Science

GENERAL

• BrainPOP
  This site's motto is "The more you know, the more you know." That means you'll know a lot about science by the time you finish with it, and knowing a lot about anything is a great thing. What's most interesting about this site is the way it presents information—in flashy little movies narrated by fictional characters, including Bob the ex-lab rat . There are movies about health stuff, such as the heart, nerves, and genes; general science stuff, such as the seasons, magnetism, and photosynthesis; and technology stuff, such as lasers, robots, and radio. The graphics are great—definitely worth checking out. BrainPOP is a good place to go if you have specific questions, if you need a review of a subject, or if you are looking for a paper topic.

• The Science Club
  Have to do a science project? You don't have to settle for the old leave-a sandwich-in-a-drawer-until-it-grows-mold-or-attracts-an-ant-colony. This site gives ideas and instructions for several fun and challenging projects. Give these projects a try and you'll learn a lot and impress all your friends. Some of the more interesting ideas include a telescope, a lava lamp, a tornado generator box, a giant rainbow prism, and the ever-popular disgustoscope. The site allows you to choose a project according to your ability level and to exchange ideas online with other young scientists. It also provides links and booklists that will help you build background and develop a greater understanding of your project.

• The Why Files: Science Behind the News
  This cool web site combines science with current events. Our daily newspapers and television news programs give us headlines about new medications, new computers, electric cars, pollution, and various scientific discoveries. But rarely do they explain these things to us so that we truly understand everything. Well, this site attempts to do just that. Every week, it gives a brief update on a new scientific discovery and some feature articles that explore, in-depth, the science behind some of our headlines. You also have the option of exploring the site's archives for old articles, which are filed by topic. As an additional bonus, you can view cool scientific images. These, too, can be found in the archives.

• The Yuckiest Site on the Internet
  Want to experience a day in the life of a roach? Want to know why worms eat dirt? Ever wonder why you burp and make other crazy noises? Or why you sweat and have wax in your ears? This site will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the wonderful and gross features of worms, bugs, and the human body. It also features "creepy crafts" and "icky experiments."

• CellsAlive
  You can't talk about life science without talking about cells—the smallest unit of any living organism. This amazing site will give you movies and images of living cells that can be found in people, animals, plants, and in many things that we can't see with our own eyes, such as bacteria. You'll learn about cancer cells, dust mites, penicillin, parasites, and dividing bacteria. One interesting section even shows you how your skin cells react to a splinter or scratch.

• Cornell Math and Science Gateway
  This informative site is intended for students in grades 9-12, but younger students might also find some of its materials helpful. It deals with an interesting variety of topics in areas such as astronomy, biology, computers, engineering, mathematics, physics, agriculture, chemistry, earth & environmental science, health & medicine, and meteorology.

EARTH SCIENCE

• Discovery.Com Planet Earth Guide
  Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface—so they definitely deserve their own web site. OceanQuest is a wonderfully in-depth, colorful, easy-to-understand look at the world's oceans and the role they play in our lives. Sections of this site include Ocean Floor, Waves and Tides, Ocean Resources, Currents, Ocean History, Ocean Technology, Marine Life, Ports of Call, Earth: The Water Planet, and Sea Water. The site, created by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, gives interesting statistics and answers all your questions about the wettest areas of our planet.

• Volcanoes Online
  Hey, volcanoes are great! (As long as you don't live anywhere near an active one . . .) Thanks to this site, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about volcanoes. Created by three young men from the United States, Singapore, and the Netherlands, the site has clear explanations, maps, games, a database on volcanoes around the world, and links to books and other web sites on volcanoes.

• Tsunami!
  A tsunami is a gigantic and frightening tidal wave that usually goes along with an earthquake or volcanic eruption. This interesting site, the closest you'll ever want to get to something like this, dedicates itself to examining the hows and whys of the tsunami. Simply click on the site's table of contents to get general information, survey and research information, and links to related sites.

HEALTH AND THE HUMAN BODY

• DiscoveryHealth.com
  This site, brought to us by those smart people at the Discovery Channel, answers health questions of every kind for people of all ages. Want to know what that colic thing is that your baby sister has? Desperate to know why ice cream bothers your stomach? Wondering why everyone's mood seems to plummet in the dead of winter? Questions about your grandfather's arthritis? All the answers are here. You can search the site for a specific topic, or you can glance over the headlines for the latest health news and information. This is a great place to go to do research or to find a topic for a paper.

• Lifebytes
  This is another great site with general information about health and the human body. It's a little more colorful and a little more animated than the DiscoveryHealth site is, so it might be harder to access if you have a slow connection. Its information, packaged in a cartoon format, centers around physical and mental health issues, illnesses, and personal safety. It's a good place to go for a quick answer to a question or to begin your exploration of a topic.

• Human Anatomy Online
  Got a cramp? Don't you wish you could just poke your head into your stomach and see what's going on down there? Well, this cool site allows you to do something like that. It gives you unlimited access to the insides of the human body. Just select the section of the body that you need information about. Your choices include but are not limited to the head, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the muscles, and the heart. You'll see how your selection looks and learn all about how it works. After visiting this site you'll feel ready to perform surgery (but please don't).

