4Kids.org - Week of September 6, 2009

Week of September 6, 2009

Visit the Featured Web sites to find the answers.

Who developed the Enigma Machine?

The Russians
The Germans
The Japanese

What do telescopes “see”?

Different frequencies of sound vibrations
Different wavelengths of light
Intervals between light and sound

When was Sputnik launched?

1957
1960
1963

Science Spy

Take special care to learn the science behind spying at Planet Science's Undercover Science, www.planet-science.com/outthere/
index.html?page=/outthere/
spy. Dig into the Spy Box to find out how to send secret messages to your friends, or sneak into Codemaking & Breaking to figure out how to decipher secret messages and their meanings. Before you put your super spy techniques into action, take a quick quiz with Born to be Bond? to see if you really have what it takes for undercover work.

Nominate a cool Web site at:
4Kids.org/nominations

Into the Dark

black hole in space Plunge into one of the universe’s most mysterious and powerful places at Hubble Site: Black Holes: Gravity's Relentless Pull, http://hubblesite.org/
explore_astronomy/black_
holes. Black holes are places where gravity's pull is so incredibly strong that it has overwhelmed all other forces. If you are feeling brave, click on Journey to a Black Hole and get up close and personal as you orbit around this amazing force. Before you journey out of the dark, check out the Encyclopedia for black hole physics and astronomy lessons as well.

Math Tools

Slates, Slide Rules and Software: Teaching Math in America at http://americanhistory.si.edu/
teachingmath invites you to discover the different objects used to help in the study of math. Look to the left of the page to see the various time periods highlighted on this site. During Colonial times the slate, a small chalkboard, was an important math tool. Technology since then has enabled young students to learn math on cool handheld computer devices called calculators. No matter how you are crunching your numbers, this site will open your eyes to the amazing history behind math.

What is your favorite magic trick?

Speak Out Here!

Engineering the Future

I have always been a creative and imaginative person. Maybe that's why I think engineering is so awesome! Engineers use math and science to bring their innovative visions to life. We wouldn't have cars, computers or even running water in our homes if it weren't for engineers. There are also many different fields within engineering. Future engineers can study aerospace, chemical or mechanical engineering, just to name a few. To learn more about what engineers can do, check out www.discoverengineering.org. If you feel the engineering spark, click on Cool Stuff for some interactive goodies.

Today's engineers are building tomorrow's technology. If you want to see what cool inventions the future will bring, get a preview at http://blogs.
zdnet.com/emergingtech. Once you're there, you can read the latest tech news or use the drop-down menu to choose a blog category topic that interests you. With everything from health and medicine to nanotechnology, you’re sure to find something fun and futuristic.

—Amy

Ask Amy a Question