More than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the FREE web site. FREE stands for Federal Resources for Educational Excellence. The web sites listed below are excerpted with permission from the FREE web site. This month, we highlight web sites about vocational education; in future months, we will feature other subject areas.
Biological Resources Division details the activities of a group whose mission is "to work with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources." The page links to 24 national activities of the Division, ranging from Arctic Science Program to the Vegetation Mapping Program. ( U.S. Geological Survey)
BLS Career Information is a place where kids can find information on job opportunities related to the arts, math, science, physical education and outdoors, reading, and social studies. The site also offers resources for teachers, including a links to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. (Department of Labor)
A Career Afloat: Gateway to Maritime Employment describes jobs in the maritime industry, ways to get training for various career paths in the industry, and employment opportunities. Links to maritime museum websites are included. (Maritime Administration, supported by Department of Transportation)
Careers In Oceanography profiles careers in the oceanography and marine related fields. (Office of Naval Research)
Educational Opportunity Centers, Inc. assists adolescents and adults with career planning, returning to school, researching career opportunities, and getting a GED. The Centers also counsel participants on financial aid options and help in the application process. (Educational Opportunity Centers, Inc., supported by Department of Education)
Female Frontiers profiles women of NASA who achieved a variety of "women's firsts" — the first woman programmer, the first woman shuttle commander, the first woman in space, and more. Web chat archives feature conversations with more than a dozen pioneering women. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
National Audiovisual Center is a centralized resource for federally developed training and education materials. Its collection offers more than 9,000 audiovisual and media training productions in subject areas including occupational safety and health, fire services, law enforcement, and foreign languages. Information and educational materials are available on areas including history, health, agriculture, and natural resources. (Department of Commerce)
Neighborhood Networks encourages the development of resource and computer learning centers in HUD-assisted and HUD-insured housing. The site showcases many of the active centers across U.S., tells about funding opportunities, and more. (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
YouthRules! looks at issues surrounding teen safety on the job, child labor, minimum wage, sweat shops, and more (Department of Labor)
