Sense about Science
Sense about Science – these days, it’s increasingly important to be able to develop critical thinking skills when faced with the barrage of information. There’s too much to do the old-fashioned review especially when people need a quick reaction. This site is a charity aimed at developing some critical thinking in the realm of science. Not only does it have a range of publications, it also highlights what can be done to promote useful skills.
Saving Species
Saving Species is a different type of non-profit group in that they don’t campaign per se but they do support a range of conservation projects largely by evaluating schemes and then linking them to donors. It’s a collective of conservationists operating a ratings system. The site has heasp of ideas and links to species conservation.
WILDCRU
WILDCRU – was founded in 1986 as one of the first university-based wildlife conservation units (in this case, the university being Oxford!). It continues to publish research in a wide range of conservation projects. I first found this unit looking at a site for the Clouded Leopard. It’s a lesson is how to back-track sources to see what you can find; it also supports the idea of getting credible websites!
LWEC
Living with Environmental Change – the LWEC is “an ambitious and innovative partnership of UK government departments and agencies, devolved administrations, local government and research councils“. The site might be modest but it houses a wealth of information that could be used easily by senior school students. There are numerous on-going projects that could provide excellent resources for a range of ecological and environmental courses. One of the key links would be to the UK’s Ecosystem Assessment programme.
Green Planet
NOAA – Earth Visualisation – A great video clip of the visualisation of Earth’s biomass, developed by NOAA.
Birdlife International
Birdlife International is a partnership of global bird conservation NGOs. The site has a range of useful material. Perhaps the best product is the ‘State of the World’s Birds‘ Report.
CLEAN
CLEAN, standing for ‘Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network’ is a US site funded by the NOAA and National Science Foundation. It aims to present students with resources to be able to debate climate change and energy uses. There is quite a collection of resources on the site including lesson plans and a network to gather ideas and exchange views.
Engaging Places
Engaging Places is a site that aims to integrate learning with the outdoors and specifically the built environment. It’s focussed on a cross-disciplinary perspective but should offer a starting point for both science and geography (as well as environmental issues).
Conservation International
Conservation International – started in 1987 this has become one of the key global conservation organisations. It differentiates itself from many other groups by focussing not on reserves but on sustainability and biodiversity. Numerous ideas, projects etc.
PAGES
PAGES – Past global changes – is a small community under the aegis of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme aimed at gathering, discussing and disseminating palaeo-climate data. Not all of the links are working but there’s still an impressive set of resources to consider.
