Unless you've just arrived from another solar system, you know that the Internet is humongous. There are millions of websites out there, with more materializing each day. This is both good and bad if you're using the Web to finish tomorrow's homework assignment. You can probably locate information on the topic you're looking for, but will your science teacher be impressed with the research you did at Fred's Home Page? Maybe not.
We can't do your homework for you, but we can give you a head start. Follow the links below to some of the best places we've discovered on the Web. If you know of a great site that doesn't appear in our list, let us know about it!
Topics
Animals
Art
Computer Science
Online Magazines
Foreign Languages
Games and Activities
Language Arts
Math
Music
Physical Education
Science
Social Studies
- Animals at National Geographic Kids — Play games, watch videos, and read interesting facts about reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates, insects, and dinosaurs.
- Meet the Animals at Smithsonian’s National Zoo — This site offers detailed information about animals listed alphabetically from the Abyssinian ground hornbill to the yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle.
- Animals at Ranger Rick — The National Wildlife Federation presents articles about many animals at this site. Find out which animal is featured this month! Other sections of the site include games and activities.
- Types of Dinosaurs at DK Find Out — Click on the dinosaur that interests you to get more information and an interactive image with facts about its physiology.
- Dinosaur Facts at the American Museum of Natural History — This page provides general information about dinosaurs and the work of paleontologists.
- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology — Want to learn more about the birds you've spotted in your neighborhood or about more exotic species? The Cornell Lab site has you covered. Type in a name on the All About Birds page—red-bellied woodpecker, say—and you'll not only get photos and in-depth information but also have a chance to listen to the bird's call. The extensive site also features articles with the latest news about birds and instructions for building birdhouses.
- Audubon's Guide to North American Birds — The Massachusetts Audubon Society was founded in 1896, when Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall held afternoon teas aimed at convincing well-dressed Boston women to stop wearing hats made with bird feathers. Today, the National Audubon Society's website provides a wealth of information about North American birds. Search for a bird by name or browse images of various species to learn more about the bird and hear its call. You can also read the society's magazine, learn about current efforts to protect birds and their habitats, and get ideas for your own birding expeditions.
- Learn About Fish — The Florida Museum is ready to teach you all about fish, from basics like the different categories of fish to detailed profiles of particular species.
- National Aquarium’s Animal Index — The index includes amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles and provides facts about each species.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Read news articles and explore ongoing projects at this research institution in Massachusetts.
- Insects at DK Find Out — With stunning up-close photographs and detailed illustrations, this site provides facts about many different kinds of insects.
- National Geographic's Invertebrates: Pictures and Facts — Read a general introduction to invertebrates and then view articles, photos, and videos featuring individual species and topics in the news.
- Monarch Watch — This site provides detailed information about monarch butterflies, including their biology and migration patterns. Find out how you can get involved in tagging and tracking the butterflies.
- Switch Zoo — Create your own unique species by switching around animals’ heads, legs, and tails in this interactive game. Click on a real animal's name to get more information about it.
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- Art History On-Demand — Want to learn about cave paintings, realism, op art, or pop art? Need to know the difference between oil paint and tempera? Ever wonder what people are looking for when they stare at paintings in a gallery? The Scholastic site provides quick but helpful answers to your questions about artists, artistic periods, colors, materials, the elements and principles of art, and much more.
- Artcyclopedia: The Fine Art Search Engine — Suppose you have to write a paper describing the work of artist Grandma Moses, or explaining Gothic art, or discussing some famous landscape painters. If you have no idea where to start, go straight to Artcyclopedia—a lifesaving art search engine. Just type in a name, a title, or a museum—or browse by art movement, medium, subject, or nationality—and it will quickly generate a list of helpful online resources and viewable art related to your topic.
- Art History Resources on the Web — This site, put together by an art history professor at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, is yet another gold mine of art information. It provides detailed outlines divided by historical period. Each outline is filled with topics that are linked to helpful online resources. For example, clicking on The Middle Ages will get you to an outline that includes Romanesque. The Romanesque section links to many sites that will tell you about and show you Romanesque art. Give it a try—it's very handy.
- The National Gallery of Art — Have you checked in on YOUR art gallery lately? That's right—the National Gallery of Art and its collections belong to all citizens of the United States. Thanks to this great website, it isn't necessary to travel to Washington, D.C., to enjoy its fine collection of paintings, sculptures, and graphic arts from the Middle Ages to the present. The site allows you to search for and view art; its online collection offers more than 51,000 open access images. The gallery's Online Editions, written by prominent art historians, provide in-depth studies of artists and works of art.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met Collection — The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has more than two million pieces of art, and its collection represents cultures all over the world from ancient to modern times. At the website, the Met Collection is a great resource for students who are researching art topics. Here you will find information on specific pieces, artists, and artistic periods. The museum's online collection allows you to view a sizable chunk of the museum's holdings, with over 400,000 images that may also be downloaded for your own use.
- Museum of Modern Art: The Collection — If you want to see one of the finest collections of modern art around, check out the website for MoMA—the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. This link will take you right to the museum's online collection. Use the filters to narrow your search; then click on an image to enlarge it and bring up information about it. You might also check out the museum's exhibition history, which describes past exhibitions starting from 1929's Cézanne, Gauguin, Seurat, van Gogh, as well as the handy glossary of art terms.
- The Detroit Institute of Art: Art at the DIA — The Detroit Institute of Art has a broad collection of art from different eras and cultures. You can search the entire online collection, or you can focus your search on a more specific collection: Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous Amerias; American Art; Arts of Asia and the Islamic World; European Art; Prints, Drawings, and Photographs; General Motors Center for African American Art; Contemporary Art; Performing Arts.
- Berlin Wall Online — We all know the stuff hanging in museums is supposed to be art, but do we recognize art when it appears in unlikely places? This site highlights patterns of graffiti on the infamous Berlin Wall—the wire and concrete wall erected by communist East Germany in 1961 and dismantled in 1989. Go to the site to get historical information, to see some unusual art, and to think about art in a whole new way.
- Animazing Gallery — This gallery features animation art, illustration art, and pop art in various media. Check out some pieces by familiar artists (such as Charles Schulz or Dr. Seuss) that you may never have seen, or explore mixed-media or other art by an artist who's new to you.
