Thanks to the development and deployment of federally funded satellite-, buoy-, and aircraft-based remote sensing instruments, continuous streams of Earth and space data are publicly available via online databases. This accessibility provides flexibility to explore geoscience data that are interesting and relevant to students--keystone components…

Continental margins are an important part of the ocean floor. They separate the land above sea level from the deep ocean basins below and occupy about 11% of Earth's surface. They are also economically important, as they harbor both mineral resources and some of the most valuable fisheries in the world. In this article students investigate North…

A systematic assessment of media-based coverage of geoscience topics relative to those found in textbooks is presented here. The specific question addressed is to what extent fully indexed media and print news sources can provide a useful model for course development. Whereas the improvement of students' scientific literacy cannot be achieved…

Last article in a series reviews online databases in fields of astronomy, earth sciences (geology, oceanography, other geosciences), and materials science (interdisciplinary subject encompassing ceramics, polymers, metals, glasses, etc.), noting coverage and search strategies. A table of 28 databases citing major subjects, producers, and starting…

Describes the nature and function of source and reference databases in the geosciences and discusses current trends in the development of such databases. A 32-item reference list and a directory listing geoscience databases from around the world (including information on organizational sponsors and online accessibility) accompany the text. (JL)

Students at the Lexington School for the Deaf (New York) were immersed in a print environment devoted to the study of earth science, using computers linked into a local area network. Students used databases, a text editor, and electronic mail to receive and submit assignments and messages and to keep logs of daily activities. (JDD)

Describes a project that addressed the problem of courseware reusability by developing a database structure suitable for organizing multimedia learning material in a given content domain. A prototype system that allows browsing a DBLM (Data Base of Learning Material) on earth science is described, and future plans are discussed. (five references)…

Discusses a computer database which includes optical properties of 142 minerals. Uses fuzzy logic to identify minerals from incomplete and imprecise information. Written in Turbo PASCAL for MS-DOS with 128K. (MVL)

As part of the Stanford Curriculum Study, information is provided on the university's approach to monitoring undergraduate education through research into student academic records. Trends in bachelor's degrees granted in the various departments from 1960-1961 to 1981-1982 at Stanford are charted and compared to national trends. Course enrollments…

Describes a prototype for the use of local area network (LAN) technology in a sixth grade earth science curriculum. Classroom activities that focus on cooperative small group learning are discussed, coordinated investigations as a framework for scientific activities in the classroom are explained, and possible future work with LAN environments is…

Five articles describe specific Internet resources, including geoscience and science databases; economic and statistical information; the JANET (Joint Academic Network) Bulletin Board for Librarians; and White House communications. A sixth article describes how practical applications of Internet information create new roles for reference…

Discusses a project at Bank Street College called "Earth Lab: A Network for Young Scientists." Explores how the use of a local area network might alter the academic environment in which students work. Reviews student databases, teacher-made databases, online databases, and electronic mail. (MVL)