Posts Tagged ‘technology’

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Is It Science or Fiction?

March 30th, 2022

TechNovelgy – Where Science Meets Fiction

(technovelgy.com/)

Grades 5 and up, with parental supervision 

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 3,200 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 Dictionary, 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, we don’t know what will. It will also springboard students to want to learn more about science and technology.

NOTE: We only reviewed a sampling of what’s available on 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 we have not reviewed.

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

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Irish Potato Science Experiments & Activities

March 15th, 2022

Irish Potato Science

(Various sources)

Grades PreK-12, with parental supervision

Since it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day and the potato is a staple of the Irish diet, we thought it would be fun to offer some science experiments using potatoes!

Can You Push A Straw Through A Potato?

This website will teach you how to push a straw through a potato so you can amaze your friends on St. Pat’s Day, and explain the science behind it!

Make a Potato Battery

Get the 4-1-1 on how to make a potato battery and why it works.

The Potato Then & Now – A Potato Curriculum

This site offers a comprehensive look at the past and present history of potatoes. It includes the story of the potato’s Peruvian beginnings, its migration around the world (along with a historical timeline), how the potato was introduced to Ireland and the story of the Irish Potato Famine, the biology of the potato and info on its cultivation cycle — and the fungus that was responsible for the Irish Potato Famine, the modern science and technology of potato production, a potato curriculum for grades 3-9, and lots of fascinating trivia facts about the potato.

Potato Print and Play Activities

The Idaho Potato Commission offers potato-themed word searches, mazes, and coloring pages for FREE.

A Preschool Potato Curriculum

Universal Preschool shares some great educational and fun ideas for having potato fun with preschoolers.

Have fun learning with potatoes!

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Online Math Lesson for Elementary & Up!

February 28th, 2022

Andrew Rader Studios: NumberNut

(www.numbernut.com/)

Grades K-8, with parental supervision

This ad-supported website offers free lessons, games, and worksheets to learn arithmetic basics as well as some advanced math (for grades K-8) in a non-conventional format.

The relaxed style of presentation sprinkles humor throughout the explanations of math concepts. The use of the latest multi-media technology to illustrate the concepts through interactive games and activities really helps reinforce the learning.

When you get to the site you’ll see an icon menu. Before you explore it, scroll down the page and read the brief introduction designed to help you navigate the site. Then, from the icon menu simply pick a topic to get started, including:

  • Shapes & Colors
  • Counting Numbers
  • Add Numbers
  • Subtract Numbers
  • Multiply Numbers
  • Divide Numbers
  • Operations Order
  • Dates & Times
  • And many more

Click on any one and a new page opens with a “lesson” – an explanation and illustration of the concept. In most cases, you’ll find an online activity that students can do to reinforce the learning.

And – GET FREE ADDITION & SUBTRACTION WORKBOOKS!

Below the icon menu, you’ll see the words “Math Workbooks.” Click on it and a new page will open with free “Addition” Workbooks. (Look in the upper right corner of the page to find a link to the “Subtraction” workbooks.) The workbooks are in pdf format so you can save them to your computer and print them out to do offline.

This is a fabulous resource to enhance any study of mathematics! Bookmark it to return often.

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Math Games Make Learning Fun!

February 21st, 2022

XP Math

(www.xpmath.com/)

Grades 2-10 (varies depending on skill level), with parental supervision

This website offers free math games, ebooks, and videos covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and probability.

The games were developed by the creator of the site – a middle school math teacher who enjoys integrating math and technology in the classroom.

When you get to the site, use the horizontal menu at the top of the screen to explore the Math Games Arcade:

Number & Operations

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis & Probability

There are a lot of fun games here! Bookmark it to return often.

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Bring Physics to Life Through Pictures!

February 1st, 2022

Physics Central: Physics In Pictures

(www.physicscentral.com/explore/pictures/)

Grade: Around middle school & up; younger children may enjoy as well. Parental supervision required.

Want to get your physics on? This is the place! The American Physical Society sponsors this exciting website that demonstrates through multi-media technology, how things work and the importance of physics to everyone. You’ll find free information on the physics of light, sound, matter and more in the form of articles, animations, and videos.

The site is massive, so I’m featuring one of the most engaging sections for this review called “Physics In Pictures.” It provides virtual “illustrations of nature’s infinite variety and humankind’s ingenuity.”

Each picture and title entices you to want to know more. You can explore the science content by reading a brief explanation and then further your learning with links to stories on related current physics research. Your brain can take a quick dip in the physics waters or dive in and soak it all up.

When you get to the site, you’ll see some featured “Physics Pictures” that include. Click on any one to learn more. Then, if you look at the menu on the right side of the screen, you’ll see a list of “Physics in Pictures by Topic” that includes:

  • Chaos
  • Compression Waves & Sound
  • Electricity & Magnetism
  • Force & Motion
  • Light & Optics
  • Material Science
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Space & the Universe
  • Thermodynamics & Heat

Click on a topic to explore more. When you’re through, use the menu at the top of the screen and click on “Experiment.” You’ll be rewarded with experiments to try at home along with other activities sponsored by this website.

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Math Videos for Middle & High School

January 31st, 2022

Brightstorm: Math: Free Online Math Videos

(www.brightstorm.com/math/)

Grades 7 & up, with parental supervision

Brightstorm is a company that finds and films the best math teachers and creates engaging lessons around those teachers’ videos. The company sells test preparation programs, however, as an outreach to new customers, they offer over 2,000 FREE videos that teach math from Algebra through Calculus.

For example, as an Algebra student, you can watch a series of lessons on quadratic equations and functions. In each lesson, the concept is explained. Then, the student is presented with three more videos that present problems and explain solutions.

The lessons I watched were taught by a quirky and charming young woman instructor with a unique style and flair for teaching math. (Don’t miss her demonstration of setting “The Quadratic Formula” to the tune of Pop Goes The Weasel.)

When you get to the site, use the “Subject” menu to select the math topic of interest:

  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Algebra 2
  • Trigonometry
  • Precalculus
  • Calculus

Click on any one and a new window opens with a menu of topics in that category. Click on the topic of interest to access the lessons. When you click on a lesson, the first video in the series will launch, but you will be required to register (it’s free) to watch the entire video. Registered users can watch as many math videos as many times as they like.

As the website explains, “The power of a great teacher in action is undeniable.” Thanks to technology, students can learn math from some of the best teachers available – wherever and whenever they want.

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