event may help them to give us more fuel-efficient cars in times to come.
The Super Mileage Challenge is held under the auspices of the Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Alliance. IMSTEA is a non-profit, educational organization composed of teachers, administrators, businesspersons and concerned citizens. It is dedicated to improving the technological literacy and competence of Indiana’s citizens.” (From the Renssalear Republican)
Chernobyl
http://www.chernobyl.info/
Brought online in 1978, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was considered a
model plant throughout the USSR. Eight years later, that same plant
experienced an explosion and meltdown that had disastrous consequences for
local residents. This terrible incident caused serious damage to the global
cause of establishing nuclear power as a viable alternative source of
energy. This very thorough and well-designed site serves as an excellent
gateway to information about the events surrounding that date, and more
importantly, about the long-term effects of the event and the organizations
that are intimately concerned with these affairs. The “Facts” section is a
good place to start, as it contains an overview of the incidents of 20 years
ago, along with information about the consequences for the health of local
residents and the environment. Another useful section is in the right-hand
corner of the homepage provides news updates about projects, events, and
meetings related to the events at Chernobyl. One of the most powerful areas
of the site contains first-hand recollections about the events at Chernobyl,
and it should not be missed. It is also worth noting that the site is
available in Russian, German, and English. [KMG] (From the Scout Report)
Virtual Visit of the Canadian Space Agency
http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/virtual_visit.asp
“Imagine if you will, taking a tour of the Canadian Space Agency’s
headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec. After that thought passes, then imagine
being led through some of the fascinating areas of these same headquarters
that are normally off-limits to the public, guided by a narrator whose voice
closely resembles the authoritative tone reserved for movie trailers. This
is exactly what you, gentle reader, will find upon arriving on the homepage
of this site. The site opens up with a series of screens that zoom the
viewer onto the Agency’s visually stunning complex, then proceeds to visit
some of the interesting areas within that same edifice. Along the way,
visitors will find their way to the optics laboratory, the Mars greenhouse,
and the mission control centre, along with another dozen or so locations.
During this visit, visitors can read a brief description of each locale and
follow along with the aforementioned knowing voice of the previously
mentioned narrator. [KMG]” (From the Scout Report)
Exploratorium: Faultline
http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/index.html
“How can the drama and power of an actual earthquake be brought online? It’s
a difficult task, but the good and talented people at the Exploratorium
deserve multiple huzzahs for their fine efforts on this site. Designed to
provide some basic information about the nature of earthquakes, the site
contains five primary sections. Under the ‘Quake Basics’ heading, visitors
can expect to learn about the basics of earthquakes, including some nice
sections on plate tectonics, faults, and how scientists measure such
phenomena. As the Exploratorium is based on San Francisco, visitors should
not be surprised to find that the section titled ‘Great Shakes’ includes
information on the 1906 earthquake and the devastating quake of 1989 as
well. There are some nice video clips here, including a video taken during
the 1989 World Series and shots of the damage wrought by the quake in Santa
Cruz. [KMG]” (From the Scout Report)
Losing Louisiana
http://digitalartwork.net/wetlands/losinglouisiana/index-ie.html
Prior to 2005, Louisiana coast wetlands lost an average of 25 square miles
per year. Preliminary USGS estimates show that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
have destroyed an additional 100 square miles. To glimpse more, tour these
sophisticated audio slideshows of subsidence, levee history, and wetland
changes. Then hit the interactive map and work your way in from the coast,
starting at Grand Isle. Hear a local fisherman talk about how the land
footprint has changed dramatically at Golden Meadow. Witness a restoration
project in a coastal marsh-one of 615 sites across the coastline. Make a
final stop in New Orleans for the above-ground tombs of St. Louis Cemetery
#1 and the Audubon Zoo, which holds Louisiana species that don’t exist
anywhere else in the world. All are pieces of a delicate and ever-changing
existence within the unique cycle of the Mississippi River delta. (From
Yahoo’s Picks of the Week)
Mystery of the Megaflood
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/megaflood/
“One of the Earth’s strangest geological riddles is the evidence for
