Three new resources: two on migration and one on everyone’s favorite topic (or bane) Google!

Help Track Bird Migration
So this is not an advertisement for this charity site, only a guide to the many organizations that you and your students can volunteer with to track bird migration. I think tracking bird migration is a pretty cool task and considering we live in/near a major migration path for birds, it is definitely worth a look. Go fall migration! Can’t wait for the birding opportunities in the Central Valley, but that’s just me!

Monarch Butterfly Migration
Another timely resource from the Library of Congress. Great list of online resources to learn more about Monarchs and their long migration. This is the perfect time to learn more about the monarchs as they will be at Natural Bridges State Park soon and that sight is worth a trip to Santa Cruz to see. And, if you decide to go, this links to the Homepage of Natural Bridges State Park.

New Media World: Google, Links, and Popularity versus Authority by Seth Finkelstein
This is a chapter from the book The Hyperlinked Society: Questioning Connections in the Digital Age. New Media World’s books are available for free online and are available for purchase in paper version. This is a very relevant chapter to read, and perhaps have students read, as it dispels commonly held beliefs about Google, search engines in general and the democracy of the web. A very interesting look at the social and political ramifications of search engine results. Also underscores the need for everyone to be able to evaluate web content effectively and efficiently! Information literacy instruction, anyone?

Have a fabulous rest of your week. Again, comments welcome–especially sharing new resources!

Yes, another wonderfully random assortment of great online resources related directly to science and other stuff. Enjoy.

Cooliris,Inc.
Install Cooliris and turn your computer monitor into a moving image wall. Not only does it look fabulous but it could help visualize concepts and make creative connections. Not to mention it is great fun.

Assignment Calculator from the University of Minnesota
Students will love this assignment calculator that maps out a plan based on the due date and subject of the assignment. Helpful links and tutorials that compliment the research process.

Video Tutorials for Open Source Applications
Want to learn more open source software but are intimidated? Not sure what GIMP or OpenOffice is? This link is for you. Join the Open Source Revolution (or just learn a few new tricks).

Environmental Health Perspectives
Free, peer-reviewed, online journal covering topics about environmental health. Also contains news articles.

Environmental Literacy Council
Great teaching resources for environmental science. Some of it is basic, but good overviews for students and a place to get background information for research assignments.

Forensic Chemistry Lab Manual
An entire lab manual full of ideas for forensic science labs.

E.O.Wilson: Lord of the Ants
Videos, interviews and other information about E.O.Wilson and his work.

This project from Cornell University is tracking sightings of ladybugs which have become rare here. You can list your sighting and learn more about the project and ladybugs on this site.