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Science: Home

An overview of resources to get you started in studying or researching science topics.

Getting Started With Science

"Science enables us to understand our own ignorance and limitations, and so puts us at our ease amid the splendors and mysteries of creation."

— John Burroughs, American naturalist and writer

Science is all around you --  in the air that you breathe, in the computer you are using, and in the fingers you are using to guide the mouse. Nothing would be possible without the principles of science.  It is the knowledge of scientific principles that has allowed humans to grow food and to develop materials and techniques to improve our lives. The more you understand science and its various bodies of knowledge, the better you will be able to understand the world around you and enhance your own well-being as well as the well-being of others.

This guide is intended to be a place to get started in a search for information on different areas of science. The information found from the links is a "jumping off" point to more detailed information about different topics within a field.  It is intended for adults who have an interest in the topic in question and those doing in-depth research as well as students of all levels. The page for each category provides links to reference sources, government and other reports, statistics, current developments, news, and other links of interest and utility. 

The Kids Page has links to information, activities, and games for the topics covered in the guide. It includes information and resources for science fair projects (K-12).

Websites

4000 Years of Women in Science
Focuses primarily on pre-twentieth century women in the science and technology fields and includes a good reference list for further research.


Encyclopedia Smithsonian - Science & Nature
Issued by the Smithsonian Institution, this index provides links to the Smithsonian's sites about science and technology. 

National Geographic
Provides information on geography, archaeology, natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation. 

 

Science.gov
Includes research and development, technical reports, journal citations, databases, federal websites, and fact sheets. 
 

National Science Digital Library (NSDL)

"The Nation's online library of resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and research."

 

National Science Foundation (NSF)
Provides access to research, discoveries, and news in a variety of science fields.

 

World Science Festival
Videos, webcasts and slide shows on many aspects of science.
 

World Wide Science
Search global science sources, maintained by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI).

 

Resources at the Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library provides access to indexes and full-text articles through the BPL Online Resources page.  Many of these resources are available off-site to current residents of Massachusetts with a BPL library card or eCard.  Suggested databases are listed below: 

The catalog for the Boston Public Library is available at http://bpl.bibliocommons.com/.

Suggested subject headings:

 

For assistance with searching and locating items held by the Boston Public Library and other libraries in the Metro Boston Library Network, see http://help.bibliocommons.com/.

 

Check out current issues of science-related and other magazines to read on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.  Please contact the Boston Public Library for assistance.