Into the Fire

Welcome to Fire + Earth, www.virtualmuseum.ca/
Exhibitions/Fire_Earth, where pottery takes on a new life in this interactive museum collection. These great pieces by Canadian artists are presented with cutting-edge technology that allows you to examine the works from every angle. If you are new to ceramic art, brush up on some basics at Methods + Materials. You can find out how the clay is made, decorated and then fired to perfection. No doubt you will be taking on similar crafts in school, so share this site with your art teacher.

Leaving a Legacy

Take a walk through the life of Ben Franklin, inventor, artist and humanitarian at BF300 Timeline, www.benfranklin300.org/
timeline. This amazing man changed the way we live with inventions such as the Pennsylvania fireplace. Select a category to begin, from his life at home to his diplomatic efforts in World Stage. The timeline at the bottom of the page lets you jump from topic to topic revealing when his children were born, when his inventions were created and other personal triumphs.

Looking Inside

Figure out what makes you tick at Mind: The Science Art and Experience of our Inner Lives, www.exploratorium.edu/mind/
play.html. Your feelings, emotions and perceptions are complicated to explain, but this site guides you to fun activities that will give you new insight on your attitudes. For example: What is cute? With a click of your mouse, you can adjust the appearance of the object of your choice until it has reached maximum cuteness. Then, read up on why nature has designed us to have a certain response to cuddley critters. Cool and very, very educational.

What was your best art project?

Speak Out Here!

Dear Amy: How do I do my homework without getting tired or bored? — Sophie, Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Dear Sophie: When you study and do assignments, it helps to have a clean workspace such as a desk or table. Doing homework on the couch or on your bed can be distracting or may even make you tired. If you start to feel burned out while working, take a short break. Fix yourself a healthy snack or stretch and move around to stay energized.

Staying focused and organized can help you finish your homework faster, and that way, you'll be less likely to get bored while working. Learn how to follow the three-step plan at http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/
organize_focus.html, and you'll be blazing through your homework in no time!

Dear Amy: How could a person increase his/her IQ? — Sumaiyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dear Sumaiyah: An IQ test measures a person's ability to solve problems and understand concepts. Activities like solving puzzles can increase your IQ, but only temporarily. Also, a lower IQ score doesn't mean you're not smart. The IQ test doesn't measure some types of intelligence such as wisdom and creativity. To learn more, visit http://people.howstuffworks.com/
question455.htm.

—Amy

Ask Amy a Question