a huge catastrophe that struck eastern Washington State thousands of
years ago. It took scientists decades to figure out that a colossal
flood had carved out bizarre landscape features strewn across
thousands of square miles. On ‘Mystery of the Megaflood,’ NOVA gets
to the bottom of what created this compelling detective story. The
program features a dogged geologist sticking to his bold theory for
decades despite virtual professional banishment. Eventually, other
geologists joined his cause and filled in the intricate details,
which NOVA recreates in stunning computer animation to show what may
be one of the most spectacular series of events ever to occur on
our planet.” (From NOVA)
Geospatial and Statistical Data Center at the University of Virginia
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/
“As more and more people are discovering the value and importance of spatial
data and analysis, discovering new online resources in this area is a real
treat. The Scout Report has profiled this site before, and is glad to report
that there is a wealth of new material here to comment on. Located in the
impressive Alderman Library on the grounds of the University of Virginia,
the Geospatial and Statistical Data Center provides a host of services to
both the on-campus community and to those who visit their website. With a
clean design, the homepage features a ‘Spotlight’ area and a ‘Quick Links’
area, which leads to things such as the historical census browser and the
rather exhaustive Virginia Gazetteer. Visitors should also take a look at
the materials contained within the “Collections” heading on the homepage.
Here they can peruse such items as aerial photographs of Albemarle County as
well as other collections of aerial materials. One tremendously helpful
feature of the site is the ‘References Resources’ area, which contains
information about codes and symbols used on maps, along with handbooks and
user guides to some of the resources offered here. [KMG]” (From the Scout
Report)
Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/dinosaurs/chronology/index.shtml
“T. rex would not have recognised the world that the first dinosaurs
lived in. In this series of articles, Dr Jo Wright explores how the
dinosaurs evolved as the world around them changed.” This rich BBC website
is a must-see for dinophiles.
Climate Change Experiment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/
To reset:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/updates1.shtml
“The Climate Change Experiment has been running on home computers around
the world to produce a pool of results predicting climate up to the year
2080.
Regrettably the scientists at Oxford University have identified a software problem with the prediction model. As a result, all models taking part have been reset to the start date of 1920 so that the experiment remains scientifically rigorous.
We’re grateful to everyone taking part and do hope you’ll continue to participate now that the experiment is back on track. If you are running the experiment, there is nothing you need do apart from accept the team’s apologies. This is a software problem and poses no risk to participating computers.”
Global Warming Newspaper Archive
http://www.globalwarmingarchive.com/
From developing nations to industrial countries, global climate affects
everyone and newspaper articles tell the story of nature’s dramatic impact
on history. NewspaperARCHIVE.com, the largest newspaper database available
online, has provided a free archive on the history of global warming
granting access to thousands of original newspaper articles. The archive
includes articles on the early discoveries of scientists, the development
of technology, pollution, the greenhouse effect and global summits and
treaties dedicated to the topic of global warming. Click on the timeline
above to view newspapers in chronological order or begin searching
newspaper articles with your own key words.
Climate Chaos
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/climatechaos.shtml
From the BBC, this “hot topics” website includes videos, weblinks,
quizzes and more. Also, you can still join in the BBC Climate Change
Experiment, designed by Oxford University. Donate your spare computer power
to help scientists narrow down their predictions for future temperature and
rainfall patterns.
Volcano Under the City
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/volcanocity/
Deep inside a volcano, a team of scientists camps amid rockslides
and seething sulfur dioxide gas. Their mission: to study this deadly
mountain up close to find out what makes it tick. The fate of nearly
half a million people in a nearby city could be at stake. NOVA
accompanies this daring expedition in “Volcano Under the City.” The
volcano is eastern Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo, which erupted in
January 2002, surprising the city of Goma 11 miles away. Enormous
cracks opened in the ground nearby and spewed fountains of lava,
killing 100 people and leaving 120,000 homeless. Scientists’
biggest fear is that next time a fracture could open under the
city itself.
