Interactive Twist to Science

Aug 30, 12:40 AM

Current Headlines: By Ellen Whyte

WHEN your science marks could do with a boost, or if you are bored with re-reading your textbooks all the time, online resources can give you that new slant on subjects that have gone stale. the following sites focus on common science subjects studied in Penilaian Menengah rendah and sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) courses and experiments that will bring lessons alive.

* K12 Biology resources at http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/ bio.shtml: this excellent portal offers handpicked links that lead to top- class resources for young biology students. Materials are classified in categories such as Micro-organisms, Plants and Fungi, Cells, Mammals and Marine Life.

* Chemistry For Kids at http:// www.chem4kids.com: designed to appeal to younger scientists, this site offers simple-to-understand notes on matter, atoms, elements, biochemistry and reactions as well as a set of chemistry quizzes to test your knowledge.

Radar offers various other science sites, but as each has its domain name, finding them can be tough. the best thing to do is to look at the bottom of the page for links leading to their introductions on astronomy, biology, earth science and physics.

* CHEMystery - Interactive guide to understanding Chemistry at http:// library.thinkquest.org/3659/: this virtual chemistry textbook provides an interactive guide for high school or sPM chemistry students. It covers every topic you can imagine, including acids and bases, electrochemistry, equilibrium, thermodynamics and energy. Filled with multimedia and interactive quizzes, this site is also simple to navigate and fairly fast to download.

* Fizzics Fizzle: your Interactive guide to Physics at http:// library. thinkquest.org/16600/: divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced sections, this online textbook is an excellent resource for everyone.

If you're just hanging out online, check out the Cool section that covers theory of relativity, hyperspace, quantum mechanics and future of physics. There is also the reference section, which allows you to look up formulae and values quickly as well as several tables that will help you solve most physics homework problems.searchable by keyword as well!

* How things Work: the Physics of everyday Life at http:// rabi.phys.virginia.edu/htW/: If you aren't sure why physics is interesting, check out this site and become inspired to delve into your textbooks and understand what the science teacher is talking about. It answers questions such as: Why does soda fizz more when you pour it over ice than when you drop ice into already-poured soda - is that because the falling liquid has more kinetic energy? Is terminal velocity the same for every object of the same mass, or can the terminal velocity of two parachutists (same weight and height) be different?

* Home Experiments at http:// scifun.chem.wisc.edu/HOMEEXPTS/ HOMEEXPTS.html: this site, which is maintained by chemistry professor Bassam shakhashiri who works at the university of Wisconsin-Madison, offers instructions for some home experiments suitable for older kids (and curious adults). Find out how to make litmus paper from red cabbage, how to make things glow in the dark, how to clean silver jewellery the chemical way, and more.

Tip: remember to ask your parents for permission before doing these experiments. If they approve, read through the directions first and follow each instruction carefully.

* Reeko's Mad scientist Lab at http://www.spartechsoftware.com/ reeko/: arranged into simple, intermediate and advanced categories, reeko's Lab describes how you can investigate air pressure, chemical reaction, light refraction, light spectrum, gravity and other subjects with a series of elegant experiments. Once you have completed these activities, take the science-savvy quiz, or move into Lab F where super-scientists investigate cohesion, sparks and other top-secret matters.

* Home science tools at http:// tinyurl.com/2wqaoo/: at first glance, this site looks dull, but it explains how you can run some interesting home experiments such as raising fingerprints with the help of superglue, making ice cream in a paper bag, and devising your own vacuum cleaner. some experiments are for older students only, so if it looks too complicated, ask your parents to help you.

(c) 2007 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.