Posts Tagged ‘inventions’

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TechNovelgy – Where Science Meets Fiction!

January 30th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Wednesday, January 30, 2013 and time for Language Arts at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Technovelgy

Age Range: 10 and up  (with parental supervision, see note below)

This website offers a free archive that enables you to explore the inventions and predictions of science fiction writers that have come true or are coming true in today’s world. There are over 2,000 different inventions archived that were first introduced through the imaginations of science fiction writers.

When you get to the site you can explore the featured items on the home page, or use the menu at the top of the page to search by Glossary, Author, Book, or Timeline. Once you find a topic that interests you, click on it and a new page opens. That page may contain some or all of the following:

  • A blurb from the novel mentioning the invention or idea.
  • Commentary about the idea including comparisons and similarities to other sci-fi technology mentioned in other novels, television shows, and movies.
  • Links to science articles that discuss the current development of these inventions and ideas in today’s world.
  • Links to real-world video demonstrations of the inventions.
  • Links to websites with further information.

If this doesn’t generate interest in reading a sci-fi novel, I don’t know what will. It will also springboard students to want to learn more about science and technology.

NOTE: I only reviewed a sampling of what’s available at this website, so AS ALWAYS, parents should preview and supervise their children’s exploration – not only to determine the suitability of content on the Technovelgy website, but because the links take you to other websites that I have not reviewed. 

One more piece of advice: Read the FAQs (see link at the bottom of the homepage), I found them to be helpful and I think you will too. :)

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Learn with Leonardo da Vinci!

April 12th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 12, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Museum of Science: Exploring Leonardo

Age Range: 9-14 (approximately, and easily adapted to younger and older students with parental supervision)

The Museum of Science in Boston offers this online, interactive exhibit that explores the life, work, and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci.

When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction and a menu that includes:

*Inventor’s Workshop – Discover Leonardo’s futuristic inventions and design your own! Test your knowledge of machines with “Gadget Anatomy”.

*Leonardo’s Perspective – Learn Leonardo’s artistic techniques for representing the 3D world on 2D surfaces. Play around with linear perspective, size and distance, and investigate aerial perspective as well.

*Leonardo: Right to Left – Explore Leonardo’s curious habit of writing in reverse. Try “mirror writing” yourself!

*What, Where, When? – Read a brief biography of Leonardo da Vinci by clicking on a map of Italy to see what he did in the cities of Milan, Florence, and Rome.

Throughout the exhibit you’ll find a total of 5 lesson plans for hands-on classroom activities to extend learning. They can be tweaked for the homeschool environment or used as a homeschool support group activity.

 

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Social Studies Through Inventions!

September 15th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Thursday, September 15, 2011 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
The Great Idea Finder

Age Range: 8-18 (with parental guidance)

This website was created by an Internet consulting company to inspire the “inventor” in everyone. It showcases the history of remarkable inventions, inventors, and great ideas throughout time.

When you get to the site click on “Enter” and a new page opens. In the center of the screen you’ll see some features. Use the vertical menu on the left side of the page to access:

*First Time Visitor – Get an indexed overview of what you’ll find on this content-rich website that features innovation information about the past, present, and future.
 
*History Facts & Myths – Explore an incredible archive of history’s most interesting inventions and the stories behind them including the Abacus, Car, Coca-Cola, Frisbee, Hair Dryer, Internet, Jell-O, Liquid Paper, Microwave Oven, Post-It Notes, Slinky, and many more. Each invention includes a bibliography for further reading as well as links to more sources of info on the Internet. Plus, you’ll find:

  • Inventor Biography – Read the biographies of notable inventors such as Steve Jobs (Apple Computer), Ed Johnson (Christmas Lights), Harvey Ball (Smiley Face), Alfred Butts (Scrabble), and many more.
  • Innovation Timeline – Search any era in history (from ancient BC to the modern 21st Century) to learn about the innovations that occurred during that time period. Includes photographs, quotations, and resources for further learning.
  • Innovation Games & Trivia – Don’t be afraid to take this test BEFORE you explore the site. The questions are intriguing, so if you don’t know the answers and your curiosity gets the better of you — find out instantly by clicking the “answer” button. A great way to introduce the topic of invention and segue to a history lesson. :)

*Idea Showcase – The point of innovation is to improve the quality of life.  That said, inventors like making income by selling their inventions. In this section you can check out award-winning inventions and purchase them as well.  

*Features – Find out how many inventions were the result of an accident. See how inventors improve upon the inventions of others to “build a better mousetrap.” Check out inventions that changed civilization and had an enduring effect on the world.

*Resource Center – Find resources for further learning and investigation including websites, books, movies, and a listing of contests, competitions, experiments, and projects for the young inventor.  (Some are available for free, others for a fee.) Find resources for invention mentors too.

