Grand Challenges for Engineering Selected

The NAE Committee on Engineering's Grand Challenges has identified 14 areas awaiting engineering solutions in the 21st century: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/ Reverse-engineering the brain sounds a little scary to me! Here is a list of all 14:

• Make solar energy economical
• Provide energy from fusion
• Develop carbon sequestration methods
• Manage the nitrogen cycle
• Provide access to clean water
• Restore and improve urban infrastructure
• Advance health informatics
• Engineer better medicines
• Reverse-engineer the brain
• Prevent nuclear terror
• Secure cyberspace
• Enhance virtual reality
• Advance personalized learning
• Engineer the tools of scientific discovery

Microform Drawer map

Just a note to let you know that Circ kindly shared their microform-drawer map with us, in case you run into a pesky call number that's hard to find. It's on the clipboard in the reference drawer.

Google Jockeying- distraction or learning tool?

In "7 Things You Should Know About Google Jockeying" part of a series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, we learn about a new teaching tool that is being used in classes at the Annenberg School of Communication at USC. Professors designate a "Google jockey" for their lecture. This jockey is responsible for searching the internet to explore the topic being discussed. The results are projected onto a screen where all class members can see the searching and they can IM the jockey with more search suggestions. I don't know about you, but I have enough trouble focusing on a presenter or lecturer. I could see being completely stressed because I want to watch the searching and look at the results (which may not be the same results the jockey chooses to look at) and at the same time pay attention to the presenter. Could you be in a class where this is happening? Could be be a Google jockey? Read the report: http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7014.pdf

Your Writing, Not Someone Else's

Check out this UW Business Writing Center produced video illustrating the evils of plagiarism.

Greater Access to the NTIS Collection Now Available

Search NTIS.GOV for titles from 1964 to present http://www.ntis.gov/search/index.aspx NTIS is pleased to launch its improved search engine with features such as: Enhanced retrieval with search functionality for categories, collections, and source agencies. * The NTIS search engine now more powerfully finds the information you need. * The Advanced Searching capabilities allows for an even greater focus on appropriate content for your search. Expanded access to the NTIS collection now includes the ability to search, retrieve and select from over 3.0 million products. * Improved access with new NTIS titles added each week. * Customers are provided a Product File of related purchased titles * Now you can find virtually any item in the NTIS collection and order many in your choice of format (downloads, printed copy, CD ROM or microfiche). * Search Help has step by step instructions and graphics: http://www.ntis.gov/search/index.aspx * All search results include a brief product description and easy access to place your order online, quickly, easily and securely.