Where Most Needed

San Diego Natural History Museum Blindsided by Theft Report

Museum staff realized some items missing since 2004 couldn't be accounted for, but thought they were misplaced.

Natural History Museums Face Apocalypse

Declines in funding and a public perception of institutions as boring are leading to a crisis that threatens their extensive, behind-the-scenes scientific research. 

Hands on Science Program is Left Behind in Drive to Improve Test Scores

Informal after school program prepares to wind up shop after declining due to competition from programs that raise reading and math test scores.  But there are behind-the-scenes hints that direct competition with a for-profit science program and executive transition issues could have played a role, too. 

Creation Museum: Let There Be Loot

Having freed themselves from the bonds of both theology and science, the promoters of the museum (which is organized as a charity) seem mostly to be singing from the Walt Disney marketing hymnal.   

Professors Making Little Progress against Institutional Censorship

Dissatisfaction with the involvement of Institutional Review Boards in social science research has yet to generate movement toward reform. 

Few US Universities Jump on MIT's Free Courseware Bandwagon

Many schools are limiting their open online offerings to a few select course videos. 

AA Study Raises the Bar on Nonprofit Performance Measurement

Before long, smart donors may insist that charities demonstrate their effectiveness with randomized studies using double-blind controls.

Charities in Forefront of Drive to Save Pluto

A pair of scientists employed by nonprofit research institutes used an Internet petition drive and plan an alternative conference as part of a grassroots campaign to restore Pluto's planetary cred.  Could Pluto be the next Snakes on a Plane?

Space Museum Founder Ordered to Pay Resistution for Stolen Artifacts

His attorney asks to be removed from the appeal of the case because his client has run out of money to pay him.

Kidney Compensation Debate Pits Charity Against Charity

Charitable institutions provide the obscure forums for discussion of life and death issues that rarely see the light of media scrutiny.