Roller Coaster Info Galore!

If you're a big roller coaster fan -- as I am but I'm stuck in a region of the country where the biggest roller coasters are pretty meek and mild compared to elsewhere -- you should check out the Roller Coaster Database. Here's site that has all you need to know about roller coasters not just in the US but all over the world.

Reading Material From Smalltown USA

If you've ever had a hankering to check out what's making the news outside of the metro areas of the country, take a visit to Small Town Papers. A great way to get a glimpse into the pulse of places outside (one would think) of the fast pace of big city life.

Surf's Up!

Although not a Californian, I guess I'm a sucker when I see things like "Surfin' Scientist". Courtesy of the Australian Broadcasting System, there is such a guy!

His site -- called, you won't be surprised to learn: Surfing Scientist -- has a host of fun and imaginative experiments to try. I guess he even visits schools, although I doubt he makes it to many schools on this side of the equator.

Definitely something to check out. Teachers will like the teacher resources and the kids will like the science tricks and experiments. You can even ask the Surfing Scientist a question of your own.

Cool dude!

One Summer Outpost For Fun -- Themeparks!

If you thinking about taking a trip to one of the many themeparks in the US -- and would like information, advice, safety evaluations, or even hotels in the park's area -- visit ThemePark Insider for all the info you'll need!

How To How To

If you've ever had a hankering to write a How-To manual, the wikiHow and eHow partnered websites give you your chance to write a guide that actually is clear, concise, and helpful.

In true Wiki tradition, you can write your best and then others contributors will tweak and (maybe) improve on your manual. It's all one great big collaboration.

Certainly worth a try! Their motto is: Clear instructions on how to do just about anything!

Blogs and Education

Ran across this site -- Blogs and Education -- that offers a host of information about blogs in the school setting. Impressive.

Webby Awards 2005

One year ago I made my discovery of the Webby Awards and included them in a post a while back. This is what I said then:

Each year The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences presents The Webby Awards designed to showcase the best there is out there on the web.

For this year's nominees and winners, click here. You'll find a wide range of categories, some of which include: Best Practices, Community, Education, Film, Finance, Government/Law, Health, Humor, Living, Music, Print+Zines, Politics, Children, Science, Travel, and more.

Also, don't miss a whole category of winners chosen in the People's Voice Awards. A lot of great sites!

Now we have the new awards....just announced. It's the 9th annual set of awards. The link above should take you to the list of this year's winners.

Some of the sites are interesting enough that I will make individual posts highlighting them. But if you're interested in get a look at the whole list right now, click here.

Oh, and one thing I think you'll notice is that they've added many more categories to recognize web sites of excellence. What an amazing diversity out there!

Crawlly But Not Creepy

Here's a site that you will really dig. Worm Watch is dedicated to that critter that some people don't think much of but is a vital part of our eco-system.

Much to learn about this earthy character.

If You Love Limericks

The Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form is in the process of reviewing and verifying a whole dictionary's worth of limericks. Here you'll find limericks on all subjects from computers to cats.

The many dedicated souls working on this "limerictionary" from 13 countries in which English is spoken are working their way through the alphabet. As of today, they've covered words starting with letters "aa" up to "ba". I'm not sure how long they've been at it, but it appears as if this project will be going and going and going for years to come. But someday there will be a breadth & wealth of limericks quite unbelievable! Even now, there are more than you might imagine just starting with letters aa through ba.

Technological Deja Vu

All of us have either heard someone say -- or said it ourselves.....everything having to do with computers changes so fast. You just can't keep up. You buy something and it's outdated before you get it out of the box.

Anytime you have a serious case of computer nostalgia, take a click to Old-Computers.com. Here is gathered a wealth of information, pictures, and other memorabilia having to do with technology. Fascinating!!

Patently Beautiful

A site called Patent Room -- The Art of Industrial Design has a collection of wonderful drawings drawn from patent applications submitted during the '20s, '30s, '40s, and '50s. As you might expect, these drawings not only represent the brainstorms of the inventors, but they also reflect the design styles of those decades.

This collection is fascinating for both its collecting of the creativity of so many inventors, the beauty of their visual imaginations, and a way to glimpse part of our visual history.