• Neuroscience for Kids
  Believe it or not, everyone you know has a brain and a central nervous system. And this set of equipment is more complicated and interesting than anything you can imagine. This terrific site explains neuroscience so that we can all understand and appreciate it. It allows you to explore parts of the central nervous system, such as the brain and the spinal cord; search for specific topics and answers to your questions; learn about neuroscience in the news; and try various experiments and activities.

• The Heart: An Online Exploration
  This informative site allows you to take a journey through the human heart. Pretty cool! You'll learn about its basic structure, follow blood through blood vessels, and discover how this little pumping machine powers your body. You will also learn the history of heart science and find out about some milestones in the field of cardiology. Finally, the site will tell you how to show your heart some respect with proper diet and exercise.

• Seeing Disabilities from a Different Perspective
  The main theme of this site is "Great things have been done by people with disabilities." Understanding the facts about certain disabilities helps people understand the people who live with these disabilities. This site focuses on autism, cerebral palsy, and hearing and vision impairments. It provides instruction, a glossary of terms, links, and places where people can describe their personal experiences. This site is definitely worth a visit if you need questions answered or if you are writing a paper on a physical disability of any kind.

• The BBC Medicine Through Time
  Medicine and the study of the human body is an amazing field that changes all the time. Just when people think they know everything, they figure out something new. This informative site will take you on a journey through the field of medicine, from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages to the modern world. All you have to do is choose a time period and then choose a topic, such as disease, surgery, public health, or hospitals.

PETS AND WILDLIFE

• Monarch Watch
  This site, "dedicated to education, conservation, and research," is your source for detailed information on the beautiful monarch butterfly. It explains their biology and migration patterns, provides information on how and why people tag and track butterflies, and lists resources and links to help your research.

• Animal Planet
  This site is an excellent source of information on animals of all kinds, from crocodiles to tigers to giant squid. Visit the animal guide to get information on a specific creature. You can also research current events and issues that are affecting wild animals all over the world, learn how animal experts work, and even view images from live animal cams.

• The National Zoo
  Thanks to this web site you can visit (sort of) your National Zoo without leaving your chair. Search the site for information on a particular resident of the zoo. Find out if any of the regular online presentations or discussions can help you with your research. View animal photos or check out what is going on at the zoo to benefit animals and the people who care about them. You can also get historical information on the zoo and zoos in general, as well as links to other helpful sites.

• Zoonet
  This is the place to go for information on zoos and zoo-related web pages. It's also a wonderful source of animal photographs; you can see for yourself any animal's unique physical characteristics or print photographs for your paper or presentation. If you are researching a particular animal or an aspect of zoology, definitely pay this site a visit.

• National Aquarium in Baltimore
  If you are studying marine animals, check out this site for information and answers to all your questions. The site gives background on the aquarium and its research and conservation efforts, introduces people to the animal population it works with, gives regular animal updates, and invites people to search for specific topics. You can also view images of some of the aquarium animals.

• Engangered: Exploring a World at Risk
  Our world is changing rapidly, and many of our animals and their delicate habitats are in danger. The American Museum of Natural History brings us this web site to introduce us to the problem. Learn about animals and habitats that are in danger, discover why they are in danger, and explore what can be done to change things for the better. The site allows you to tour the museum's actual exhibition. It also gives a list of links and suggested readings and a helpful glossary of terms.

• The Bear Den
  This terrific site says that it exists "for bears everywhere, and for those humans who are on their side." Pay it a visit to learn about all the different kinds of bears, where they live, how they live, and the dangers they face in their various habitats. The site will also connect you to suggested books and videos, related links, and entertaining bear quotes.

• Ant Colony.org: The Definitive Source for Ant Enthusiasts
  Ant-lovers listen up! Here's a site just for you. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about these fascinating, industrious creatures that we often find in our picnic food. Explore the defining characteristics of various kinds of ants and discover interesting facts about an ant colony, an antıs diet, and an ant's behavior. Study snapshots and illustrations and introduce yourself to ant terminology.

• The Virtual Insectary
  This is your basic online zoo for insects. It provides images of common insects, information on the foods they eat, and descriptions of their varied habitats. Simply search the list on the site's first page for your bug of choice. This is a great way to study insects—without worrying about getting stung or eaten alive.

• The Interactive Frog Dissection
  This is a great way to do biology research—without getting your hands messy and feeling cruel. It allows you to study the skin, muscles, and internal organs of a frog online as it guides you with helpful instruction. There are programs that you must download before going through the process, but the web site directs you as you get your computer ready. So, give this site a try if you are doing research for a related paper or project or trying to review for a test.

• Dinosaur Exhibit at Honolulu Community College
  This is a great site if you need to find out about dinosaurs. It gives a guided tour—with sound and pictures of dinosaur exhibits—that will introduce you to dinosaurs of all kinds. Learn which of these creatures were the scariest, the cutest, the largest, the smallest, and the loudest. Learn what they ate and how they spent their time. If you still need more information, the site can link you to related sites.

