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2000 ThinkQuest USA Winner

Best of Contest

Rat Tales - Arts and Literature

Rat Tales is a literature-based unit study for grades 4-6. It is based on the Newbery-award winning book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. The book touches on the subjects of intelligence, both animal and human, the ethics of animal experimentation, problem solving, and simple machines. While reading the book, students can visit the web site to test their reading comprehension with interactive questions, solve math problems based on situations from the book, test their own IQ, learn about simple machines, read about real-life animal geniuses, make crafts, express their opinions about animal experimentation, explore animal communication, solve puzzles and problems, learn more about rats, and even play an interactive game featuring characters from the book.

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Platinum - Arts and Literature

Write On Reader

Our site is a comprehensive site about reading and writing. Anything you could possibly want to know about reading and writing is available. We've conducted favorite book, author, and illustrator surveys and published our results. We've written biographies about some of our favorite authors and included book lists and book reviews. We have links to fabulous author and illustrator websites, as well as writing links to help students with writing. Our expert advice page includes interviews with authors, illustrators, newspaper editors, librarians, etc. We talk about literary awards, how a book is made from publishing to making your own book, to how kids can get published. We discuss literacy programs and the type of help available for those who need it. We have fun wordgames, many of which are interactive. Our page on writing discusses the history of writing, forms of writing and the writing process. We have a glossary of terms and great story starter ideas. We go around the world with books and tell you what lands different books are about.

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Platinum - Science and Mathematics

Beauty and the Beast: Nature's Gift and Nature's Fury of Hawaii

This site will explore the dual faces of Mother Nature in Hawaii, both Beauty and Beast. Just as the fairy tale explores the two sides of human nature -- one dark and frightening, the other bright and loving -- so can we explore Mother Nature. Just as the fairy tale joings the two in marriage after a long journey of turmoil, learning, and understanding, so can we come to better understand our relationship with Mother Nature. "Beauty and the Beast" examines four powerful forces of nature in Hawaii -- volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes -- focusing on the disasterous consequences as well as learning lessons of hope and renewal.

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Platinum -- Social Sciences

Venturing into Hawaii's Coral Reef

Mahalo! "Venture into Hawai'i's Coral Reefs" validates the fact that Hawai'i's coral reef is indeed the tropical rainforest of the sea.

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Platinum -- Sports and Health

Propelled by Pedals: A Fun Guide to Bicycles

Our website, Propelled By Pedals, is about bikes. The main focus of our site, Pedaling Preferences, is to let visitors have fun while learning to choose a bike. Our site helps you learn what you need to know when choosing a bike, including size, what kinds of bikes you might like, and where to buy a bike. In Pedaling Protection, kids learn about how to be safe while riding their bikes: rules and laws are included. In Pedaling Through the Parts, we explain how bikes work, how they are made of simple machines working together, and how bikes obey the laws of physics. Some famous cyclists and some not-so-famous faces appear in Pedaling Pros. We also teach patrons about the history of bikes in Pedaling Through the Past. Pedaling Pleasure tells you about bike tricks and neat trails to ride from all over the U.S. and Canada. You can learn what to eat to stay healthy in Pedaling Performance. In Pedaling Puzzles, we have a few games, jokes, and riddles that just might put a smile on your face. Our Photo Gallery shows pictures of bikes, our links page gives other sites to visit on the internet, and our bibliography tells where we found our information. If you want, you can find out even more bike information from our links and bibliography. We hope you enjoy Propelled by Pedals.

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Platinum - Interdisciplinary

Building the Windy City

Chicago is known throughout the world for its wonderful architecture. Visitors to our site, ?Building the Windy City,? will have fun learning about many of the great buildings of Chicago, the architects who designed them, and some of the basics of architecture. Our site contains question-and-answer reports about many important Chicago buildings and architects, a Frank Lloyd Wright virtual tour, a timeline of Chicago architecture, interviews with modern-day Chicago architects, links to other sites, and games galore. We also invite visitors to share their own opinions about Chicago?s buildings and architects. Have fun learning about Chicago?s amazing architecture!