Astronomy Education Review
http://aer.noao.edu/cgi-bin/new.pl
With a backdrop that includes images taken from Uranometria, one of the
classic stellar atlases of the early 17th century, even the casual visitor
to the Astronomy Education Review website may be persuaded to stay a few
minutes longer than previously planned. Started in 2002, the mission of the
Review is to provide a “meeting place for all who are engaged in astronomy
and space science education, in either formal or informal settings.” It
certainly lives up to its mission, as visitors can browse through articles
on how to use role-playing games to teach astronomy and also take a look at
surveys on introductory astronomy textbooks. The Review is peer-reviewed,
and those who might be interested in submitting a piece for their
consideration should take a look at their general guidelines. [KMG] (From
the Scout Report)
Einstein Explains the Equivalence of Energy and Matter
http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/voice1.htm
Three voice clips!
Long-Term Change Photograph Pairs
http://nsidc.org/data/glacier_photo/special_collection.html
The new Long-Term Change Photograph Pairs Special Collection matches photos
of glaciers taken as early as the 1890s with recent photos taken at the
same physical location. The photos tell a captivating visual story of the
changes glaciers have experienced through time. Also see the
USGS Repeat Photography Project for Glacier National Park.
Happiness Formula
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/
“What makes you happy? Is it positive thinking, counting your blessings,
taking time to smell the flowers, or avoiding traffic jams? This BBC
feature investigates whether there’s a magic recipe, and how much value we
place on contentment. Learn why the increased wealth of countries hasn’t
necessarily translated into greater happiness, and decide for yourself if
the government of Bhutan has figured out the balance between good cheer and
wealth. Find out if joyful people are healthier, and how levels of
fulfillment change throughout our lives. Now take a test and see just how
satisfied you really are. If the results are a little lower than you’d
like, take heart in the site’s good news: Joy is something we can all
afford — and is easily within our grasp. Hallelujah! Come on, get
happy.” (From Yahoo’s Picks of the Week)
The EForensics Project
http://webtest.austin.utexas.edu/eforensics/
Anthropology is the study of humans, physically and culturally, in the
past and present. Forensic Anthropology uses anthropological knowledge and
techniques in a legal context. Standard methods in osteology (skeletal
anatomy and biology) are used to identify skeletal remains and, in some
cases, the cause of death. These methods include Age and Sex Assessment,
Stature and Ancestry Estimation, and observations on Pathology (disease)
and Taphonomy (after death processes). Forensic Anthropology also uses
archaeological techniques in the recovery of human remains.
The eForensics Project website is focused on the study of Forensic Anthropology. It offers an interactive set of teaching modules that allows a user to learn the evaluation techniques forensic anthropologists use to gain important information from a skeleton.
Hatsheput: From Queen to Pharaoh
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Hatshepsut/pharaoh_more.asp
“Rather than mounting an online exhibition to accompany Hatsheput:
From Queen to Pharaoh, the Metropolitan Museum has chosen instead to
provide a series of auxiliary features on its Web site. For example, there
is an information page, which explains that Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for
20 years (ca. 1473–1458 B.C.), was the first important female ruler
known to history. A special audio feature narrated by actor Sam Waterston
can be listened to as a podcast, downloadable MP3 file, or 12-minute
streaming audio. There is also a 19-image slide show that includes sculpted
portraits of Hatshepsut, jewelry, vases, as well as chairs and other
household items. Finally, there are links with ordering information for the
exhibition catalog and other exhibition-related items from the Museum
store.” (From the Scout Report)
The following items are from Edupage. To subscribe to Edupage: send mail to: listproc@educom.unc.edu with the message: subscribe edupage Anonymous (if your name is Anonymous; otherwise, substitute your own name). To unsubscribe send a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu with the message: unsubscribe edupage. (If you have subscription problems, send mail to: manager@educom.unc.edu.)
