Celestial Wonders

Gigagalaxy Zoom, www.giga
galaxyzoom.org, takes young earthlings on a fantastic voyage into the twinkling universe above us. Mouse over the different galaxies shown and then zoom in to closely examine specific clusters. Continue to click your way across the southern sky, such as Omega Centauri awash in starry light, or the Magellanic Clouds, which glow brightly when seen from Earth. This site could be used in tandem with a telescope to get a good look at the heavens from your backyard.

Discover the Globe

The British Museum's Museum Explorer, www.britishmuseum.org/
explore/young_explorers-1/
discover/museum_explorer
.aspx, is a fabulous compilation of history, archaeology and culture spanning the planet. You can search by region or by topics such as warfare, dress and ornament, and even death. Choose tools and technologies in Africa and get a close look at mud cloth and chopping tools. You can get to know the gods of ancient Greece who were honored through athletics and theatre. Bookmark this for projects.

Get Thee to the Garden

See how beautiful sculpture can be showcased in nature at Tate Kids' Barbara's Garden, http://kids.tate.
org.uk/games/barbaras_garden. Roam through the grounds and take in the lush plants as you enjoy the art in Explore the Garden. This site also features a fantastic treasure hunt that will have you searching high and low for objects shown on the bottom of the page. If you feel like your sleuthing skills are up to a challenge, choose the Level Three treasure hunt and keep your eyes peeled. Tally up your pebbles and see if you beat the top scores of other players.

If you could vacation anywhere in world, where would you go? Why?

Speak Out Here!

Dear Amy: Why do websites post personal information? — Brooklynn, Hesperia, Mich.

Dear Brooklynn: Some websites are social sites that allow people to interact with other users by sharing pictures, videos, blogs and more. Users can add comments about other users' content or even directly message them. Additionally, these sites usually have profile pages for site members, which display information about the user and may include personal information, such as a phone number, e-mail address or a profile picture.

These sites were designed for adults, so usually they’re not very kid-friendly. Kids should avoid websites that post personal information because they can be dangerous.

A better idea is to find a social networking site designed just for kids. There are many social sites for kids, so find one that you and your parents or guardians can agree on.

If you decide to join a social site, be sure you know all the safety rules. Visit the Federal Trade Commission's Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens, www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec14.shtm, for a list of important things to keep in mind while you socialize online.

—Amy

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