- Inside Art: An Adventure in Art History — During a trip to an art museum, you are sucked into a famous painting. As you interact with a knowledgeable fish who's in the painting with you, you'll take an in-depth look at any aspects of the art that intrigue you. Can you use clues to guess the painting's identity—and escape?
- Pintura's Place — Take part in the adventures of A. Pintura, Art Detective, as he solves mysteries in the art world. This site is really fun, and it's loaded with information about famous paintings and artists.
- Exploring Origami — Try your hand at origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding. This website gives simple, step-by-step directions for creating a variety of shapes, including a dog, a piano, a box, a windmill, and a goldfish.
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- What Is Computer Science? — This page gives a brief overview of computer science, computational thinking, and careers that require this kind of thinking.
- Computer Science — This encyclopedia entry takes an in-depth look at the field of computer science, including its history, evolution over time, and current applications.
- Scratch — Scratch invites you to program interactive stories, games, and animations and then share them with an online community. It's designed for students age 8 to 16, but anyone is welcome to join.
- Code Studio — Take a full course or, if you're pressed for time, complete an Hour of Code tutorial. The content ranges from learning to drag-and-drop to doing sophisticated coding.
- Hour of Code Activities — If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, how will an hour of coding each day benefit you? Find out by sampling some of the many activities collected here, which are organized by grade and by level of comfort with coding.
- Khan Academy: Computer Science — Introduce yourself to algorithms and move on to other computer science concepts, such as searching and sorting, with these brief learning modules that include activities and quizzes.
- CS First — Google provides this free curriculum for computer science and coding. Ask a teacher or parent to get you set up for the activities.
- Science Buddies: Computer Science Projects — This site offers ideas for science fair projects, including dozens in the field of computer science. Even if you're not participating in a science fair, you might find one or more of the projects worth trying.
- Brackets — If you're into developing Web content, this free text editor will take your coding to a whole new level. Color-coding of HTML tags helps you see the overall organization of your page and will alert you if there's an error lurking somewhere. For an introduction to HTML coding, see Small Planet's Create Your Own Web Page tutorial.
- Visual Studio Code — This is another popular free text editor. It has a built-in debugging feature to help you locate those pesky coding errors that prevent your Web page from working properly.
- The Clubhouse Network — This site describes technology-based projects currently being carried out by students in more than 100 Clubhouses across the world. Check the Clubhouse locations list to see if there's one near you.
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- Science News for Students — The top-notch science journalism at this site is aimed at students aged 9-14. You'll find timely articles on topics ranging from psychology and health to astronomy and robotics. Each article is followed by a glossary of Power Words in case any vocabulary in the text is unfamiliar.
- Smithsonian: Fun Stuff for Kids Online — The Smithsonian Institution describes itself as "the world's largest museum, education, and research complex." This section of its website gathers a variety of games and activities in one convenient spot.
- The Learning Network at The New York Times — Read journalism by and for teens in this section of the Times. Besides news articles, there are quizzes and crosswords, multimedia, and student contests (editorials, podcasts, poetry, and more).
- Amazing Kids! Magazine — This magazine is created by and for kids and teens. After you've checked out what others have published, read the submission guidelines and submit your own story, poem, nonfiction article, joke, photograph, video, or review.
- TIME For Kids — Get your daily dose of current events in articles aimed at students from kindergarten through grade 6.
- Highlights Magazine — This site offers a variety of activities, jokes, games, and science projects perfect for kids aged 6-12.
- National Geographic Kids — Read articles on a wide range of topics, watch videos, and play games at this engaging site.
- Kids Discover: Quick Reads — Here you'll find brief articles on a variety of science and social studies topics. Also check out the infographics you can view and download for free.
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- Duolingo — Millions of people around the world are using this free site to learn foreign languages. Choose from Spanish, French, Chinese, Hindi, Hawaiian, Swahili, Hungarian, Navajo, and many others. There are even a couple of fictional languages—High Valyrian and Klingon. Once you've chosen a language, you'll set a goal for how much time you want to spend learning each day. Then you'll either follow the absolute beginner track or take a placement test to see how much you know already. So, whether you're just starting out or you're brushing up on a language you've studied in the past, this site can help you make progress.
- Dave's ESL Cafe: Stuff for Students — This site calls itself "The Internet's Meeting place for ESL + EFL teachers + students from around the World." It has many interesting and helpful features for the ESL student. One of the greatest things about it is its ESL Help Center, open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Just type in a question about a topic such as grammar, vocabulary, spelling, writing, slang, etc., and you'll get a personal response from an ESL teacher somewhere in the world. Pretty cool! Other helpful features include an archive of grammar lessons on many topics, a student forum, and a daily hint about a topic related to learning English.
- StudySpanish.com — ¡Hola! All you Spanish students out there may want to check out this website. It offers a free membership with access to many lessons and some tests and quizzes. However, you don't even need to sign up for the free membership to access tutorials on Spanish pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, verbs, and idioms. The site also features cultural notes and a travel helper.
- French for Beginners: Lessons and Tips — Need help with your French lessons? Take a look at this site by ThoughtCo. It has everything a student of French might need: grammar instruction, vocabulary words, lessons on verbs, and background information on French culture. You can also listen to letters, words, and phrases being pronounced correctly.
- Signing Savvy — This helpful site will introduce you to the basics of American Sign Language through an animated dictionary. The link takes you to the "Browse by Letter" page, where you can choose the first letter of the word or phrase you want to look up. Images and videos show you how to sign letters, words, and phrases.
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- PBS Kids — Enough interactive games, music, coloring pages, and videos to keep you busy for a long time. Or, go behind the scenes of your favorite PBS Kids television show.
- CBC Kids — This site, sponsored by the Canada Media Fund, has lots of great games—and while you're there, check out the Explore and Videos sections, too.
- Into the Book — Sign in to the Students area and go “Into the Book” to play an interactive simulation game. Choose a reading strategy you'd like to practice, such as summarizing or making connections, and click through to the game. Each game has its own theme, such as being a pirate or getting past a troll to cross a bridge.
- Cascoly Images — This website provides free online quizzes, challenging trivia buffs about topics including the Civil War, the works of William Shakespeare, and American presidents.
- Jump Start — You’ll need to register and set up a username and password in order to access Jump Start’s free online games.
- Coloring.com — Your computer mouse becomes an electronic crayon at this site. After you choose a picture, click to select a color and then click on the part of the picture you want to be that color. Or, you can print a picture you like and color it on paper.