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Gold - Arts and Literature

Millennium Mystery Madness

Are you interested in learning about mysteries? Millennium Mystery Madness is the place for you! At our site, you will find a brief history, the anatomy of a mystery, mystery favorites from around the world, author tips, vocabulary and writing exercises, puzzles, and a mystery scavenger hunt. Also, you will see an example of a multimedia mystery story and learn how to take writing to another dimension!

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Gold - Arts and Literature

...And They Kept On Dancing

Our site tells about the various types of dance styles including ballet, tap, modern, jazz and folk. Each section goes into the history and concepts of the style. The ballet section also includes basic moves illustrated and takes you front stage the most famous ballets. The folk section takes you on a world-wide tour of folk dance. Our site also introduces you to some of the most influencial people in dance. Finally, our site includes a game to reinforce dance terms, a test on dance concepts and names, a guestbook, suggestions for dancing movies and quotes about dance.

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Gold - Science and Mathematics

Giant Sequoias

The site will provide general knowledge of the giant Sequoia trees located in Sequoia National Forest in central California. The site will give information on the history of where Sequoia trees can be found, names and measurements of famous Sequoias including the General Sherman and General Grant, and cover the lifecycle of the Sequoias. The site will also provide maps as well as a chance to interact with the site via feedback forms, a coloring page, a wordsearch, and a quiz to test your knowledge.

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Gold -- Science and Mathematics

Life on the Rocky Shore

"Life on the Rocky Shore" is an enjoyable learning spot for students looking for information about tidepools. This site describes ocean life in tidepools, the animals living there and the tides affecting them. Animal photos are followed by a narrative and a table which includes diet, color, size, life cycle, predators, types and relatives of each for easy viewing. Vocabulary words are highlighted and linked to the glossary. There is a quick interactive quiz for each animal with the correct answers given upon completion. Other interactive aspects of this site are an animal identification game, crossword puzzles, word searches and a scavenger hunt. Animal drawings in the Coloring Book may be printed out for coloring or use in a report. There are also examples of the animals done in batiks, an art process explained in the activities section. Other activities include making a tidepool viewer and making a paper mache tidepool. Links to tide tables, updated monthly, are available for visitors wanting to go tidepooling. A survey asks visitors to collaborate by sending data about their tidepooling experiences.

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Gold - Social Sciences

Colonial Kids: A Celebration of Life in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the 1700's

Colonial Kids is an exploration of colonial times in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Life as a colonist is uniquely presented through the eyes of children who lived during this period of American history. Their daily routines, schooling, home life, and recreation are brought to life with stories and facts as told by the children who would have experienced them. A recipe book, craft collection, and games all are included in this site to provide the viewer with fun activities that teach about the time period in a hands on manner. There is also a section that explains potential jobs that the kids might one day grow up to hold. A gallery of tools used by a colonial woodworker allows the viewer to choose a photograph of a tool, and select it to learn more. Video clips throughout the site help visitors learn about things such as the clothes that were worn in the time period, as well as the ways in which people traveled throughout the region. Overall the site provides viewers with a comprehensive picture of the life of a Colonial Kid.

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Gold - Social Sciences

The Dig: Adventures in Archaeology

Everyone loves to dig for buried treasure! The Dig: Adventures in Archaeology unearths information about the scientists who search for the most exciting treasure of all: the mysterious past of our civilization! This site teaches upper elementary school children about the relevance of archaeology and the methods used by archaeologists in their search to understand the past. Interviews with archaeologists help the students gain an appreciation for the work of professionals in this field. In addition, the development of archaeology as a science over the centuries is outlined, and many famous dig sites throughout the world are surveyed, with actual photographs of the sites. Throughout the site, interactive components allow for an international sharing of ideas and hands-on experiences to enhance the students? learning. This site is simple enough for a nine-year old to use and understand, while containing enough information and pictures to retain the interest of a middle school student.

