Here are some interesting things to follow using Twitter. If you are not familiar with Twitter, check out this link for a good introduction. http://www.commoncraft.com/Twitter.

Biology/Ecology

@WildEarth This is the Twitter stream for Wild Earth TV Wild Earth TV broadcasts from the Djuma Private Game Reserve. They have a web cam and also post live video from frequent drives through the reserve.

@UntamedScience This is the Twitter Stream from Untamed Science and the EcoGeeks Podcasts.

@EarthVitalSigns If you are looking for information about Global Climate Change from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Exploration/Adventures

@Rich_Wilson Rich Wilson is the Skipper aboard the Great American III which is participating in the Vendee Globe Solo-Non Stop around the world race. This Twitter stream includes frequent updates of his trip. Also check out sitesALIVE for teaching resources. Here are a few additional resources from Loraine a technology teacher at the Jackson School.
http://www.vendeelglobe.org/en
http://ehrweb01.aaas.org/sail/

Space Science

Space Shuttle Missions

@STS_119 STS 119 Discovery scheduled for launch on February 1, 2009.

@STS_126 This was the most recent mission from November of 2008. Check out this page for more information. http://www.space.gs/08/sts-126/

@NASA … for general information from NASA.

@Astrospace … space and astronautics news. http://www.space.gs/

Moon

@LCROSS_NASA… Lunar mission to the poles to see if there is water ice near one of the poles. See also http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/

@LRO_NASA… The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter scheduled for launch in April of 2009. See also http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Mars

@MarsScienceLab Here’s information on the next science mission to Mars due to launch in 2011.

@MarsPhoenix This was the twitter stream for Mars Phoenix which stopped transmitting from Mars on November 10, 2008. It is still active with news from Mars.

@MarsRovers Spirit and Opportunity’s official Twitter Feed. Its hard to believe that they have been on Mars for five years already. For more rover information check out: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Saturn

@CassiniSaturn From the Cassini Equinox Mission to Saturn

To Boldly Go…

@PlanetQuest Looking for planets beyond our Solar System with JPL.

It might be interesting to set up a iGoogle Page or a Pageflakes page with these feeds to use as part of a classroom science page. Or if students were studying a particular topic they have some resources to follow.
Feel free to add other similar sites in the comments.

Our school has been using Engrade since the beginning of the second quarter. Prior to switching over (I had been using Thinkwave Educator, fantastic customer support there!) I set up an account and emailed them a few basic questions. To date none have been read. Why? Does customer support exist with Engrade? It certainly seems like it should. After all there is a prominent button that says “Email Engrade Support”. I understand that I am not paying for this service, but I would have expected that at least the emails I have sent would be read.

Here’s an example of outstanding tech support. We bought a Smart Board 8 years ago (well past warranty) I started having difficulties with it a couple of weeks ago and emailed their tech support email. Within two hours I had a response. Two hours for a product that in tech terms is an antique.

Thinkwave Educator is similar in that any issues I have had with both their free accounts (currently) and with their paid products I have always received prompt and accurate customer support.

Is Engrade going to provide support for their product?

But Annja had a hard time buying it.
Rogue Angel: Golden Elephant by Alex Archer

One of my favorite archaeology/fantasy authors. I have not read this one yet but have read the 12 books preceding this one.

Rules:
* Get the book nearest to you. Right now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Write this sentence – either here or on your blog.
* Copy these instructions as commentary of your sentence.
* Don’t look for your favorite book or your coolest but really the nearest.

Thanks to Stephen Abrams of Stephen’s Lighthouse and Doug Johnson (Blue Skunk Blog)for this rather interesting (and easy) meme.

Bloggers, you’re it.

And now for a variation…

Follow the same rules as above but this time use the most recent book you finished.

Alex Henry’s only three boats were lost and he saved his own life by grimly hanging to the bottom of an out of control craft he had been riding in, clinging tenaciously for several hours before finally being rescued by one of Amherst’s aides.

The Conqueror’s by Allan W. Eckert

A narrative of the French and Indian War focusing on the rebellion around Detroit led by Chief Pontiac. I started reading this in October to get ready for my hike along the Chief Pontiac Trail in southeastern Michigan.

What is the closest book to you and what did you last read?