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Eric Hackathorn, better known in Second Life and virtual world circles as the person behind the impressive Second Life incarnation of NOAA -- the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, has just unveiled his newest effort: The US Department of Energy in Second Life. The educational and experiential potential of this build is exciting and mind-expanding. From a trip through a super collider to life as a sub-atomic particle. Eric suggests, "Try smashing into each other as sub-atomic particles, take a tour of a super collider."

Awesome sight visually! You HAVE to find the docks and then rent a free jetski. You can cruise all through the canyons, rivers, etc. Tons to see, super fun! You feel like you're really there!

Controversial. Scary. Effective. A young woman is using SL to allow users to experience a virtual imprisonment in Camp Delta at Guantanamo Bay. She focuses on a former prisoner, a British national, whose father reads letters from his son while he was imprisoned. The project is called "Gone Gitmo" and presents the idea that such imprisonment is unconstitutional. Avatars experience realistic recreations of camp "cells" and questions are raised about the suspension of Habeas Corpus rights. Whether one finds this appealing or appalling, it certainly evokes emotion and demonstrates the power of virtual worlds as a learning environment.