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Gold - Social Sciences

Mummies Unwrapped

Our site is to help teach people that there is more than just one kind of mummy. Mummies can come from all different places around the world. Mummies can be formed in a variety of weather conditions and climates. Many mummy forms were formed intentionally, but some were formed in an accidental manner. Some of these accidental forms are frozen in ice, trapped in a bog, and covered in mud. Some of the intentional forms of mummies are ones that are coated in wax, dipped in plastic and weathered by desert sands and wind. Mummification was desired by many cultures and used as a symbol of rank. These types of cultures also mummified their children as well as their animals. The children and animals were placed in the tombs with their adult relatives. Our site details many different types of mummies including the Egyptian, Chinese, Mud, Bog, Inca and Ice mummies. Information about how these mummies are formed as well as where and how they can be found is included in the site. Additional information that can be found at the site is a recipe for Yummy Mummy Cookies by Hershey, links to many other mummy web sites, a mummy word search, meet a Mummy Master and a really cool Mummy Rap Song.

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Gold - Sports and Health

Growing Up With Epilepsy

"Growing Up With Epilepsy" is a kid friendly exploration of epilepsy from both a personal and scientific point of view. The site explains what epilepsy is, how it's treated, as well as Alyssa's personal experiences. The site is interactive as visitors with epilepsy are invited to share their experiences on the message board and pose questions to Alyssa and Daniel as well as their medical advisors. Daniel and Alyssa explain the genetics and the biochemistry of epilepsy so that children can understand not only epilepsy, but how the brain normally functions. Multimedia features include a movie of Alyssa's visit with her neurologist and an animated neuron. Tests to diagnose epilepsy are explained and illustrated. Children are given tips on how to protect themselves from brain injury that could cause epilepsy.

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Gold - Sports and Health

Unusual Sports in the Olympics

Everyone has heard of figure skating and gymnastics, but how many people know the thrill of racing down an ice covered track on a sled or the beauty of water ballet? This web site explores the "unusual sports in the Olympics:" the ones that may not get much press attention, but that have dedicated athletes just the same. After visiting this informative and interactive site, you won't see the Olympics in the same light again.

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Gold

Bald Eagles - Interdisciplinary

Bald Eagles - Learn all about Bald Eagles. Includes information about Eagle Facts, Ecology (the decline and increase of Bald Eagle population), Migration, the Bald Eagle and U.S. history and Folklore(tradition and original stories). There are many quizzes and one big Save the Bald Eagle Game quiz. Be sure to refer to the Teacher's Helper site map. Please sign our guestbook to help us track Bald Eagle migration and remember to take the turkey survey on the history page.

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Gold - Interdisciplinary

Around the World in 80 Days: A Geography Adventure

Our entry is a Geography Adventure based on Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. When you visit our site, you can learn about the book, its author, and all the countries that were visited in the book. We also have a fun game based on the information in our site.

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Silver - Arts and Literature

The Wonderful Styles of Art

Our website discusses four different styles of art: Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Post-Impressionism. We teach visitors about what each art style is about and what separates these styles of art. You will also learn about the different techniques artists use in their paintings like the use of color and different brushstrokes. We use examples from famous artists to teach you about the different styles and techniques.

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Silver - Arts and Literature

Art Rights and Wrongs

Kids making websites will need to understand why copyrights, trademarks and licenses are important. Counterfeiters target kids. Counterfeit collectables make copyrights an everyday topic for kids. We have lots of general information, interviews with artists and publishers, and advice from webmasters on a variety of educational websites. There are personal stories that encourage kids to write for permission for images they would like. There are ideas and tips for getting permission. The site features an interview with the director of the National Digital Library as well as a picture tour of the Library of Congress. There are class activities such as class discussion topics and games that utilize the vocabulary on the site. Art rights and wrongs is an especially important topic in the digital age.

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Silver - Arts and Literature

The Art of Storytelling

Discover the exciting world of storytelling! Central School, Glen Rock, NJ has been storytelling for ten years. We have a resident storyteller and hold a Storytelling Festival every spring. Our site offers suggestions for getting started in storytelling, developing your skills, and planning a Storytelling Festival for your school. We used famous American Folktales as the subject of our storytelling ideas. Visitors will learn about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Annie Christmas, Mike Fink, Casey Jones, and Swamp Angel, with ideas for telling their stories. There are activities to print that relate to storytelling and the folktales.

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Silver - Science and Mathematics

How Pono the Happy Face Spider Found His Smile

Our website explores the reasons for and efforts being made on behalf of some of Hawaii's rare and endangered plant and animal species. The plight of our beautiful native plants and animals is told in a lighthearted tale about Pono, a happy face spider who has lost his smile and embarks on a journey to find it. We designed our site to be informative, interactive and fun. We hope you enjoy it.

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Silver - Science and Mathematics

Spaceball

Discover The Universe, its components and origins. Explore our solar system and the people and spacecraft that made our adventures in and knowledge of space possible. Join us in an exploration of space. The site is structured as if a championship baseball game is being played between celestial object & spacecraft. This novel approach should draw students into the excitement of space exploration.

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Silver - Science and Mathematics

The Truth About the Monsters of the Deep

The topic of our Think Quest entry is Sharks. Our homepage tells about their ecosystem (eating and habitat). It also talks about the phyiscal attributes and the structure of a shark. Other topics covered are instincts, reproduction and specific information about the Great White Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Tiger Shark and Whale shark. There is also a page with interesting facts about sharks and an interview with Marine Biologist, Philip S. Lobel.

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Silver - Social Sciences

Magnificent Medieval Times

Step into the world of Medieval Times. You will journey back in time to learn about kings, queens, peasants,castles, knights, and more. There are lots of fun facts for you to learn and some challenging activities.

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Silver - Social Sciences

The Wonders of Egypt

You will learn about the most spectacular wonders of the Egyptians in this website. Mummies, culture, religion, royalty, pyramids, houses, climate, and foods are revealed. You'll find information from the most recognized, such as King Tut, to the most unknown, such as gods and godesses.

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Silver - Social Sciences

Who Goes There: European Exploration of the New World

Why did Europeans explore during the Age of Exploration in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries? Find out when you join our voyage of exploration along with famous Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French explorers. Hear them tell their stories through interviews, autobiographies, biographies, and journals. It's an exciting way to learn about famous explorers, very different from your social studies textbook.

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Silver - Sports and Health

Just Say No!

Just Say No teaches kids the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Information and games explain why drugs are harmful, ways to say no, ways to avoid peer pressure, where to get help, and how to make good decisions when confronted with drugs.

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Silver - Sports and Health

Kids, What You Need to Know About AIDS and Were Afraid to Ask

Many people are afraid to talk about AIDS and HIV. This website provides information on how to prevent acquiring AIDS or HIV, how people acquire these viruses, and how HIV or AIDS positive mothers can protect their babies from these deadly diseases. It also tells what AIDS and HIV do in the body. You will also find out about how people live with AIDS, and you will find out about medicines that help people with AIDS try to live normal lives. After you see the whole website you can quiz yourself on AIDS and find out how you rate, or you can unscramble some AIDS related words.

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Silver - Interdisciplinary

Missouri River Quest

The Misouri River Project is about the Missouri River, its history, Lewis and Clark, steamboats, wildlife, and our own experiment concerning its flow rate. The project presents information, challenges the user to a treasure hunt, provides quizzes to test the user's knowledge and allow some fun through some crazy madlib generators.

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Silver - Interdisciplinary

Life on an Illinois Farm

When you sit down to have supper, do you ever wonder where everything you eat comes from? How did those pork chops get on your table? Farming in Illinois talks about various kinds of farming done in Illinois from crops to animals. Explore how the animals are raised. What kinds of machinery help the farmer do his chores? Find out how different farm-oriented organizations interact with the community. Join us and find out all about Farming in Illinois.

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Silver - Interdisciplinary

Global Warming: Will it effect you?

Discussion of how Global Warming will effect different aspects in our everyday life, what causes it, what we can do to help, and some games using Global Warming terminology from our site. A journal is available for visitors to record their thoughts and keep us informed about anything new they would like to include.

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Silver - Interdisciplinary

Hawaii's Living Treasures

Hawaii is a special place. It has more threatened and endangered species than anywhere else in the world. This website include how plants and animals came to Hawai'i, changes they experienced, and what we can do to help.

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Simulation Award - Social Sciences

Values: Making Good Choices for Life

This site focuses on values that most people believe to be particularly important in life. Some of these values include respect, responsibility, cooperation, honesty, and environmental awareness.

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