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Scratch is a free, easy to learn computer language that is growing in popularity. Did you know there are six types of projects you can make? Can you name them? Let’s take a closer look, at https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/all

1. Animations. Use the camera and timing features to make things move on the screen. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/animations/

2. Art. Scratch has built in drawing tools that make it possible draw in freestyle. You can also create interesting geometric patterns, like this one. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/art/

3. Games. From Pong to Pokémon, you can find all sorts of games in Scratch. Maze games are good to start with, because they introduce you to motion and collisions. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/

4. Music. Scratch gives you a library of sounds, or you can record your own. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/music/

5. Stories. You can mix your writing with pictures, videos or recordings. In fact, Scratch makes it easy to narrate your story. https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/stories/

6. Tutorials. What to teach somebody how to train a puppy or build a treehouse? Make your own tutorial, at  https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/tutorials/

APPLICATION

How do I start with Scratch?  Scratch won’t work with mobile devices, so you’ll need a Chromebook or Laptop (Windows or Mac) plus good internet access. A camera and microphone is recommended. Follow these three steps.

Step 1: Find Scratch. On your computer, type the word “Scratch” into any search engine, or go to http://mit.scratch.edu

Step 2: Register. Think up a screen name and password. You’ll also need an email address in order to confirm the account. Login, and choose “Create.”

Step 3: Take the tutorials. We’ve linked to some tutorials in this month’s YouTube playlist. It’s also smart to preview samples. https://scratch.mit.edu/starter_projects/

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

Teachers and librarians — Download this is column as a one page, easy to print PDF to send home.

WARNING — once you’ve flown a quadcopter (aka a drone) you won’t want to stop. Today’s “toy” drones are affordable and very easy to fly, thanks to some quickly evolving technologies like motion sensors, gyros and tiny batteries. The technology behind this marvelous toy didn’t happen by accident. Let’s learn more.

1. Who, When and Where was the Quadcopter invented?
In 1907, in France by two brothers, according to http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Breguet-Richet_Gyroplane. The Breguet Bros. worked with a professor (Richet) to make a working quadcopter that could lift a person off the ground, but was impossible to steer. The design was so clunky and dangerous that it was abandoned.

2. T/F All four rotors spin in the same direction.
Answer: False. The two front rotors spin in opposite directions, as do the two back rotors. To illustrate the point, watch the air around the rotors in this Wired magazine video, at bitly.com/2nQU0gE. Next, visit the Discovery Channel’s page dedicated to drones at bitly.com/2nFOoVX.

3. Can a quadcopter pick up a person?  Almost. The Breguet Brothers dream is coming true in the form of the Hoverbike. This could make getting to school a lot more fun. Have a look at http://www.hover-bike.com.

4. How long can a drone fly? Most professional drones can fly about 25 minutes, according to Drones Globe bitly.com/2nEMsLG

5. What are some tricks you can do with a drone?
Popular Mechanics has a list of the common tricks, at bitly.com/2nEWv3D

Application: Set up a drone flying station in your school or library

STEP 1: First get at least two cheap, easy to fly toy drones, like the Holy Stone or the Sky Viper. [Reminder, we do not use affiliate links, so we're not making any money if you choose to buy one of these drones].

They’ll cost about $40 each, and come with everything you’ll need. Let one charge, while the other one is being flown.

STEP 2: Create well marked take-off and landing spots, and find an open area.

STEP 3: Teach up and down. The most important skill is to learn how to kill the power (usually left thumb down).

STEP 4: Fly around! After they can hover and land, let them steer. This can be tricky and takes a lot of practice… but it’s very rewarding.

Select Videos About Quadcopters

Here’s a set of hand-picked videos that go along with this column http://bit.ly/lcdrones

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

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Forty seven years ago in the month of July (July 20, 1969 to be exact) the Apollo 11 space mission landed a man on the moon. Let’s explore this amazing place.

1. Can you live on the moon? Not without a really good space suit. The temperature goes from HOT (287 degrees F) to COLD (-243 degrees F). There are some other problems, like a lack of air, food and plants. Learn about the moon surface at http://bit.ly/1JpGQfg.

2. Where on the moon did the Apollo astronauts land?  Google Moon https://www.google.com/moon/ has cool maps of the landing sites, including links to the pictures that were taken there.

3. How big is the moon? This photo lets you see the answer http://bit.ly/292E8iT .

4. What US President decided we should visit the moon? The history of mission to the moon is explained at the JFK museum site http://bit.ly/1KgK0jM.