JOURNAL PUBLISHERS CRINGE AT ACCESS BILL
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/08/business/media/08journal.html
A bill introduced by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn
(R-Tex.) has prompted an outcry by publishers of scholarly journals,
who argue that their publications would suffer under the bill. The
Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006 would require scholars who
publish articles based on federally funded research to place those
articles on free Web sites within six months of being published in an
academic journal. The sponsors of the bill said it would ensure broad
access to research funded with taxpayer money. A spokesperson for
Lieberman said the bill would “foster information sharing, prevent
duplication of research efforts, and generate new lines of scientific
inquiry.” Some scholarly publishers expressed concerns, however, that
the business model of academic journals--both in terms of subscriptions
and of ad revenues--would falter if so much of the content were free
online. The National Institutes of Health last year began encouraging
researchers working on NIH grants to submit their articles to a public
database, but so far fewer than 4 percent have done so.
New York Times, 8 May 2006 (registration req’d) (via Edupage)
ONLINE LIBRARY PART OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/05/2006050301t.htm
A group of academics has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense
to develop an online library in Iraq that organizers hope will help the
country hold on to its senior scientific researchers, many of whom have
considerable experience developing weapons systems. Following the U.S.
invasion of Iraq, 85 percent of the country’s university libraries
were destroyed or looted. Organizers of the online library said that
although many in the country lack reliable Internet access, an online
library was nonetheless the fastest, least expensive way to provide
access to scientific material. The Iraqi Virtual Science Library is
initially funded by the Defense Department’s Defense Threat Reduction
Agency and runs on U.S. government servers, though officials said they
hope to turn control of the library over to Iraqis within the next few
years. Fourteen publishers are participating in the program, offering
discounts of as much as 97 percent over regular subscription prices.
The Iraqi Virtual Science Library provides access to articles from
about 17,000 academic journals. A representative of Springer, one of
the publishers involved, said that because of the discounts, the Iraqi
library has more content than most U.S. libraries, which must
“cherry-pick” what they will purchase.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 3 May 2006 (sub. req’d) (via Edupage)
RPI TO DEVELOP SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6071268.html
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., is working with several
companies to develop a supercomputing center that will be the largest
at a university and one of the 10 largest worldwide. The Computational
Center for Nanotechnology Innovations will be used to study
nanotechnology and its application in semiconductors. Researchers will
try to shrink the size of some components from 65 nanometers today to
22 nanometers by 2015. The center represents the latest move in a
series of efforts by New York Governor George Pataki to make the state
a magnet for the high-tech sector. Companies participating in
development of the new center, which has a budget of about $100
million, include IBM, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Cadence, maker
of semiconductor design tools. IBM and AMD are also participating in an
effort to establish a lithography research center in Albany.
ZDNet, 11 May 2006 (via Edupage)
INTERNET2 ANNOUNCES ABILENE REPLACEMENT
http://chronicle.com/free/2006/04/2006042601t.htm
Speaking at an Internet2 conference, Douglas Van Houweling, president
of the organization, gave some details about the backbone network that
will replace Abilene, Internet2’s current high-speed backbone, in
about 18 months. The new network, currently being called “Newnet,” will
initially offer roughly 10 times the bandwidth now provided by Abilene.
Each institution connected would have a wavelength dedicated to
conventional Internet traffic and access to a separate wavelength that
institutions could use as they choose, according to Steve Cotter,
director of network services for Internet2. Cotter said the goal is to
allow institutions to order extra bandwidth as necessary. The network
would apportion the requested bandwidth and make it available within a
few minutes, rather than the several months it often takes to get extra
bandwidth from commercial vendors. The announcement to proceed with
plans to replace Abilene came after merger talks between Internet2 and
National LambdaRail broke down. Although Van Houweling and Larry
Faulkner, chairman of Internet2’s Board of Trustees, both said higher
education would benefit from a single research network, Faulkner said
of the merger talks, “At this moment, there is no mechanism for moving
the discussion forward.”