- Up To Ten — Kids in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade can enjoy lots of fun and educational games, songs, and activities at this website hosted by the characters Boowa and Kwala.
- The Kidz Page — Offers free online games, printable coloring pages, clip art, online jigsaw puzzles, and activities for various holidays.
- Crossword Solver — Are you stuck trying to think of the one word that will unlock the solution to a crossword or other word puzzle? At this site, "you can find words starting with or ending with certain letters, words with infrequent letters, two letter words, three letter words, words in a word, and much more."
- Create Your Own Web Page — Check out Small Planet's step-by-step guide to designing your own Web page using HTML.
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- How to Write an Effective Research Paper — This article at Grammarly.com walks you through the process of planning, researching, writing, and revising a research paper.
- Guide to Grammar and Writing — Browse this site's many tips for writing well at the word/sentence level, the paragraph level, and the essay level; take quizzes to check your mastery; and access further writing resources. Topics range from punctuation, spelling rules, capitalization, and abbreviations to writing concise sentences and building effective paragraphs.
- Newbery Medal Home Page — Is it possible to identify the "best" book that was published in a particular year, or even the top three? Of course not—every book, as well as every reader, is unique. Still, this prestigious award has been given to many wonderful books over the years. Check out the American Library Association's medal-winning and honor books for this year, and also browse the list of past recipients. Award-winning picture books are listed on the Caldecott Medal page.
- Library Spot — This site is a gold mine of information. It links to dictionaries, encyclopedias, government information, quotations, statistics, and much more. The site will also help you find online museums, information about different countries, maps, speeches, newspapers, and tips on writing and researching. If you still need more, you can view an archive of questions and answers, such as "How do I cite Internet sources?" and "Where can I scan headlines from multiple sources?"
- RhymeZone — Writing a poem about your brother and need a word that rhymes with pest? Writing an essay about your summer vacation and need another word that means dull? This handy site allows you to type in any word and find words that rhyme with it, synonyms, homophones, related words, and definitions. Anyone who has ever struggled to find the perfect word will find this site quite helpful.
- Want to find out what inspired the author to write your favorite book? Want to see a list of other books written by that same author so you can read them all? Go to the official website of each of these popular children’s book authors by clicking the links below:
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- Webmath — This math site is organized by topic rather than by grade level. One section deals with everyday math, such as figuring a tip and sale prices, understanding units of measure, and dealing with personal finances. Another section covers general math, including multiplication, division, decimals, number crunching, fractions, and scientific notation. Still other sections deal with algebra, geometry, graphs, and more advanced math subjects such as trigonometry and calculus.
- Harcourt Math Glossary — This site explains math terms that are commonly taught to students in grades 1–6. You simply click on the appropriate grade level and then search a list of math terms that are arranged alphabetically. When you select a term, you will get a definition and sometimes a graphic to illustrate the definition. This site can be helpful to students learning these terms for the first time and to more advanced students who need a quick review.
- Math.com: The World of Math Online — Another math site? Yes—this one offers homework help and practice in various areas, calculators and tools, study tips, unit quizzes, free algebra practice worksheets, and even games and puzzles for when you need a little breather. The practice quizzes and worksheets are an especially valuable feature; doing math problems over and over is the best way to develop your math skills and ace those math tests in school. (Note: The site has some ads—mainly for other educational sites—that look like they're part of Math.com but aren't. Avoid them if you just want to access the free content.)
- Introduction to Algebra — Just for you wannabe algebra whizzes out there, this site is all algebra all the time. Without a lot of fancy pictures and noises, it gives an overview of the basics of beginning-level algebra. Topics include variables, expressions, equations, combining like terms, simplifying, word problems, and sequences. It's a good place to go for extra help with what you are learning in class or to review something you have already studied.
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- Music Basics at Khan Academy — Get a solid introduction to notes and rhythm and to reading music by accessing the free lessons at this site. Presented by conductor and music professor Gerard Schwarz, the lessons use graphics and videos to make the concepts clear.
- Music Education at Datadragon — This fun site is a great introduction to the study of music. In one section, you can find information on musical genres such as jazz, reggae, rock, Celtic, classical, country, and blues. Each genre is given a brief description, a list of signature musicians, and links to related sites. In another section, you can learn the basics of reading music. In still another section, you get a brief overview of different types of instruments, from woodwinds to brass to strings to percussion. Not only that—you can click on each featured instrument and actually hear what it sounds like. As an added bonus, the site tells about interesting stuff that has happened on any given day in music history.
- Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments — Hey, there's more to life than your run-of-the-mill guitar, flute, trumpet, and drum set. For instance, there's the zither, the duct flute, the flugel horn, and the talking drum. Not sure what these are? Then check out this interesting website by the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Sure, they have plenty of information about the instruments we all know and love. But they also have information on instruments that are less common or that come from other times and other cultures. In the keyword search, you might search by general instrument type—such as percussion, string, wind, or electronic—or you might search by country or region of origin. Another option is to delve into one of the galleries, which are curated groups of instruments that share something in common.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — This site represents an important part of our history. No, it's not about elections, wars, or the passing of laws. It's about what’s been playing on our radios, record players, CD players, MP3 players, and phones as the country has grown and changed over the years. Here at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame site you can look up artists who have been inducted to learn more about them and watch videos. On the Stories of Rock page, you'll find articles and videos on a range of topics. This site is a good place to start if you are writing about or studying American popular culture.
- The Method Behind the Music — So you have to write a paper about music theory or the history of music, or you want some tips on conducting your school's marching band? This site is a good place to start your research. Just a few clicks gets you information on music theory, the mechanics of music (how instruments work), styles and history of music, or conducting.
- What Is Jazz? — This site from the National Museum of American History provides an excellent introduction to jazz—the style referred to as "America's classical music." It provides a brief overview of the history and nature of jazz and links to several "classes" that focus on particular artists, as well as other activities. You can also learn about the jazz-related collections held by the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, the Archives of American Art, and the Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives.
- Ludwig van Beethoven: The Magnificent Master — Just who was that famous German composer Beethoven? Well, he was the greatest composer of his day, and he produced some of the best-known classical pieces in the world. Not only that, he built his reputation as composer and musician even as he slowly lost his hearing over the course of his life. Check out this site for information about his life and work and to find out what folks are still saying about Beethoven's contributions to the world of music.
