When
it comes to science, kids always have plenty of questions, but finding the right
answers can sometimes be tough. Science Made Simple at http://www.waterw.com/~science/kids.html
makes science understandable and fun! Why is the sky blue? How does an
airplane fly? Why don't spiders stick to their own webs? You'll find
out the answers to these questions and get the lowdown on static electricity,
the mystery of making paper from pulp, and more natural phenomena like global
warming and the dreaded end of the universe. Science Made Simple includes
great projects and experiments too.
Check in at http://www.react.com/ and REACT at the webzine for teens. Interesting factoids such as: It takes 1 pound of grain to make 1 pound oh bread, and 20 pounds of grain to make one pound of beef. That is the kind of info that will make your friends hungry for more. Ok, exercise your funny bone with a new joke every day on "give a joke, get a joke" or go on a scavenger hunt. Or ask anything and have a discussion on your 2 cents (it's better than a penny for your thoughts). There's more. The latest news on films, videos, music, TV and sports- all at this fun place for teens.
Curiosity has traditionally killed the cat, but that's not the
case with Dr. Universe, the smartest feline on the Internet. At the doc's
Web site, you'll discover answers to some of the most mind-boggling questions
out there. Make an appointment at http://www.wsu.edu/DrUniverse
and get ready to quiz your favorite feline. Do trees ever stop
growing? Why can't we build more brain cells? What is a black hole?
Whatever the question, you've come to the right place. From slime to
sleep, you'll get the lowdown on the world's great mysteries, not to mention
insect romance and cow belching. Everyday, you'll find new solutions to
problems and answers to questions that would put a quiz show host to shame.
This cat can't be stumped! And in case you're looking for that second
opinion, Dr. Universe will be more than happy to direct you to far-out sites
like Chaos Kids, Pioneer Planet and the Why Files. The doctor is in!
Space travel is a dangerous, if not impossible, task for most,
but thanks to NASA's Solar System Simulator, star-hopping can be as easy as
clicking your computer mouse. Shuttle out to
http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ and see the
planets as never before. Like having a planetarium in your own home, the
simulator lets you gaze at the sun, moon or stars from a variety of viewpoints.
The images a breath-taking and colorful, and will be sure to give you a better
understanding of the solar system. Saturn may look cool from Earth, but
wait until you see it from Pluto! Still hankering for more galactic fun?
The site also has sample scenes, movie clips and a space library. The
Solar System Simulator is you chance to get a close-up at the final frontier.
From flying comets to wildlife to the art
of illusion, you'll love exploring the fascinating world of Questacon at
Australia's National Science and Technology Centre. Prepare to be dazzled
and amazed by more than 200 exhibits at http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/Questacon/.
Check out cool multimedia activities like Meteor-Strike!
where you can join
scientist monitoring the path of a mile-wide asteroid. The Dinosaur Alive!
exhibit features robotic dinos, coloring pages and games.
Join the
Questacon team as they travel through wild regions of the "Land Down
Under" or control a robotic arm to build block structures right from your
own computer.
The Students for the Exploration and Development
of Space (SEDS) Internet headquarters is the launching pad for astrophysics
rocketry and every space object over the sun. Star-hop out to http://www.seds.org
and you'll be able to look through your web telescope into another world of
comets, black holes and far-off galaxies. There are also excellent images
and sounds, such as the latest Pathfinder photos of the "Red Planet."
Eureka!
It's a site about inventors and patents just for kids. If you've got the
inventing bug, check out what happens at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Kids Pages. Hurry over to http://www.uspto.gov/go/kids/index.html
Almost everything we love was invented by somebody, and every inventor gets a
patent or a trademark to let the world proudly know "that's my
invention." Learn how to come up with a great invention, solve brain-twizzling
puzzles or play inventive games. Feeling extra creative? Then paint an
eye-catching poster, write an inspiring poem, or design your own virtual museum
exhibit. Who knows? Your brain might invent you a cool contest prize.
From forest fires to floods, it's important to be prepared for
any force of
nature.
At the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Web site for kids, you'll get the
lowdown on hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and other devastating storms.
Bring your survival gear to http://www.fema.gov/kids/
At the Disaster Area, you'll witness erupting volcanoes and harsh blizzards.
Or catch a 100-foot wave from a tsunami. Learn what not to do when
lightning starts touching down in your neighborhood. Join up with Julia
and Robbie, the Disaster Twins, as they make their escape from a scary
hurricane. You'll learn how to deal with any disaster, as well as how to
keep your pets safe. You won't want to escape from this site, but be
warned: Danger this way lies.