Chronicle of Higher Education, 26 April 2006 (via Edupage)
DIGITAL DIVIDE SHRINKING
http://news.com.com/2100-1034_3-6065240.html
According to a study conducted by IBM and “The Economist” magazine,
although the digital divide remains considerable for some countries,
the gaps are shrinking. The study assessed both availability and use of
technology in 68 countries and assigned each an “e-readiness” score on
a scale of 1 to 10. The gap from the top of the list (Denmark, 9.00) to
the bottom (Azerbaijan, 2.92) is indeed significant, but in certain
regions of China and India, connectivity rivals that of developed
nations, according to Peter Korsten, European director at IBM’s
Institute for Business Value. The study noted that nearly every
country’s score improved from last year but that countries nearer the
bottom of the list saw greater gains than those in the upper tiers,
indicating a shrinking digital divide overall. Beyond the issue of
connectivity lies the question of what efforts each country makes to
use technology. As Korsten said, “It’s up to governments to take
advantage with education and other initiatives.”
CNET, 26 April 2006 (via Edupage)
STANFORD MED SCHOOL JOINS INTERNET PROJECT
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14473749.htm
The School of Medicine at Stanford University has joined a project led
by a San Diego company to develop a Web portal where users in China can
find accurate, current medical information. Many in China still rely on
herbal remedies and treatments. The portal is intended to provide a
reliable source of information to fill the gap between traditional
approaches and modern medicine. Michael Chermak, chief executive of
Bridgetech Holdings International, which is leading development of the
portal, stressed the importance of having partners such as Stanford
whose reputation can provide credibility for the project among users.
Other partners in the venture include The Texas A&M Health Center and
the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation, in China. Paul Costello, director of
communications for Stanford’s medical school, said the institution is
not likely to benefit directly from the partnership but that the goal
is to spread information “throughout the globe.”
Mercury News, 1 May 2006 (via Edupage)
MARYLAND TO HOST TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT
http://www.fcw.com/article94153-04-21-06-Web
Amid a number of reports warning that the United States is at risk of
losing its global lead in technology fields, the University of Maryland
will hold an event called Protecting Maryland’s Competitive Edge
Summit. Attendees will include representatives of business, education,
research, and technology interests. The event will focus on several key
goals, including improving K-12 science and math education; drawing
more engineers and scientists to academia; and fostering a stronger
commitment to basic research, job creation, and workforce development.
The White House recently pledged to spend $136 billion over the next 10
years as part of an initiative to improve education and strengthen
research and development. C.D. Mote Jr., president of the University of
Maryland, said that although more investment will help, the first step
is “to get researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and
state and local governments on the same page.”
Federal Computer Week, 21 April 2006 (Via Edupage)
UCLA LAUNCHES ONLINE JOURNAL ON ANCIENT EGYPT
http://chronicle.com/daily/2006/04/2006042405n.htm
UCLA is set to launch the first online, peer-reviewed encyclopedia of
Egyptology. According to Willeke Wendrich, associate professor of
Egyptian archaeology at UCLA and editor in chief of the encyclopedia,
the project is largely a response to students’ increased use of the
Web, which is rife with inaccurate and misleading information about
ancient Egypt. The project, which is initially funded with a $325,000
grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, will provide some
content for free, while some features will require a fee. Wendrich said
the project must generate income and become self-sustaining. The
project will be built on an existing platform at UCLA known as the
eScholarship publishing program. The encyclopedia, in English and
Arabic, will feature articles solicited from experts in the field. In
addition to text-based resources, the project will include maps,
photographs, hieroglyphs, and 3D models of sites in Egypt.
Chronicle of Higher Education, 24 April 2006 (sub. req’d)(via Edupage)
COPYRIGHT LAW UPDATE FAVORS COPYRIGHT HOLDERS
http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6064016.html
Despite pressure from a number of quarters to introduce restrictions on
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Congress appears to be headed the
other direction. Drafts of the Intellectual Property Protection Act of
2006 are circulating among lawmakers, and a spokesperson for the House
Judiciary Committee said the bill will likely be introduced soon. The
bill adds a number of new layers to copyright law, including increasing
fines for certain copyright crimes; criminalizing attempted copyright
violations, even if they fail; and allowing copyright owners to impound
“records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of items
involved in” violations. Jason Schultz, staff attorney at the
Electronic Frontier Foundation, said of this last provision that the
recording industry has long wanted the ability to obtain server logs
that would indicate “every single person who’s ever downloaded”
certain files. Keith Kupferschmid, vice president for intellectual
property and enforcement at the Software and Information Industry
Association, welcomed the bill, saying that it gives government
officials needed authority to prosecute intellectual property
criminals.
