Gender Action Reform Plan

THE approval of the gender action reform plan initiated with the assistance of the ADB is no doubt a welcome step as far as elimination of gender discrimination at workplace and more facilities for working women are concerned.

However, what is disturbing about this plan is the absence of certain issues. For instance, what if a woman doesn’t want to work in an office? Shouldn’t some kind of law make it compulsory for her brother/husband/father to ensure that she is well provided for? What about those cases where women are forced to work by the male members of the family? Shouldn’t reforms be initiated to penalize such male members?

Webwatch

Physics for the third millennium
http://www.wyp-ptm.org/

“Physics for the Third Millennium” was a conference organized by Marshall Space Flight Centre’s Science Directorate in which leading physicists participated to share their views on various issues. You can read through the conference agenda, find out more about the different speakers, listen to the various lectures and also view poster presentations.

Physics research
http://www.physorg.com/

As the World Year of Physics continues, why not take the opportunity to learn about the recent breakthroughs in physics? This website features an in-depth look at the news stories related to physics, nanotechnology and quantum physics, electronic devices and research and development. There is also a discussion forum as well as a weblog.

Einstein@Home
http://www.physics2005.org/events/einsteinathome/index.html

If you want to experience the World Year of Physics, here is a project which will help you. Download a small screensaver which will serve to collect and process data related to the discipline. You can find out more about this program on the website.

Living the year of physics
http://interactions.org/quantumdiaries/

This website provides a closer look at what the world’s prominent physicists are doing during the course of the World Year of Physics. Their blogs and journal entries give you a peek into their lives as they attend seminars, write research papers, and so on.

Physics blog
http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/blog.htm

As weblogs catch on fast with all kinds of online communities, physicists are not to be left behind. This blog is the ultimate proof. From news and events to recent developments and newsletters, every part of this blog is worth a read.

Physics students
http://www.iaps.info/index.php

The International Association of Physics Students brings together students from around the globe to “promote collaboration among them”. You can browse through their forum and view their publications. There is a separate section dedicated to news and another one to the World Year of Physics.

Webwatch

International Year of the Ocean

http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/

How many of you know that 1998 was declared as the “Year of the Ocean?” Well, even if you don’t, here is one website which you can explore to learn more about the underwater world. Go through the discussion papers and conference proceedings, check out some resources exclusively for kids as well as for teachers and if you want to explore further, click on the web links available.


The air place

http://www.stuffintheair.com/

If you’re a weather buff then this website is definitely for you. You can engage in a wide range of activities here, from downloading weather bugs on your PC and learning about the scientific phenomena behind weather, to exploring the different career options in the field. You can also subscribe to the newsletter to keep yourself updated about the website.

Mr Eclipse

http://www.mreclipse.com/

Have you always been intrigued by solar and lunar eclipses? This website will let you know which planet will experience an eclipse next. Also featured are some guidelines to keep in mind when planning to observe or photograph an eclipse. There are loads of photographs of eclipses as well as a recommended reading list on the subject.

Quark Net

http://quarknet.fnal.gov/

Quark Net is a project to bring together students, teachers and physicists to collaborate on research. This website features some of the stuff they have come up with, including classroom activities designed for students, projects done by students on various physics phenomena and loads of useful physics-related links.

Webwatch

Maths resource

www.mathgoodies.com

Mathematics is one subject about which there are always two extreme views — either people love it or they hate it. Whether you’re stuck with an assignment or would like to play around with numbers, this website will help you in more ways than one. Featured are interactive lessons on various topics, guides, puzzles and, of course, loads of worksheets. There are many forums as well, where you can interact with others.


Volcano world

volcano.und.nodak.edu

Although mercifully Pakistan doesn’t have an active volcano, eruption in other parts of the world can easily bring about a natural disaster. This website is all about volcanoes. You can learn about them by region and name. You can also read through detailed descriptions. Read interviews of volcanologists and direct your questions at them as well.

Science activities

www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/

Tired of reading through pages and pages of science textbooks? Whether you’re a teacher or a student, you can leave your books for now and engage in some interesting activities. At this site, activities are categorized as earth science, communication, transportation, space, physical science, energy and lots more. Each activity has detailed instructions.

The sea and the sky

http://www.seasky.org/

Every creation is a miracle in itself. This website underlines this in an interactive fashion. Two of the wonders of nature — the sea and the sky — have been explored here in detail. You can explore the oceans, browse through the aquarium and get the latest on astronomy and the cosmos. Each section is full of interesting information.

Website Reviews

I-mood
A really fun titbit to put on your blog in a virtual mood. Yes, you can show your visitors how you are feeling at the moment by creating an account at http://www.imood.com and selecting a mood (anxious, depressed, relaxed, elated) plus an emoticon to go with it. You can change the mood daily or weekly, depending on how it changes. Hence if you are not in a good mood, your visitors will be forewarned not to incense you further.

Blog Linker
http://www.bloglinker.com features a very useful titbit to create a mutual link exchange between yourself and your visitors. This simple tool allows your visitors to add their link to be displayed on your blog and in return, if they use this tool as well, their blog will link back to you. A hassle-free method of generating some extra traffic, the website has a FAQ section for troubleshooting. Both of the above websites will give you the relevant HTML code to insert in your blog’s template for the two titbits to show up.

Webwatch

Scientific journey
http://www.sciencebob.com

All of you aspiring scientists out there can cruise through an exciting scientific journey on this website. Either go for a stint inside the mobile laboratory or gear up for some easy do-it-yourself scientific experiments. You can also send in your questions about everyday issues to Bob, who happens to be a science teacher.



The inventors’ network
http://www.inventnet.com

Creativity has no bounds and there is probably an inventor in each of us. This is the website to visit if you’re seriously thinking of inventing something. From inspirational news items about new inventions, to a forum for like-minded people and an extensive help section, this website has information about patents and precautions about scam marketing companies.


For space enthusiasts
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/index.html

If you fancy yourself as a space junkie, here’s a website which you can use to keep yourself updated. Find out what NASA scientists are up to, what their latest discoveries are and what new findings their space stations have recorded.



The why files
http://whyfiles.org

One characteristic of a good scientist is that he or she questions every phenomenon. This site gives brief as well as detailed answers to some of your questions. Apart from the featured questions, you can also browse through an archive of questions.