Tools & Research
The more you know about a subject, the better your project will be, so here are some resources that might help you. If you’ve checked all the resources you can find, but still don’t have an answer to your question, then it might be time to Ask an Expert.
There’s more help at the IPL’s Kidspace, too. And, of course, your school or local library will have many excellent resources on almost any kind of science topic.
Animal Diversity Web
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/index.html
Browse through categories of animals such as mammals or insects, or run a search for a specific animal. Learn what it looks like, where it lives, what it eats, and much more. Some of the files have sounds, too.
Biology4Kids
http://www.biology4kids.com/
"I n the same way everything on Earth is made up of atoms, everything that is alive on Earth is made up of cells." Here is a place to start learning about living things, from the biggest animals down to microorganisms.
California State Science Fair Science Resources by Subject
http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Resources/By_Subject.html
Great links to great resources to help with your science research!
Chem4Kids
http://www.chem4kids.com/
"Everything on Earth, everything in our solar system, everything in our galaxy, and everything in the universe is made up of matter." Chemistry is the study of what stuff is made of and this site will get you started.
Cornell University Center for Advanced Computing (CAC): Science & Arts Gateway for Education (SAGE)
http://www.cac.cornell.edu/education/SAGE.aspx
"Welcome to Cornell University’s award-winning K-12 Science & Arts Gateway for Education (SAGE). Developed by the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing, this gateway provides educators and students with links to lesson planning and learning resources in science, mathematics, and the arts."
EurekAlert: Reference Desk
http://www.eurekalert.org/links.php
Here is an index of links to glossaries or dictionaries from various scientific areas, provided by government, academic, research-oriented, and professional organizations. There are many links to agriculture, biology, computers, engineering, environmental and earth sciences, mathematics, health, physics, and space sciences.
Geography4Kids
http://www.geography4kids.com/
"This site offers an introduction to the earth sciences that include topics on the Earth’s structure, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere."
MAD Scientist Library
http://www.madsci.org/libs/libs.html
"Welcome to the MadSci Library, an excellent starting point for exploring science resources on the WWW." Click on one of the topics in the left-hand frame to find links to more help sites.
The Nine Planets
http://www.nineplanets.org/
"An overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each planet and the major moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information."
Periodic Table of the Elements
http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/
Click on individual squares to learn more about each element, including how it was discovered and how it is used.
Science Made Simple: Unit Conversion
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/conversions.html
Convert metric measurements to English measurements – or the other way around.
Science Terminology Glossary
http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/Glossary.htm
"So you’re a little confused about what a thingamajig is? Here’s the glossary of scientific terms used in Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab."
Science Net
http://www.sciencenet.org.uk/
"ScienceNet is a free science information service, staffed by scientists who are expert in explaining complex topics in everyday language. You can search our online database of previously answered questions, and if you can’t find an answer then send your question to us."
Toronto Public Library: Science Net
http://sciencenet.tpl.toronto.on.ca/english/welcome/welc_f.html?gatewayNo=11
Search through many fields of science, with links devoted to grades K-6, 7-12, or for teachers. This is a Canadian site, so the links are to pages written in French or English.
Tour of Geologic Time – University of California Museum of Paleontology
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html
"Exploring this series of exhibits will take you on a journey through the history of the Earth, with stops at particular points in time to examine the fossil record and stratigraphy." Get started by clicking on a division of the Geologic Time Scale.
Zoom Dinosaurs
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/
"A comprehensive on-line hypertext book about dinosaurs." There are pages for 93 separate dinosaurs, plus dinosaur behavior, fossils, and why they became extinct
Ask an Expert
Most of your research will probably be done on the internet or at the library, but if you’ve looked everywhere you can find, but still don’t have an answer, then it might be time to call an expert. At these sites, there are expert scientists who can answer your questions.
Before you send a question, be sure to read through each site’s archives, because someone may have already asked your question. Also, you should remember that it will usually take at least a couple days, maybe longer, for you to receive an answer.
All Experts: All Science and Engineering
http://www.allexperts.com/browse.cgi?catLvl=1&catID=47
Ask an expert if you have questions about: Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace/Aviation, Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Entomology, Environmental Science, Geology, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, Meteorology, Molecular Biology, Naval Architecture, Oceanography, Paleontology, Physics, Popular Science, Zoology.
Ask A Geologist
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ask-a-geologist/about.html
You can send your own earth science questions and a scientist from the United States Geological Survey will answer it in a few days, or offer referrals to other resources. The scientists at Ask a Geologist have answered over 20,000 questions!
Ask a Scientist (MADSci Network)
http://www.madsci.org/submit.html
If you have a science question, just ask the members of the Mad Scientist Network at the Washington University in St. Louis. The MSN describes itself as "a collective cranium of scientists from around the world," who are happy to answer your science questions. Look through their MAD FAQs ("Frequently Asked Questions") or search for an answer in their archives.
Ask A Scientist: (Scientists and Innovators in the Schools)
A Science reference site that allows you to e-mail your science questions.
Dr. Math has answers to frequently-asked questions about any kind of math you might need to use: arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, and more. He probably has an answer to your question already, but if you can’t find it, you can write to Dr. Math and ask a question yourself.
Pitsco’s Ask an Expert
http://www.askanexpert.com/
"Ask an Expert connects you with hundreds of real world experts, ranging from astronauts to zookeepers."
Science Buddies Forum
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/phpBB2/index.php
Have questions? So do lots of kids! You can read their questions (and the expert answers) here, as well as ask your own questions.