General Interest
http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/
The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing has created this impressive site to bring together a wide range of spoken word endeavors, including poetry readings, literary discussions, and other engaging items. The Center is led by Charles Bernstein and Al Filreis, and visitors can get a sampling of their efforts by looking over the “New at PENNsound” section of the homepage. After doing so, they will definitely want to look over the featured authors and series on the left-hand side of the homepage. There are a number of gems here including Allen Ginsberg reading William Blake, Normal Mailer discussing the difference between fact and fiction, and a reading with Peter Straub. Additionally, visitors will want to check out the selection of podcasts available here. [KMG]
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/
From Newburyport all the way to New Bedford, Massachusetts has many places steeped in a rich and interesting maritime past. Recently, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places and Maritime Heritage Program created this interactive guide to the maritime history of the Bay State. The site spares no punches, as it opens with a lovely photograph of the Boston Light Station on Little Brewster Island, complete with some very appropriate sound effects. Visitors can explore the sites through a series of interactive maps and then read four essays that deal with maritime commerce, shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy, and lighthouses and lifesaving stations. For each site, visitors can read a brief history and learn more about visiting each destination. It’s a great way to learn about this particular part of the United States, and it could serve as the inspiration for a nice vacation as well. [KMG]
http://www.bucknell.edu/x16337.xml
Covered bridges cause moments of delight for historic preservationists, and they entered a new place in American popular culture when they figured prominently in a certain Clint Eastwood film in the early 1990s. Recently, staff members and student assistants at Bucknell University spent a significant amount of time creating this digital collection of covered bridge photographs. Interestingly enough, the original photographs were taken by a long-time member of the biology faculty at Bucknell, one Professor Nelson F. Davis. The photos date from 1898 to 1939, and all told, there are over 300 images in this collection. Visitors will enjoy looking over this collection, and these documents will be of great interest to anyone fascinated by these types of bridges, engineering, or the history of rural Pennsylvania. [KMG]
In recent years, there has been a great deal of talk regarding alternate energy sources in the United States. While not exactly an “alternate” source of energy, there has definitely been more interest in nuclear energy and related technologies as of late. For anyone interested in such matters, the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy is definitely worth a visit. From the homepage, visitors can learn about recent news items regarding the programs of the Office, take a look at some internship opportunities, and even make their way to the “Public Information Center.” This is definitely one of the strongest areas of the site, as visitors have access to the full-texts of various congressional reports regarding nuclear energy and a complete glossary of nuclear terms. Most people with a general interest in this subject will want to read through some of the program fact sheets, which include “Recycling Spent Nuclear Fuel” and “Building New Nuclear Plants.” [KMG]
http://wordforword.publicradio.org/
Not many public radio programs can claim to have a host who has worked on a pirate radio ship off the English coast, but Word for Word is just that type of program. Host Melinda Penkava oversees the work of this remarkable program, which offers up an interesting and timely speech on a pressing topic in the news. These speeches come from such venues as the National Press Club, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Aspen Institute. Visitors to the Word for Word site can listen to these intelligent programs and also sign up to receive their podcasts as well. Recent programs have included a speech by the late David Halberstam, Representative Charles Rangel, and National Urban League President Mark Morial. [KMG]
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/science_objects.aspx
Learning about science isn’t always easy, and teaching various concepts can be quite vexing at times, particularly for newer teachers. Stepping in to provide a bit of assistance, the National Science Teachers Association has created these helpful science objects that provide a bit of a refresher course in each area. Created in partnership with organizations like NASA, NOAA, and the GE Foundation, these interactive features cover Newton’s First, Second, and Third Laws, the origins of the universe, and the universe outside our own solar system. Visitors can also search to discover features that cover coral reef ecosystems, the different kinds of energy, and the ocean’s affect on weather and climate. [KMG]
http://www.learner.org/resources/series114.html
Working in tandem with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the team of experts at the Annenberg Media Foundation has created this excellent instructional series. In this eight-part program, educators can learn about how young people learn and then see how to critique and apply these various theories. The sections include “Learning to Share Perspectives,” “Algebra and Calculus: The Challenge,” and “Children’s Ways of Knowing.” After looking over one or all of these insightful programs, visitors can also look at the series website which offers more details about the participants and the structure of the series. Finally, visitors can also sign up to receive related support materials if they are so inclined. [KMG]
