1223WarmUp

Well, it's the last day of vacation. We need to find out what Santa is up to.

Take a look @ http://www.noradsanta.org/

In the holiday mood? Check out these sites:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1949556,00.html?xid=rss-photoessays&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Fphotoessays+(TIME%3A+Top+Photoessays)&utm_content=Google+Reader

http://www.marks-english-school.com/games/mes-christmas_01.html

http://www.simonsezsanta.com/friendly.php

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/advent07/adventcalendar2007.html

http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-games-reordering-christmas.htm

http://www.zefrank.com/xmas/

http://www.everyclick.com/santaswing.html

http://www.theoworlds.com/christmas/

http://www.123bee.com/play/santaclaus-boy-escape

http://www.esklavos.com/gatuno2/

http://gamershood.com/flashgames/7018

Leave a comment!

Have a happy holiday!

dmac

1222WarmUp

Ever take a photo? How about one that changed the world?

Take a look at some photos that have changed the world:

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0309/lm_index.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/6152050/Ten-photographs-that-changed-the-world.html

http://todayspictures.slate.com/20070619/

http://www.cameranaked.com/FamousPhotos.htm

Leave a comment!

dmac

1221WarmUp

Well it's the holidays! Let's take a look at some festive sites

http://emoticarolers.com/:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/12/25/world/20071225_CHRISTMAS_SLIDESHOW_index.html/


http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1697456,00.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2008/12/08/holidays/photoessay4656048.shtml

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/i-spy/games/christmas

http://sprintsweets.com/

http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/

http://article.wn.com/view/2008/10/22/White_House_Christmas_tree_again_comes_from_NC_l/


Leave a comment!

dmac

1218WarmUp

Climate change--is it real or just made up? Take a look at these sites and decide for yourself:

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/environment/energy/

http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/consumerConsequences.html

http://www.myfootprint.org/en/about_the_quiz/what_it_measures/

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

http://www.planetgreengame.com/play_again.html

http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html

http://www.scholastic.com/growgreen/virtualforest/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1217WarmUp

Racing around cyberspace last night in the one-man flyer, I found these oddball yet fun sites:

http://www.munkyourself.com/us/

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/lunchables/lunch-roar-score/animal-mix-up.aspx

http://solutions.vzwshop.com/camels/default.html?mId=0.4&lang=en

http://www.glitchscape.com/

http://memorize.com/

http://www.thinkmeter.com/index1

Leave a comment!

dmac

1216WarmUp

What do you think you want to do when you get out of high school?

You don't know?

Take a look at these websites:

http://www.mint.com/blog/trends/earning-power-a-visual-survey-of-80-occupations/?display=wide

http://www.knowitall.org/kidswork/index.html

http://www.cacareerzone.org/flash/index.html

http://bioworksu.com/

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/careercapture/index_en.html

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/peterpacket2/NewBuild_forweb/penny/index.html

http://disney.go.com/dxd/index.html?channel=108602


Leave a comment!

dmac

1215WarmUp

We're getting to the end of 2009. Can you remember the important events that happened this year?

If not, then take a look at the following websites:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1946595,00.html

http://www.life.com/image/ugc1023122/in-gallery/37802

http://english.cctv.com/photo/album/20091211/102091_0.shtml

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTXRC8R#a=1

http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/world/the-best-photos-of-2009/20091214-krrf.html

Can you remember what happened this year now?

Leave a comment!

dmac

1214WarmUp

Ever want to design your own crossword?

Try these sites:

http://classtools.net/

http://www.philologus.co.uk/index.php

http://www.purposegames.com/

http://www.karooba.com/

http://sploder.com/

http://www.kickplay.com/

Leave a comment!

1211WarmUp

In America, we take for granted some important essentials that make our life easy in comparison to other countries.

For example, clean drinking water. Imagine if you couldn't just turn on the tap. There would be no tea, no coffee, no pasta--no showers!! Well, it would be a lot of work to have these things that right now are at our fingertips.

Take a look at some interesting sites about water and water conservation:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4800000/newsid_4806400/4806454.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/world/03/world_forum/water/html/default.stm

http://www.wateraid.org/uk/learn_zone/primary/water_around_the_world/6385.asp

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2006/10/06/science/1194817112055/a-simple-solution-for-clean-water.html?scp=1&sq=world%20water%20day&st=cse

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123483638138996305.html#project%3DWATER0902%26articleTabs%3Dinteractive

http://wateruseitwisely.com/kids/tip-tank-game.php

http://www.thewaterfamily.co.uk/index2_content.html

http://www.savewater.com.au/game

http://www.unicef.org/voy/wes/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1210WarmUp

Once again, strapped into the one-man flyer, rocketing around cyberspace, I discovered these interesting science sites:

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/PQTimeline/

http://science.discovery.com/tv/space-week/solar-symphony/solar-symphony.html

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7523700.stm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7348103/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1209WarmUp

Right now, the leaders of the world are assembled in Copenhagen to discuss climate change.

Take a look @

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703558004574582012121648076.html

and

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2009/dec/07/copenhagen-climate-change-carbon-emissions

and

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/6672284/Copenhagen-climate-change-conference-2009-we-look-at-the-problems-our-changing-planet-is-facing.html


Some in this country don't believe it's happening at all.

View some interesting infographics @

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2009/dec/02/world-climate-anomalies-map

and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394886.stm

Watch interesting reports on climate change @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8390366.stm


and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1570000/newsid_1575400/1575441.stm


Finally, take another look @

http://www.eschooltoday.com/climate_change_class.html


Leave a comment!

dmac

1208WarmUp

How do you spell--hippopotamus?

Think you can spell anything?

Try out http://www.tutpup.com/plays/new/2-word-game

How about http://www.manythings.org/cts/

Or http://www.wordcentral.com/games/alpha-bot.html

Or http://www.kidsspell.com/

or http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/books/content/wordsort/?g=0#header

or http://www.visualthesaurus.com/bee/

Had enough?

Leave a comment!

dnac

1207WarmUp

...December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—FDR

Do you know why?

...the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan--FDR

Today is Pearl Harbor Rememberance day!

Here are a few web sites you should consider:

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112601/ph_story/phs_frameset1.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/social/wwii_interactives.htm

http://my.hrw.com/ss2/ss06_07_08/student/flash/huswwe_fd_peahar2/map_viewer.html

http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/ax/frameset.html

http://www.phschool.com/atschool/ahon/history_interactive/mvl-8242/common_player.html

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/9573-pearl-harbor-results-of-pearl-harbor-video.htm

http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-infamy.htm

Leave a comment!

dmac

1204WarmUp

Ever wonder where Uzbekistan is? How about the Maldives?

Find out about other countries @ http://www.nationsillustrated.com/

Look at some maps @ http://www.fieldmuseum.org/maps/about.asp

Now take a geography challenge @ http://www.mentalfloss.com/geographyzone/

How about the traveler IQ challenge @ http://www.mentalfloss.com/geographyzone/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1203WarmUp

Let's take a look at some of the most famous art in the world:

http://www.mystudios.com/treasure/treasure.html

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en

http://www.museodelprado.es/

http://www.nga.gov/

http://www.mfa.org/

Which one is your favorite?

Leave a comment!

dmac

1202WarmUp

It's the beginning of meterological winter!

Let's see how you 'll do @ http://gyon.eek.jp/winter.shtm

Need a hint? Try http://www.games-walkthroughs.com/2008/12/winter-walkthrough.html

All done? Try whomp @ http://fun.familyeducation.com/entertainment/child-online-games/28867.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

1201WarmUp

Rocketing around the web in the one-man flyer, I have come across a few interesting and fun bits that you should take a look at.

10 top programming languages from Microsoft:

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Top-10-Microsoft-Programming-Languages-704642/?kc=EWKNLEDP11302009A

An exercise in design:

http://shapetrace.lv.com/

45 ads you will most likely remember:

http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/45-advertisements-you-will-never-forget

Make a Thank You movie:

http://www.tackfilm.se/en/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1130WarmUp

Ever start to sing a song -- and can't remember the lyrics?

Try these sites:

http://www.lyrster.com/

http://www.lyricsoncall.com/

http://www.lyricsmode.com/

http://www.elyrics.net/

Now find the end of these lyrics and finish off these songs!

Set me free ______

I'm in the mood ____

When I was younger ______

Here I stand _______

Anyday, anyday, ______

Yesterday, ________

Lady of Spain, _______

Darling, won't you _______

Oh Darling _____

Unforgettable, _______

Leave a comment!

dmac

1124WarmUp

Now that the holidays are coming, how about sending a...Critter Carol!

Try it @ http://www.petcentric.com/fun-games/Critter-Carols.aspx

While you're there, try to figure out what kind of dog is right for you!

Try it @ http://www.petcentric.com/fun-games/friend-fetcher.aspx

In fact, why don't you just learn to speak like a dog @ http://www.petcentric.com/fun-games/Learn-To-Speak-Dog.aspx

Leave a comment!

dmac

1123WarmUp

Ever want to make your own kind of music?

Try out these websites:

http://soundbadge.net/
http://www.zefrank.com/xmas/
http://www.tvokids.com/framesets/play.html?game=94
http://www.nimsisland.com/animaljukebox.html
http://www.buildupper.com/
http://www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm
http://www.lukewhittaker.co.uk/soundfactory/index.php
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/fun/sixmixer/
http://www.kisstunes.com/m2/page1.aspx

Leave a comment!

dmac

1120WarmUp

Yesterday, when trying out our new search engines, I discovered a number of Robotics/Programming competitions targeted at high school students.

Check it out @

http://www.usfirst.org/Default.aspx

http://robots.net/rcfaq.html

http://www.bostonfirst.org/

http://www.topcoder.com/

http://imaginecup.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1119WarmUp

In the olden days, when you needed to look something up you searched for the topic in the dictionary then the encyclopedia.

Today, it's much easier--you have the Internet, the most powerful search tool in the world, right at your fingertips.

But where do yo go for information?

"Google it" has become a common, everyday phrase. How about some others?

Check out TwickIt @ http://twick.it/index.php

You know about Ask.com http://www.ask.com/

How about True Knowledge http://www.trueknowledge.com/

You know Microsoft Live Search http://www.bing.com/?fdr=lc

How about SortFix http://www.sortfix.com/

and

Carrot http://search.carrot2.org/stable/search

and finally Quintura http://www.quintura.com/

and Boolify http://www.boolify.org/index.php

and Viewzi http://www.viewzi.com/search/

Whew!

Leave a comment!

dmac

1118WarmUp

Mars--the Red Planet! 4th from the Sun and only 54.6 million km away from Earth.

Find out more about how the distance between the two planets was calculated @
http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/mars/distance-from-earth-to-mars/

Find out more stats about Mars @ http://library.thinkquest.org/C005921/Mars/mars.htm

Scientists have always believed that there was an advanced Martian civilization. In fact in the 1970's pictures were taken of the "Face on Mars."

Take a look @ http://barsoom.msss.com/education/facepage/face.html

If there is life on Mars, what would it be like to be a Martian? Ever wonder?

Check it out @ http://beamartian.jpl.nasa.gov/welcome

How do you say "Leave a comment" in Martian?

dmac

1117WarmUp

How do you help a child to read?

How about a website?

Check it out @ http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/read-and-write

Leave a comment!

dmac

1116WarmUp

Facts or opinions, facts or opinions.

What's a fact? What's an opinion?

Think you can tell the difference?

Try it out @
http://www.quia.com/jq/24723.html
and
http://www.quia.com/pop/12709.html?AP_rand=830725424
and
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/factsopinions.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

1113WarmUp

Watch it--today's Friday the 13th! Bad luck and all that.

Where did this superstition come from?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th

What is so unlucky about this day?
http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/friday_the_13th.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091112/ap_on_re_us/us_fea_lifestyles_friday_the13th_phobia

They even made a movie about it!
http://www.fridaythe13thfilms.com/home.html

So, what do you think? You feel lucky today, punk? -- dirty Harry

Leave a comment!

dmac

1112WarmUp

November 9th was the anniversary of the Berlin Wall, which has been down for 20 years!

What is the Berlin Wall?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall

Why is it significant? http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/11/the_berlin_wall_20_years_gone.html

What is the history? Check out a neat timeline @
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/WSJ_How_The_Wall_Fell_110509.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

1110WarmUp

Think you're smart in math? How about science? And English?

Try the Whack Attack @

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/game/whack/index.shtml

Leave a comment!

dmac

GTAYOUTUBEURL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC7v_Hk6ZXg

1109WarmUp

Absolutely, without a doubt, the most incredible website I have ever seen.

Grab a pair of headphones and enjoy:

http://phones.verizonwireless.com/motorola/droid/#/features/games

Leave a comment!

dmac

1106WarmUp

Have you ever seen a screencast? I'll bet you have!

What is a screencast?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screencast

See a demo @ http://demogirl.com/2008/11/13/free-screencast-application-screentoaster-may-be-my-new-best-friend/

Create your own @

http://www.screentoaster.com/

and

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

and

http://screenr.com/

and

http://www.screenjelly.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1105WarmUp

The World Wide Web (www) is the ultimate killer app. The World Wide Web has had a major impact on how we communicate and interact. But what is it? What is the World Wide Web?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Web

Among the most popular web-based applications are Facebook, Myspace and Twitter?

What are these exactly?

Look them up @

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySpace
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

Among the newest is Twitter, which is gaining enormous popularity. But with so many "tweets" happening, which topics are the most popular? How do you know what everyone else is looking at?

Try these websites:

http://topsy.com/top100

and

http://splurb.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1104WarmUp

What's your story?

Check out how @
http://www.slideshare.net/irwyn12/whats-my-story-using-drama-technology-for-storytelling-ihci-2008-presentation

Tell your own story @
http://myths.e2bn.org/story_creator/

and

http://www.kerpoof.com/

and

http://www.fuzzwich.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1103WarmUp

As you know, my all time favorite magazine is Wired (just take a look in the bookcase.)

I love Wired because it showcases all of the latest technology. Even better, the magazine details the application of technology to everyday life in the coolest ways.

Check out the online version @ http://www.wired.com/

Pick out an article. Read it. Tell us about it.

Leave a comment.

dmac

1102WarmUp

What do art and computers have to do with each other?

Check it out @ http://www.lacma.org/programs/familygame/index.aspx

and

http://professorgarfield.org/pgf_ArtBot.html

and

http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/explore.cfm

and

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/color/color.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

1030WarmUp

Tommorow is Halloween! Are you dressing up as a ghoul or a zombie??--kid's stuff!

What is Halloween really all about? What does it mean?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

and

http://www.history.com/content/halloween

Take a look @ these Halloween websites:

http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/games/spelloween/spelloween.html
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-dark-wood.htm
http://www.theoworlds.com/halloween/
http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/ghost-hunter/
http://www.pinkbunnylilli.de/funny-halloween/
http://www.garfield.com/fungames/scavengerhunt/scavengerhunt.html
http://mac.rash.jp/games/dasyutu/40/index.html
http://www.addictinggames.com/halloweenescape.html
http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/trick-or-treat-adventure/

Leave a scary comment!

dmac

1029WarmUp

Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar: all famous children's books.

Ever feel like you could write one?

Here's your chance!

Check it out @

http://www.artisancam.org.uk/flashapps/picturebookmaker/picturebookmaker.php?PHPSESSID=cba2b50a15700462b92b17052c9bf55d

Leave a comment!

dmac

1028WarmUp

You've heard of rap, reggae and reggaeton--how about classical?

What is classical music?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music

Check out a great site @ http://www.kusc.org/kids/

and

http://www.kusc.org/kids/brahms/base.htm

and

http://www.kusc.org/kids/sche/base.htm

Leave a comment!

dmac

1027WarmUp

Ever wonder what happened first -- burning at the stake or the study of Astronomy?

Find out @ http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/PQTimeline/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1026WarmUp

How much do you know about food--how much it costs, where to store it?

Check out your food savy @ http://gel.msu.edu/fantasticfoodchallenge/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1023WarmUp

"She's got a lot of personality"

What is personality?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality

What's yours like?

Find out @ http://www.abc.net.au/talkitup/workitout/test_play.htm
and
https://www.cia.gov/careers/cia-personality-quiz.html
and
http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/
and
http://www.at15.com/games/pic_a_pic
and
http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html
and
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/FoundersQuiz/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1022WarmUp

How are you with words?

Try these word challenges @ http://mochiland.com/articles/dictionary-com-word-play-winners.

Leave a comment!

dmac

1021WarmUp

He didn't do it! He never did nothin to nobody!

How many times have you heard that on the news? Bad behavior--even worse grammar.

So, how's your grammar? Need some work?

Check out these websites @ http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm

and

http://fen.com/studentactivities/SinkOrSwim/SinkorSwim.html

and

http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_language/grammar_park.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

1020WarmUp

One of the skills that schools used to teach that has fallen out of favor is typing. That's right! Students used to take a typing class during their senior year to prepare for typing all those long research papers in college.

But no more!

Check out these cool typing sites @:

http://www.typingmaster.com/games/bubbleapplet.asp?keys=abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz&Submit=Start+Game

http://freetypinggame.net/play.asp

http://www.onlytypinggames.com/

Now take a typing test.

http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1019WarmUp

Robots, Robots, Robots! They seem to be everywhere..going to the moon, playing soccer, helping the elderly, teaching??? (now that's scary!)

What do they look like? What do they really do?

Check out these websites:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/robots.html

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/08/more_robots.html

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/27952/japanese-robotics-see-the-future?xid=newsletter

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/25341/robots-we-like-robots-we-fear

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/popup?id=4657172

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1027715n

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1172205n

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1609109n

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7058079

http://www.thetech.org/robotics/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1016WarmUp

Ever been to a football game and been taunted by the other team's fans?

Now you can get viral and write your own taunt. Check it out @ http://blog.oddcast.com/2009/10/tater-taunt.html

Ever dreamed of being the star of the half-time show? Check it out @ http://blog.oddcast.com/2009/10/are-you-a-buckeye.html

Create a song @ http://www.inudge.net/index.en.html

And finally, make your own movie @ http://www.awaywegothemovie.co.uk/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1015WarmUp

You've certainly heard of IQ. What is it?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iq

Take a verbal IQ test @ http://www.queendom.com/queendom_tests/transfer?req=MXwxMTIwfDUyOTE3Nzd8MXwx&refempt=1

Take a non-verbal IQ test @ http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=1112

How about a mental speed test @ http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=1242 and http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=1243

Take a spatial IQ test @ http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=1118

And, finally, what's emotional IQ?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_intelligence

Take an emotional IQ test @ http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=693

Leave a comment!

dmac

1013WarmUp

If you watch the news on TV, you know that natural disasters are BIG!!!.

What is a natural disaster? Which natural disaster is your favorite?

Just check out these websites:

http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0007.html http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0008.html http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0009.html http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0010.html http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0011.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/
http://www.channelone.com/news/specials/disaster/
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/naturaldisasters/preview.weml

Leave a comment!

dmac

1009WarmUp

When was the last time you interacted with Nature?

From inside a classroom?

Check it out @ http://nature.ca/discover/gllrysc_e.cfm

Leave a comment!

dmac

1008WarmUp

Have a dog? Want to boss it around?

Check out the obidient dog @ http://www.idodogtricks.com/index_flash.html

Have a chicken? Want to boss it around?

Check out the subservient chicken @ http://www.bk.com/en/us/campaigns/subservient-chicken.html

Want to start your christmas shopping early? Tell Santa what to do @ http://www.simonsezsanta.com/friendly.php

Leave a comment!

1007WarmUp

How do you get your news? TV? Radio?

How about NewsDots?

http://slatest.slate.com/features/news_dots/default.htm

How about DoddleBuzz?

http://www.doodlebuzz.com/

How about Visual Headlines?

http://visualheadlines.com/

How about Visual Newsmap?

http://www.tsmaps.com/

World News Today?

http://www.mediastoryboard.com/daylife/

Discovery News Today?

http://dsc.discovery.com/discovery-earth-live/?dcitc=w99-502-ah-1051

Newser?

http://www.newser.com/

Need I go on?

Leave a comment!

dmac

1006WarmUp

When was the last time you increased your vocabulary?

Check it out @ http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/ml_lit_gr06_ca/get_chapter_group.htm?cin=1&rg=vocabulary&at=vocab_games&var=vocab_games

Which new word did you learn?

Leave a comment!

dmac

1005WarmUp

Got your thinking cap on today?

What's the meaning of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

Look it up @ http://www.allwords.com/word-supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.html

How about some of these? http://www.classzone.com/cz/find_state.htm

Leave a comment!

dmac

1002WarmUp

You've used MySpace. You've used Facebook.

How about Wiggio?

What is it? Take a read @ http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/01/wiggio-adds-facebook-integration-video-conferencing-and-more/

Check it out @ http://www.wiggio.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

1001WarmUp

You are learning to use Scratch to design presentations. Another popular tool is PowerPoint from Microsoft.

But what do nice presentations really look like?

Look through the year's best @ http://www.slideshare.net/contest/worlds-best-presentation-contest-2009/entries

Leave a comment!

dmac

0930WarmUp

Watch the video: A Vision of K-12 Students Today
@ http://schoolwaxtv.com/vision-k-12-students-today

How accurately does it describe your own educational experience?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0929WarmUp

Ever dream about being a concert pianist? Or the 2nd cello in a symphony orchestra?

Here's your shot. Try it out @ http://contrapunctus.thirdangle.org/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0928WarmUp

What was the most interesting building you ever saw? The Eiffel Tower? The Colliseum? The Taj Mahal? How about the Donut Building?

Let's take a look at some interesting architecture @ http://vacations.com/appetizing-architecture

and

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/08/13/buildings-that-look-like-food-photos/.

Feel hungry?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0924WarmUp

There is some interesting new technology that lets you post just about anything on the web.

Check it out @

http://www.moomeo.com/

and

http://posterous.com/

How does it work?

Figure it out and leave a comment!

dmac

0923WarmUp

Ever look up a word and wish you could just "see" it?

WordSift is a new visual tool to learn vocabulary. Try it @ http://wordsift.com/.

More sites that generate words are:

http://watchout4snakes.com/creativitytools/RandomWord/RandomWordPlus.aspx

and

http://www.wordconstructor.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0922WarmUp

You've heard of information. You've heard of a graphic.

What's an infographic?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_graphics

Check out a good example @ http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kelsey-keith/designage/infographic-day-job-voyager

and

http://flare.prefuse.org/launch/apps/job_voyager

Another great site for infographics is @ http://coolinfographics.blogspot.com/

Search the web and try to find another example of an infographic.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0921WarmUp

What's a high school diploma worth?

Check out the charts @ http://www.mdrc.org/area_fact_33.html

and

http://www.census.gov/schools/census_for_teens/012671.html.

What could be more motivation to stay in school?

How much more does having a high school diploma mean to you over a lifetime of work (30 years)?

How about a college degree?

Or a master's degree?

Figure it out and leave a comment!

dmac

p.s

Take a look at some high salary positions @

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_salaryrangenarrow_40.html

0918WarmUp

Got a dog? Got a cat? Wish they could talk sometimes?

Got a great website for you. Check it out @ http://www.talkingpets.org/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0917WarmUp

You've heard of Google. You've heard of Bing.

How about Oamos? What is Oamos? The wildest search engine on the net.
Oamos not only pulls in text--but images, music, etc. When you enter your search criteria in Oamos the search engine returns news, images, synonyms, music and video related to your inquiry. Search results are streamed in “audiovisually more or less objective or entertaining, with or without sound, with or without links.” You can try this search tool for up to three minutes (per search).

Check it out @ http://www.oamos.com/index.php?hl=en&t=1

Leave a comment!

dmac

0916WarmUp

What is cartography?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartography.

There are many sites on the web that allow you to mess around with cartography. Check it out @
http://www.zeemaps.com/
and
http://www.quikmaps.com/
and
http://www.umapper.com/
and
http://maptrot.com/
and
http://www.scribblemaps.com/#
and
http://maps.google.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0915WarmUp

Color is the spice of life. Without it, we would be surrounded by a world of black and white.

Experiment with color by creating a kaleidoscope @

http://www.mariaclaudiacortes.com/colors/Colors.html.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0914WarmUp

Ever want to report on the traffic? How do they do it?

Take a look at the Mass Highway Department(soon to be the Mass Dept of Transportation)'s webcams.

What's the traffic at the Weston tollbooth right now?

Check it out @ http://www1.eot.state.ma.us/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0911WarmUp

Today is the anniversary of 911.

What happened on that day?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks

Check out these websites about 911:

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/archive-4/

and

http://makehistory.national911memorial.org/

and

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1921566,00.html?xid=rss-photoessays

How old were you when it happened?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0910WarmUp

Every time you turn on the news you hear of another hurricane, earthquake or some form of natural disaster. Why do they happen?

Check it out @
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2008/aug/31/gustav and http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2008/jan/23/earthquakes and http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2008/jun/09/chinaearthquake

When is it going to happen to us? Leave a comment! dmac

0909WarmUp

Today we are going to get started with Scratch.

Check out the Scratch websites @ http://scratched.media.mit.edu/

and

http://scratch.mit.edu/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0908WarmUp

President Obama is making a speech today about staying in school:

Read about it @ http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0903WarmUp

Do you recycle?

Bottles, Cans, Paper....How about your house?

Check it out @

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/09/02/garden/20090903-recycled-slideshow_index.html

Look at another site about truly weird domiciles @ http://www.oddee.com/item_96556.aspx

Here's just some sites about very odd or just plain cool buildings:

http://www.oddee.com/item_94046.aspx

http://www.oddee.com/item_96713.aspx

http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/

http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world-part-ii/

Have fun and leave a comment.

dmac

0902WarmUp

Today, I am going to introduce you to my favorite magazine: Wired.

But first, Find something interesting to investigate at the Wired website @ http://www.wired.com/ .

Leave a comment!

dmac

0901WarmUp

Welcome to another year of GrokIt!

GrokIt originally appeared 2 years ago. While teaching at RHS, I conceived it as the digital equivalent of the Do Now or activator you may be used to other teachers giving to you to start the class.

Interestingly enough, I believe the blog has taken up a much more important role in my classes.

I envision using GrokIt as a hi-tech portal to get you and your energies focused on the class topics of the day by hyperlinking around the net to:

•discover state-of the-art technologies
•bump into some engaging topic
•just enjoy a fun and interesting website.

My hope is to try to kindle a spark of interest in computers and technology.

After all, the World Wide Web and everything in it was created by software developers, computer programmers, web designers, all kinds of techie people of which you are the next generation.

I also want to create a class community, a public forum from which you could express your opinions and see the opinions of others about these topics.

So here's today's GrokIt.

Online carbon calculators help users determine the amount of carbon emissions they (or their household) is responsible for introducing into the environment. This kind of interactive exercise can be a good language-development opportunity, as well as one for expanding content knowledge in either science or social studies.

Figure out how much carbon you are spewing into the atmosphere by using these tools:

http://www.zerofootprintkids.com/kids_home.aspx

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/education/ecologic/games.htm

http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/consumerConsequences.html

http://www.onedidit.com/test/

http://www.waterfootprint.org/index.php?page=cal/waterfootprintcalculator_indv

Leave a comment!

dmac

06 17/18/19WarmUp--GrokIt Signoff

Can you believe it--the last GrokIt!

GrokIt originally appeared at the end of last year. While teaching at RHS, I conceived it as the digital equivalent of the Do Now. Interestingly enough, I believe the blog has taken up a much more important role in my classes.

I envisioned using GrokIt as a hi-tech portal to get you and your energies focused on the class topics of the day by hyperlinking around the net to:

• discover state-of the-art technologies
• bump into some engaging topic
• just enjoy a fun and interesting website.

My hope was to try to kindle a spark of interest in computers and technology.

After all, the World Wide Web and everything in it was created by software developers, computer programmers, web designers, all kinds of techie people of which you are the next generation.

I also wanted to create a class community, a public forum from which you could express your opinions and see the opinions of others about these topics.

I admit it was often difficult to find something interesting for you to view.

So I am asking your opinion.

Should I keep GrokIt going or should I come up with another way to get you focusing on your activities when you come into class every day?

Leave a comment!

dmac

And by the way--have a great summer!

0615/0616WarmUp

METERORITE HITS TEEN'S HAND. HE SURVIVES!

What?

Read about it @ http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/boy-survives-being-struck-by-a-meteorite/

What's the difference between a meteroid, a meteor and a meteorite?

Look it up @ http://www.faqs.org/faqs/astronomy/faq/part5/section-29.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0612WarmUp

Ever finish a book and wonder: What should I read next?

No, that never happened to you?

Well if it ever does, look @ http://bookseer.com/

How about?

http://insuggest.com/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/

http://popacular.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0611WarmUp

One of the weirdest byproducts of the internet has to be the flash mob.

What's a flash mob?

Look it up @ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flash%20mob

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob

More info @
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/08/04/flash.mob/

and

http://www.flashmob.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0610WarmUp

How are you feeling today--not so good?

Check out your symptoms @ http://symptoms.webmd.com/symptomchecker

Too complicated for you? Try out http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-too-ill-popup.htm

Still too much? How about playing some games:

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch05b/

and

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch07b/

and

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch08b/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0609WarmUp

According to Wikipedia...

The meaning of invention is the creation of a new configuration, composition of matter, device, or process.

Without inventions, we would be still living in caves, cooking over open fires.

Look @ some of the most famous inventions:

http://www.cbc.ca/kids/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html

and

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/

and

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/of_inventions.htm

and

http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/hsclist.htm

What do you think is the most famous invention?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0608Warmup

Ever remember something that you didn't want to forget and -- you forgot it!

Mindmapping is a way to get all of your ideas down quickly.

Take a look @

http://www.mind42.com/

and

http://www.gliffy.com/

and

http://www.mindomo.com/index.htm

and

http://www.mindmeister.com/

and

http://www.lovelycharts.com/

and

http://www.exploratree.org.uk/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0605WarmUp

There's a new kid in town. Bing!

Not Bing Crosby--like you would remember--but Bing the new web browser from Microsoft.

Read about it in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/05/29/microsoft_introduces_enhanced_search_engine/

Watch a video @
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/LauraFoy/Bing-Test-Drive-Microsofts-new-search-engine/

Check it out @ http://www.bing.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0604WarmUp

You are completing your Scratch project and as a part, you need to do a PowerPoint presentation.

What is PowerPoint? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_PowerPoint

See what's new in PowerPoint @ http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA100742261033.aspx

Visit a great site for PP presentations @ http://www.pppst.com/index.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0603WarmUp

Now that GM is in bankruptcy, what is the future of the American automobile industry?

Wired Magazine has an idea. Read about it @ http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-06/nep_auto?currentPage=1

Is this the future for GM? Look @ http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/06/chevrolet-volt-3/

What are other car companies doing? http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/05/ford-ecoboost/

What do you think will happen?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0602WarmUp

Ever wonder how printing was done in "the old days"?

Check it out @ http://atlas.lib.uiowa.edu/press-animation.html

Also, here are some links for interesting info about the middle ages:

http://larryferlazzo.com/world%20history.html#later

Leave a comment!

dmac

0601WarmUp

The following locations are some of the strangest, most bizarre spots on earth. Where are they?

Use Google Latitude to find out: http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html

Lat: 25°12'26.43" N Long: 69°30'17.93" W

Lat: 19°25'48.61" N Long: 99°10'0.92" W

Lat: 36°40'53.96" N Long: 117°33'45.66" W

Lat: 47°38'36.29" N Long: 13°55'32.22" E

Lat: 30°16'31.38" N Long: 103°52'57.79" W

Lat: 37°14'40.06" N Long: 115°48'38.45" W

Check your locations @ http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-05/ff_mysteryspots?currentPage=1

Leave a comment!

dmac

0529WarmUp

Kavya Shivashankar, a 13-year-old student from Olathe, Kansas, whose parents migrated to the United States from India has won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee 2009 final.

The word that clinched the $US40,000 prize money and winners’ trophy for Kavya was “laodicean” – meaning lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics.

How are you at spelling?

Try your luck @ http://www.spellingbee.com/

and

http://www.learner.org/interactives/spelling/

and

http://www.quia.com/pop/13123.html

Good luck and leave a comment!

dmac

0528WarmUp

Ever wonder what it would be like to be Stan Lee? Now, you can also create your superhero in own comic strip.

Check it out @ http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

and

http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/index.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

0527WarmUp

One of the hottest apps in technology today is Twitter!

What is it? http://suewaters.wikispaces.com/twitter

Learn more about how to use it @
http://www.harbornecomputers.co.uk/~teachertraining/twitter/index.html

Some do's and don'ts @ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2345283,00.asp

and

http://www.computer-colleges.com/blog/2009/100-tips-to-be-a-smarter-better-twitterer/

Sign up for an account and check it out @ http://www.twitter.com/

Happy tweeting!

dmac

0526WarmUp

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a big time movie director? Spielberg, Scott, Truffaut??

Create your own online animations @ http://www.dfilm.com/live/moviemaker.html

and

http://j3.juniornet.net/movie/movielauncher.cgi?method=make&source=J2-MAMV-FP

Leave a comment!

dmac

0521WarmUp

Ever dream of being a NASCAR driver?

You need to check out the semi-official NASCAR website @

http://iracing.com

Leave a comment!

dmac

0520WarmUp

NASA just finished working on the Hubble telescope and it's better than ever.

Check out what they did @ http://www.nasa.gov/topics/shuttle_station/index.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0519WarmUp

Did you discover your nerd-dom a few warmups back? Now you can be a dork too!

Visit some websites that cater to the dork-crowd:

http://dorkbotboston.com/
and
http://www.instaforms.net/labs/
and
http://www.noisenight.com/
and
http://transition.turbulence.org/upgrade/
and
http://people.csail.mit.edu/jrb/cc/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0518WarmUp

What's the best way to get students interested in computer science?

Let's try:

Alice @ http://www.alice.org/

and

Scratch @ http://scratch.mit.edu/

How about:

Squeak etoys @ http://www.squeakland.org/

Move on to Small Basic @ http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/devlabs/cc950524.aspx

Then you're ready for Visual Basic @ http://www.microsoft.com/express/

Some of your classmates are already studying VB.

Maybe next year, you'll be one of them!

Leave a comment!

dmac

0515WarmUp

What's a personal headsup display?

Do you need one?

Check it out @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heads_up_display

and

http://www.ecs.umass.edu/ece/sdp/sdp09/wolf

What's Wikitude? What does it have to do with a PHD?

Check it out @ http://www.mobilizy.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0514WarmUp

One of the most hardworking and unsung heros of graphic design is the use of typography(a personal favorite-I'm sure you've never even noticed it!)

What is typography? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography.

What is a font? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Font

What is a typeface? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typeface

Look at an example @ http://www.houseind.com/fonts

Leave a comment!

dmac

0513WarmUp

If you liked yesterdays Grok, you'll want to read more on CGI special effects @ www.thegnomonworkshop.com

Leave a comment!

dmac

0512Warmup

Ever wonder how CGI experts create their special effects?

Take a look at a spectacular website offering tutorials, advice, hints and software for creating visual effects @ http://www.videocopilot.net/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0511WarmUp

The Google for Doodle 4 finalists are in!

Read about the history of the Doddle @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/doodler.html

Read the rules @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/index.html

Look at the prizes @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/judging_prizes.html

Look at the winning entries @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html

Vote for a winner @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0508WarmUp

The new Star Trek is coming out today!

Read about the new Star Trek movie @ http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/11/abrams-previews/

Read about the Top 10 Lines Never Before Said in a Star Trek Film @ http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/05/leonard-nimoy-cracks-10-star-trek-jokes-on-letterman/

and

http://www.joost.com/094yhul/t/Top-Ten-Lines-Never-Before-Said-In-a-Star-Trek-Film

Read about Klingons @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon

Learn how to say something in the Klingon language @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon_language

and

@ http://www.kli.org/tlh/phrases.html

What's Borg? What's Romulan? Look it up @ http://www.travelphrases.info/languages/startreklanguages.htm

Live Long and Prosper!

dmac

0507WarmUp

You're a geek!

Really?

What does it mean?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

Still think you're a geek?

Here's 64 things you should know!

http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-things-every-geek-should-know

Leave a comment!

dmac

0506WarmUp

Think you know how to build a pc?

Read all about it @ http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0504WarmUp

Robots, robots, robots--they're everywhere! http://eneve.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/robots/

Look at some pictures @ http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/robots.html

How about sending one into space? http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/

Or sending one into battle? http://www.tatrc.org/website_robotics/bear.html
and http://zerosix.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/skynet-alert-robot-bear-to-rescue-wounded-soldiers/

Or listening to punk music? http://blog.neoco.com/2008/07/04/robots-trained-to-love-punk-music/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0501WarmUp

On Tuesday, there was a major incident on the beach.

Read the following article @ http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/04/30/grapevine_alerts_hordes_to_skip_class/

Leave a comment about the use of social networking and it's effect on this situation.

dmac

Ever use a calculator in math class? Now you can calculate anything, anytime.

Look at the following websites:

http://www.easycalculation.com/index.php
and
http://www.calculator.com/
and
http://www.calculateforfree.com/
and
http://www.math.com/students/tools.html

Calculate the answers to these questions?

How much is a college education going to cost you?
How much interest will you pay on a $300,000 dollar house over 30 years @ 5.5%
How much is that $23,000 dollar car going to cost you with a 4-yr 8% loan?
How many days have you been alive?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0429WarmUp

Ever hear of Rube Goldberg? His name is synomous with "complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways."

Look him up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg.

Ever play Mousetrap? Then you've heard of a Rube Goldberg machine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine.

Check out his webpage @ http://www.rubegoldberg.com/

There is even a contest to design your own Rube Goldberg machine. Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_Machine_Contest

and

http://www.rubegoldberg.com/ (Click on machine contest.)

Leave a comment!

dmac

0428WrapUp

Ever want to fly the Millennium Falcon at light speed?

Can't fly? Then try a paper version. Here's how to make an origami Millennium Falcon.

Watch the video @ http://www.wired.com/video/howto/howto/1785356835/fold-the-millennium-falcon/5330836001

Leave a comment!

0427WarmUp

What's a graph? Check it out @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph

Look @ some interesting examples @ http://graphjam.com/2009/01/23/song-chart-memes-jets-fans-vs-giants-fans/

Build your own @ http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/builder.aspx?bt=graphjam&vs=4

Leave a comment!

dmac

0416WarmUp

Remember the binary system? Representing numbers using only 2 digits? All those 1's and 0's?

Still can't remember how it works? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system

Can you count from 1 to 10 in binary? Try it!

Use the ascii chart @ http://www.pcguide.com/res/tablesASCII-c.html to convert the phrase "Hello World" into binary.

Check your answer using the binary encoder @ http://nickciske.com/tools/binary.php

Double check your answer using the binary/ascii converter @ http://www.easycalculation.com/ascii-hex.php

Leave a comment in English and in binary!

dmac

0414WarmUp

Did you know that every color has a number?

Look up Pantone @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone and
http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx

Try out the color hunter @ http://www.colorhunter.com/

Try blending your own colors @ http://www.colorblender.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0413WarmUp

Ever wonder what a mouse brain looks like?

Check it out @ http://developingmouse.brain-map.org/data/search/1.html?term=A%2A&type=gene

Look at the gene interactive, genome-wide image database of gene expression from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas @ http://mouse.brain-map.org/welcome.do

Leave a comment!

Logical thinking is important in computer science.

But can a computer read your mind? I'll bet it can.

Try it @ http://www.cs4fn.org/mathemagic/magicshuffles/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0408WarmUp

Ever wonder about how Microsoft became the biggest software company in the world?

Watch a history@http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/History/The-History-of-Microsoft-1975/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0407WarmUp

Ever want to create a new ringtone for your phone?

Try it @ http://www.bimtones.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0406WarmUp

Ever hear of del.icio.us?

"Domain names are scarcer than profitable investment banks."... wired 17.04

Read about it @ http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/multimedia/2009/03/pl_playlist?slide=2&slideView=2 (Click the Domain Pic!)

Try it yourself @ http://domai.nr/

Then see it it's available @ http://www.domain.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0403WarmUp

What's a limerick?

Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limericks

Write a limerick about computer science and win a prize @ http://www.cs4fn.org/limericks/limerickcomp.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0402WarmUp

Want to write your first Artificial Intelligence (AI) program?

Check it out @ http://www.cs4fn.org/programming/noughtscrosses/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0401WarmUp

It's April 1st -- the Conficker worm is scheduled to strike.

Read about it @ http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/04/01/pc_users_brace_for_attack_by_conficker_worm/
and
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/good_day_philadelphia/040109_Conficker_C_Virus_Quiet
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7976099.stm
and
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/technology/chi-computer_worm_boxapr01,0,3777501.story

How do you protect your computer against the virus? Look it up @ http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/04/01/keeping_your_computer_safe/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0331WarmUp

Had a great time @ DigiGirlz event @ Microsoft in Cambridge yesterday!

Check it out @ http://www.microsoft.com/about/diversity/programs/digigirlz/default.aspx

See if you can find us in a photo @ http://www.microsoft.com/about/diversity/programs/digigirlz/slideshow.aspx

Leave a comment!

dmac

0327WarmUp

When was the first computer made? 1964? 1973?

How about 1946--it was called ENIAC!

Read all about it @ http://news.cnet.com/2009-1006_3-6037980.html

Watch a video @ http://news.cnet.com/1606-2-6038193.html?tag=txt.

Listen to what the inventor of ENIAC has to say @ http://news.cnet.com/1606-2-6038226.html?tag=txt

Leave a comment!

dmac

How would you like to program an application using punch cards? Ever hear of a floppy disk? A tape drive?

Follow the evolution of computer storage from its earliest days, all the way up to now @ http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/computer_data_storage_through_ages

Leave a comment!

dmac

0325WarmUp

What is the game of life?

Find out @ http://www.math.com/students/wonders/life/life.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0324WarmUp

How did the digital revolution begin?

Read a history @ http://www.cs4fn.org/history/digitalrevolution.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

0323WarmUp

We're in the middle of the digital revolution?

But what does the word digital mean? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital

The information revolution is based on one idea: that all information -- numbers, text, sound, pictures, and videos -- can be translated into a string of 1's and 0's. Of course, in some cases, it takes a LOT of 1's and 0's.

What does it mean to convert something to digital format. Watch @ http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/realworld/what_is_digital/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0320WarmUp

Ever want to be a police artist who draws sketches of suspects?

Now you can @ http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

Draw a suspect.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0319WarmUp

Having a bad day? Maybe it's your biorhythms!

What are biorhythms? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biorhythm

Calculate your biorhythms @ http://biorhythms.perbang.dk/

Configure your chart @ http://www.degraeve.com/bio.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

0318Warmup

Ever collect baseball cards?

Well, this isn't your father's baseball card! Thanks to augmented reality--it's digital and interactive.

Check out how technology has even improved the baseball card @ http://www.t-immersion.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0316WarmUp

Want to be an artist?

Start here! http://www.degraeve.com/img2txt.php

End here! http://www.degraeve.com/txt2gif.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

0313WarmUp

Words, Words, Words.

How many words can you create from just one?

Try it out @ http://www.degraeve.com/subwords.php

How about creating your own word?

Try it @ http://www.degraeve.com/invent-a-word/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0312WarmUp

What's a favicon?

Find out and make one @ http://www.degraeve.com/favicon/

Leave a comment!

dmac

031109

Do you read the funnies? Want to make a comic?

Go to http://www.wittycomics.com/.

Write a 3 strip scene. Leave a comment!

dmac

0310WarmUp

Ever want to translate your words into Martian or even Vallley Girl?

Try this out http://www.degraeve.com/translator.php

Leave a comment!

0309WarmUp

Ever dream of owning your own business?

You'll need a business card to start!

Design your own @ http://www.degraeve.com/business-cards/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0306WarmUp

Want to learn alot about computers?

Take a look @ http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/learning-resources/brain-computer-lesson.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

030509WarmUp

Microsoft is developing a "nexgen" computing platform. What is it?

Take a look @ http://www.microsoft.com/surface/index.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

030409WarmUp

Lego Mindstorms NXT is a versatile robotics platform that is widely used for teaching purposes at schools and universities.

Check out some projects using Mindstorms @http://www.tik.ee.ethz.ch/tik/education/lectures/PPS/mindstorms/
(Yes, it's in German!)

Leave a comment!

dmac

030309WarmUp

What is Dreamspark?

Check it out @ https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx and
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-18GSDPR.mspx

Sign in to the site.

Leave a comment.

dmac

0226WarmUp

Ever dream of being a transportation engineer? This little app may help: http://www.traffic-simulation.de/

How about a doctor? Look at these: http://tr.anest.ufl.edu/simulations/cv/ and
http://www.simanest.org/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0225WarmUp

Sims? One last time!

Look at some scientific sims @ http://www.myphysicslab.com/

Look at some medical simulations @ http://vam.anest.ufl.edu/simulations/simulationportfolio.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

022409WarmUp

Did you like those sims yesterday?

Here's some more!

Check it out @ http://probability.ca/jeff/java/index.html.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0223WarmUp

Welcome back from vacation!

Today, the warmup involves simulations.

What is a simulation? Check it out @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation.

How is a computer simulation different?

View some examples of computer simulation @ http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html.

Keep in mind that each of these simulations were were designed and developed by a computer programmer!

Leave a comment!

dmac

021309WarmUp

Think personal computers have been around for a long time?

Behold, the history of personal computing, before your very eyes!

Step into the wayback machine and visit an online computer museum @ http://www.digibarn.com/collections/index.html#collection.

Find the funkiest computer and tell me about it.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0212WarmUp

If you had a chance to change the world, how would you? Google wants to know!

It's called Project 10 to the 1ooth--check it out at http://www.project10tothe100.com/why.html.

Find out how it works @ http://www.project10tothe100.com/how_it_works.html.

Any questions, look @ http://www.project10tothe100.com/faq.html

Leave a comment telling me how you'd change the world.

dmac

0211WarmUp

"The importance of the Internet in a teenager's life increases with every day that goes by. Teenagers are starting to use the Internet in a myriad of ways, which range from doing schoolwork to transporting themselves halfway around the world."

So says David Thelen, a high school sophomore from Michigan who has recently begun publishing his work in Internet E-Zines.

Read the entire article @ http://www.4teachers.org/kidspeak/thelan/index.shtml.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0210WarmUp

Robots are taking over the world, even as you read this!

Check it out @

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/dec08/7012
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/dec08/7012/2
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/dec08/7012/3

If you still don't believe it, look @ this:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/12663/the-day-the-earth-stood-still-gort-attacks

Leave a comment!

dmac

0209WarmUp

Desktop or labtop? How about wearable? MIT students design a wearable computer!

Check it out @ http://www.wired.com/video/latest-videos/latest/1815816633/mit-students-develop-wearable-computer/10288173001
and http://www.wired.com/video/wearable-computer-projects-interactive-display/10280440001

Leave a comment!

dmac

0206WarmUp

Binary math, how much do you remember?

Check it out @ http://forums.cisco.com/CertCom/game/binary_game_page.htm

Leave a comment!

dmac

0205WarmUp

What's a Goggle Doodle?

Find out for yourself @ http://www.google.com/doodle4google/index.html.

Leave a comment!

dmac

0204WarmUp

What's a chatterbox?

Check it out @ http://www.chatterboxchallenge.com/.

Other interesting sites include:

http://users.auth.gr/~dkaras/

http://www.infradrive.com/robomatic.php

http://www.personalityforge.com/dynachat.php?BotID=23969&MID=23957

http://www.be9.net/BJ/

http://www.be9.net/BJ/games.htm

http://www.personalityforge.com/botlist.php

Leave a comment!

dmac

0203WarmUp

Everyone is familiar with using a computer, but what's it look like inside?

Think you know how a computer works? Check out the following websites:

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/watiwara/27182

http://www.quia.com/hm/86691.html

http://www.kids-online.net/learn/click/table.html

http://www.practicalpc.co.uk/computing/what/parts.htm

http://www.tpub.com/content/elecequipment/TM-5-6350-280-23P/img/TM-5-6350-280-23P_21_1.jpg

Leave a comment!

dmac

0202WarmUp

Why study networking, computer repair and computer programming?

One great reason is that you can gain "employability".

But what can you do with a computer background?

Check out a list of dozens of computer-related jobs @ http://www.khake.com/page17.html.

Which job description interests you?

Leave a comment!

0130WarmUp

What's a Roomba? A latin dance? A vacuum cleaner? Huh?

What's a Pakbot? A mechanical beast of burden? A motorized backpack?

They're all developed by a company here in Massachusetts called IRobot Corp.

Check it out @ http://store.irobot.com/corp/index.jsp

There is another group developing a robot that can jump and roll maybe intended for space exploration. See a demo @ http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16190-video-jumping-rolling-robot-avoids-all-obstacles.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Leave a comment!

dmac