5. Can you name 10 inventions that came from the moon mission?  Here’s a site that lists 15 http://bitly.com/29aBXtV

• When is the next full moon? Check out the moon’s schedule for this year- http://bit.ly/1TZOHBs

• If you weigh 100 pounds on earth, how much would you weigh on the moon? Use this Wonderopolis calcuator http://bitly.com/29hKBrF and find out• !

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

What single building has 73 elevators and enough structural concrete to pave 200 miles of sidewalks? The Freedom Tower in New York City. Is it the world’s tallest skyscraper? No. But it’s the safest, newest, and most energy efficient.  Let’s learn more!

1. What city has the world’s tallest building? (take your best guess)

a) New York City (USA)
b) Taipei (Taiwan)
c) Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Answer: C. The 163 story tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai has been the world’s tallest building since 2008, according to Wikipedia. By comparison the Freedom, Tower is quite a bit shorter, at 104 stories making it the 4th tallest in the world as of 2016.

2. True or false. Do tall buildings sway in the wind?
True. But they are designed to move, in either wind or an earthquake. Tiapea 101 for example has a giant ball hanging inside it’s hollow core. See what happens during an earthquake, at https://youtu.be/NYSgd1XSZXc

3. Which skyscraper has the best observation deck?
It just might be the Sears Tower, with it’s the Observation Ledge. It’s made out of glass and it comes with a dare… can you go to the ledge? See for yourself, at http://theskydeck.com/

4. Has anyone ever jumped off the top of a skyscraper and lived?
Yes, as long as they have a parachute. In 2008, two French daredevils jumped off the 160th floor of the Barj Khalifa with a video camera. Have a look https://youtu.be/9pGp1LX8yZY.

5. Do skycrapers get hit by lighting?
All the time. They act as giant lightning rods during storms, transferring the energy to the ground. So people are not harmed. Here’s the Sears Tower in Chicago getting struck by lightning. https://youtu.be/IJGE51oBAms

APPLICATIONS: Try to build your own Skyscraper in Minecraft http://bitly.com/2iwPEsh or out of spaghetti and marshmallows, at http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/tallsturdybuilding.html. Next download Tinybop’s well designed app, called Skyscrapers by Tinybop.

This column comes with a YouTube Playlist.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

Teachers and Librarians: download Transportation Tech as a one page, easy to print PDF.  

We all know how technology has changed toys and telephones.

But what about cars and trucks? Here are five amazing examples of how technology is changing the cars and trucks of the next generation.

1. A see-through truck? At http://onforb.es/1K7XUWa you can learn how Samsung engineers use large weatherproof outdoor LED video screens to make it safer to pass on two lane roads.

2. Here’s a motorcycle helmet that gives you “eyes in back of your head.” Skully is a $1300 motorcycle helmet http://bit.ly/1Gz6KX2 that has cameras that eliminate blind spots, as well as a bluetooth link to your smart phone.

3. A sensor that knows if you’re falling asleep. At http://bitly.com/1HW3VBv you can learn Seeing Machines designs cameras that watch your face for indications you are falling asleep. Take a nap and an alarm sounds.

4. Smart pavement that turns sunlight into electricity. At http://solarroadways.com/ you can learn how an engineer is working to make glass covered, LED embedded roads that can convert sunshine into power. They can also light up at night.

5. Collision detection. At http://bit.ly/1Bq60XE you can learn how cars are being equipped with sensors and broadcasters, that make it impossible to run into another car.

APPLICATION:

1 Find traffic accidents; ride in an electric car Next time you’re on a long trip, check the route first with Google Maps. Explore the options and you can see any traffic jams or accidents on your route. Here’s the link to New York City http://bitly.com/1OpeeBL

2. Test drive an all electric car. Here’s the website for Tesla, where you can request a test drive online http://bitly.com/1OpexfT

Here’s a set of hand picked videos from YouTube: http://bit.ly/1JPToYR

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

A Maker Faire is like a circus mixed in with a county fair. They’re designed to “celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset.” The concept is spreading, in fact, we recently had a small one in our home town library. Let’s learn more.

1. When is the next big Maker Faire? At http://bitly.com/1IpApHu you’ll learn that one of the biggest will be near the headquarters of Make Magazine in San Mateo, CA on May 16-17. Tickets are $50.

2. Who is a maker? At Tweaktown http://bitly.com/1bWO3pl you learn that anyone can be a maker. You’ll also learn about Arduino boards, which are the brains behind many Maker projects.

3. What do Maker Faires and pancakes have in common? At 3Dprint.com you can learn about a special printer that can print in pancake batter, on a frying pan.