A Daily Dose of Botany

Just thinking that one way to start the day (and the week) out well is with a little natural beauty. One way to find it is to check out the Botany Photo of the Day site.

Many thanks to the botanical folks at the University of British Columbia for giving us this daily gift of natural beauty.

Lights Camera Action Atmosphere

Although I can't claim to have ever seen the Aurora Borealis in person, I've wondered what those cosmic displays are like ever since I was a kid. How could something so big come all the way from the sun....and how are they formed....and what makes all the colors.

Well, there is a AuroraWatch site that is based on in the UK and sponsored by Lancaster University. You can monitor current aurora activity -- remember there are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Southern Lights (Aurora Australis). They even offer an aurora activity e-mail alert!

I recommend you start with the link to background information and then start looking at the photo displays of past displays. Beautiful and amazing!

Earth Science Treasure Trove

The Geological Society of America has what appears to be an incredible site offering lesson plans and related resources galore for those interested in teaching and learning about earth science. This is a site with many, many curricular resources and stimulating lessons. Not to be missed!

I think the name says it all: Geological Society of America Free Teacher Resources. Can't beat the price or the content!

Sharks -- Myths and Mystery

Thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, there's a place we can go to get the straight skinny on sharks. Ever since the movie Jaws, sharks have raised a bit of a stir in the media and, well, among swimmers, too.

Take a swing by Sharks - Myth and Mystery to find out more about these sometimes gentle and sometimes ravenous beasts.

Star Wars But Not What You Expect

Today marks the opening of the latest -- and final -- installment in the six-part Star Wars saga. We can line up today to see Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

To mark today's momentus occasion (I can still remember sitting in the great old [and now gone] UA Cinemas 150 in downtown Seattle watching what we now refer to as Episode IV but will always somehow always be the first episode of Star Wars to me) I offer a site to come home to after you've seen the new film, or taken a trip back into episodes 4, 5, 6, 1, or 2.

I offer the Star Wars Blooper Guide for a respectful look at the stuff that someone missed or forgot in filming of this mega-cycle of the film world that transported so many of us into a brand new world.

The Rijksmuseum -- An Online Treasure Trove of Art

Touted to be "the largest collection of art and history in the Netherlands," you must check out the 1250 exhibits here along with the online tours (which use Flash & QuickTime) that, along with a lot more, make up The Rijksmuseum. This is another in a series of online exhibits I've come across that just make my jaw drop in awe.

The paintings seem right "there". Take, for example, the current online show: "The Masterpieces of the Golden Age" which showcases art works and artists in the years 1600-1700. Immediately you are able to select one from among hundreds of paintings, see them in close-up, read the descriptions, and see them placed on a timeline along with the work of the same or other artists and historical events.

A visual feast of the first order!

Forgotten Your Music Theory?

Check out Ricci Adams' MusicTheory.net site. Review key signatures, study chord structures, inversions, play an online keyboard, review transposition, rhythmic reviews, and much more. You can also access free lessons and primers about a range of theory subjects.

Just go to MusicTheory.net!

Teaching That Makes Sense

That, as it happens, is the name of a website that was recommended to me highly by one of my teaching colleagues. Put together by what must be one very talented guy, Steve Peha, this site has many, many teaching tools, wise use of technology in the classroom, and documents galore for the download.

Try Teaching That Makes Sense.

Hungry?

Well, I find my stomach growling way more often than I generally care to admit. As the person who most often does the cooking in our household, you'd think that 1) I'd keep that stomach of mine contented, and 2) that I'd be a big fan of cookbooks.

Dealing with #1 is a conflict with the appetite that says "yes!" and the rational self saying "you don't need those calories!." As far as #2 is concerned, I bet if you asked my family they'd say that the meals they get are fine but there'd probably be more variety if I'd just get some cookbooks....as use them!

Maybe this site is the answer. I've run across a site called Feeding America. It's an online collection of "some of the most important and influential American cookbooks from the late 18th to early 20th century."

Feeding America has been created by the Michigan State Libraries. I guess I don't have any more excuses not to find a new recipe!