GENERAL ACADEMIA
Academic Earth
WATCH lectures from top professors for free!
Academic Earth aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to earn a world-class education by offering free online classes and online learning tools. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or take classes that interest you, Academic Earth can connect you to the world’s top universities and scholars.
Academic Earth aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to earn a world-class education by offering free online classes and online learning tools. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or take classes that interest you, Academic Earth can connect you to the world’s top universities and scholars.
Nobel Prize
Information and games. You don't have to be a genius to understand the work of the Nobel Laureates. These games and simulations, based on Nobel Prize-awarded achievements, will teach and inspire you while you're having FUN!
Fact CheckED
Here’s the thing: Kids today are growing up in a world of ceaseless communication. They – like the rest of us – are on the receiving end of an overwhelming amount of information, transmitted in huge helpings and in a virtual instant.
But not all information is of the same quality or veracity. Much of it, in fact, falls far short of the standards we’d like our students to learn and live by. Our aim is to help them learn to be smart consumers of information, not to accept it at face value; to dig for facts using the Internet, not to stop looking once they get to Wikipedia; and to weigh evidence logically, not to draw conclusions based on their own biases.
But not all information is of the same quality or veracity. Much of it, in fact, falls far short of the standards we’d like our students to learn and live by. Our aim is to help them learn to be smart consumers of information, not to accept it at face value; to dig for facts using the Internet, not to stop looking once they get to Wikipedia; and to weigh evidence logically, not to draw conclusions based on their own biases.
Math is Fun
The website provides a succinct overview over basic math skills and provides some practice problems for each skill. A quick way to brush up on middle school math skills or learn a new skill in a short amount of time.
ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL LINKS
NASA
A wealth of resources, interactive help and multimedia.
NASA Climate Change
Specific to climate data.
Sierra Club
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund’s mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends.
Guided by science and economics, we find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems.
Guided by science and economics, we find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems.
Environmental Literacy Council
For more than a decade, the Environmental Literacy Council has been dedicated to helping teachers, students, policymakers, and the public find cross-disciplinary resources on the environment. An independent, 501(c)3 organization, the Council offers free background information on common environmental science concepts; vetted resources to broaden understanding; and curricular materials that don't tell teachers how to teach, but give them the tools to augment their own backgrounds - no matter what their current knowledge.
The environmental sciences have become an integral part of the K-12 curriculum, and for good reason. Health, living conditions, technological development, the economic future, and our relationship with nature are all shaped by environmental actions. The Council believes our classrooms must become places where students achieve a deep understanding of complex environmental issues ? and teachers are the key. Through our websites, reports, and professional development guides, the Environmental Literacy Council provides practical resources to teachers and learners, available both in print and online.
The environmental sciences have become an integral part of the K-12 curriculum, and for good reason. Health, living conditions, technological development, the economic future, and our relationship with nature are all shaped by environmental actions. The Council believes our classrooms must become places where students achieve a deep understanding of complex environmental issues ? and teachers are the key. Through our websites, reports, and professional development guides, the Environmental Literacy Council provides practical resources to teachers and learners, available both in print and online.
Union of Concerned Scientists
The United States has enjoyed sustained prosperity, security and health over much of its history in large part because of our strong commitment to independent and rigorous science. Sound decisions start with the best possible information, grounded in fact and tested by reason. And free inquiry flourishes best in a free society.
The Founding Fathers understood the importance of this partnership, as did leaders from Lincoln to Eisenhower, FDR to JFK. Because of our nation's high regard for scientific expertise, the United States became recognized in the 20th century as the global leader in science and innovation.
In recent years, however, understanding of science and respect for its role in decision making have declined. An excessively partisan political climate and an increasingly noisy media landscape have combined to produce an environment in which science is easily drowned out by misinformation or manipulated for the benefit of private interests.
And this couldn't be happening at a worse time. Our leaders are grappling with some of the most complex and daunting problems in our history: stemming the tide of global warming, finding sustainable ways to feed, power and transport ourselves, reducing the threat of catastrophic war. We cannot hope to solve these problems without the aid of rigorous, independent science.