*History Articles – Read in-depth articles on historical innovations, inventors, pioneers, and entrepreneurs. Find out about the Patent Act of 1790 and explore some patents that have become products.

Students will need good reading skills to explore this site independently, and non-readers of all ages will enjoy the pictures  and information with assistance.

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Social Studies & Geography Games!

May 12th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Thursday, May 12, 2011 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
School Time Games: Social Studies

Age Range: 8-14  (about grades 4-8, with parental supervision)

What fun! This website offers a variety of free, multi-media, interactive games to help students learn social studies and geography. When you get to the site you’ll see a menu of games that include:

*Time Trip – Match events, landmarks, inventions, and fashions to their time in history.

*Explore Jamestown – Grab your shovel and compass to unearth clues from the past and avoid the many hazards settlers faced years ago in Jamestown.

*Titanic – Virtually excavate the Titanic’s hidden treasures.

*Coffee Tycoon - Run your own coffee shop, coffee stand, and coffee empire in this coffee simulation game.

You’ll also find geography games where you match names of states and countries to their position on maps.

Once you’ve explored the Social Studies menu, use the menu at the top of the page to find other terrific games for learning language arts, science, and math.

Note: This is an ad-supported website. In some cases, a random video advertisement may play before your game starts. Parents, as always, should supervise Internet use.

 

 

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Benjamin Franklin!

April 14th, 2011

Hi! It’s Thursday, April 14, 2011 and time for History at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
The Electric Ben Franklin

Age Range: 9-18 (with parental guidance)

This ad-supported website offers a wealth of information and fun trivia on the subject of Benjamin Franklin!

When you get to the website, use the menu on the left side of the screen to explore:

*A Timeline of Franklin’s Life with notable historic events and achievements

*Franklin’s Inventions – Including bifocal glasses, electricity, the lightning rod, a Franklin stove, a map of the Gulf Stream, swim fins, odometer – and find out what he didn’t invent too!

*Franklin’s Entire Autobiography including an account of his famous kite experiment.

You can also read an original work of historical fiction called “Temple’s Diary” in which a 15-year-old boy discovers that he is the grandson of Benjamin Franklin!

Take a virtual tour of Franklin’s print shop and post office. Explore Philadelphia and Franklin’s old haunts. Read his wise and wonderful sayings.

You’ll even find experiments to do at home along with interactive games that help to explain the concepts of Franklin’s many discoveries.

This is a wonderful unit study online that will appeal to the whole family — don’t miss it!

Note:  This website is part of the larger USHistory.org site. Be sure to visit the home page to see all that this site has to offer. 

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Bubble Wrap Social Sciences

February 24th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Thursday, February 24, 2011 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Bubble Wrap Fun

Age Range:  All (with parental supervision)

Everything in life presents an opportunity to learn. Rather than relying on textbooks, look at anything in your environment and with a minimal amount of research, you’ll discover it contains an interesting history with cross-curricular connections.

Today’s website from the Sealed Air Corporation, the company that manufactures Bubble Wrap, is a case in point. You may have a sheet of bubble wrap somewhere in your house that accompanied an item you ordered by mail. Most kids love to pop it. And if you take just a minute to look it up on the web, you’ll discover all kinds of information about it – both fun and informative.

At today’s website, you’ll learn about the history of Bubble Wrap, meet the inventors, discover many uses for the stuff beyond packing material, and get an opportunity to virtually pop Bubble Wrap online. Fun!

When you get to the site you’ll see a menu that includes:

*Fun & Games – Virtually pop bubble wrap, discover your Bubble Wrap personality type, and take a “pop” quiz to test your knowledge of Bubble Wrap. (Some links go to other websites, so parents please preview to determine suitability.)

*Pop Pix – See pictures of people and their Bubble Wrap inventions collected on Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (January 31st annually). This stuff is a cultural phenomenon! Get inspired to create your own Bubble Wrap inventions.

*1001 Uses – See a list of ways to use Bubble Wrap including as a costume, cup holder, seat cushion, liners for Easter baskets, pop-able place mat, insulation, and much more!

*Bubble Stuff – Learn the history of Bubble Wrap, meet the inventors, and find out how Bubble Wrap is made.

You’ll also find Bubble Wrap products to purchase along with links to other
sites where you can virtually pop Bubble Wrap.

And if you want more ideas, just type in “bubble wrap lesson plans” on a search engine like Google — and see what pops up! You’ll find sites that explain how Bubble Wrap is made, lots of funny methods and etiquette for popping Bubble Wrap, more online games, and even a book devoted to interesting and fun things to do with Bubble Wrap. This is a unit study waiting to happen. :)

Enjoy!

 

Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling
http://www.ClickSchooling.com

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