For more information
Darrell Schulte, dschulte@facstaff.wisc.edu
"Many scientists fall into the trap of presenting their work in dry, technical terms, no matter how excited they really are about their research," says David Tenenbaum, a science writer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "In The Why Files, we try to bring out that excitement and focus on the curiosity and passion that drives science."
The Why Files, a Web-based publication of the National Institute for Science Education (NISE) at Wisconsin, has won numerous awards during its nearly three years of exposing the science behind the news. Through humorous but informative text, cool scientific images, and engaging graphics, readers--including teachers and students who use the site in the classroom--learn about scientific principles that permeate everyday life. They also rediscover scientists as people who are impassioned by the pursuit of knowledge and the process of discovery.
By using a mass-market backdrop--current news headlines--science becomes accessible and interesting, and scientists become human. For example, when Princess Diana was killed in Paris in August 1997 and the world went into mourning, the publication devoted an issue to the psychological and physical process of grieving. Other issues have explored the science behind the stock market, the tsunami that recently ravaged New Guinea, what happens in the body when a person tells a lie, multiple births, and how the proliferation of household cleaning products may make germs and bacteria more resistant to their effects.
Especially for children, this approach makes learning about science much more palatable. Hopefully, it will also increase their interest in pursuing studies and careers in the sciences and technology.
To support classroom use, each Why Files story links to a complete source bibliography and a suggested reading and surfing list for additional information. After a story is retired from the lead it is moved to a searchable archive organized by scientific discipline.
The site provides resources for teachers, too, including a message board where teachers can communicate with each other about classroom and curriculum needs, submit story ideas for future Why Files issues, or suggest activities or experiments to go along with the scientific theme of a story. This area, called "The Forum," supports interaction on topics ranging from physics, math, and astronomy, to plants, humans, and general science questions. "In this way, the site helps support a virtual community of educators," says Andrew Porter, co-director of NISE and a professor of educational psychology at Wisconsin.
Because a picture is worth a thousand words, the site also features Cool Science Images--pictures and short explanations submitted by scientists across the country or obtained by the Why Files' team members. "It's another great way for us to showcase scientific research," says Darrell Schulte, Webmaster for the site.