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America's Heartland
Age Range: All (The videos have something of interest for all ages, the study guides seem to be for older students about
grades 5 and up.)
The America's Heartland website is a companion to a magazine-style, half-hour TV series, and offers FREE video
virtual tours of unforgettable places of agriculture across the USA. When you get to the site, you'll see a menu of options that
include:
Agri-Tourism - Visit a Reindeer Ranch, Bison Farm, and Horse Park.
Animals - See an Emu Farm, Chicken Ranch, Cattle Ranch, and Duck Farm.
Aquaculture - Learn about harvesting Crawfish, Abalone, and Trout Farming.
Fruits - Take a virtual tour of Strawberry, Kiwi, and Mandarin Orange Farms.
Specialty Products - Learn about Maple Sugaring and visit farms that grow Mushrooms, Truffles, Aloe Vera, and more.
Vegetables - See how Carrots, Iceberg Lettuce, Corn, Spinach, and Chili Peppers
grow.
Simply click on the topic of interest and a new page opens with a menu of short video tours of agri-products in that
category. Each product offers a free downloadable "Study Guide" in pdf, a brief story synopsis with additional
resources, and the video tour. You'll also find videos about careers in agriculture, environmental stewardship, food science, organic food production, and agri-business technology.
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Animal Cams - Smithsonian National Zoo
Age Range: 4-17 (and beyond)
Take a virtual field trip to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park where you can see many animal exhibits
streamed live through webcams!
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Animal Movies - JungleWalk.com
Age Range: 4-17 (and beyond)
At this website you can take a virtual safari by watching thousands of movie clips of all kinds of animals - and much more! When
you get to the site, you'll see a picture of the featured animal and next to it is a menu of movie clips. Just select
the one you want to watch, click on it, and a new page opens where you can watch the videos on vertebrates that include:
Cats
Dogs
Horses
Lions
Tigers
Bears
Wolves
Elephants
Monkeys
Giraffes
Birds
Sharks
Whales
Dolphins
Fish
Then, look at the menu on the left side of the screen to check
out the movies featuring invertebrates such as:
Insects
Arachnids
Worms
Crustaceans
Sponges
~and more!
But wait - that's not all!
GET FREE ANIMAL LESSON PLANS! Look at the menu at the very top of the screen and click on "Lesson Plans" to
access animal related activities for different grade levels that are accompanied by slide shows with relevant animal
photographs, video, and audio clips.
Note: You can listen to over 7,000 recordings of animal sounds at this site as well. Here's the direct link:
Sound Bytes
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Aqua Tour - Sydney Aquarium
Age Range: 7 and up (approximately)
The whole family can take this brief virtual tour of the Sydney Aquarium in Australia while getting a limited overview
of the diversity of aquatic habitats and life in Australia's rivers and oceans.
This "Aqua Tour" (in and of itself) is not so remarkable. But, after taking the tour, if you spend some time exploring the
rest of the site, you'll be treated to some interesting learning experiences. When you get to the site you'll see a brief
introduction and below it is a clickable menu of the exhibits that include:
*Great Barrier Reef Oceanarium - One of the natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living
ecosystem on earth.
*Open Ocean Oceanarium - Australia is surrounded by oceans and this exhibit highlights some of the aquatic life in the Indian
Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Tasman, Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas.
*Dugongs At Mermaid Lagoon - This online exhibit has more to offer. It is all about Dugongs - large, gentle sea creatures (like
manatees) that were mistaken for mermaids by sailors of yesteryear. Click on "Learn More About Dugongs" and be treated to
an entire online exhibit that explores their anatomy, habitat, and lore.
*Murray Darling River System - Australia's largest river system has 30,000 wetland habitats with a diversity of flora and fauna.
When you're thru with this quick browse of the aquarium, use the menu bar at the top of the page to access more information
about exhibits at the aquarium that include "Dangerous Creatures." While some of these are simply "teasers" to get you
to visit he museum, you'll find occasional links to resources that provide more satisfying information. It really does take
some patience to click through this site and find all that it has to offer.
