 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I Was Wondering
Common Sense Media says
Girls can find great role models on smart science site.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this upbeat site from the National Academy of Sciences celebrates the achievements of a diverse lineup of women scientists and encourages girls to pursue their own scientific interests.
What kids can learn
Kids -- especially girls -- can learn about a variety of topics in science, as well as their real-world application. Precocious female scientist Lia is a terrific guide and role model for girls and boys alike. Biographies of 10 pioneering women scientists also reinforce that careers in science are possible for women. The few simple games and offline experiments allow a bit of hands-on experience with the scientific method, observation, and data collection. Inspirational information about female scientists is the most compelling aspect of this site.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Reading
- Mathgraphing, measurement, statistics
- Scienceastronomy, biology, physics
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Directionacademic development, achieving goals, motivation
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoninganalyzing evidence, collecting data, investigation
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.
What families can talk 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?
What kids can learn
Kids -- especially girls -- can learn about a variety of topics in science, as well as their real-world application. Precocious female scientist Lia is a terrific guide and role model for girls and boys alike. Biographies of 10 pioneering women scientists also reinforce that careers in science are possible for women. The few simple games and offline experiments allow a bit of hands-on experience with the scientific method, observation, and data collection. Inspirational information about female scientists is the most compelling aspect of this site.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math: graphing, measurement, statistics
- Science: astronomy, biology, physics
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction: academic development, achieving goals, motivation
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, collecting data, investigation
How kids will learn
Reading the female scientists' bios can empower girls, as women are often underrepresented in the sciences. Features such as web comics and personal "scrapbooks" help illustrate what sparked these women's interest in science, and show how their work helps make the world a better place. Additional hands-on activities could make the site more engaging and bring traditional academic content to life.
How parents can help
- Encourage girls (and boys) to try out new ideas using science kits. They can keep a log of which methods work and which ones flop.
- Point out science that kids encounter in everyday life, from stumbling upon different plant species to seeing physics at play in a moving bicycle.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 22, 2011
AGE
Don't even bother
It was very educational and VERY BORING!! I didn't really like it that much.
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AGE
Great material
Wonderful. There is great information provided with a fun atmosphere, and a lot of fun. Reccomended for all ages.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 12, 2011
AGE
Educational site for girls
This site is very educational.I go to it everyday to read more interesting stuff!
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| Genre: | Educational |
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