In response to these challenges, the Union of Concerned Scientists has launched a new intiative: the Center for Science and Democracy. The Center is dedicated to restoring the essential role of science, evidence-based knowledge, and constructive debate in the U.S. policymaking process, using three core strategies:
The Founding Fathers understood the importance of this partnership, as did leaders from Lincoln to Eisenhower, FDR to JFK. Because of our nation's high regard for scientific expertise, the United States became recognized in the 20th century as the global leader in science and innovation.
In recent years, however, understanding of science and respect for its role in decision making have declined. An excessively partisan political climate and an increasingly noisy media landscape have combined to produce an environment in which science is easily drowned out by misinformation or manipulated for the benefit of private interests.
And this couldn't be happening at a worse time. Our leaders are grappling with some of the most complex and daunting problems in our history: stemming the tide of global warming, finding sustainable ways to feed, power and transport ourselves, reducing the threat of catastrophic war. We cannot hope to solve these problems without the aid of rigorous, independent science.
In response to these challenges, the Union of Concerned Scientists has launched a new intiative: the Center for Science and Democracy. The Center is dedicated to restoring the essential role of science, evidence-based knowledge, and constructive debate in the U.S. policymaking process, using three core strategies:
- Restoring public confidence in, and support for, the use of independent science in public policy making;
- Helping decision makers, citizens and journalists distinguish evidence-based information from propaganda;
- Working with scientists to help them become more effective communicators and policy contributors
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights.
Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.
Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.
Change
Change.org empowers you to create real change in your community, city, or country Every day, across the world, people like you start campaigns on Change.org to fight for issues they care about — and the Change.org team works to mobilize people to help them win.
We believe that building momentum for social change globally means empowering citizen activists locally. That's why anyone, anywhere — from Chicago to Cape Town – can start their own grassroots campaign for change using our organizing platform.
Your campaign can be about anything. From supporting curbside recycling programs to fighting wrongful deportation to protecting against anti-gay bullying, Change.org members start campaigns around thousands of different issues. To start your own campaign, just click here.
Our mission is to build an international network of people empowered to fight for what's right locally, nationally, and globally. We hope you'll join us.
Change.org is proud to be a Certified B Corp, using the power of business to promote social good. As part of our work to build social movements, we help nonprofits grow their membership by connecting them to people passionate about their cause. For more information about working with us as a partner organization, click here.
We believe that building momentum for social change globally means empowering citizen activists locally. That's why anyone, anywhere — from Chicago to Cape Town – can start their own grassroots campaign for change using our organizing platform.
Your campaign can be about anything. From supporting curbside recycling programs to fighting wrongful deportation to protecting against anti-gay bullying, Change.org members start campaigns around thousands of different issues. To start your own campaign, just click here.
Our mission is to build an international network of people empowered to fight for what's right locally, nationally, and globally. We hope you'll join us.
Change.org is proud to be a Certified B Corp, using the power of business to promote social good. As part of our work to build social movements, we help nonprofits grow their membership by connecting them to people passionate about their cause. For more information about working with us as a partner organization, click here.
Food & Water Watch
Our Mission Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping the global commons — our shared resources — under public control.
Our Vision We envision a world where all people have access to enough affordable, healthy, and wholesome food and clean water to meet their basic needs — a world in which governments are accountable to their citizens and manage essential resources sustainably.
Our Vision We envision a world where all people have access to enough affordable, healthy, and wholesome food and clean water to meet their basic needs — a world in which governments are accountable to their citizens and manage essential resources sustainably.
Factory Farm Map
Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. We work to promote the practices and policies that will result in sustainable and secure food systems that provide healthy food for consumers and an economically viable living for family farmers and rural communities.
Earthwatch
Earthwatch is an international non-profit organization.
Since 1971, over 93,000 volunteers have joined our scientists in the field as research assistants, and between them have contributed more than 11 million hours of their time to frontline environmental research all over the world. On our projects citizens and scientists work together for the good of the planet.
