Links from the "Internet Scout Report"

Virtual Courseware
As part of a collaborative project between faculty members at the CaliforniaState University-Los Angeles and the National Science Foundation, theVirtual Courseware website brings together a number of thematicinstructional resources for science educators. Some of the resources includeactivities that deal with earthquakes and global warming. Within eachmodule, visitors will find a number of self-guided tutorials and explanatorymaterials for instructors to use in their classrooms. One real gem here is the 'Virtual Dating' section, as students and educators will get theopportunity to learn how geologists and archaeologists determine the ages ofrocks and ancient artifacts. The site also makes the module on earthquakesavailable in Spanish, titled “Terremoto”. With a mix of activities,assessment exercises, and instructor materials, this website will be a greatfind for science teachers working with college or high school students.

The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor
With offices in Paris and Washington, DC, The Consultative Group to Assistthe Poor (CGAP) is a consortium of 33 public and private developmentagencies working together to expand access to a variety of financialservices for the poor in the developing world. The agencies involved withthis project include The World Bank, the European Commission, and the Billand Melinda Gates Foundation. For those who are less well versed in theworld of microfinance, the “About Microfinance” section is a great place tobegin, as is its counterpart, “Key Principles of Microfinance”. Included inthe other sections (such as “Financial Transparency” and “Poverty Outreach”)are well-written briefs and reports that explain a wide range of relatedmatters, including their poverty assessment tools, microfinance regulation,and documents on how to train people in the nuances of microfinance lending.Rounding out the site is a link where visitors can offer feedback or alsojust ask questions.

Ending Oil Dependence
Concerns about the United States’ dependence on oil are nothing new, andvarious policy solutions have been around for decades. A number of scholarsand experts have been attempting to address the subject, and one recentpaper from The Brookings Institution offers a number of thoughtful ideas onthis important concern. Released in January 2007, this 25-page paper writtenby David B. Sandalow offers a number of ambitious proposals aimed atreducing oil dependency in the US. Some of his proposals will soundfamiliar, as he includes references to the inherent possibilities inwidespread adoption of biofuels, the adoption of smart growth policies, andthe potential benefits of plug-in hybrid engines. Sandalow also offers somemore specific details on how the auto fleet might be transformed over time,and also how the fuel supply might be transformed as well. It’s a thoughtfulwork, and one that will be of interest to policy analysts and others who areconcerned with this vexing issue.