- The Mozart Project — Mozart is widely considered one of the greatest composers in history. The Mozart Project presents the most important events in Mozart's life in a timeline that also shows world events that took place at the same time. You'll also find a catalog of Mozart's life work, cross-referenced chronologically as well as by category.
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- Health and the Human Body — This resource guide from Health Care Insider has links to fun online games and activities that kids can play to learn all about taking care of their health and how their body works. The games, quizzes, and activities cover important topics for learning and development, such as nutrition, fitness, hygiene, and the human body.
- BAM! Body and Mind — This website answers all your questions about physical fitness and health. Read about diseases, physical activity, safety, and other topics; check out the Game Room; or download an app to help you make healthy food choices. Published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is information you can trust.
- KidsHealth — Got health questions? Find answers here. KidsHealth provides a wealth of information about staying healthy, cooking and recipes, avoiding injuries and illness, medical definitions, emergencies and first aid, and much more.
- GirlsHealth.gov — Calling all girls! This site was designed especially for you. Topics include understanding your body (and how it changes during puberty), fitness, nutrition, illness and disability, alcohol use and smoking, relationships, environmental health, and more. Test your knowledge by taking one of the quick quizzes, use interactive tools to understand and improve your health, and check out the site's "top tips" on various topics.
- Sport Science — Learn the science behind your favorite sports with the help of top scientists and professional athletes at this informative and unique website.
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General Science | Earth Science | Life Science (Humans) | Life Science (Animals) | Physics and Chemistry | Astronomy
General Science
- Exploratorium — The Exploratorium is a museum in San Francisco that encourages visitors to learn about the physical world by exploring and experimenting. Its website is an extension of that mission. Check out the Explore page to find activities, apps, and exhibits related to whatever interests you, whether it's astronomy, earth science, engineering, food, life science, math, time, or some other aspect of our amazing universe.
- BrainPOP — This site presents information in flashy little movies narrated by fictional characters. Most of the content is for subscribers only, but you can view several free science lessons by following the link.
- The Why Files: The Science Behind the News — Although this site stopped publishing new content in March 2017, its archive full of interesting science articles remains. The Why Files combines science with current events. While daily newspapers and television news programs give us headlines about new medications, new computers, electric cars, pollution, and various scientific discoveries, they rarely explain these things in a way that helps us truly understand the science. The articles on this site explore, in depth, the science behind the headlines. The archive also features cool scientific images and book reviews.
- Cornell Science & Arts Gateway — As the name implies, this site is a gateway to other sites on a variety of topics. The scientific areas include astronomy, biology, computers, engineering, mathematics, physics, agriculture, chemistry, earth and environmental science, health and medicine, and meteorology.
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Earth Science
- National Ocean Service: Just for Kids — Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface—so they definitely deserve their own website. National Ocean Service is a wonderfully in-depth, colorful, easy-to-understand look at the world's oceans and the role they play in our lives. The site, presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gives interesting statistics and answers all your questions about the wettest areas of our planet. Once you've explored the videos, activities, and games on the Just for Kids page, be sure to check out other sections of the site, such as Ocean Facts, Explore Topics, Podcasts, Video, and Images (which include infographics and wallpaper).
- What Is a Meteorologist? — This page gives a good overview of meteorology, with a focus on careers in the field. Check it out if you want to learn what meteorologists study, what kinds of jobs are available, and what salaries meteorologists typically earn.
- JetStream: An Online School for Weather — Would you like to learn more about Earth's atmosphere, the ocean, thunder and lightning, Doppler radar, or tsunamis? This site covers all of these topics and many more, providing in-depth information that you can study at your own pace.
- Severe Weather 101 — Mild, sunny days are great when you're on a summer vacation, but tornadoes and blizzards are a lot more interesting. This site will teach you about all kinds of severe weather events.
- Weather Science Content for Kids and Teens — The National Weather Service has collected this list of links to sites with information, games, and simulations related to meteorology.
- Earth at DK Find Out — The pictures, diagrams, and videos at this site teach you about many aspects of Earth science, including rocks and minerals, earthquakes, glaciers, oceans and seas, mountains, deserts, tectonic plates, and the water cycle.
- Find a Feature — Each month, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) challenges you to read about a particular geological or ecological feature and then find an example in your neighborhood. If you succeed and want to share your discovery, send your photo to the USGS via email or social media.
- Volcanoes, explained — Hey, volcanoes are great—as long as you don't live anywhere near an active one! Thanks to this site, you can start learning everything you ever wanted to know about volcanoes. The article explains the basics and features some pretty impressive images and video footage. To learn more, follow the links at the end of the article.
- Tsunami — A tsunami is a gigantic and frightening tidal wave that usually goes along with an earthquake or volcanic eruption. This interesting site, the closest you'll ever want to get to this phenomenon, explains the hows and whys of the tsunami. Links to many other sites about tsunamis are listed on the Tsunami Basics page.
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Life Science (Humans)
- Human Biology at Khan Academy — The lessons on this site cover the circulatory and pulmonary systems, the neuron and nervous system, the kidney and nephron, muscles, and immunology. The engaging videos combine audio lectures, real-time notes, and diagrams to describe the various body systems and how they work.
- BioInteractive — This site offers videos and interactive modules on a variety of life-science topics relevant to both humans and other animals.
- CELLS Alive! — You can't talk about life science without discussing cells—the smallest unit of any living organism. This amazing site provides movies and images of living cells that can be found in people, animals, plants, and in many things that we can't see with our own eyes, such as bacteria. You'll learn about cancer cells, dust mites, penicillin, parasites, and dividing bacteria. One interesting section even shows you how your skin cells react to a splinter or scratch.
- Innerbody: Human Anatomy — Got a cramp? Don't you wish you could just poke your head into your stomach and see what's going on down there? Well, this cool site allows you to do something like that. It gives you unlimited access to the insides of the human body. Just select the body system that you need information about—skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, nervous, respiratory, immune/lymphatic, urinary, reproductive, or integumentary. You'll see how the human body looks and learn all about how it works. After visiting this site, you'll feel as if you just went through medical school!
- Neuroscience for Kids — Believe it or not, everyone you know has a brain and a central nervous system. And this set of equipment is more complicated and interesting than anything else you can imagine. This terrific site explains neuroscience so that we can all understand and appreciate it. It allows you to explore parts of the central nervous system, such as the brain and spinal cord, search for specific topics and answers to your questions, learn about neuroscience in the news, and try various experiments and activities. You can even watch an episode of the BrainWorks TV show.