4. Question: What do you get when you cross a maker with the White House?  Answer: At http://wapo.st/1bguMxT you can see how the White House Christmas Tree and Presidential dogs were affected by the Maker Movement.

5. Is there a maker faire near me?  There were 131 maker faires last year. Here’s where they are: http://makerfaire.com/map. Nothing listed near you? There’s one simple solution: Make your own! Here’s how: http://makerfaire.com/global/ Here are some failproof maker ideas for kids this summer.

APPLICATION

1. Here are some projects for kids from http://makezine.com/kids

2. On CTR’s web site, we’ve made a page for Maker ideas. You can do the eggdrop, take apart an engine, make a lightbulb, or fly an old airplane, to name a few. Visit http://bitly.com/1EEBhqg

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

Teachers/Librarians: Download this column as a one page PDF

Did you know that a typical 20 minute forth of July fireworks display can take a year to plan, and it costs more than a new car? Not only that, each show is programmed with computers and remote controls used to ignite the fuses. Want to learn more? Let’s test your knowledge of fireworks displays.

1. We all know what a fireworks shell looks like in the night sky. But what does it look like BEFORE it explodes?  At Popular Mechanics you can see that fireworks shells come in all shapes and sizes. Smaller shells are the size of tennis balls, but they can get as big as a basketball. To launch one, you put it into a pipe (called a Mortar tube) light the fuse and run away.

2. Where are fireworks made? CNN  http://cnn.it/TIpkvg visited a fireworks factory in China, located in Iuyang in the Hunan Province, where nearly all the world’s fireworks are made. Have a look, and you’ll see how it earned it’s nickname of “Boomtown.”

3. Who holds the world record for the largest, most expensive fireworks display? According to the Guinness World Records, at  the United Arab Emirates put on a fireworks display in December of 2013 that used half a million fireworks, costing between $50 to $100 each. Do the math… that’s a lot of money. Read more about this amazing show, here http://bit.ly/1k53LAT or watch it in the video playlist, below.

4. How much does a fireworks display cost? To find out, we visited Michigan-based Ace Pyro http://www.acepyro.com/Faqs where we learned that the average cost of a 20 minute fireworks show is between $5,000 and $30,000. A big show, like the Macy’s show in New York City can cost between $5 to $10 million. Each time you see a firey burst, think “there goes $100.”

5. How do you design a fireworks show? It takes many people, including choreographers, laborers, technicians, and city officials, plus about 4 hours per minute for the design. Many designers use a program like Finale Fireworks ($1000, from www.finalefireworks.com) on a Windows computer to mix and match as many as 6,000 different effects. The best thing about the software is that you can preview the show with the click of a mouse instead of by lighting the fuse.

6. How are colors made when a shell explodes? At the University of Wisconsin, http://bit.ly/RVImxu you can learn all about the different chemical compounds scientist use to create different color fireworks. There is even a chart with the compounds needed to create nine different color combinations. The people who use the chart are called pyrotechnic engineers, and they make about $90,000/year. Learn more about the job, here http://bit.ly/1nL7RtS.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

What do Bill Gates, scientist Marie Curie, and basketball star Jeremy Lin have in common? They’ve all been called geeks. Is being a geek good or bad? Judge for yourself!

[Teachers/Librarians -- Download this page as a PDF -- Prints on one sheet of paper]

1. What is a geek? Dictionary.com http://bit.ly/1mzKkRb calls a geek “a person who is enthusiatic, or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits, but is felt to be socially awkward.” The concept has evolved throughout history, according to this tee shirt store’s page at http://bit.ly/1txjv1v.

2. Can you spot the most famous of all geeks? At CNET http://cnet.co/1f0FkTf you can find a list of the most famous geeks over time, and find out what they’ve done.

3. Why does the Geek Squad use funny cars? It’s part of their branding. In 1994, a college student named Robert Stephens took 200 dollars and turned it into a billion dollar idea, based on the fact that he was a geek, and many other people were not. Read about his journey http://bit.ly/1hc5hhj or visit his company’s home page today http://bit.ly/1gP28jU.

4. Is your mom or dad a geek? Matt Blum was a software engineer and self-proclaimed geek. So after he had some kids, he did what any good geek would do… he made a web site called Geek Dad, at http://geekdad.com where he could share stories with other geeks. Then the moms joined in to make GeekMom, http://geekmom.com. Both sites are loaded with geeky ideas. Your moms might also be interested in this conference for Geek Girls http://bit.ly/1txkij6 or this Wikia list of famous girl geeks http://bit.ly/1iFFWgd. All have helped tap the power of technology to change the world.

