A hundred years after Marie Curie received her Nobel Prize in Chemistry, this arm of science is pointing the way to a more sustainable future. Growing movements like green chemistry, which strives to create alternative and new chemical reactions that produce no harmful waste products, and molecular engineering hold great potential for industry,…

Despite easy access to expert resources and extensive in-school modeling, students--even the youngest--are relying heavily upon "Wikipedia," especially when they do research away from school. With "Wikipedia" holding steady as one of the top ten Web sites worldwide, it is no wonder students are flocking there. For teachers, parents, and students,…

Imparting practical legal knowledge and skills to social workers is a growing concern for social work educators. The rigorous social work curriculum, especially at the graduate level, leaves little room for basic legal research instruction to be included. This article documents some of the difficulties associated with legal research in an academic…

Library media specialists hear about Web 2.0 in numerous professional journals and during conference workshops. They know that using this aspect of the Internet is second nature to many of their students, and therefore they feel a need to become knowledgeable about this means of information sharing. What better way to learn about blogs, wikis, or…

Describes a class activity designed to teach students in grades five and six the importance of using an encyclopedia index. (MES)

Using a 1976 study as a benchmark, the data on Black women in eight encyclopedias for children were examined. Many omissions and limitations, and little updating or revision of entries over the past ten years were found. Findings are presented in a chart, and three references are listed. (MES)

This article provides descriptions of four new science and technology encyclopedias that are appropriate for inclusion in upper elementary and/or middle school reference collections. "The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Weather" (Stern, Macmillan Reference/Gale), a one-volume encyclopedia for upper elementary and middle level students, is a…

Describes seven activities for use in the classroom or school library media center to teach encyclopedia skills. (EM)

A school librarian reviews CD-ROM encyclopedias, determining their suitability for school and public library use with children and young adults, and favoring content and accessibility over special features and multimedia enhancements. Outlines essential considerations when choosing encyclopedias (price, network and print versions, and online…

Reviews new educational materials designed for microcomputer use: compact disk encyclopedia derived from "Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia"; "PC Word Power," vocabulary enhancement game; "Public Domain Software on File," 250 programs for Apple II microcomputer users; "RightWriter," program designed to teach effective writing; "Kansas…

A survey of 75 small academic libraries reveals that most hold reasonably current editions of four or five different general encyclopedias with considerable agreement on most popular titles. Encyclopedias are used primarily for ready reference and general introductions to research topics; new editions are purchased at least every five years. (EJS)

Describes three library activities designed to be used with specific curriculum units on reading and language arts and social studies. Using the parts of a book is taught with the Guinness Book of World Records, and use of encyclopedias and the card catalog with projects on the ancient Greeks and Indians. (EM)

This column is a collaborative effort by library media specialists and K-16 educators who write about the motivational strategies that have worked for them in teaching IL skills. Motivational strategies include ways to gain and sustain attention, increase relevance for learning information literacy skills, build confidence in students' developing…

Presents seven library media activities to be used with specific curriculum areas: "Into the Past with Historical Fiction" and "Critical Reading to Figure It Out" (Reading and Language Arts); "Electricity Experiments,""Classifying Insects," and "Fish" (Science); and "Citizenship and the…

Discusses library applications of several specific CD-ROM products, including library catalogs, book reviews, databases, encyclopedias, and interactive video programs. Such factors as cost effectiveness, ease of use, and user satisfaction are discussed, and a bibliography of books about CD-ROM is provided. (CLB)