Sure, sociology, biology and astrology can all be interesting,
but for sheer
enjoyment,
you can't beat Funology. At the Funology Web site, you'll get the inside
track on science of having fun! Laughs and learning go hand in hand at http://www.funology.com
With amazing graphics and nonstop amusement, this site is a can't-miss for all
kids. Check out That's Odd, where you'll learn amazing facts, including
the measurements of the sun and the speed of a lightning bolt. For some
mind-melters, swing by Brain Drains, featuring the Secret Code and Geography
Quiz. Into magic? Then get ready to learn some super tricks, such as the
Mummy Finger, Invisible Ink and the Amazing Floating Egg. You'll
even lift an ice cube with a piece of string. And visit Tummy Ticklers for
wacky riddles and jokes. Funology is the Web site that chases boredom
away.
The
Science of Cycling Web site allows you to explore the working of your bike in
ways you never imagined. Pedal over to http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/
and you'll be immersed in the exciting world of cycling. Women's cross-country
champion Ruthie Matthes and bicycle frame-builder Paolo Salvagion will help you
understand the culture and physics of this activity. Interactive media will show
you the aerodynamics of the bike frame, the forces of braking and steering, and
the workings behind drives and gears. Fill up your water bottle and wear you
favorite cycling jersey. It's time to ride!
Imagine what kinds of creatures would live in
an environment that is pitch dark
24 hours a day, full of poisonous gases, and has extreme freezing and scorching
temperatures. It sounds like another planet but, it's right here on Earth-
in the depths of the oceans! Climb into a virtual deep-sea vessel at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/abyss
and plunge into the abyss. Find out why Canadian scientists want to study
the ocean floor to understand life on Earth. Be sure to catch the freakish
creatures that live in these dark waters. They all look like something out
of science fiction.
For those who love to fly through the past
comes the U.S. Air Force Museum Homepage. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the
museum has an endless number of aircrafts and exhibits, and this Web site is no
different. From the first all-wing airplane to the Boeing XB-39
"Spirit of London," here's your chance to sit in the cockpit of every
plane
imaginable.
Navigate out to http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/
and tour the museum's galleries of hundreds of planes. You'll be able to
cruise over Asia during the Korean conflict, lounge in presidential aircrafts,
and jetset with the stars on a space flight. Suffering from jetlag
already? For those who'd rather stay grounded, there are exhibits on
weapons, equipment, plane engines and the Air Force's early years. The Air
Force Museum is educated and exciting. It's time to prepare for an air
strike!
The search is over! Here it is, the one
Web site that will keep you coming back again and again. It's
action-packed, always new, and always fun. If you're itching for
something to do, zoom over to http://www.bonus.com.
If its hip to you, it's here: more than 1,000 activities. Explore the
human body and gross science, brighten the world with art, take a whiz kid quiz
or journey through a haunted mansion (if you dare). With color, animation
and sound around every corner, this site never gets old. Bookmark it and
make this site a regular stop on your trips through cyberspace. There's no
way you can do it all in one day. So get started now!
Sure, it's in the sky every day, but we
sometimes don't realize how the sun affects almost every aspect of our lives.
Obviously, it helps plants grow and keeps us warm, but did you know that it can
cause hurricanes or make people sick? Take off to the molten ball of fire
at
http://hyperion.advanced.org/15215/
and see what's hot. That's the point of this great interactive site:
to explore how the sun is the friend AND foe of humans. Explore our very
own star, or bask in the art and music dedicated to the sun by everyone from
ancient Egyptians to the Beatles. It's so hot, it's cool.
Enter the world of The Mysterious and Unexplained
at http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/
Search for mysterious creatures, examine unexplained powers and investigate
legends of ancient lost lands.
This
Web site is dedicated to all that is mysterious and unexplained . It can
be your launching pad for a serious investigation of the unknown. Are you
fascinated by Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster? Do you wonder why
Stonehenge or the Sphinx were built? Does the idea of lost fortunes in
buried treasures tantalize you? Have you ever considered whether Plato's
tale of Atlantis is true? Do you think we're alone in the universe, or are
there other intelligent beings out there? What do you think? If you
have an opinion, a theory or further evidence, you are encouraged to submit
them.
