Tag Archives: earth sciences

Getting to the Bottom of Earth’s Past Through Ocean Drilling

The JOIDES Resolution, Source: Picasa

Geologists around the world hailed the June 2023 news that a scientific expedition to the mid-Atlantic Ridge succeeded in collecting samples of Earth’s mantle from the ocean floor. The breakthrough fulfilled a nearly century-old dream to reach Earth’s mantle, which holds essential clues about Earth’s age, makeup, and internal processes. In 1957, NAS member Walter Munk had proposed “Project Mohole”, an attempt to drill through a couple of miles of Earth’s crust at the Mohorovicic Discontinuity, or Moho, but the project never reached that goal. The 2023 expedition aboard the drill ship JOIDES Resolution succeeded by finding a “tectonic window” in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean where the mantle is just about a mile beneath the ocean floor. Many reports from the National Academies have explored the need for, value of, and technical challenges of scientific ocean drilling. As always, those reports are free to read online or download.

A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time

A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time

The Earth system functions and connects in unexpected ways – from the microscopic interactions of bacteria and rocks to the macro-scale processes that build and erode mountains and regulate Earth’s climate. Efforts to study Earth’s intertwined processes are made even more pertinent and urgent by the need to understand how the Earth can continue …[more]

Sea Change: 2015-2025 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences

Sea Change: 2015-2025 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences

Ocean science connects a global community of scientists in many disciplines – physics, chemistry, biology, geology and geophysics. New observational and computational technologies are transforming the ability of scientists to study the global ocean with a more integrated and dynamic approach. This enhanced understanding of the ocean is becoming …[more]

Preparing the Next Generation of Earth Scientists: An Examination of Federal Education and Training Programs

Preparing the Next Generation of Earth Scientists: An Examination of Federal Education and Training Programs

Earth science, which in this context does not include oceanic, atmospheric, and space sciences, is vital to the wellbeing of the United States and many of its issues, such as water resources, are expected to grow in importance. An earth science workforce will be needed to deal with this issues and it’s important that this workforce draw on the …[more]

Scientific Ocean Drilling: Accomplishments and Challenges

Scientific Ocean Drilling: Accomplishments and Challenges

Through direct exploration of the subseafloor, U.S.-supported scientific ocean drilling programs have significantly contributed to a broad range of scientific accomplishments in Earth science disciplines, shaping understanding of Earth systems and enabling new fields of inquiry. Scientific Ocean Drilling: Accomplishments and Challenges[more]

Symposium Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Demonstration of the Feasibility of Deep Ocean Drilling: Proceedings of a Symposium, September 22, 1986, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.

Symposium Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Demonstration of the Feasibility of Deep Ocean Drilling: Proceedings of a Symposium, September 22, 1986, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. [more]

Options for Scientific Ocean Drilling

Options for Scientific Ocean Drilling [more]

Upcoming Study (Publication expected by 2024):

Future Directions for Southern Ocean and Antarctic Nearshore and Coastal Research | National Academies

This report will provide guidance to the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs on future directions for Southern Ocean and Antarctic nearshore and coastal research. The committee will identify the highest-priority science drivers and needed capabilities, including drilling platforms needed for scientific research in the Southern Ocean.

Upcoming Study (Publication expected by 2024):

2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences for the National Science Foundation

As part of the next ocean decadal survey for the National Science Foundation, an interim report will be produced to provide on the resources and infrastructure available to address high priority research questions requiring scientific ocean drilling.

Great Holiday Gifts For Science Enthusiasts

Happy holidays from NAP!

Believe it or not, we’re coming up on the holidays already, and NAP has gift ideas for the science-and-math-minded person in your life, from good reads to science and math fun. And best of all? You can take 25% off of the list price on all these great books and merchandise. Use the code GIFT13 at checkout for a 25% discount.

Women’s Adventures In Science

Women’s Adventures in Science, a biography set of 9 books about contemporary women scientists and their fascinating careers, shows that the path from intellectually curious girl to talented innovator is a unique as the personality and circumstances of each scientist.

Teacher FUNdamentals

Science Teacher FUNdamentals
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Math Teacher FUNdamentals
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A great gift set for your favorite teacher, our Science and Math FUNdamentals combine our cutting edge STEM education titles and fun items.

Math


Fueling Innovation and Discovery: The Mathematical Sciences in the 21st Century


Frontiers in Massive Data Analysis


Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra

Fueling Innovation and Discovery: The Mathematical Sciences in the 21st Century
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Frontiers in Massive Data Analysis
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Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
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Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities


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Physics


Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter


Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation


Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society

Nuclear Physics: Exploring the Heart of Matter
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Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation
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Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society
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The Depths of Space: The Story of the Pioneer Planetary Probes


Einstein Finger Puppet


Higgs Boson Watch

The Depths of Space: The Story of the Pioneer Planetary Probes
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Engineering


Messaging for Engineering: From Research to Action


Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels


Electronic Brains: Stories from the Dawn of the Computer Age

Messaging for Engineering: From Research to Action
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Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels
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Electronic Brains: Stories from the Dawn of the Computer Age
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The Grid: A Journey Through the Heart of Our Electrified World


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Leonardo da Vinci Watch

The Grid: A Journey Through the Heart of Our Electrified World
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Edison Finger Puppet
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Life Sciences


Science, Evolution, and Creationism


Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist's View of Genetically Modified Food


Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth's Ancient Atmosphere

Science, Evolution, and Creationism
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Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist’s View of Genetically Modified Food
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Out of Thin Air: Dinosaurs, Birds, and Earth’s Ancient Atmosphere
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Darwin's Gift: To Science and Religion


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Darwin Finger Puppet

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For Science Teachers


Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States


A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas


Ready, Set, SCIENCE!: Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science Classrooms

Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States
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A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
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Ready, Set, SCIENCE!: Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science Classrooms
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