Explore Beyond the Museum Walls Pack a lunch and get ready for a field trip to www.conexus.si.edu where the National Museum of the American Indian in New York has set up a site that helps you learn more about Indian culture in a totally futuristic way. Check out the latest exhibit on the native fabric art of Panama. Then hang around to meet some of the American Indian artists who have been visiting the museum. Indian humor, art, traditional mask carvers, quilting and weaving fill the virtual vaults, so don't miss out on this treasury of Native American culture.
Run Through the Jungle From the jungles of Africa to the forest behind your house, a growing number of animals around the world are in jeopardy of becoming extinct. Bagheera, the Web site named after the caring black panther from "The Jungle Book," is dedicated to saving these creatures from this terrrible outcome. Be one with nature at www.bagheera.com and get all of the information you need on endangered species. The database features such animals as the cheetah, tiger, elephant and orangutan. Stop by Bagheera's Lair, where you'll read interviews with important environmentalists and visit zoos and aquariums for the latest news. If you've ever had a hunch that it's time to take nature seriously, then Bagheera is the place to be. (Disclaimer: This site now contains advertisements.) Beam Me Up, Scotty From space exploration to weather forecasting, satellites play an important role in our world. Now The Satellite Site gives you the chance to circle around these orbiting machines. Shoot for the moon at www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/satellite. Ever wonder how that satellite feed is beamed down to your TV set from space? You'll get the lowdown on satellites' role in scientific research, Earth remote sensing and modern communications. This site has cool animations, diagrams and photos to give you an insider's feel of how satellites work. Plus, at the Satellite Construction Set, you'll use an interactive program to build three different kinds of satellites. View the Earth's surface via the technology of polar orbits. Bring your scissors to Satellite Anatomy, and learn what goes into a satellite to make it work. It's time to launch into the world of satellites!
1. What's a satellite, anyway?
Dear Amy: Where can I write to other kids around the world?--Nikki, Lancaster, Pa. Dear Nikki: Most kids link up with a keypal through their school on a site like Keypals Club at www.teaching.com/keypals. But if you want to find out what more than one kid at a time is thinking, you should visit Kids ThinkLink at www.kidsthinklink.com. It's a site where kids from around the world write about things like movies, sports and current events. There's always a survey being taken and I even found some nice poetry. Teachers are invited to use this Web site to encourage students to write, too. (These sites are no longer available.)