- The Heart: The Engine of Life — This informative site is all about the human heart. You'll learn about its basic structure and discover how this little pumping machine powers your body. You can also read about the Giant Heart, an exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia that allows visitors to take a journey inside an oversized model of the heart and see how it works. Finally, the site will tell you how to show your heart some respect with proper diet and exercise. Once you've become an expert on the heart, check out the Science Topics page and see what else piques your interest.
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Life Science (Animals)
- Animals at Smithsonian's National Zoo — Thanks to this website, you can visit your National Zoo without leaving your chair. Find detailed information on a particular resident of the zoo at the Animals A-Z page. Read about the work of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) to save species around the world from extinction. Learn about the exhibits at the zoo and how they are designed to mimic each animal's natural habitat and to keep the animals safe and healthy, both physically and mentally. Check out the webcams to see what selected animals are doing right now. Read about how animals at the zoo receive good nutrition and veterinary care. And there's lots more to explore at this extensive site!
- National Aquarium in Baltimore — If you are studying marine animals, check out this site for information and answers to all your questions. The site gives background on the aquarium and its research and conservation initiatives, introduces you to the animal population it works with, gives regular updates on animals and rescue efforts, and allows you to watch live broadcasts from selected exhibits. You might begin at the Animal Index to see which of the aquarium's species you want to learn more about.
- NOVA Evolution Lab — Take a deep dive into evolutionary science by completing the Evolution Lab. If you're excited by what you learn, check out the other labs linked from this site, which cover topics such as cybersecurity, RNA, and energy.
- Virtual Urchin — The interactive tuturials at this site focus on the sea urchin—its basic biology, how it reproduces, and how it interacts with its environment. There is also a set of tutorials that cover the basics of using a microscope.
- Bird Biology — The Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wealth of information about our feathered friends. You might begin with the interactive All About Bird Anatomy diagram, and then explore other topics and articles that interest you.
- Defenders of Wildlife — Our world is changing rapidly, and many of our animals and their delicate habitats are in danger. Defenders of Wildlife brings us this website to introduce us to the problem. Learn about endangered animals and habitats, discover why they are in danger, and explore what can be done to change things for the better.
- Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer — Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides this thorough overview of the insect world—insect anatomy, reproduction, growth and development, classification and identification, and ecology (interaction with the environment).
- Invertebrates at National Geographic Kids — This site provides fascinating articles about a number of invertebrate species, such as insects, spiders, worms, jellyfish, and crabs. Pick one that you're researching, or one that simply looks interesting, and learn more about it.
- Virtual Frog Dissection — This is a great way to do biology research—without getting your hands messy and feeling cruel. It allows you to study the skin, muscles, and internal organs of a frog as it guides you through a virtual dissection. You'll get an introduction to frog biology and to the tools and techniques used to perform a dissection. Give this site a try if you are doing research for a related paper or reviewing for a test.
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Physics and Chemistry
- Physics at Khan Academy — If you want to learn about physics online, it's hard to beat this course at Khan Academy. The modules cover everything from motion, energy, and momentum to special relativity and quantum physics. Information is presented through text, images, and videos, and each module includes practice exercises and quizzes.
- Physics4Kids — "Everything in the universe has an effect on every other thing. Physicists study those effects." Starting with this basic definition of physics, this site introduces you to the topics of motion, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. It uses clearly written text, diagrams, and videos to communicate the essential facts and concepts.
- Amusement Park Physics — You might think the people who design the rides at our amusement parks just need to know how to have a good time. In fact, they need to have a solid understanding of the basic laws of physics. This site explains some of these laws and how they affect common rides at an amusement park. It also allows you to design your own roller coaster that will pass a safety inspection while still providing maximum thrills. A glossary of terms rounds out this helpful guide to learning physics concepts. While you're at the site, you might check out other interactives, such as The Periodic Table.
- Chemistry at Khan Academy — Like the physics course, the chemistry course at Khan Academy is comprehensive and engaging. Start with an introduction to the atom, and you may end up learning about thermodynamics and nuclear chemistry. If you're a high school student studying for the AP Chemistry exam, there are practice items to help prepare you to succeed.
- Chem4Kids — If you don't think atoms and elements can be fun, then you haven't checked out this site. Okay, fun might be a strong word, but this colorful site is definitely an interesting introduction to the study of chemistry, and it might help you through some difficult homework assignments. Information is organized under the following categories: matter, atoms, elements, the periodic table, and biochemistry. The site also provides handy chemistry quizzes that can help you study for a test.
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Astronomy
- StarChild — A colorful site maintained by NASA—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It has two different levels—Level 1 is for younger readers; Level 2 is for older readers. The site's creators are among the top authorities in all things space-related, so check it out if you want to explore the latest news and advances or learn a little more about outer space.
- The Earth and Beyond — The Children's University in Manchester, England, maintains this website. It has clever interactive games that explain the movements of Earth, the moon, and the planets.
- What's Up in Tonight's Sky — Want to know what to look for in tonight's sky? The Beckstrom Observatory's website will let you know. It tells you which stars, planets, and other phenomena you'll see throughout the current month if you take the time to look skyward, with helpful images showing the locations of celestial bodies on various nights. (Note that the site describes skies in the Northern Hemisphere, at mid-northern latitudes.)
- HubbleSite: Tonight's Sky — Each month, NASA posts a video here describing the constellations that are visible during that month. The videos also explain phenomena such as globular star clusters and nebulas (clouds of colorful gas emitted by dying stars). Grab your binoculars and see what you can see!
- Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics: The Night Sky — This is another site that provides monthly updates on what's visible in the night sky, including phases of the moon, planets, and constellations. Also included is an astronomical image of the month and some general information about planets and stars.
- Space Daily — For all you space buffs out there, this site features a daily update of the latest commercial space news from all over the world. Remember, space technology is an ever-changing field. You don't want to be left behind looking at outdated information!
- Solar Eclipses for Beginners — The solar eclipse is one of the stranger phenomena that occur in our skies. Way back when, an eclipse filled people with wonder and fear. Fortunately, we now have the information and equipment to understand how and why an eclipse happens. Check out this website to see diagrams and explanations of different types of eclipses, photographs of actual eclipses, historical information, and information about upcoming eclipses.
