Lights, Camera, Action Whether it's the amazing special effects of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," or the comic voiceovers of "Antz," today's movie-making industry is exciting and cutting-edge. Now you can hang out behind the scenes with the cast and crew at Cinema: How Are Hollywood Films Made? The site covers all the bases, from acting to screenwriting to directing. To go there you only need to memorize this line, www.learner.org/ exhibits/ cinema. The site features a full rundown of how a movie scene is shot, from the lighting and sound mixing to set decoration, costumes and makeup. You'll even get to try your hand at managing a film or writing a scene. Whether you're looking to make it big in Hollywood, or simply want to direct a short film for your next school assignment, this is the ultimate movie-making site for kids. Take some action: The bright lights and big screen await!
To the Moon Put on your moon boots and take a giant leap out to www.pbs.org/ wgbh/ nova/ tothemoon for an out-of-this-world adventure. You'll discover the origins of the moon, and how it's actually made of bits of the Earth blasted into outer space by a Mars-sized meteor. Listen in as the first astronauts, including Apollo 13's Jim Lovell, tell their amazing lunar stories online. Along the way, you'll find "lunar puzzlers," brain teasers that test your lunar knowledge, and a series of way-cool panoramic movies of the six successful Apollo landings. Remember to bring oxygen! (Disclaimer: This site now contains advertisements.) Walk Down Wall Street The history of money is a fascinating one-full of colorful characters who chased greenbacks for a living. Meet the traders, brokers and bankers who couldn't get enough of the moolah at the Museum of American Financial History. Take a walk down yesterday's Wall Street at www.financialhistory.org. Once here, you'll learn more about the traveling exhibits, one of which looks at the financial instruments used during the Civil War-including obsolete banknotes and government bonds. From the magazine link, you'll meet legendary entrepreneurs such as, John D. Rockefeller. If you're looking to cash in on more money information online, you'll love the links to cool sites such as Moneyopolis and the SMG2000 Stock Market Game. (This site is no longer available.)
1. Screenwriters weren't needed in cinema until what?
Dear Amy: Can my teacher put the class assignments on the Web?--Allen, San Jose, Calif. Dear Allen: Lots of teachers use software to manage assignments, activities and grades. If they upload this information to the Web, then you can see your next assignment, check out the class calendar and follow your progress and grades online. Watch out what you wish for-your parents will see it, too. This is all possible now through a developing Web community called Thinkwave.com at www.thinkwave.com. ThinkWave.com is free, secure and is accessible to students and parents using a standard Web browser.