Our friend Alan Kay is fond of saying “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” No where is this more true than the CES show, held each January in Las Vegas. Here are five cool inventions we spotted that help us better understand what lies ahead.

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1. A flying electric school bus. Well sort of. Thanks to advances in drone-like multi-rotor technologies, not to mention stronger batteries and GPS navigation, we’re only a few years away from flying shuttles that can take off and land in a driveway or parking lot. Learn more about the Bell Nexis, at http://www.bellflight.com/company/innovation/nexus

2. Airbag for riding your bike. Everyone knows — it’s no fun to fall off a bike. What there were a special jacket with sensors that could tell if you were falling, and fill up with air right before impact? Learn more about this technology, at http://bitly.com/2DbOECP.

3. Language translator earpiece Waverly Labs displayed an earpiece for pilots that allows them to understand an interpret up to 15 languages in real time — using speech recognition. The cool thing is that we spotted several models. Soon we’ll all be able to afford them. Learn more at http://bitly.com/2DfcCwG

4. A bluetooth solar beehive. The CoCoon behife https://www.beelife.fr uses solar power and heat or cool a beehive as sensors monitor the conditions inside. You can get an alert on your phone if something is needed. Sweet!

5. Wave-powered Emergency Signal Device. Developed by Hanyang University, this floating signal device produces it’s own electricity using the movement of the waves, so that it’s LED light will never go out. Learn more about the Korean inventor, at http://bitly.com/2DeGHwE

APPLICATION: Design your own Tesla

Few cars have more futuristic than the all-electric, mostly self driving Tesla. Visit http://bitly.com/2SxQmIa where you can design your car using a series of options that include engine power, color, wheels and electronics. As you select each option, the price changes automatically, and you can see how much your monthly payments would be. Just don’t click “buy.”  Your parents might get mad.

Welcome to the Future on YouTube Want more?

Here’s a video playlist that https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcBVHzUUEKwmBohkXsv2beElPjl0s-V5F

Teachers and librarians — download this topic as a one page PDF (all hyperlinks are spelled out, so it works on paper). Use this link.

Drones are a mixture of the powerful technologies, many of which didn’t exist a few years ago.

Today you can purchase a drone for about the price of a bicycle that can fly for 20 minutes while taking clear, stable videos. Your new eyes in the sky requires new responsibilities, so let’s take a crash course in flying a drone.

1. How high can I fly?  400 feet; or a 40 story building. At the https://faadronezone.faa.gov you’ll find as set of rules that include:

• Only fly for fun. You must register with the FAA if you are hired for a job, such as to take photos of a roof. If the police spot you flying an unregistered drone or if someone complains, you could get fined.
• Fly during the daytime, when you can see your drone.
• Your drone can’t be too big. But this shouldn’t be a problem, because the FAA says it must weight less than 55 lbs (a heavy suitcase).
• You must always keep your drone in view when flying.
• Stay away from other aircraft or emergency response efforts.
• Never fly over active roads, moving traffic or people.
• Be aware of controlled airspace, such as around military bases or around airports.

2. Can anyone fly a drone? There are more and more rules about drones. If you’re serious you should register your drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Association). It only costs $5, and takes a few minutes. Visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/ to learn more.

3. What does UAS stand for? Unmanned Aircraft Systems. That’s what a drone is. Check out this college degree in UAS, at Embry-Riddle University http://bitly.com/2rrOu4r

4. I’m really serious about drones, and I don’t want a toy. What should I get? You have a lot of choices. One of our testers uses a the DJI Spark for about $550. It can fly for about 20 minutes and works with your smart phone. It comes with crash guards and spare parts.

APPLICATION: MAKE A DRONE OBSTACLE COURSE
Sharpen your drone flying skills! Check out this drone store, full of ideas for making a drone obstacle course http://bitly.com/2KAVAMw. Or you can make one inside your house. Here’s a plan we found http://thomasrenck.com/share/Microdrone_Course_Project.pdf

Drones Rules on YouTube Want more? Here’s a video playlist that go along with this column. Use this link.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— 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.

