By Donna Woodka, woodka@arpa.net
| It seems the media is full of stories about science
lately, but is all that science really very accurate? The Advancement of Sound
Science Coalition The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC) is a not-for-profit organization advocating the use of sound science in public policy decision making. Part of the organization’s efforts include being a watchdog for accurate scientific reporting by the media. TASSC sponsors a Web site focusing on what it calls "junk science" at http://www.junkscience.com. Junk science is "bad science used by: personal injury lawyers to shake down deep pocket businesses; the ‘food police’ and environmental Chicken Littles to fuel wacky social agendas; power-drunk regulators; cutthroat businesses to attack competitors; and slick politicians and overly ambitious scientists to gain personal fame and fortune." The site contains current news articles that feature junk science, and some great cartoons, too! Bad Science Another "bad science" page, this page is maintained by Alistair B. Fraser in an attempt to sensitize teachers and students to examples of the bad science often taught in schools, universities, and offered in popular articles and even textbooks. The site is small, but points out the ways in which many of the things we "know" about science are incorrect, and worse, taught incorrectly to students. San Diego Technical Books For books about science, engineering, or other technical subjects, one of the best local sources I’ve found is San Diego Technical Books. In addition to its large stock of hard-to-find technical and professional books, it will special order any book in print at no extra charge. Its Web site includes a search capability for all its in-stock inventory, which can be searched by title, author, subject, ISBN or publisher. There is also a Browse capability that lets you browse through the books as if you were in the store. The UCSD Bookstore The UCSD Bookstore is another great local source for medical, technical, or scientific books. However, a title appearing in an online book search of the UCSD book list may not mean the book is in stock; you need to click on the ISBN number to find out if the book is in stock. You can also get Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat and Grinch Wear from the Online Clothing catalog! The San Diego Science Alliance The San Diego Science Alliance is dedicated to the support of math and science literacy and education in grades K–12 within the greater San Diego area. SDSA is sponsored and supported by many local high- technology organizations. SDSA is committed to fostering excellence in science education through its network of businesses, educators and scientists. The SDSA Web site offers a database of information on field trips and other activities schools can take part in to promote science education, links to science and math Web sites, links to elementary, middle, and high school Web sites in San Diego County, and a calendar of science-related events. Mysterious Galaxy For those whose taste runs more to science fiction, here’s a great source for the best in town. Mysterious Galaxy offers readers of Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror a haven in its specialty bookstore. Its Internet site offers reviews of current fiction, a listing of its signed first-edition books, an event calendar of authors who will be appearing at the store to sign their books and sometimes read from them, and links to other science fiction, fantasy and mystery sites on the internet, including an extensive list of author sites. |