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How Baseballs are Made
Age Range: 5 and up
At this website you can watch a YouTube video tour of how baseballs are manufactured. There are also links to other
baseball related videos such as how a Louisville Slugger baseball bat is manufactured and how baseball gloves are made.
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The Goodyear Blimp
Age Range: 9 and up (younger children may enjoy aspects of this interactive virtual tour with parental guidance)
Most of you have seen photographs of the Goodyear Blimp flying over the crowd at a major sporting event. Some of you may
have even seen the Goodyear Blimp as it travels through the skies overhead. Since 1925 it has been the giant airborn icon of
the world's largest tire and rubber company. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to get a close-up view of the
Goodyear Blimp? Well, now you can! At this website you can learn all about the history, technology, and business of the
Goodyear Blimps through an amazing in-depth virtual tour.
When you get to the site, you'll land on the "Interactive Tour" page. You'll see a video screen and below it is the
interactive menu you'll reference to take the tour of the airship that includes:
*Anatomy - Explore the science and technology that comprise all of the components that make up the blimp.
*Controls - Check out the inside of the gondola where the crew and passengers ride. See the control panels that guide the
ship through the skies.
*Electronic Sign - Explore a timeline of the electronic technology utilized to flash promotional messages from the
ship.
*TV Camera - The Blimp is known for providing a "view from above" at sporting events. Find out how they do it.
*Flight Scenario - From launch to landing discover the science behind a dirigible flight.
*Building A Blimp - Take a photographic tour of the manufacturing process from blueprint to blimp.
*Personnel and Equipment - Meet the crew of the Goodyear zeppelin, and check out some equipment.
After taking this tour, use the menu at the top of the page to explore the amazing history of the blimp. The FAQs will
answer your questions about the military use of blimps, what happened to the most famous airship of all - the Hindenburg,
and more.
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How Candy Corn is Made
Age Range: 5 and up
At this Food Network site you can watch a video showing how candy corn is made.
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Cape Cod Potato Chips: Factory Tour
Age Range: 5 and up
At this website you can watch a multi-media video tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory in action.
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The Cave of Lascaux
Age Range: 5-18 (with parental assistance)
Virtually explore the ancient caves of Laxcaux, France - home of prehistoric cave paintings.
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The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time
Age Range: 9-99 (Children and non-readers will need parental guidance and supervision. Younger children may enjoy aspects
of this website.)
NOTE: Download Required To Take this Virtual Tour
You can download a FREE virtual multi-user museum (a partnership between the
Chinese Palace Museum and IBM) that allows you to explore the ancient Forbidden City of Beijing, China, take interactive
tours, and participate in fun and educational activities. The goal of the project is to provide the means for a world-wide
audience to celebrate and explore aspects of Chinese culture and history.
This 3-dimensional virtual expedition allows you to explore the magnificent palace as it was during the Qing dynasty,
which ruled from 1644 until 1912. As explained at the website:
"The Forbidden City was created to embody the idea of the emperor as the center of the universe, and to evoke a visceral
sense of his power. This huge palace complex was completed in 1420 and covers more than 72 hectares (178 acres). It contains
hundreds and hundreds of exquisite buildings and historic
artifacts.
Now, using virtual world technology, you can experience the awe inspired by this vast and amazing space. And rather than
experiencing its wonders in isolation, the Virtual Forbidden City allows you to see and interact with other users and a
range of helpful automated characters. As you explore the Virtual Forbidden City, you can choose to simply observe the
buzz of activity, or you can take tours and participate in activities that provide insights into important aspects of
Qing culture."
When you get to the website, you'll see the download button. Before proceeding with the download, look on the right side of
the page and click on "What is the Virtual Forbidden City?" A new page opens with a terrific explanation about this program
and the various ways to utilize and enjoy it.
Downloads are available for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux, with estimated download times as follows:
8 hours via Dialup
30 minutes via Cable/DSL
15 minutes via T1
Once you download the program, you can let your curiosity be your guide as you (represented by your avatar) move through
the Virtual Forbidden City.