Download this column as a one page PDF.

Computer scientist Alan Kay once said the best way to predict the future is to invent it. If this is true, what are inventors currently working on? Fasten your seat belts, because we’ve found some amazing examples, like flying cars and electric jets — powered by solar roads. There’s even a group working on a Mars colony. Here are some sites and videos worth exploring.

1. We’ll live on another planet. Mars makes three things hard — breathing, eating and not freezing. Engineers at Mars One have a solution. Visit http://www.mars-one.com to see what it might look like to live on Mars someday.

2. We’ll “fly” a car. This New York Times article http://nyti.ms/2p48kQR describes a company that has created flying car/boat vehicle, and the people who are investing in the idea. Currently they can only fly over water, but soon you might take one to school.

3. We’ll ride in an electric powered airplane. Electric cars are an old idea. But airplanes? Learn about the E-Fan from Airbus at bitly.com/2prxMlU that has already been able to fly across the English channel.

4. We’ll swallow a robot. We found a pill-sized robot that you swallow. It then unfolds inside your stomach and fixes things. After it finishes, it simply dissolves. Learn more at bitly.com/2p1Mzjv

5. We’ll see the beauty of math. Computers are helping mathematical artists like John Edmark create hypnotic patterns using geometry and something called the “golden angle.” See some examples, at bitly.com/2prUrhO

APPLICATION: DESIGN YOUR OWN TESLA

How far can you drive an electric car before the battery dies? How long does it take to charge? The answers depend on many things, like if you are using the air conditioner or if you are going up hills. Visit Tesla’s site where you can design a car and or try out different simulators. In case you were wondering, most Teslas can go 265 miles on an overnight charge, and it costs about $10 to “fill up the tank.” That’s about 4 cents per mile. Learn more at https://www.tesla.com/models

Try this month’s YouTube playlist! You’ll find a set of hand-picked videos that show these ideas in action. Here’s the link.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— 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.

 It’s a simple chemical reaction that can reduce a forest to ashes in just a few hours. It requires oxygen to thrive, and can be extinguished three different ways. Read on to learn all about fire!

Teachers &Librarians — Download this page as a PDF

1. Why are fire trucks red? At http://bit.ly/1V831bf you can learn about a fire department in Massachusetts explains why their fire trucks were originally colored red. The main reason? They are easier to see, and it’s a tradition.

2. What do fires look like from the sky? NASA has eyes in the sky that continually watch for fires. Want to see some photos? Visit  http://go.nasa.gov/1jZesa2

3. True or false: a cow burned down Chicago.  According to the History Channel http://bitly.com/1RF6BsB, this is most likely false. Legend holds that the blaze started when the family’s cow knocked over a lighted lantern; however, Catherine O’Leary denied this charge, and the true cause of the fire has never been determined.

4. Do some fire fighters start fires on purpose? Yes. At www.smokeybear.com you can learn about something called a prescribed fire… a small controlled fire started in order to prevent a larger one later on.

5. How much does a new fire truck cost? At http://bitly.com/1Mz5Hju you can see an advertisement for a fire truck called the “Cat Attack” that uses touch screen technology to fight fires. A new model can cost over $1 million dollars!

6. Who is the official mascot for fire safety and protection? Click on http://bit.ly/1qnpKRM to learn all about this funny character, then click on www.sparky.org to visit his website. Hint — he’s a dog, not a bear.

7. Can you name the three kinds of fire extinguishers? You’ll find the answers here http://bit.ly/1KKssy

APPLICATION

Do you know what to do if your house catchs on fire? Find out at http://bitly.com/1HiKxi5

———————————————————————————————————————————————— 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.

Download the PDF

What’s four times bigger than the Titanic and can carry almost 8,000 people? Here are some sites and videos to help you learn more about some amazing vacation machines, also known as cruise ships.

