http://amser.org/SPT--Home.php AMSER (the Applied Math and Science Education Repository) provides educational resources and services built specifically for use by those in Community and Technical Colleges but free for anyone to use. http://amser.org//SPTUI--CWIS/images/cwis_logo.gif http://amser.org//SPTUI--CWIS/images/cwis_logo.gif 69 21 AMSER Logo en-us ealmasy@scout.wisc.edu ealmasy@scout.wisc.edu Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6656 This PowerPoint lecture, by Jason Park of San Jose State University Department of Computer Science, offers students a quick introduction to database normalization, the "process of removing redundant data from your tables in to improve storage efficiency, data integrity, and scalability." Here, visitors will find information about database normalization history and applications. With information on the normal forms, field pioneer Edgar F. Codd, and problematic tables, this presentation will be helpful in any database programming and design classroom. 2008-05-09 03:00:02 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6655 From the Information Management Systems team at Purdue University, this pdf presentation lays out the basics of database normalization. Here, visitors will find background information and definitions, as well as examples of normalized and messy databases. There is information on database normal forms and an assignment for students to complete which asks them to design a basic normalized database in each normal form. This is an excellent introductory lecture and lesson for students and educators in database programming and design courses. 2008-05-09 03:00:02 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=1374 This site has open-access curriculum materials in support of teaching environmental studies in universities, colleges, and high schools in Canada. The focus is on materials that address Canadian issues within local, regional or international contexts, so usable to others outside of Canada. Free registration is required for access to educators' materials. 2008-05-09 03:00:02 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6949 Professor Mark C. Hersam of Northwestern University teaches this graduate level introduction course on quantum mechanics and the physics of solids. Main concepts include nanoscience and nanoengineering and the course covers topics such as phonons, energy band theory, potential energy, electrical properties of conductors, quantum confinement and the behavior of free electrons. Under ‘Lecture Materials’ educators will find ten weeks worth of lecture video, audio and PDF files of handwritten notes corresponding to each lecture. Computers must have Real Player to view the videos, and QuickTime to listen to the audio files. This website also includes six PDF assignments to be done using the course textbook, the 2nd edition of Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by DJ Griffiths. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6828 This course, designed by Jennifer Laveglia and Ron Taplin at Bellevue Community College, attempts to explain human development using mathematical equations. Students can attempt the equations and see how human development follows a mathematical path pertinent to their own lives. Instructors can use the syllabus, reading list, and corresponding assignments to build a curriculum which infuses comprehension of mathematical equations with elements from real life and human development. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6296 Two chemical engineering professors at Carnegie Mellon University are the authors of Retrospective on Optimization, a fairly comprehensive paper chronicling the history of optimization problems and the development of solution methods. The 51-page document is divided into two main parts; the first outlines some of the most significant advances in the field, and the second looks ahead toward key areas of research needed to evolve optimization further. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6629 This gallery from Rocscience contains illustrations demonstrating the different types of rock strength, deformation, and engineer work dealing with different types of rocks. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6743 With this recently updated Web site from the Flying Turtle Company (created by David Watson), learning about photosynthesis is almost fun -- definitely more engaging than what the standard biology textbook has to offer. Fantastic illustrations and light-hearted narrative make the complicated biochemical processes of photosynthesis much easier to absorb. In addition to providing comprehensive coverage of photosynthesis (along with interesting trivia bits), this Web site works to encourage a fascination for the often under-appreciated plant kingdom. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6776 The USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station provides over 1,500 online, full-text articles that have recently appeared in print. Covering everything from mountain roads and water quality, to carbohydrate metabolism of peaches, to reintroduction of red-cockaded woodpeckers, this collection of scientific articles and book chapters is updated frequently. The Recent Publications page lists papers in order of their addition to the database. All articles are in .pdf format, and may be downloaded from the page (click on title). 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6844 This simulation illustrates the mechanical advantage possible using multiple pulleys to lift an object. The number of pulleys can be set by the user and the weight lifted also can be varied. Pulley masses are adjustable. The force necessary to lift the mass is computed by the simulation, and is illustrated either by a vector in the simulation or a simulated spring scale. This simulation is part of a large collection of physics applets available in a wide range of languages. 2008-05-09 03:00:01 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6816 Chest imaging is a common technique used by health care professionals to diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions. Persons attempting to learn about this technique may find this site valuable, as it provides an overview of chest imaging and radiology. Created by experts at the University of Virginia's Medical School, the site provides an introduction to the technique of taking chest images as well as reading and understanding chest x-rays. Moving on, the other useful materials on the site are divided into sections that include "Technique", "Anatomy", "Interpretation", and "Pathology". Each section is complemented with x-ray images, diagrams, and short tutorials. The site concludes with a short test which covers some of the key pieces of information offered here. 2008-05-08 03:00:04 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=3992 Like many great institutions in Philadelphia, the Academy of Natural Sciences has a long and storied history. The Academy was started in 1812, and in no time at all, the members of this institution were making expeditions to all corners of the globe. Today, they still sponsor such scientific expeditions, and their website is a great way to learn about their educational outreach activities as well as their museum. As with many institutions in this vein, the Academy's online exhibits are rather compelling, and visitors can access them through the "Museum" tab from the homepage. Exhibits include a photographic tour of Thomas Jefferson's famed fossil collection and an overview of the work of Joseph Leidy, a noted 19th century paleontologist and anatomist. If that wasn't enough, the "Scientific Research" area of the site provides copious amounts of printed literature (including reports and briefs) based on research done at the Academy. Overall, the site will be of great use to the generally curious and to those working in science education and instruction. 2008-05-08 03:00:04 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6773 The Miller Museum Online Exhibit, the Dawn of Animal Life, is provided by the Miller Museum of Geology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Patrons can explore the evolution of life from three billion to about 500 million years ago by clicking on the various links, which include the formation of the earth, eukaryotic cells, the oldest known animal fossils, the ediacarian fauna, the mistaken point fossil assemblage, and the world's oldest complex animal fossils found in Newfoundland called Charnia. The site offers non-technical descriptions of where the fossils were found, what their significance is, and a host of very interesting photographs of the fossils themselves. Although the fossils presented are limited to certain locations, the site does a good job of explaining how they help researchers learn about the past around the globe. 2008-05-08 03:00:04 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6237 The University of Arizona's Geotechnical Rock and Water Resources Library hosts a collection of engineering and geology related materials. Here we have an introduction to the basic concepts of collecting runoff water in a catchment for later use; includes illustrations and a water harvesting calculator. 2008-05-08 03:00:04 http://amser.org//SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=6238 The University of Arizona's Geotechnical Rock and Water Resources Library hosts a collection of engineering and geology related materials. This interactive web-based experiment shows how to determine the effect of catchment surface cover and related runoff for a given storm and surface type. 2008-05-08 03:00:04