Since 1971, over 93,000 volunteers have joined our scientists in the field as research assistants, and between them have contributed more than 11 million hours of their time to frontline environmental research all over the world. On our projects citizens and scientists work together for the good of the planet.
Rainforest Action Network
Our MissionRainforest Action Network campaigns for the forests, their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing and non-violent direct action.
Oceana
Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Our offices in North America, South America and Europe work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. We believe in the importance of science in identifying problems and solutions. Our scientists work closely with our teams of economists, lawyers and advocates to achieve tangible results for the oceans.
Save Our Environment
Welcome to the Save Our Environment Action Center -- a collaborative effort of the nation's most influential environmental advocacy organizations harnessing the power of the internet to increase public awareness and activism on today's most important environmental issues.
The Climate Reality Project
Our mission: To reveal the complete truth about the climate crisis in a way that ignites the moral courage in each of us.
Wilderness
About Us We are the leading American conservation organization working to protect our nation’s shared wildlands. From well-known icons to hidden gems, protected wildlands give us:
- Clean air and water,
- Abundant wildlife,
- Havens for recreation, solitude and learning,
- Important sources of renewable energy,
- Vital natural resources that must be managed wisely, and
- A foundation for a healthy planet.
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.
Natural Resources Defense Fund
NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.
Our dedicated staff work with businesses, elected leaders, and community groups on the biggest issues we face today. Our priorities include:
Our dedicated staff work with businesses, elected leaders, and community groups on the biggest issues we face today. Our priorities include:
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
Skin Deep
Cosmetic and personal care product information.
350.org
350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries.
350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a national non-profit organization that works to turn environmental values into national priorities. To secure the environmental future of our planet, LCV advocates for sound environmental policies, elects pro-environment candidates who will adopt and implement such policies, and provides state LCVs with the resources and tools to accomplish and sustain their mission.
The LCV family of organizations includes LCV, LCV Action Fund, LCV Victory Fund, and LCV Education Fund -- as well as more than 30 state LCV partners around the country.
Educating the Public about Important Environmental Legislation LCV works to educate the public, lobby Congress and the administration, build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders as part of our grassroots efforts. LCV's National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered and the corresponding voting records of all members. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who select the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. LCV scores votes on the most important issues each year, including energy, global warming, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs.
The LCV family of organizations includes LCV, LCV Action Fund, LCV Victory Fund, and LCV Education Fund -- as well as more than 30 state LCV partners around the country.
Educating the Public about Important Environmental Legislation LCV works to educate the public, lobby Congress and the administration, build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders as part of our grassroots efforts. LCV's National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered and the corresponding voting records of all members. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who select the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. LCV scores votes on the most important issues each year, including energy, global warming, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs.
Take Part
Founded in 2008, TakePart is an interactive publisher and the digital arm of Participant Media, the company responsible for award-winning films such as An Inconvenient Truth, Food Inc., Waiting for Superman, Charlie Wilson’s War, Contagion and The Help.
Participant’s ethos that “a story well told can change the world” is the driving force behind TakePart’s daily mission: To inspire and accelerate social change by connecting compelling content to social action. TakePart’s news, videos and campaigns can be found on TakePart.com; YouTube via TakePart TV at youtube.com/takepart; MSN at Takepart.msn.com.
Participant’s ethos that “a story well told can change the world” is the driving force behind TakePart’s daily mission: To inspire and accelerate social change by connecting compelling content to social action. TakePart’s news, videos and campaigns can be found on TakePart.com; YouTube via TakePart TV at youtube.com/takepart; MSN at Takepart.msn.com.
Beyond Nuclear
Beyond Nuclear aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear advocates for an energy future that is sustainable, benign and democratic. The Beyond Nuclear team works with diverse partners and allies to provide the public, government officials, and the media with the critical information necessary to move humanity toward a world beyond nuclear.