1. Can you name the world’s largest cruise ship?  At http://bit.ly/1y8jyFq you can see facts and pictures of the two largest ships: Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. Both are 300 ft longer than the Titanic and four times heavier. Each can house, feed and entertain 7,800 people. Here’s a list of the 11 largest ships http://read.bi/1B0QFMw, plus a link to news about a third giant ship in production http://bitly.com/1z5O6EE.

2. What does an elephant and a cruise ship have in common? At http://bit.ly/1oDKARR you’ll learn that both can carry you at about the same speed, but an elephant is a lot less fun to ride.

3. What kind of mileage does a cruise ship get?  At http://bitly.com/1z5NHlz you learn that a large cruise ship goes about 50 ft per gallon, and it burns about 26,700 gallons of fuel each day it is used.

4. What can a child do on a cruise ship? At http://bitly.com/1tqP3DW and http://bit.ly/1tzp9wL you can see a list activities for children that includes bowling, water slides, bumper cars, surfing simulators and outdoor movies. On some theme cruises, you can meet characters from Shrek, Nick Jr. and Dr. Seuss.

5. What’s it like to be the Captain of a cruise ship? At http://ab.co/1tqPrlG you can meet a cruise ship captain and find out what it takes to become one. You’ll learn the job is a lot more about managing, and a lot less about steering.

APPLICATION

1. TRACK A SHIP Want to see where the Oasis of the Sea is — right now? Use the Vessel Finder which shows the ship’s current location on a map. http://bitly.com/15LnSyt

2. BUILD A CRUISE SHIP IN MINECRAFT At http://youtu.be/ux8EyVBRkBA you can take a tour of a cruise ship created entirely in Mincraft.

———————————————————————————————————————————————— 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.

Click to download PDF

1. What is an exotic car? At The Examiner, http://exm.nr/14M5LHo you learn that it’s not just the speed or look of a car that truly makes it exotic. It must have limited production or historical value.

2. What is the most valued car? At http://bit.ly/13ZP0pr you learn that actor James Coburn’s 1961 Ferrari 250GT Spyder  topped the list when it sold for $10.9 million. Here’s more on exotic car prices http://bit.ly/1eKlzZZ

3. Which is faster, a Bugatti Veyron a Lamborghini Aventador?  At The Supercars http://bit.ly/1bwm5ej you can learn that a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport can go from 0-60 in 2.4 secs; a lot faster than the Lamborghini Aventador. But both accelerate slower than a cheetah. See http://bit.ly/14z1bVS

4. What country produces the most exotic cars? At http://bit.ly/14d5DdI you learn that one country claims ownership rights to Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati: Italy. Even though the Bugatti is produced in France, it was created by somebody born in Italy. See http://bit.ly/15FzQ4D

5. OK I want one. How much $? At http://nydn.us/1bwq6zy you learn that for the price of one Lamborghini Veneno is $3.9 million. That’s the same as 150 Ford Fusion Hybrids.

RIGHT TO THE SOURCE

Here are the homepages for 11 Exotic car makers.

• Alfa Romero http://www.alfaromeo.com
• Audi http://www.audiusa.com
• Bugatti http://www.bugatti.com
• Corvette http://www.corvette.com
• Ferrari http://www.ferrari.com
• Lamborghini http://www.lamborghini.com
• Maserati http://www.maserati.us
• Mclaren http://www.mclaren.com
• Mercedes Benz http://www.mbusa.com
• Porche http://www.porsche.com
• Tesla http://www.teslamotors.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————— 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.

Trains come in all shapes, lengths and speeds. Chances are, there’s one near your house. Here’s a collection of sites to test your knowledge of trains.

What country claims to have the world’s fastest trains?

a) Japan

b) USA

c) France

Find out here: http://www.record2007.com/site/index_en.php. Answer: Both France and Japan. On April 3, 2007, the French train called the V150  went an amazing 356 MPH; but there’s a bit of disagreement about this record because of the way trains are defined. In 2003, a Japanese bullet train — called a Maglev and pictured at the right — reached a speed of 361 MPH. You can read CNN’s report of the event at http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/03/japan.maglev.ap. Similar trains are under construction in China. There was also an Air Force rocket sled that broke the speed of sound.

