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This article addresses the issues and concerns about offshore oil drilling in the United States. The demand for energy is going up, not down, and for a long time, even as alternative sources of energy are developed, more oil will be needed. The strongest argument against drilling is that it could distract the country from the pursuit of alternative sources of energy. The United States cannot drill its way to energy independence. With the developing economies of China and India steadily increasing their oil needs in their latter-day industrial revolutions, the United States can no longer afford to turn its back on finding all the sources of fuel necessary to maintain its economy and standard of living. What is required is a long-term, comprehensive plan that includes wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels, and nuclear--and that acknowledges that oil and gas will be instrumental to the United States' well-being for many years to come. A classroom activity that allows students to argue for or against offshore oil drilling is included. (Contains 3 figures.)

An insatiable appetite for energy, a burgeoning world population, and a heightened awareness of climate change are focusing global attention on sustainability, an issue that may very well determine the future course of civilization. The pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle today is of paramount importance for future generations. Achieving sustainability calls for the stewardship of all the natural systems of the planet, with everyone taking responsibility for solving the environmental problems people face today and will continue to face in the future. In response to widespread environmental degradation, the author suggests the practice of sustainable design. Sustainable design is a real, practical, and long-term practice that could make a huge contribution to energy savings and environmental health around the world if fully embraced and adopted on a global scale. This approach brings together building design, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, material selection, site planning, resource efficiency, and water use to boost energy savings, and makes the most of all the building's elements. Sustainable design takes into consideration the building structure, its systems, and its site location as a whole and examines how they will best fit together to save energy and reduce environmental impact. In this article, the author discusses five broad categories for sustainable design: (1) site; (2) energy; (3) materials; (4) indoor quality; and (5) water, and describes how to use these categories in the classroom. (Contains 3 figures.)

"Designer babies" is a term used by journalists and commentators--not by scientists--to describe several different reproductive technologies. These technologies have one thing in common: they give parents more control over what their offspring will be like. Designer babies are made possible by progress in three fields: (1) Advanced Reproductive Technologies; (2) Cell and Chromosome Manipulation; and (3) Genetics and Genomics. Since the term "designer babies" is so imprecise, it is difficult to untangle its various meanings so as to make judgments about which techniques are acceptable. Several different techniques have been discussed, such as screening embryos for high-risk diseases, selecting the sex of a baby, picking an embryo for specific traits, genetic manipulation for therapeutic reasons, and genetic manipulation for cosmetic reasons. Although, to date, none of these techniques are feasible, recent scientific breakthroughs and continued work by the scientific community will eventually make each a possibility in the selection process for the best possible embryo for implantation. Arguments for and against designer babies are presented. (Contains 2 figures.)

Global warming is the progressive, gradual rise of the earth's average surface temperature, thought to be caused in part by increased concentrations of "greenhouse" gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's temperature has risen by about one degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. Analysis of the various human and natural influences on the global climate indicates that this warming cannot be explained without taking into account human emissions of GHGs. Current scientific data indicates that these "greenhouse" gases have been the dominant force driving temperature increases over the past 50 years. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases--primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed, although uncertainties exist about exactly how earth's climate responds to them (Environmental, 2005). As the earth continues to warm, there is a growing risk that the climate will change in ways that will seriously disrupt people's lives. While, on average, the globe will get warmer and receive more precipitation, individual regions will experience different climatic changes, with different consequences for local environments.

Fusion is the process that powers the sun and the stars. Since the 1950s, scientists and engineers in the United States and around the world have been conducting fusion research in pursuit of the creation of a new energy source for our planet and to further our understanding and control of plasma, the fourth state of matter that dominates the known universe. Generating power through nuclear fusion holds the tantalizing promise of unlimited supplies of clean energy. By the middle of the next century, the world's population will double, and energy demand will triple. In this article, the author states that there are still scientific and technological advances that have to be made before the dream of commercial electricity production will become a reality.

The technological literacy standards were developed to act as a beacon for educators to guide them in their quest to develop a population of technically literate citizens who possess the skills, abilities, and knowledge necessary to actively and constructively participate in the democratic, technologically dependent society of the United States. Chapter Four of Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology (ITEA, 2000, 2002) illuminates the necessity for developing students' abilities to construct an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology. Attaining this understanding will enable students to make responsible, informed decisions about the development and use of technological advancements (ITEA, 2000, 2002). Nowhere will those decisions have the potential to affect every aspect of future technological development, the world's population, and the well-being of our planet's environment, than in decisions pertaining to energy technologies and the world's increasing need for it. Energy is essential for sustainable development. If concerns for the environment, continued economic growth, and our finite resources are sincere, then a rational, objective reevaluation for the increased use of nuclear power needs to be undertaken. The development of nuclear power, both fission and fusion, has the potential to meet the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, promoting conservation of natural resources and sustainable economic growth not only in the United States but also on a global scale. The development of nuclear power, both fission and fusion, has the potential to meet the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, promoting conservation of natural resources and sustainable economic growth, not only in the United States but also on a global scale. With carbon emissions now threatening the very stability of the biosphere, the security of our world requires a massive transformation to clean energy. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass can help, but nuclear energy power has the potential for clean, safe, environmentally friendly energy on a massive scale, and it can be made available to every country in the world. Unfortunately there are still many misconceptions and myths surrounding nuclear power.

The article discusses issues related to the deep-sea exploration. Only a portion of the potential of the oceans has been tapped, but it is clear that exploring and improving the understanding of the ocean and its influence on global events are among the most important challenges today. Few locations on Earth are as remote as the deep oceans. Deep-sea exploration is the investigation of the physical, chemical, and biological conditions at the bottom of the ocean for scientific and commercial purposes. One of the first instruments used to investigate the ocean floor was the sounding weight. Although there had been attempts, even in antiquity, to work underwater, humans had never been able to penetrate very far into the depths until the 1930s. Modern research submersibles generally have manipulators, lighting, cameras, and sensors allowing detailed observations and experiments. Among the most notable submersible discoveries has been the finding of chemosynthetic life at hydrothermal vents, studies of undersea volcanoes and their eruptions, and hundreds of previously unknown species of deep-sea animals. To that effect, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has developed an extensive curriculum for teachers of Grades 6-12 that uses a set of 165 hands-on and standards-based lesson plans that have the capability of bringing entire classrooms "on board" for exploration and discovery.

Focuses on use of technology education in the U.S. defense system. National Strategy for Homeland Security; Plans to encounter terrorist attacks.

Emphasizes the importance of biometrics. Highlights on the use of fingerprints in recognizing the identity of a person; Utilization of the biometric identification technologies; Categories of biometrics.

Focuses on the design and construction of a safe room that can weather storms and withstand violent winds. Instrumentation in weather technology; Requirements and constraints of proposed structures; Content standards for technological literacy. INSETS: SIDEBAR 1. TORNADO CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION AND TYPICAL DAMAGES.;SIDEBAR 2. HURRICANE CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION AND TYPICAL DAMAGE..