Show Synopsis

It is almost Summer -- What to do with the kids? Today Craig will discuss activities that will keep your kids interested and involved in Science, Technology and Engineering and the importance of exposing our kids to and keeping them interested in these fields.

This Weeks Guests

7:06-7:20 - Al Whittaker from the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama will discuss with Craig their programs at the Museum and their camps -- you may have heard about -- SpaceCamp which is in its 23rd year.

7:34-7:50 - Yannis Meowlis the President and Director of the Museum and Science will join Craig to discuss the activities that they offer that will help your child appreciate the Science and Technology of Life.

8:06-8:20 - Rebekah Stendahl the supervisor of Family Programs at the New England Aquarium will join Craig to discuss the programs that the Aquarium offers and the exhibits that they have for your family to participate in that will foster an interest in the Biological and Ecological sciences.

8:34-8:42 - Becky Mayhew the Education and Program at the SEE Science will Join Craig to discuss their programs and exhibits and how they can help you expose your children to more Science, Technology and Engineering -- Located in Manchester Millyard you definitely need to make this museum part of your summer plans.

This Weeks Winners

Sarah won the Family Four Pak to the Museum of Science which includes entrance passes to the Exhibit Hall, the Omni Theater, and the Butterfly Garden. Enjoy your day at the Museum courtesy of the Museum of Science and Tech Talk with Craig Peterson.

John won the Family Four Pak to the SEE Science Center. Enjoy your day at SEE courtesy of SEE Science Center and Tech Talk with Craig Peterson.

Frank won the Family Four Pak to the SEE Science Center. Enjoy your day at SEE courtesy of SEE Science Center and Tech Talk with Craig Peterson.

Internet Tech Tip Of The Week

Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is the latest telephony advancement. PRIMUS Telecommunication Inc. provides a service called Lingo. For $20 a month you get unlimited domestic calling. For an additional $10 a month you can sign up for a local phone number in another country

National Center for Technological Literacy

Today, citizens have a very limited understanding of how their world works. Although we spend the majority of our lives interacting with the designed world, most of us know little about how technologies are developed or function. Our nation’s increasing dependence on foreign engineering expertise poses significant economic, policy, and national security challenges.

What does the word technology suggest to most people?…Yes, computers and electronics are pervasive technologies of today. But technology has a long history—one as long as human history. Technologies are solutions designed by humans to fulfill a need. Pens, water filtration, wheelchairs, and tunnels are all technologies. The process that creates technologies is engineering.

Today, most school curricula focuses solely on the natural world and ignore the human-made world. In modern society a literate citizen needs to have an understanding of both.

The mission of the National Center for Technological Literacy (NCTL) is to enhance people’s knowledge of technology nationwide by introducing engineering as a new discipline in education and by presenting technology as a partner equal to science in museums and science centers.

Advocacy and Standard Development NCTL leadership and staff collaborate with state leaders to help states introduce or modify standards related to technology and engineering.

Curricular Materials The NCTL can provide you with access to cutting-edge curricular resources that teach engineering and technology.

Educator Resource Center: NCTL staff can help to create an educator resource center in your state that houses technology and engineering curricular materials. After training by NCTL staff, educators from your state assess the materials to evaluate how well they meet your state’s standards. These data are available in the online ERC so educators across the state can benefit from this analysis.

Elementary School Materials: The Museum of Science is creating the Engineering is Elementary: Engineering and Technology Lessons for Children curriculum. Elementary teachers nationwide can use these materials to teach technology and engineering concepts to children grades 1-5.

High School Materials: The Museum of Science is also developing the Engineering the Future: Designing the World of the 21st Century curriculum for high school students. The student and teacher materials encourage high school students to explore what engineering and technology are and how they impact our society.

Professional Development NCTL staff work in partnership with local or state teacher educators to provide professional development for teachers about engineering and technology. We adopt a train-the-trainer model, working jointly with teacher educators to help them better understand core engineering and technology concepts, how to most effectively communicate these to other teachers, and how to structure and run workshops about engineering and technology.

For more information: Implementing our Mission

Online Technology Activity Sites

Technology, Mathematics, and Science

Building Big
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) provides this interactive site with virtual labs and building challenges to get you thinking about structures you see everyday.

What in the World is That?
This site describes ingenious inventions throughout history.

Invention Dimension
This site from the Lemelson-MIT Program provides information related to inventors and inventions. Included are Inventor of the Week, Inventor's Handbook, Games and Trivia, and other resources.

The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
Explore invention and innovation at the Lemelson Center at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

Figure This!
At this web site you can engage in math challenges for middle school students. There are a series of steps each challenge will take you through until the problem is solved. Also, you'll find additional resources for further investigation of each problem.

Platonic Realms
This site includes an encyclopedia for searching for information about topics related to mathematics.

A Sightseer's Guide to Engineering
Pick a state t o explore innovations created by engineers.

Sally Ride Science
This site was founded by Sally Ride, America's first woman in space, to encourage girls to get the foundation needed to go on in science, math, or engineering. Programs include science festivals, the Sally Ride Science Club, science camps, etc.

Engineer Girl
Why be an engineer? Go to this site for answers. The site highlights "opportunities that engineering brings for people at any age, but particularly to women and girls."

Molecular Expressions
Explore color photographs taken through an optical microscope. For example, with the activity "Secret Worlds: The Universe Within" you can "view the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then move through space towards the Earth until you reach . . . the subatomic universe of electrons and protons."

Sim Science
This site provides four computer simulations: Membranes, Fluid Flow, Cracking Dams, and Cracking Noise.

