Despite the common misconception that “chemical” means toxic and is the opposite of natural, chemistry is the study of all substances (natural and man-made, toxic and nontoxic). Here’s a sampling of what the Net has to offer those interested in …[Continue]
Hurricanes
The official Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico hurricane season starts on June 1st, ends on November 30th , and averages seven named storms. Once a tropical storm exceeds wind speeds of thirty-nine miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center …[Continue]
Apollo 11
I remember that summer night over thirty years ago when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. I tell my kids this story, and I know that for them, it is a story from another lifetime. They are …[Continue]
Creative Cats
The Internet has finally given cats a worldwide stage to showcase their creative talents. Online I found cats in photographs, cats in animated shorts, cats in movies, cats in plays and cats on postcards. I always suspected those cat people …[Continue]
Aquariums
Ladies and gentlemen, tighten your virtual seat belts, start your computers and rev up your mice. For this whirlwind aquarium tour, we will start in Florida, then it’s California, Oregon, and we’ll finish in Connecticut. Sorry, no cyber-miles will be …[Continue]
Virtual Zoos
In honor of April’s status as Zoo and Aquarium Month, I went searching for the best zoos on the Net. My objective, as always, was to find sites offering a quality educational experience, not just brochure sites listing hours and …[Continue]
Satellites
A satellite is any object that orbits or revolves around another. In addition to the Moon (a natural satellite), thousands of man-made satellites (used for communication, weather forecasting, research and surveillance) also orbit the Earth. How do they work? How …[Continue]
Wind Power
From the windmills of yesterday, to the wind turbines of today, the wind has long been harnessed as an energy source. In fact, because it is a clean and renewable resource, the use of wind energy is increasing worldwide. In …[Continue]
Ecology Games
Traipsing around the Internet, in search of a topic for Earth Day (April 22), I found these games, quizzes, exercises, simulations and derbies. Each of them deals with ecology: the relationship we have with our environment. Enjoy!…[Continue]
Robots
World Book Dictionary defines robot as “a machine made in imitation of a human being; a mechanical device that does routine work in response to commands.” I met my first robot in 1979 at the Texas Instruments plant in Austin, …[Continue]