Skeptical Science
About Skeptical Science
The goal of Skeptical Science is to explain what peer reviewed science has to say about global warming. When you peruse the many arguments of global warming skeptics, a pattern emerges. Skeptic arguments tend to focus on narrow pieces of the puzzle while neglecting the broader picture. For example, focus on Climategate emails neglects the full weight of scientific evidence for man-made global warming. Concentrating on a few growing glaciers ignores the world wide trend of accelerating glacier shrinkage. Claims of global cooling fail to realise the planet as a whole is still accumulating heat. This website presents the broader picture by explaining the peer reviewed scientific literature.
Often, the reason for disbelieving in man-made global warming seem to be political rather than scientific. Eg - "it's all a liberal plot to spread socialism and destroy capitalism". As one person put it, "the cheerleaders for doing something about global warming seem to be largely the cheerleaders for many causes of which I disapprove". However, what is causing global warming is a purely scientific question. Skeptical Science removes the politics from the debate by concentrating solely on the science.
The goal of Skeptical Science is to explain what peer reviewed science has to say about global warming. When you peruse the many arguments of global warming skeptics, a pattern emerges. Skeptic arguments tend to focus on narrow pieces of the puzzle while neglecting the broader picture. For example, focus on Climategate emails neglects the full weight of scientific evidence for man-made global warming. Concentrating on a few growing glaciers ignores the world wide trend of accelerating glacier shrinkage. Claims of global cooling fail to realise the planet as a whole is still accumulating heat. This website presents the broader picture by explaining the peer reviewed scientific literature.
Often, the reason for disbelieving in man-made global warming seem to be political rather than scientific. Eg - "it's all a liberal plot to spread socialism and destroy capitalism". As one person put it, "the cheerleaders for doing something about global warming seem to be largely the cheerleaders for many causes of which I disapprove". However, what is causing global warming is a purely scientific question. Skeptical Science removes the politics from the debate by concentrating solely on the science.
Kids vs Global Warming
Alec, 15 years old, is a Sophomore at El Camino High School, in Ventura California.
He founded Kids vs Global Warming when he was 12 years old after watching Al Gore’s movie, “an inconvenient truth.” Feeling the weight of the global situation and a sense that he could make a difference, Alec felt compelled to tell other kids about the problems we are facing. His message is deeply rooted in hope, encouraging kids to speak up and let their voices be heard on this issue.
Alec creates presentations especifically for youth, full of videos, animation, easy-to-understand science, and compelling motivation for kids K-college ages. He gave over 30 global warming presentations before being invited by Al Gore to be formally trained with the Climate Project in October of 2008. He is now their youngest US trained presenter.
He’s given over 150 presentations and keynote addresses, reaching over 25,000 (and scheduled for another 50,000 so far this year.) He is regularly invited to keynote events and conferences, and as a panelist with experts, PhDs and elected officials.
Alec is on the advisory boards for Inconvenient Youth, Alliance for Climate Education, Rainforest Action Network Youth Sustaining the Earth, Ventura County School District Green Team, The Future We Want, and the United Steelworkers Union.
He founded Kids vs Global Warming when he was 12 years old after watching Al Gore’s movie, “an inconvenient truth.” Feeling the weight of the global situation and a sense that he could make a difference, Alec felt compelled to tell other kids about the problems we are facing. His message is deeply rooted in hope, encouraging kids to speak up and let their voices be heard on this issue.
Alec creates presentations especifically for youth, full of videos, animation, easy-to-understand science, and compelling motivation for kids K-college ages. He gave over 30 global warming presentations before being invited by Al Gore to be formally trained with the Climate Project in October of 2008. He is now their youngest US trained presenter.
He’s given over 150 presentations and keynote addresses, reaching over 25,000 (and scheduled for another 50,000 so far this year.) He is regularly invited to keynote events and conferences, and as a panelist with experts, PhDs and elected officials.
Alec is on the advisory boards for Inconvenient Youth, Alliance for Climate Education, Rainforest Action Network Youth Sustaining the Earth, Ventura County School District Green Team, The Future We Want, and the United Steelworkers Union.
Top Documentary Films
The content here is created with a passion for documentary films, the site is in open form and it is allowing readers to add comments about documentary films they like or dislike.
In so doing, I hope to provide a valuable resource to those with an interest in documentary films and in future I hope to help independent documentary filmmakers and festival coordinators promote their films and events.