Earthquake Hazards Program: For Kids Only
This site from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides activities and information for learning about earthquakes.

Discovery Channel: Planet Earth Guide
At this site you can search for links and articles on all subjects related to physical science. There is a link to a live volcano cam, and there are interactive sites where, for example, you can build an ocean wave.

Water Resources of the United States
At this site United States Geological Survey (USGS), you'll find links for watching stream flow conditions, information about water resource programs, current flood conditions, etc.

Water Science for Schools
This site from the USGS provides information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and more.

GNET
The Global Network of Environment & Technology (GNET) promotes the use of innovative environmental technologies. The site provides information on environmental news, new technologies, government environmental technology programs, current events, etc.

Mad Sci Network
Go to this site to find answers to questions about science.

Tsunamis and Earthquakes
This site from the United States Geological Survey(USGS) shows how tsunamis are generated by earthquakes.

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
This site from United States Geological Survey(USGS) describes the 1906 earthquake along the San Andreas fault. You can read about the scientific investigation that took place after the quake and the advances that followed.

Science of Music
Explore the science of music through movies, questions, and online exhibits. Compose, mix, and play with music.

NRC: Basic Reference
This site from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides information about nuclear energy and includes a Students' Corner.

TVA Kids
This site from the Tennessee Valley Authority provides information about dams, making electricity, and protecting the environment.

Optics for Kids
This site is sponsored by the Optical Society of America (OSA), an organization for scientists, educators, engineers, and students.

Skyjacks Weather
Explore Nimbus 1, a virtual weather laboratory in the sky. The site is provides by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Aeronautics and Space

flight-history.com
The purpose of this site is to bring people together who have a common interest in aviation history.

Cool Cosmos
Learn about astronomy and infrared light and find answers to your questions about space.

AviationNow.com
This site is sponsored by Aviation Week, a publication of the McGraw-Hill Companies.

Origins
Take virtual field trips to eight observatories--Arecibo, where astrobiologists search for signs of life beyond the solar system; Las Cuevas, a research station in Central America's largest remaining rainforest; and others.

The Space Weather Center
This site explores the solar cycle, solar wind, Earth's magnetic field, auroras, states of matter, and other topics. Information is provided on space weather research, space weather modeling and forecasting, and the National Space Weather Program.

Space Day
This is a design challenge for exploring the wonders of the universe.

Hubble, a View to the Edge of Space
Find out about the Hubble Space Telescope. Click on Ideas to see Hubble's images and find out what they tell us about the universe. Click on Tools to take a tour of Hubble, from the telescope to the control rooms.

MarsQuest Online
At this NASA site, students can launch a spacecraft to Mars, explore its canyons and volcanoes, solve mysteries about the search for life on Mars, and see the latest photos.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Learn about NASA's visions for exploring the earth, the moon, Mars, and beyond.

NASA Johnson Space Center
At this site, you can learn about the U.S. space program. The Education section includes a link to Just for Kids activities.

The Satellite Site
Lockheed Martin's "TheTech" site is the place to learn about the satellites that are constantly orbiting earth. You can learn what five kinds of satellites do, build satellites for three different types of missions, and more.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
The MSFC manages the key propulsion hardware and technologies of the Space Shuttle, develops space transportation and propulsion systems, oversees science and hardware development for the International Space Station, and handles a variety of associated scientific endeavors to benefit space exploration and improve life on Earth.

NASA Space TeleRobotics Program: Cool Robot of the Week
This site highlights Web sites that attempt to solve robotics problems, use innovation to implement robotic systems, or provide information related to robotics.

NASA Quest
At this NASA site you can learn about the people who work at NASA and about the national space program through design challenges and other interactive activities.

NASA Space Place
Go to this site for games and other fun activities related to space exploration.

Sky & Telescope
Go to this site for news on current events and resources related to astronomy.

Inventions from Space
This site describes technologies or materials that were originally developed for the U.S. space program.

Career Exploration

GetTech
Get Tech is designed to help students develop math, science, and technology skills in preparation for technology-related careers.

Engineering K12 Center
Go to this site to explore engineering fields, learn how to get an engineering education, and have fun with interactive engineering games and resources.

Discover Engineering
Go to this site to learn about the field of engineering and what engineers do.

Manufacturing is Cool!
Explore the Career Information and Opportunities area to learn about manufacturing and other engineering careers, salary information, and interesting articles about people in engineering careers. This site is provided by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

Occupational Outlook Handbook
This resource describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

O*NET OnLine
The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with occupations.

Problem Solving Contests

Technology Student Association
TSA is a national organization for technology education students. TSA provides activities and competitions to promote technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving.

BEST Robotics, Inc.
BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) seeks to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in robotics competitions.

FIRST
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) provides competitions and challenges for solving problems with science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. FIRST was founded by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter.

Bridge Building Contest
This contest provides opportunities for students to compete in construction and testing of model bridges.

Botball Robotics Program
This program give students practical experience in designing, building, and programming a team of robots. Robots are programmed to maneuver on a game board. Once the game starts, students step back and the robots must play the game without being guided by a remote control.

ThinkQuest
This competition encourages students to develop creative Web sites related to specific topics, including science and technology.

Junior Engineering Technological Society
JETS posts a JETS Challenge question each week for solving science- and mathematics-related problems. JETS also hosts the TEAMS competition each year. The TEAMS competition provides an opportunity for students to synthesize key concepts in math, science, and physics and apply them to solve real-world engineering problems.

Space Day
This is a design challenge for exploring the wonders of the universe.