• Pet Care Library
  They aren't dinosaurs and they aren't grizzly bears‹they're just our companion animals that we see every day as we walk home or enter our homes. But that doesn't mean they aren't interesting research subjects. This site, created by the American Animal Hospital Association, focuses mainly on dogs, cats, and other typical family pets (Sorry, you're not going to find a lot of info on your pet rhino). It talks about animal behavior, health issues, animal abuse issues, human/pet bonding, nutrition, and general pet care tips. It also provides links to related sites.

PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY

• Chem4kids
  If you don't think atoms and elements can be fun, then you haven't checked out this site. OK. Fun might be a strong word. But this colorful site is definitely an interesting introduction to the study of chemistry, and it might help you through some difficult homework assignments. Information is organized under the following categories: matter, elements, atoms, math, and reactions. You also have the option of searching the entire site if you don't know exactly what category you need. The site also provides handy chemistry quizzes that can help you study for a test.

• The Energy Story
  Energy, defined as "the ability to do work," is all around us. We use energy to move and to think. Energy moves our vehicles, heats our homes, and powers important machinery. If you are studying different forms of energy, definitely check out this informative web site. It focuses on the following forms of energy: geothermal energy; fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas; hydro power and ocean energy; nuclear energy; solar energy; and wind energy. The site also examines what energy is and what we can do to conserve energy.

• Fizzics Fizzle
  Basically, what is physics? Well, there's nothing really basic about physics. But it is all around us. Physics is the science that examines matter and energy in the universe—how it all fits together and works together. Before you get too discouraged, check out this interactive guide to physics. It manages to make complicated topics interesting to science students at all levels. In fact, you have the power to customize the site to fit your own needs. There are materials available for elementary, middle school, and high school science students. Search the site according to your ability level or search for a specific topic.

• The Atom's Family
  This clever site combines the scientific study of atoms and energy with some of our favorite creepy characters. The result? A site that is truly informative and truly entertaining. Go to the mummy's tomb to learn about energy conservation, kinetic energy, and potential energy. Go to Dracula's library to learn about properties of light, waves, and particles. Frankenstein's lightning laboratory will teach you about different forms of electricity and electrical safety. The Phantom will help you understand principles of atoms and matter, and the Wolf Man will teach you about fuel conservation and energy transfer.

• Evidence: The True Witness—Forensic Science
  Forensic science is the branch of science that is used to establish facts about a crime. Hey—wouldn't this be an exciting topic for a paper or presentation? Visit this site to learn just how fascinating today's forensic science is. The site will teach you how forensic science is used in real crimes. It will also explain some of the newest technologies in forensic science.

• Amusement Park Physics
  You might think the people who design the rides at our amusement parks just need to know how to have a good time. In fact, they need to have a strong understanding of the basic laws of physics. This site explains some of these laws of physics and how they affect some of the most common rides at an amusement park. The site, which includes a glossary of terms, is a helpful guide to learning ideas in physics.

• Automotive Learning Online
  A lot of people drive cars, but very few understand how they work. You might not think of this topic as a science, but many scientific principles are at work from the moment the key is turned in the ignition. This interactive site shows and explains the different parts of an automobile and how they operate. This is a great site to visit if you are taking an automotive class or looking for a project or paper idea.

SPACE AND PLANETS

• Discovery.Com Space Guide
  Our friends at the Discovery Channel bring us yet another colorful, informative site. This one introduces us to the wonders of planets, stars, and space. You'll find information on astronauts, planets and asteroids, astronomy, satellites, and much more. You'll find discussions of aliens and space missions. You'll also learn to search the sky for stars, meteor showers, and planetary positions. This is a great place to go if you are researching or have questions on a space-related topic.

• The Constellations and Their Stars
  This helpful site focuses exclusively on stars and those patterns in the sky we call constellations. It gives sky charts, tells which stars are closest and brightest, and explains the history and mythology that surrounds stargazing. You can also consult this site to learn about planetary positions and to see stunning photographs.

• Skywatching Center
  This is another site that will help you look into the sky with greater wisdom and understanding. It explains stars, planets, and all those other fascinating and mysterious things above our heads.

• Space Daily
  For all you space buffs out there, this site features a twice daily update of the latest commercial space news along with a growing report on planetary science news. Organized as a newspaper with color photographs, it is a valuable research tool. Remember, space technology is an ever-changing field. You don't want to be left behind looking at outdated information!

• StarChild
  A colorful site maintained by NASA—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It has two different levels—Level 1 is for younger readers; Level 2 is for older readers. The site's creators are among the top authorities in space travel, so check it out if you want to explore the latest news and advances or learn a little more about outer space.

• Solar Eclipses
  The solar eclipse is one of the stranger phenomena that takes place in our skies. Way back when, an eclipse would fill people with wonder and fear. Luckily, we now have the information and equipment to understand how and why an eclipse occurs. Check out this web site to see diagrams and explanations of different types of eclipses, photographs and video that show actual eclipses, historical information, and information on upcoming eclipses.