4Kids.org - Week of November 1, 2009

Week of November 1, 2009

Visit the Featured Web sites to find the answers.

Is the planet Mars hot or cold?

hot
cold

About how long was Puijila?

100 cm
110 cm
120 cm

Who is Simon's best friend?

Alvin
Tyler
Penelope

Life Beyond

How many times have you gazed up into the sky and wondered whether life exists beyond our planet? PBS' The Quest For Life, www.pbs.org/
exploringspace, has the answers. Did you know scientists are currently monitoring radio waves to find out if aliens are really out there? Meteorites are also possible links to space life. Read up on these falling stars and decide for yourself if you think we came from dust. But there’s no doubt about one thing: We are just one small part of a very large universe.

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

Discovering Puijila

film projector See it slither and slide on its belly and then watch as it gets up on two legs! Get the scoop on Puijila, The Prehistoric Walking Seal at http://nature.ca/puijila/
index_e.cfm. This amazing fossil discovery in Canada has helped scientists figure out the missing link between land- roving seal-like animals and their sea-loving, swimming compadres. Click on About the Animal to see evolution in action, and then check out photos to get an eyeful. You will never look at these slippery suckers the same way again!

Red Alert Readiness

Hang out and have a good time while you brush up on your safety smarts with Rover and his Safety Ranger friends at CodeRedRover.org, http://coderedrover.org. Pop over to the Safety Zone for a bunch of cool downloadables, including an emergency escape plan you can implement in your own home to help keep your family safe. If you want to have some fun while learning to stay safe, visit others for a ton of amazing options. You can play games that test your memory, games that will have you searching for words and a classic old standby: tic-tac-toe.

What is your favorite after-school snack?

Speak Out Here!

Visit the Nano-world

If you've ever looked through a microscope, you know that everyday objects look a lot different. A sample of pond water under a microscope reveals interesting microorganisms such as the water flea. Scientists are able to look at an even smaller secret world using extremely powerful microscopes. This really, really tiny world is measured in nanometers. One nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, and it takes 10 million nanometers to make one centimeter.

Scientists are inventing cool stuff at the nano-level. This nanotechnology can help solve a wide range of problems, from preventing stains on fabrics to combating cancer. Nanotechnology is even being used to create more efficient solar power. Want to learn more? Check out Nanooze, www.nanooze.org, for articles, games and a blog dedicated to the latest nano-news. Got a nano-question? Ask one of the experts in Scientist Q&A. You'll see the world in a whole new way!

—Amy

Ask Amy a Question