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U.S. Government | U.S. History | Ancient History | World History | World, Countries, and Population | Global Issues
General
- The History Channel — On the main page, check out what happened on this day in history, or review the many topics on which the History Channel provides informative articles with photos and videos. Whether you're interested in D-Day, the Dust Bowl, Ellis Island, the civil rights movement, the history of holidays, U.S. politics, or something else, you're sure to find some fascinating content. The site also has an archive of famous speeches.
- National Geographic — This site has articles on a wide variety of topics, including people, places, cultures, and just about any animal species you can think of. Browse the latest stories on the home page, or use the menu to explore the site's major topics.
- PBS Videos — At the PBS site, you can watch videos on a wide variety of topics, including people, places, cultures, and history. Check out the All Shows page for programs on current events and more.
- BBC Newsround — The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC, or "the Beeb") has created a site for kids that covers news, sports, entertainment, the environment, and gaming. The site also includes interactive fun such as games and quizzes, but these features are available only to users in the UK.
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U.S. Government
- Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government — When it comes to knowledge of the U.S. government, are you an apprentice, a journeyperson, or a master? Whatever your age and level of expertise, this site from the U.S. Government Publishing Office has a learning adventure for you. From the branches of government to historical documents like the Federalist Papers, there's plenty to learn about how our government was formed and how it operates.
- Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789 — If you're ready to take a deep dive into the words and ideas that form the foundation of our government, this Library of Congress collection is for you. You're probably familiar with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but the resolutions, proclamations, treaties, broadsides, and other documents here round out the story of how the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention created a new nation called the United States of America.
- Historic Documents — This site provides full texts of a Christopher Columbus letter, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and later amendments, the Monroe Doctrine, "The Star Spangled Banner," the Gettysburg Address, "The American's Creed," and more.
- Presidents of the United States — Read biographies of every president, from George Washington to whoever currently occupies the Oval Office. Also meet each of the First Ladies of the United States and read their biographies.
- The Star-Spangled Banner — The history of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose his now-famous song in 1814 is explored at this interactive site. Test your knowledge about the War of 1812, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during that war, Key's song and how it became the U.S. national anthem, and the evolving role of the U.S. flag as a symbol of the nation.
- US Map Quiz — If you live in the United States, you can probably find your own state on a US map, but what about the other 49? This simple quiz lets you test your ability to identify states by their location on a map.
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U.S. History
- Library of Congress: Digital Collections — The Library of Congress is a vast (really vast!) treasure trove of historical documents, photographs, and other primary sources relevant to our nation's past. At the website, you can search through documents, sheet music, maps, motion pictures, photos, prints, and sound recordings. Narrow your search by selecting subjects such as American History, Performing Arts, Art and Architecture, Social and Business History, Religion and Philosophy, Sports and Recreation, Science and Technology, and many more. You'll be amazed at all the materials that are at your fingertips.
- On the Water — The National Museum of American History presents this extensive exhibit on U.S. maritime history. The main galleries are Living in the Atlantic World (1450–1800), Maritime Nation (1800–1850), Fishing for a Living (1870–1969), Inland Waterways (1820–1940), Ocean Crossings (1870–1969), Answering the Call (1917–1945), and Modern Maritime America (present day). Or, for fun, you could skip right to Pirates in the Atlantic World.
- 1492: An Ongoing Voyage — This exhibit, which draws on materials from the Library of Congress, discusses the cultures (Native American, European, African) that came into contact beginning with Christopher Columbus's famous voyage in 1492. For an overview of materials in the exhibit, see the Outline of Objects and Topics.
- The Columbus Navigation — Do you know the difference between dead reckoning and celestial navigation? This site explains the various methods of navigation used by Christopher Columbus and other sailors of his era. The site also has information about Columbus's ships and crew, and descriptions of his four voyages to the New World between 1492 and 1504.
- Roanoke Colony: History and Facts — What happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Roanoke was settled off the North Carolina coast in 1587 by a small group of English colonists. Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in the New World, was the granddaughter of Governor John White. Governor White returned to England for supplies, and by the time he returned to Roanoke three years later, everyone in the colony had mysteriously disappeared. This site is a collection of links to other sites with lots of useful and intriguing information about this historical enigma.
- History of Jamestown — Years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, a group of English colonists settled the Jamestown Colony. Historic Jamestowne offers this brief history of what happened there, with links to more detailed information about people and events. The website also has lots of other interesting material to explore—be sure to check out the Archaeology section to learn about the history of the Jamestown site and to get an update on recent excavations.
- Mayflower History — This site presents lots of information about the Pilgrims and their voyage on the Mayflower, including passenger lists, primary source documents, and historical articles. The articles cover topics including girls' and women's experiences on the Mayflower, the Pilgrims' religious beliefs, Tisquantum (also known as Squanto), the first Thanksgiving, and the clothing and weapons of the Pilgrims.
- The 1692 Salem Witch Trials — The famous witch trials actually occurred in the town now known as Danvers, Massachusetts. The women and men accused of witchcraft were NOT witches or wizards. Many were respectable town citizens who, because of the hysterics of several teenage girls, found themselves put on trial for witchcraft. Of the accused, 19 men and women were hanged on Gallows Hill, one man was put to death by "pressing," and several more died in prison awaiting their trials. Take the Witch Trials Self-Guided Tour to learn more about the locations—family homes, churches, taverns, courthouses, cemeteries—related to the witch trials. Also check out National Geographic's Salem Witchcraft Hysteria. This interactive allows you to "be" an accused witch and experience what it was like to endure the trials. Will you survive?
- Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolutionary War — As its name suggests, this site takes you step-by-step through major battles of the Revolutionary War, specifically the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. Start by reading a brief background to the campaign; then explore battles beginning with the British landing at Head of Elk, Maryland, and concluding with the infamous winter at Valley Forge. Along the way, you'll learn about the military strategies used by American General George Washington and British General William Howe.
- The Declaration of Independence: A History — This is a comprehensive history of the Declaration of Independence, including the historical context in which it was written and adopted, the many locations where it has been kept since 1776, and the modern equipment that now monitors and protects the document in its display case at the National Archives.
- Lewis and Clark — Based on the Ken Burns film Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, this site has loads of information about all aspects of the famous expedition. You can use the Site Map to get a complete overview of the site's many sections.