TDF offers full watchable documentaries and information on documentaries by quoting reviews from trusted sources. In case you decide to buy your favorite documentary film, or you want to get some more information on some of the docs there is a store available for that. Documentaries are classified in categories and you can easily find what you are looking for.
In a short period of time TDF became very powerful alternative educational resource and a very busy place thanks to visitors who obviously (according to stats, comments and tons of emails) like it (thank you all for that). Information scattered around the web assembled and categorized in easy to use website called Top Documentary Films.
In so doing, I hope to provide a valuable resource to those with an interest in documentary films and in future I hope to help independent documentary filmmakers and festival coordinators promote their films and events.
TDF offers full watchable documentaries and information on documentaries by quoting reviews from trusted sources. In case you decide to buy your favorite documentary film, or you want to get some more information on some of the docs there is a store available for that. Documentaries are classified in categories and you can easily find what you are looking for.
In a short period of time TDF became very powerful alternative educational resource and a very busy place thanks to visitors who obviously (according to stats, comments and tons of emails) like it (thank you all for that). Information scattered around the web assembled and categorized in easy to use website called Top Documentary Films.
NOAA Learning Objectives
Variety of Interactive learning modules.
Consumer Notice
ConsumerNotice.org exists to inform the public about the health and safety risks associated with defective products, environmental dangers, data breaches and other hazards and to present legal options to those who have been injured through the fault of another person or entity.
BIOLOGY LINKS
Ask Nature
Thanks to our sponsors, AskNature is a free, open source project, built by the community and for the community. Our goal is to connect innovative minds with life's best ideas, and in the process, inspire technologies that create conditions conducive to life. To accomplish this, we're doing something that has never been done—organizing the world's biological literature by function.
What you'll see on the site today is a starter culture of ideas—biological blueprints and strategies, bio-inspired products and design sketches, and biomimics you can talk to and collaborate with. Over the next few months, this genetic pool of ideas will grow as we receive natural history information from our partner, Encyclopedia of Life. Our social web will also grow, beginning with tapping into thousands of solution seekers who are part of the Wiser Earth global network.
What you'll see on the site today is a starter culture of ideas—biological blueprints and strategies, bio-inspired products and design sketches, and biomimics you can talk to and collaborate with. Over the next few months, this genetic pool of ideas will grow as we receive natural history information from our partner, Encyclopedia of Life. Our social web will also grow, beginning with tapping into thousands of solution seekers who are part of the Wiser Earth global network.
Virtual Cell Animation Center
The name says it all...molecular and cellular biology animations.
BioStudio
Biology animations and technical visualizations
Biomes of the World
Everything you need to know about biomes.
THIS & THAT
Fact Check
Our Mission
We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state and federal levels.
We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state and federal levels.
How Stuff Works
HowStuffWorks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Communications, is the award-winning source of credible, unbiased, and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works. Founded by North Carolina State University Professor Marshall Brain in 1998, the site is now an online resource for millions of people of all ages.
From car engines to search engines, from cell phones to stem cells, and thousands of subjects in between, HowStuffWorks has it covered. No topic is too big or too small for our expert editorial staff to unmask ... or for you to understand. In addition to comprehensive articles, our helpful graphics and informative videos walk you through every topic clearly, simply and objectively. Our premise is simple: Demystify the world and do it in a simple, clear-cut way that anyone can understand.
From car engines to search engines, from cell phones to stem cells, and thousands of subjects in between, HowStuffWorks has it covered. No topic is too big or too small for our expert editorial staff to unmask ... or for you to understand. In addition to comprehensive articles, our helpful graphics and informative videos walk you through every topic clearly, simply and objectively. Our premise is simple: Demystify the world and do it in a simple, clear-cut way that anyone can understand.
Cosmic Evolution
A look at the universe from the big bang through today. Presented by Harvard
Math Worksheets 4 Kids
A great site to practice simple math skills that we use in science. This site will help you review surface area, volume, ratios, estimating, slope of line, simple probability and others.