A Grain of Sand

If even you aren't into geology, you're going to want to look at Dr. Gary Greenberg's "A Grain of Sand Picture Gallery" at geology.com. He's taken microscopic photographs of grains of sand, with amazing results.

These photos are a sample of what are included in his book "A Grain of Sand: Nature's Secret Wonder." His website for the book is here. While you're there take a look at some of his other microscopic subjects. The flowers are awesome.

Dr. Greenberg gives one a different view of some of nature's beauty.

Understanding Science at Berkeley

The beta version of Understanding Science, created by the UC Museum of Paleontology of the University of California at Berkeley, is up and running.

This is going to be a great resource for lifelong learners and teachers. The official launch will be after the first of the year, most certainly to coincide with the beginning of the Year of Science 2009. But, don't wait for January to roll around, go check it out now.

Be sure to subscribe to receive updates.

Impact of Global Warming in Alaska

"While the earth has warmed approximately 1°F in the last 50 years, according to the National Assessment Synthesis Team, Alaska has warmed approximately 4°F during this same time period. In many ways, Alaska is the “Paul Revere of Global Warming”, and serves as a sentinel for the impacts of global warming."

Sounds like something we want to find out more about doesn't it? Lifelong learners should find this article, Impact of Global Warming in Alaska, and its associated content very interesting. As usual Deborah L. Williams has done an excellent job explaining about "early warning" area.

Southwest Crossroads

If you're a lifelong learning searching for resources about the Southwest United States, the go take a look at Southwest Crossroads which describes its website, "Southwest Crossroads: Cultures and Histories of the American Southwest is a dynamic, interactive, on-line learning matrix of original texts, poems, fiction, maps, paintings, photographs, oral histories, and films that allows users of all ages to explore the many contentious stories that diverse peoples have used to make sense of themselves and the region."

It's also a great website for teachers, since the material can easily be used for classes.

Arizona Geology Blog

Whether you live in Arizona or not, if you're a lifelong learner studying geology, then this blog, Arizona Geology, will be a resource you'll want to check often.

Lee Allison, who writes this blog, is State Geologist and Director, Arizona Geological Survey and he is very dedicated in his posting.

Not just an excellent source of geology news and information, Arizona Geology provides us with a great dose of optimism. You can tell that geology is more than a job to Lee Allison.

You can read his first blog post, Arizona lives and dies by its geology, on Monday, January 01, 2007.

Hallie Eakin at Encylopedia of Earth

Earth Portal's Topic of the Week Environment in Focus: Human vulnerability to global environmental change by Hallie Eakin is a must read for lifelong learners with a passion for learning about environmental change and the human population.

This is just one article in a long list of environmental topics available at the Encyclopedia of Earth.

History at Boise State

History courses by Dr. E.L. Skip Knox can be accessed at Boise State University. You'll find four courses:

• History of Western Civilization
• The Crusades
• The Late Middle Ages
• The Reformation

Lots of good material here for lifelong learners. Be sure to check the copyright page.