Develop your Inner Geek!

1. MAKE SOME CODE

They say that geeks like to program. If so, there’s no better language than Scratch. At http://bit.ly/IYM44J you can get started for free on any Mac or Windows computer.

2.DO SOME STEM

From growing bacteria, to making a volcano, Buzzle offers a list of very Geeky ideas at http://bit.ly/1jvg9nR.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.

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1. How long is the longest leaf in the world?  At http://www.raffiaonline.com/about_raffia.html you can visit a store that sells leaves that grow in Madagascar, Africa, on the Raffia Palm. The palms grow a thin leaf up to 60 feet in length. It has many uses including making doll hair, ribbons, and hula skirts.

2. Can a leaf kill you? At Popular Mechanics http://bit.ly/160fqbf you learn about ten of the most deadly leaves, some even contain poison. Admire them, from a distance.

3. I’m stuck in the woods. Which leaves can I eat for food? At the Art of Manliness http://bitly.com/14mxgXo you can find 19 plants that could save your life, by serving as food. These include the dandelion., and clover

4. Why do leaves change color? At http://www.foliagenetwork.com you can explore the reasons why a simple green leaf turns to red, yellow, or even purple each fall season. Or you can watch this video for a quick explanation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPU1nDVq-0

5. How much weight can a leaf hold?  At the Kew gardens http://bitly.com/17BvXmf  you can read all about the giant amazon water lily, with a leaf  that can grow more than 8 feet  across, and support the weight of a child.

Applications

Is Mars really red? (Not really). Is it larger or smaller than the Earth? (Smaller). Is it warmer or colder than the Earth? (Much colder). How many moons does Mars have? (Two). How long does it take a radio signal to get from the Earth to the Curiosity rover? (Between 5 to 20 minutes). Could you breathe Martian air? (No way). Still curious about Mars? Here are some links and videos to help you follow what we are learning about this amazing planet.

Download, print and share this column as a one page PDF.

1. Is Mars really red?
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Insitute of Technology, the red color associated with Mars comes from iron oxide (or rust). On the surface, however, Mars has more of a butter scotch color.

2. Is the climate on Mars more like a hot summer or a cold winter? The New York Times  reports the Curiosity Rover has measured swings in temperature from minus 103 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a very very cold winter. Brrr!

3. If you were to step onto Mars without a space suit, would you survive?  According to Science Clarified.com, you’d be dead in 15 seconds. First the low pressure would make your body fluids boil. Next, you’d freeze, even on the warmest day which won’t get above freezing (see quest.NASA.gov).  If you were still alive, you’d suffocate because there is no oxygen. If you could survive that, you’d eventually starve, because there would be no way to grow food.

4. How long does it take a radio signal to get to Mars?  The distance between Earth and Gale Crater can be as far as 150 million miles. That’s 32 years for a 747 jet, or about 20 minutes for a radio wave,. That’s why you can’t“drive” the rover in real time. Say you saw a cliff ahead. You’d hit the brakes, but that braking radio signal could take 20 minutes to activate the brakes. You’d already be over the cliff. See www.distance-calculator.co.uk.

5. T/F After two years, the Curiosity rover will be dead.  TRUE. Unlike previous rovers, this one has it’s own generator. It is powered by a chunk of very hot, poisen radioactive metal called plutonium. The heat is used to warm the instruments and generate electricity for 10 instruments, plus motors, lasers and cameras… for about 2 years. After that, it will stop working. Learn more about Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html.

.

6. If the Earth is a basketball, how big is Mars? The Lunar and Planetary Institute says that if Earth were a basketball, Mars would be a softball.
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STUFF TO TRY (APPLICATION)

Make a true scale model solar system. 

1. Want to really know how big the solar system is? Visit  http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html for instructions on making a 1000 yard solar system to scale. The sun will be a bowling ball, and the earth is a peppercorn, 26 paces away. Go another 14 paces to get to Mars, which is the size of a pinhead.
2. See NASA’s movies. To see NASA’s movies, visit http://1.usa.gov/Njjyw4
3. Where is Mars, right now? We found this real-time solar system calculator at SolarSystemScope.com that tells you.
4. Play some games. Visit the NASA Kids’s Club,  where you can practice driving a rover. You’ll need a regular browser that can run Flash-based games. 

20 Select Videos on Mars, from YouTube

 

———————————————————————————————————————————————— LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated web site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers. Neither Children’s Technology Review (publisher of LittleClickers) or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in any of the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, use this form, or contact us. Copyright 2018, Children's Technology Review.