Here’s some other interesting links that deal with the fastest trains:

1) a movie of a Japanese train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weWmTldrOyo

2) a list of speed records: http://www.h2.dion.ne.jp/~dajf/byunbyun/speeds/records.htm

T/F – Is there such a thing as a train without wheels?

Watch the video below, and you’ll learn how a Japanese Maglev train works — with no wheels. They actually do have wheels, but they lift of the track when the train reaches a certain speed — sort of like an airplane. For even more detailed information, visit http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/magnetacademy/
superconductivity101/maglev.html.

What’s the longest train?

The longest regularly running train (picturered to the right) can be found in the Sahara Desert, where it carries rock from a mine. The train is 1.86 miles long. Watch a video of the train passing — every car — at http://fogonazos.blogspot.com/2007/01/longest-train-in-world.html! There was a longer train in Australia that measured four miles long, but it only ran once.

What’s the longest train ride in the world?

A ride in the train called Rossiya can take seven days, as it travels from Moscow, in Eastern Europe, to Vladivostok on the Pacific Coast. That’s 5,777 miles! You can learn more about the trip and see more photos of the train at http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian-pictures.com.

Do you know when it is safe to cross the train tracks?

Play the train safety game and learn some facts about how to act around trains. Visit http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Rail/english/indexhtml.

Where is the largest model railroad in the world located?

It depends who you ask! Flemington, NJ, former software developer, Bruce Zaccagnino, created a train set with eight miles of track — so large it needs a special building. Bruce calls it Northlandz. If it were life-sized, it would be 1,600-miles-long. Listen to Bruce and his wife, Jean, describe hs work on National Public Radio at http://www.soundportraits.org/on-air/northlandz/.

Wunderland, located in Hamburg, Germany, boasts 9,000 meters of track, with a major expansion to be completed in 2014. See http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/exhibit/wunderland/wunderland-facts/, and take a virtual tour by clicking on the video below.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e98_1237657552

Would you like to ride in a hot air balloon? Ever wonder how they fly? Do stray balloons really travel up to space? In this issue of Little Clickers, we ‘soared’ around the Internet to answer these questions and more.

How do Hot Air Balloons work?

At http://www.eballoon.org/balloon/how-it-works.html you learn that hot air balloons are based on a very basic scientific principle: warmer air rises in cooler air. This site has a lot of general information about the sport of hot air ballooning.

If you held onto a few hundred helium-filled balloons, could you really take off?

If they were big enough, you could, but we don’t recommend trying it. At http://www.couchballoons.com/history/, you can learn about the world record holder (Kent Couch, pictured right) for what is known as “cluster ballooning.” Another site, http://www.clusterballoon.org/, has even more information of the extreme sport of cluster ballooning. It is very dangerous, and you have to be a licensed pilot in order to do this.

How old do you have to be to fly a balloon?

According to http://www.illflyaway.net/FAQs.html, you must be 16 years old to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate in the USA . This site also answers all kinds of other questions, like: “What happens when a bird flies into a balloon?”, “What if you have to go to the bathroom?”, and “Are all hot air balloons alike?”

Can you fly around the world in a hot air balloon?

At http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=stevefossett, you can read about Steve Fossett, the first person to fly around the world alone, nonstop, in a balloon from June 19, 2002, to July 2, 2002. During his 14-day journey, he traveled 20,602 miles (32,963 km).

What is that largest hot air balloon?

At http://www.energizer.com/energizer-bunny/hot-hare-balloon/Pages/hot_hare_balloon.aspx, you learn that the Energizer Bunny® Hot Hare Balloon is 116 feet tall, making it the world’s biggest hot air balloon. Designed to promote batteries, the balloon’s six-story height is 15 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty!

What happens to a hot air balloon when it lands?

Watch this home video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owZONPuk2k8, and take a ride with a family as they ‘chase’ a balloon until it lands.