Space
stations used to be in the movies only, but thanks to new technology, now they
are the real thing. The Mir Space Station can be permanently staffed by
three cosmonauts, and plays host to visiting space crews. All systems aboard are
functioning, so why don't you pop in for a visit at http://www.nasa.gov/
. You'll be able to follow the American Mir missions since 1995, browse
through photos of the station's interior, and examine all of Mir's components up
close. If you plan on spending more time with these space adventures from around
the world, be prepared to burn midnight oil and "oxygen candles,"
because these folks work long and hard! You'll find all kinds of
Mir-related Web links and Mir radio frequencies. It's time to make a pit-stop in
the stars!
WEIRD SCIENCE
At the Atoms Family, science is not only fascinating, it's also
scary. Based on the Atoms Family exhibit at the Miami Museum of Science, this
site allows you to interact with energy-related activities presented by your
favorite gothic horror characters, from the Wolf Man to Frankenstein. Explore
the haunted hill at http://www.miamisci.org/af/sin/
Learn about the properties of
light, waves and particles at Dracula's Library.
The enter the Mummy's Tomb to discover how to build a better pyramid using
insulation. And explore electrical safety at Frankenstein's Lightning
Laboratory. The Atoms Family is a way-cool learning experience, mixing fun and
education. Spooky science awaits you.
Diggin' For Dinosaurs
Grab your fossil finder and head to the San Diego
Natural History Museum's
Dinosaur Did Kids' Habitat at www.sdnhm.org/kids/dinosaur/
Play the "Name That Reptile!" game, and learn about the theories of
how dinosaurs became extinct at "Meteors and Mass Extinction." You'll
find tons of dinosaur facts at "Dinosaur Bytes." Then tackle the
challenging Jurassic Jumble, a word-search game. This site is sure to thrill all
dinosaur fans.
Shoot For the Stars
Blast off for the Chabot Space and Science Center at http://www.chabotspace.org/vsc/.
Located in Oakland, Calif., this
cool new observatory opened in August and
features two huge telescopes, Rachel and Leah, which are open for public
use. If you can't get to Oakland, you can visit the Virtual Science Center
on the Web. You'll find online exhibits, including Star Station One, a
program to raise awareness about the international Space Station. Also,
visit the Virtual Observatory and see the
collection of astrophotographs taken
with the help of Rachel and Leah. Finally, check out the Virtual
Planetarium to find out all about the night sky. This is one site that
will have you reaching for the stars.
The Solar System For Kids
Blast off to all parts of the solar system at
Astro for Kids at www.astronomy.com/content/static/AstroForKids/default.asp
Each planet, the sun and Earth's moon are represented by cartoon characters.
Click on each one to learn about your favorite pl
anet. Did you know that the sun
is middle-aged? Or that Pluto was discovered only on 1930?
The site also
explains what Roman gods and goddesses the planets are named after. Enjoy your
romp through our solar system.
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
You thought science was cool before. Pour one unit of http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids
into your cyber-test and check out Sci4Kids. The first thing you'll see is
a colorful, wacky drawing. Click on anything in the picture and enter a new lab
with each click. Click on the bug, and you're counting aphids with the
entomologists. Click on the satellite, and take off for Mars. And if you
really want o be amazed, click on the little microscope for a
hyper-magnified, way-cool view of the world. With lots of links and fun
interactivity, you'll be tinkering with this site for hours. If you're
into
plants, lasers. outer space, bugs, the environment-whatever-there's a lab coat
with your name on it at Sci4 Kids.
Neuroscience for Kids
It's Brain Awareness Week 2000 at
Neuroscience for Kids. Whether it's
the smell of apple pie or a memory of swimming at the beach, we can thank our
brains for the special http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html.
You can have fun making a model of the brain, a neuron or the retina. Or
see how easily your senses can fool you at Brain Games. You'll find great
activities as you discover the amazing universe of the brain.
Microbe Probe
From school playgrounds to frozen snowfields to your own bedroom, microbes
are everywhere. Discover this microscopic world at the
Microbe Zoo.
Head to http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo
and prepare to think small. At Animal Pavilion, you'll find out how the
microbes that live inside a termite's guts are able to digest wood. Get
wet and wild at Water World , where you can visit ponds, swamp and bogs that are
rich in bizarre and colorful microbes. Just keep your eyes open for those
nasty "pipe slimers" and the "red tide." And definitely
embark on the Space Adventure, where you'll explore Mars with other scientists
to find out if life ever existed on the Red Planet. If you're getting
hungry from all of this action, then stop by the
Snack Bar-the place to find
tasty foods that are produced by microbes, including bread, chocolate and
yogurt. Plus, the site is home to the House of Horrors, where such
monsters as vampire bacteria and The Invader microbe hang. At the Microbe
Zoo, is both beautiful and tiny.