When your avatar encounters one of many "Tour Guides" you can join your fellow visitors to explore a range of interesting
places in the Forbidden City and learn about the culture during the Imperial China period. By clicking on building and
artifacts you can access additional info and insight.
You can also register at the website (it's free) to join the "Beyond Space and Time Community" that allows you to
participate in forum discussions and gives access to enhanced features in the Virtual Forbidden City program.
As explained at the website, "Given the depth and longevity of Chinese history and culture, the Virtual Forbidden City can
only begin to reveal the countless amazing stories that can be told. Hopefully, your explorations here will encourage you to
learn more about what you encounter, and to continue to return to the Virtual Forbidden City to discover things that you
haven't yet experienced."
This program is an excellent and engaging way to learn more about Chinese history and culture.
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Web Gallery of Art: Virtual Tours
Age Range: 10 and up (with parental guidance/supervision; young children may enjoy aspects of this site too)
Note: This site does contain nudes such as Michelangelo's "David". Parental supervision of younger children is highly
recommended.
The Web Gallery of Art" is a virtual museum and searchable database of European painting and sculpture from several
periods dating from 1100-1850 including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and
more. There are over 22,600 works of art to view along with artist biographies, art history, art terminology, and you can
even select classical music that is matched to the period of art you choose to browse.
This gigantic, free virtual museum was designed primarily for students and teachers. While there are a number of ways to
explore the site by using the searchable database, this review recommends the virtual tours available at the site that
include:
*Italian Painters - Explore artwork (from 1200-1750) by a staggering number of Italian masters representing all regions
of the country including Tuscany.
*Overview of European Sculptors from 1200-1800 - arranged in chronological order appended by short explanations of the
stylistic periods.
*Sistine Chapel - Tour the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and view the ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo.
*Low Countries - Get an overview of painting in the Low Countries (Flanders and Holland) between 1400 and 1800.
*Art in Spain - Learn about the art of El Greco and Velázquez, the great Spanish masters of the 16th and
17th centuries.
*French Art - Presents French painting and sculpture from the 15th-18th century, including works of master painters Fouquet,
Clouet, Poussin, Claude Lorrain, Georges de La Tour, Watteau, as well as the sculptors Goujon, Pilon, Puget,
Houdon.
*British Art - English painting and sculpture from the 15th-18th century, including the works of masters Hogarth,
Reynolds and Gainsborough.
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Old Faithful Geyser
Age Range: 5 and up(with parental assistance)
Every summer tourists flock to Yellowstone National Park to see Old Faithful Geyser. Now, you can take an online tour of
the Old Faithful Geyser Area at Yellowstone National Park - and avoid the crowds! At this site just click on the "Next
Stop" buttons at the bottom of each page on your screen, and learn all about the many geysers and geothermal wonders at
Yellowstone National Park. Simple and interesting text, accompanied by beautiful photographs of the natural wonders of
the park - make this a fun virtual field trip for the whole family!
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How Gummi Bears and Worms Are Made
Age Range: 5 and up(with parental assistance)
Do you know someone who likes to eat Gummi Bears and Worms? At today's website you can take a virtual tour of the Black
Forest Candy manufacturing plant to see how gummi candies are made! When you get to the site simply click on the "Start"
button to begin your tour that includes animation, text, photographs, and video clips that explain and demonstrate the
manufacturing process of gummi bears and worms.
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Virtual Voyage on the Mayflower
Age Range: 5-17 (and beyond)
This Scholastic website offers a virtual tour of a replica of the "Mayflower," the ship the Pilgrims boarded to sail to America.
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Virtual Voyage of a Model T Ford Assembly Plant
Age Range: All
This 5 minute YouTube video shows the assembly of the Model T Ford at one of the original Ford Motor plants. It is acompanied
by an informative narration.
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Geologic Virtual Tours of National Parks
Age Range: 9-17 (approximately)
At this website you can take virtual geologic tours of the U.S. National Parks - from Arches to Zion!