CNET, 23 April 2006 (via Edupage)
TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES TARGET PUBLIC HEALTH
http://news.com.com/2100-11393_3-6072041.html
IBM is sponsoring two initiatives intended to bolster global public
health efforts to avoid pandemics. In fall 2005, IBM hosted an event
for leaders of the health community to share ideas about what
contribution a technology company could make to support their efforts.
The results are the Interoperable Health Care Information
Infrastructure (IHII) and the Spatiotemporal Epidemiological Modeller
(STEM). IHII mines health data and looks for patterns in symptoms, for
example, that might anticipate the spread of a particular illness. Then
the STEM applies that information to data about such topics as human
travel patterns to help formulate efficient plans to limit the spread
of the illness. A committee representing the World Health Organization,
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Scripps Research
Institute, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Biodiversity
oversees these programs. Scripps and IBM will construct a facility in
Florida to support the initiatives.
CNET, 14 May 2006 (via Edupage)
ALGORITHM ENABLES 3-D SCANNING
http://www.physorg.com/news65965267.html
Researchers in Texas and Utah report they have created a new means of
producing three-dimensional embryonic images called microCT-based virtual
histology. The process uses computer visualization techniques to convert
X-ray CT scans of mouse embryos into detailed three dimensional images
showing both the mouse’s exterior and interior. Normally embryos are sliced
up physically and examined under a microscope, a very time-consuming
method. With the new process, the embryos are instead stained with special
dyes which permeate the skin and other membranes. The team of researchers
wrote a new computer algorithm to take the CT scan data and automatically
distinguish various organs and structures in the embryo. The virtual
rendering of the CT scan data also includes a virtual light source so the
3-D image includes shadows that make it easier for the human eye to
interpret the image. The embryo images can be made transparent and have
cutaways so that internal organs and body parts are visible. The process
allows researchers to study more embryos much faster than normal. Mouse
embryos are typically used in genetic studies, and to test the safety of
drugs and various chemicals.
(From What’s New @ IEEE)
Cryptozoology: Out of Time Place Scale
http://abacus.bates.edu/acad/museum/crypto/
“The Bates College Museum of Art has put together a Web exhibition that
explores the ‘fertile margins of the history of science and museums,
taxonomy, myth, creativity and discovery.’ Cryptozoology, the search for
proof of mythical creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, is
itself a marginalized science. The featured show has entries for the 15
artists, which are in various stages of development — there is at least
one work by each of them, and additional biographical and contextual information
for most. Works submitted include installations, such as Mark Dion’s Museum
of Cryptozoology Director’s Office, as well as sculpture, paintings, and
prints. There is also a film series associated with the exhibition, that
will screen a 1972 film, ‘The Legend of Boggy Creek’, a docu-drama
that looks for proof of the existence of a monster in an Arkansas swamp, and the
2002 Discovery Channel production, ‘The End of Extinction: Cloning the
Tasmanian Tiger’. [DS]” (From the Scout Report)
Women Engineers: Will Doonesbury Daughter Study Engineering at Cornell?
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/May06/Alexchooses.ws.html
She is also considering CalTech. “They want me, they crave me,” Alex
Doonesbury, cartoon daughter of Michael Doonesbury created by syndicated
cartoonist Gary Trudeau, noted as she read her acceptance letter from
Cornell. A recent Cornell Chronicle article by Franklin Crawford suggested
that other interests could influence her choice. “Perhaps Alex happens to
like hockey. Or Mars. Or searching for ivory-billed woodpeckers.” (From
Whiteboard)
All items from the Scout Report are copyright Susan Calcari, 1994-2006. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the Scout Report provided the copyright notice and this paragraph is preserved on all copies. The InterNIC provides information about the Internet to the US research and education community under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation: NCR-9218742. The Government has certain rights in this material.
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Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this newsletter are those of the participants (authors), and do not necessarily represent the official views, opinions, or policy of the National Science Foundation.