- The Gold Rush — This site provides an excellent overview of the California Gold Rush, which was sparked in 1848 by a discovery at Sutter's Mill. It contains brief chapters about many aspects of the rush. Try your hand at mining for gold in the online game “Strike It Rich!”
- Pony Express — The Pony Express—a horseback relay mail service—was created in 1860 to deliver mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and San Francisco, California (and all stops in between). Read about its history, founders, notable riders, stations, and more.
- Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum — The Central Pacific began laying track eastward from Sacramento, California in 1863, and the Union Pacific started laying track westward from Omaha, Nebraska, two years later, in July of 1865. The resulting transcontinental railroad was one of the greatest engineering feats in the 19th century. This site has thousands of pictures and exhibits.
- The Civil War — The National Park Service presents a wealth of information about the Civil War at this site, including its Soldiers and Sailors Database. Also use the menus for Stories, People, and Places to learn more.
- Civil War Military Records — Not surprisingly, the National Archives has a huge collection of documents and records related to the Civil War. Start your exploration here.
- Abraham Lincoln Online — Just about everything you might want to know about Abe Lincoln is accessible through this site. Education Links include links to biographical information, sites related to Lincoln's assassination, Lincoln papers at the Library of Congress, and more. Answers to Frequently Asked Lincoln Questions are also interesting.
- The Gettysburg Address — This Library of Congress exhibition includes the letter in which Lincoln was invited make a "few appropriate remarks" at Gettysburg, early drafts of the Gettysburg Address, the only known photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg, and preservation techniques for original drafts. Also check out Gettysburg National Military Park. This site provides thorough information about the park and its collections. You can also learn about camp life and view many personal items used by the soldiers.
- Journey to Freedom: Underground Railroad — This interactive exploration of the Underground Railroad provides lots of information, photographs, and art to make the experience come alive. Your own decisions guide you on a difficult and terrifying journey from slavery in Maryland to freedom in Canada. Also check out National Grographic's map of the Undergound Railroad and article about the railroad's "great central depot" in New York state.
- The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation — The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. The idea for the statue was conceived in 1865, and the completed work arrived in New York in 1885. It has come to symbolize the nation's welcoming of immigrants and its promise of freedom. Ellis Island was a port of entry for millions of immigrants to the United States from 1892 to 1954. This site provides a wealth of information about both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, including genealogy tips for those researching how their family history intersects with Ellis Island. (If your ancestors arrived in New York between 1820 and 1892, be sure to check out the Castle Garden website.)
- About the History of Women's Rights in America — This article gives a brief chronology of women's rights in the United States. Be sure to check out the links to other websites about women's suffrage.
- Civil Rights Movement Timeline — The History Channel covers the milestones with brief descriptions of important events from 1948 to 1968.
- The Age of Imperialism — During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its political and economic influence around the globe. That pivotal era in the history of our nation is the subject of this online history. Learn about the Boxer Rebellion, the Spanish-American War, the opening of the Panama Canal, and more.
- Amelia Earhart — This biography is a great place to start if you're researching the history of aviation. A related site is Women in Aviation History, which has biographical information about some of Earhart's sisters in flight.
- Pearl Harbor Raid — The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is remembered as the event that pulled the United States into World War II. This site offers a brief overview of the attack; pictures from that day; maps of the harbor as it looked on the morning of the attack; and a collection of survivors' remembrances.
- The Vietnam War — Beginning in 1957 and ending in 1975, the Vietnam War was America's second-longest war and her first military failure on foreign soil. The site explores many aspects of the war with films, videos, and audio features. You might also want to check out the Virtual Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that honors those who died in the war. The site for Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's 2017 documentary The Vietnam War is another great place to learn more.
- Today in History - September 11 — This page gives a brief overview of the Library of Congress's response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and provides links to various collections related to 9/11.
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Ancient History
- Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World comprise the greatest feats of ancient technology, architecture, engineering, and art as seen by Greek and Roman authors. Explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Temple of Artemis. For comparison, check out the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
- Ancient History and Culture — ThoughtCo has articles written by subject-area experts on a range of topics involving the ancient world, including the cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Asia.
- Timeline of Art History at the Met — One way to learn about ancient civilizations is to study the art they produced. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a large collection of art from the ancient world, along with chronologies and essays to put the works in context. Go to the timeline and choose a time period and a geographical region to focus on your area of interest.
- Ancient Egypt — At this British Museum site, you'll find information about Egyptian life, geography, gods and goddesses, mummification, pharaohs, pyramids, temples, time, trades, and writing. The site is illustrated with many examples of ancient Egyptian art. For example, check out the Beit el-Wali Cast, a relief painting that shows Ramesses II leading his troops into battle. You can click on different areas of the painting to get more information.
- Mysteries of Egypt — The Canadian Museum of History provides lots of great information about ancient Egypt at this site. Read the overview and then follow the links to learn more about Egyptian geography, government, sciences, daily life, and other topics.
- Ancient History Encyclopedia: Ancient China — From prehistorical times through the rise of the Song dynasty in the 10th century, this article provides a solid overview of ancient and medieval Chinese history. Links in the text lead to more detailed articles on many related topics.
- Lonely Planet: History of Africa — Lonely Planet publishes travel guides, but this page gives a brief overview of African history that can serve as a starting point for further research.
- Africa's Great Civilizations — This six-part documentary hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. may provide just the information you need to expand your understanding of African history, from ancient origins to the present. Check out the website and then see if your local library has the DVDs.
- Ancient Greece — A fun site created by the British Museum where you can explore ancient Greek history, daily life, gods and goddesses, and more. Each section offers an interactive Story plus Explore and Challenge features.
- Ancient History Encyclopedia: Roman Empire — This article gives an excellent overview of the Roman Empire from its founding in 31 BCE to its fall in 476 CE.
- BBC Bitesize: Roman Empire — This site provides some excellent articles about ancient Rome and its interactions with Britain, which was part of the Roman Empire for about 350 years. The video content is not available outside the UK, but the text and interactive features make the site worth visiting for everyone.
- The Vikings — This site (another BBC Bitesize) offers information about everyday life, Viking longships, explorations, invasions, and more.
- The Lost Inca Empire — Because Spanish explorers kept such detailed records, we know more about the Incas than any other early culture of the Andes. This site is full of information about the Incas' history, their rulers, their culture, and the conquest by the Spaniards. The NOVA site also has a related article at Ice Mummies of the Inca.
- Mystery of the Maya — Deep in the rain forests of Mexico and Guatemala lie the ruins of ancient Maya temples and palaces. During the European Dark Ages, the Maya explored astronomy, mastered mathematics, and developed the Americas' only indigenous writing system. Follow the links on this site to learn more about Maya civilization, their calendar, the fabulous buildings they constructed (without metal tools), and more.
- Ancient History Encyclopedia: Aztec Civilization — This article, which includes a map and other illustrations, provides a thorough introduction to the history and culture of the Aztecs of central Mexico. Be sure to check out the interesting related articles linked at the bottom of the page, too.
- Aztec History — The Aztecs had the most advanced civilization in North America at the time of their conquest, but they did not originate it. When they invaded the region, they took over the cultures of earlier advanced peoples, such as the Toltecs and Zapotecs. Lots of information here about the Aztec culture and people, as well as their conquest by the Spaniards.
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World History
- Military History — ThoughtCo has a large library of articles about military history. Browse by general topic, or use the search engine to find the information you need.
- Interpreting the Irish Famine, 1846-1850 — Provides an introduction to the famine, photographs and artwork from the period, reporting and commentary on the famine from several perspectives (Irish, American, Irish-American, English), plus other background materials.
- People's Century — This site is based on a 26-part BBC/PBS series exploring many aspects and events of the 20th century. The site provides a detailed description of each episode in the series along with interviews (text and audio) with people who experienced events firsthand. The very helpful Thematic Overview allows you to click on any episode and get a brief description of its focus, or select a theme (environment, human rights, military conflict, prejudice, propaganda, etc.) and find out which episodes deal with that theme. The series was published in VHS format; you may be able to get the tapes through your local library or view them on YouTube.
- The 20th Century — Learn about the Cold War, Thomas Edison, the Titanic, landing on the moon, building the Empire State building, and nearly everything else about the 20th century at this site. Drill down into a particular decade, or just browse the articles presented on the main page.
- The Great War — "Drawing on unpublished diaries, memoirs and letters, The Great War tells the rich and complex story of World War I through the voices of nurses, journalists, aviators and the American troops who came to be known as 'doughboys.'" Read more about this American Experience documentary at the site, and then decide if you want to view it on DVD from your local library or through a streaming service. The site itself provides articles and short videos on a variety of related topics.
- World War One — At this site, the British Broadcasting Corporation provides articles on many aspects of World War I with photographs, maps, and videos. The Soldiers' Stories Audio Gallery includes firsthand accounts of the war that you can stream through your browser.
- World War Two — The BBC provides another great compilation of articles on many aspects of World War II with photographs, audio clips, and animated maps.
- The Cold War Museum — The site timelines all major events from the end of World War II in 1945 until the fall of the Soviet Union in December 1991.
- The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall — After WWII, Germany evolved into two countries—West Germany, a democracy; and East Germany, a communist nation. The city of Berlin was in East Germany, but a large section of it remained part of West Germany. Before long, many East Germans wanted to escape the harsh conditions in their country, so they crossed into West Berlin. To stop the flow of emigrants, the government of East Germany built a wall in 1961. This article describes the events that led to the construction of the wall, how it was built, and what life was like for those behind the wall.
- 100 Most Important Women in World History — Women who changed the course of history are celebrated on this website. Harriet Tubman, Gloria Steinem, Barbara Jordan, Joan of Arc, and Jane Goodall are among the honorees. Check out the list, read a few biographies, and think about what other women you would include in your own list.
- BBC’s History for Kids — Written and designed for kids aged 4 to 14, this website allows you to experience history through games, activities, and quizzes.
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World, Countries, and Population
- The World Factbook — This site gives a detailed profile of each country, including a map and information about its history, people and society, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. In the References section you'll find large, detailed maps of the world's major regions.
- National Geographic Kids: Countries — Pick a country. Then read some fast facts, look at a map, and view a slideshow of the country's scenic beauty and cultural life.
- 7 Billion World — This is a fun site created to represent each person in the world through a little icon. (Keep scrolling—there are a lot of us.) The U.S. Census Bureau's U.S. and World Population Clock shows how quickly the numbers are increasing each second.
- Olympic Games — The Olympics (Summer and Winter Games) are a sporting event in which athletes from around the world come together and compete in different sports. Learn more about the history, the sports, the athletes, and how one competition unites the world.
- National Women's History Project — This organization is dedicated to promoting gender equality and the recognition of women's contributions to history. NWHP is the group which successfully lobbied Congress to designate March as National Women's History Month.
- The History of Communication Technology — Learn about the different aspects and history of communication such as the radio, the telephone, and the television.
- Solemates: The Century in Shoes — This is a useful site if you're researching the cultural history of the 20th century. In addition to detailed descriptions and photographs of the shoes women wore in each decade (1900s to 1990s), there's an essay for each period highlighting other cultural trends and historical events.
- History of Flight — NASA presents a short aviation history at this site. If you're interested in the science that gets planes off the ground and keeps them in the air, explore Dynamics of Flight and other links at the top of the page.
- Family Tree Kids — Are you related to a U.S. president, an inventor, or perhaps a notorious outlaw? Did your great-great-great-grandfather fight in the Civil War? Genealogy is the history of you and your family. Not just your mother and father, but also your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on, backward through time. The names of all your ancestors can be organized in a family tree. There are many sources for the information you'll need to fill out your tree, such as older relatives, a family bible, libraries, churches, and town clerk's offices. Naturally, there is a lot of information online, too—more every day. This site will help you get started. Also check out sites like FamilySearch that make all kinds of records available at no cost.
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Global Issues
- Global Issues — This site offers information on a wide array of global issues, such as social, political, economic, and environmental matters that affect us all.
- National Wildlife Federation — Did you know that all the water on Earth is all the water we'll ever have? The National Wildlife Federation is devoted to conserving wetlands, endangered species, and our public lands. Read about the organization's work in various areas.
- The Tropical Rain Forest — The Marietta College Department of Biology and Environmental Science created this site, which offers information about the forests through articles, maps, and plenty of photography.
- Recycle City — A fun site from the Environmental Protection Agency where you'll learn all about the three Rs (reducing, reusing, and recycling), as well as other ways to reduce waste and use less energy.
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