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USS Pampanito Virtual Tour
Age Range: 9 and up (approximately)
This website, sponsored by the San Francisco Maritime Museum, and provides a free virtual tour
of the USS Pampanito, a WW II submarine.
Pampanito was built in 1943 as part of the U.S. Navy fleet of submarines that were instrumental in the Allied victory in the
Pacific during World War II. U.S. submarines controlled shipping lanes, gathered intelligence, and carried out special
missions. Today, Pampanito serves as a museum and a memorial to the submarine service of the U.S. Navy.
This online tour provides a glimpse of what life was like for the sailors aboard the vessel. It will also enable you to
visit some compartments that are not safely accessible on the "live" tours because of the vertical ladders and confined
space.
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KnowItAll: Pasta
Age Range: 8 and up
At this website you can take a virtual tour of the American Italian Pasta Company that makes 1,000,000 pounds of pasta a
day from Angel Hair to Ziti. This 8-minute video was created by educational television for use in the classroom and
explains how pasta is made from harvesting the wheat to packaging the final product.
When you get to the site just click on the arrow in the middle of the video screen and the film will begin. Be sure to turn
on your speakers - and pay attention! There's a short quiz at the end of the film.
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National Geographic: Remembering Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Age Range: 11 and up
This is a multi-media presentation by National Geographic describing the events of December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
When you get to the site (turn on your speakers
to hear the narration), you'll see a map. Click on it to access an account of the attack on Pearl Harbor in Oahu,
Hawaii, using real photos, footage, and first-hand accounts. It's like a field trip back in time to December 7, 1941
that President Franklin D. Roosevelt said is, "a date which will live in infamy."
This is a remarkable presentation that will provoke thought and discussion about U.S. and World history.
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Rainforest: Virtual Tour
Age Range: 5 and up (designed with young virtual travelers in mind)
This website presents a virtual tour of a tropical rainforest in Nicaragua and the biodiversity within it. When you get to
the site, just follow the instructions to click your way through the slide show and read simple text to learn about:
*The people who live in the rainforest
*Trees with roots that grow above the ground, unusual flowers, fascinating seeds
*Toucans, Howler Monkeys, Trap-jaw Ants, Poison Dart Frogs, Bats, Peanut-head Bugs, and Crocodiles
The last side invites you to learn how purchasing wood products from rainforests can lead to either deforestation or
preservation. You'll learn how to tell the difference.
When you are through with this tour, continue the journey by clicking this link:
https://www.msu.edu/user/urquhart/tour/active.html
A new page opens with a picture of the same rainforest. Roll your cursor over the picture to see images that pop out of the
picture. While many of the images are similar to the first virtual tour, the explanations are a little more in depth.
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Electric Scotland
Age Range: unknown
Take a picture-tour of scenic Scotland! At this site a native Scotsman shares his love of his homeland through photos and
captions. Don't let a first glimpse of this website deceive you - there is lots and lots of fun and fascinating content
here.
When you get to the site you'll see a photograph of Pitlochry, Scotland. Below it is a menu of links to photo archives of
various scenic tours and historic landmarks throughout the country. Click on any one and the pictorial adventure begins.
But that's not all!
Use the menu that (in very tiny print) at the top left side of the webpage to explore this site.
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Sk8factory.com
Age Range: unknown
This website uses photos, text, and some video animations to explain how skateboards are made at a factory in southern California.
When you get to the site you'll see a screen with "Danger: Unauthorized Persons Keep Out!" signs. Below it is a "Factory
Tour" arrow. Just click on the arrow to begin the tour that explains:
*How graphics are designed for the boards
*Sanding the plywood
*How the glue is applied
*How the boards are pressed and shaped
*Drilling the boards
*Painting the boards
*How transfer designs are applied to the boards
*How the boards are shrink-wrapped
In a few sections of the tour - there is more detailed information offered by clicking on additional arrows that
further explain the manufacturing process. You may have to wait a minute or so for the additional info to load.
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Legends of Tuskegee: Booker T. Washington
Age Range: unknown
Sunday, April 5th, is the birthday of Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee