Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Yudt
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girls can find great role models on smart science site.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
What's It About?
I Was Wondering includes bios of 10 pioneering female scientists, exploring their lives, what they study, and how their work has made an impact on the world. In addition to reading bios, users can conduct experiments (offline), play a few games, and view videos and web comics.
Is It Any Good?
I WAS WONDERING gets an A+ for helping dismantle the myth that girls and women aren't good at -- or interested in -- science. A companion project to a series of biographies about pioneering female scientists, the site takes a creative approach to telling these women's stories. Through pictures, games, and cool web comics (with characters who look a bit like The Simpsons), visitors learn what sparked each scientist's interest in her specialty and get a chance to step into the shoes of a gene hunter, space geologist, climate modeler, and other experts. Colorful and current, the site also illustrates the connection between science and positive social change. One drawback: The section that allows users to register and ask a science question appears to be down, which limits the site's interactivity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mentors and role models. Is there a teacher, coach, or other adult in your life who helps you work toward achieving your goals? What "everyday people" (as opposed to celebrities) do you admire, and why?
Website Details
- Subjects : Science : astronomy , biology , physics
- Skills : Self-Direction : academic development , achieving goals , motivation
- Genre : Educational
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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