Brain Power Web Sites
Are you looking for help with your homework, research papers or just some really cool sites to expand your brain power? Well, here are a few that may help you.
GENERAL SCIENCE
*BrainPop
This site offers a fun way to brush up on facts from math and science to English and Health through creative animated, curriculum-based content that supports educators and engages students. The award-winning online educational resources include BrainPOP, and BrainPOP Español. It also offers something for teachers, BrainPOP Educators, which features free tips, tools, and best practices by and for our teacher community. www.brainpop.com
*The Why Files: The Science Behind the News
Ever wonder what the real deal about science stories in the news? The Why Files: The Science Behind the News is a cool website that combines science with current events. This online magazine offers coverage of the science behind the news and helps make science accessible and understandable in the context of current events. 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 can also explore the site’s archives for old articles, which are filed by topic. As an additional bonus, you can view cool scientific images.
http://whyfiles.org
*How Stuff Works
Ever wonder how cuts heal? There’s no question to strange to be explored on this site. In fact, articles address a lot of the questions we often ponder such as how to surf the web anonymously to how nicotine works. There are puzzles and other fun activities. There is material covering a cross-section of topics ranging from electronics and science to history and health.
www.howstuffworks.com
EARTH SCIENCE
*Volcanoes Online
This site offers you 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.
http://library.thinkquest.org/17457/english.html
LIFE SCIENCE (HUMANS)
*CellsAlive
Cells are the smallest unit of any living organism. This amazing site provides 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. www.cellsalive.com
*Human Anatomy Online
Ever wonder how the human body really works. This cool site allows you to take a peek inside. It gives you unlimited access to the insides of the human body. Just select the body system that you need information about. Your choices include the head, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the muscles, and the heart. You’ll see how the human body looks and learn all about how it works. After visiting this site, you’ll feel like you just went through medical school! www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
*Neuroscience for Kids
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 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 spinal cord, search for specific topics and answers to your questions, learn about neuroscience in the news, and try various experiments and activities. http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
*The Heart: An Online Exploration
Take a journey through the human heart. Okay, that’s 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 milestones in the field of cardiology. The site will also tell you how to show your heart some respect with proper diet and exercise. www.fi.edu/learn/heart/
LIFE SCIENCE (ANIMALS)
*The National Zoo
You can visit your National Zoo without leaving the comfort of your home. You can search the site for information on a particular animal at the zoo. 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. http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm
*National Aquarium in Baltimore
For those studying marine animals, check out this site for information and answers to 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. www.aqua.org
*Bear Den
This site is sponsored by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Visit the Bear Den 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. www.bearden.org
*The Virtual Insectary
Insects, insects and more insects. This site 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 – and you won’t get bitten.
www.virtualinsectuary.com
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
*Chem4kids
Do you want to learn more about atoms and elements? 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.
www.chem4kids.com
*Fizzics Fizzle
Do you want to know more about physics – sure you do. Check out this site. Physics is the science that examines matter and energy in the universe and how it all works together. This site manages to make complicated topics interesting to science students at all levels. There are materials available for elementary, middle school, and high school science students.
http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/
*The Atom’s Family
If you are looking for an interesting site to visit, you’ll want to check this one out. This site combines the scientific study of atoms and energy with some of our favorite creepy characters. You see a mummy’s tomb to learn about energy conservation, kinetic energy, and potential energy. Then there is Dracula’s library where you can learn about properties of light, waves, and particles. The Phantom will help you understand principles of atoms and matter, and the Wolf Man will teach you about fuel conservation and energy transfer.
www.miamisci.org/af/sln/
*Forensic Science: Let Evidence Reveal the Truth
Forensic science is the branch of science that is used to establish facts about a crime. Visit this site to learn just how fascinating today’s forensic science is. The site will teach you how forensic science is used to solve real crimes. It will also explain some of the newest technologies in forensic science. http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00206/scene_of_crime.htm
*Amusement Park Physics
There’s a lot more to that rollercoaster that you enjoy so much. This site will give you a little insight about what it takes to design rides. This site explains some of the 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. www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/
ASTRONOMY
*Discovery Space
Thanks Discovery Channel for bringing 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.
http://dsc.discovery.com/space/
*The Constellations and Their Stars
Focusing exclusively on stars and those patterns in the sky we call constellations, this site gives sky charts, tells which stars are closest and brightest, and explains the history and mythology that surrounds stargazing. www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/
*Space Daily
This site features a 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.
www.spacedaily.com
*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.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/starchild/starchild.html
*Solar Eclipses for Beginners
Check out this site to see diagrams and explanations of different types of eclipses, photographs of actual eclipses, historical information, and information about upcoming eclipses.
www.mreclipse.com/special/seprimer.html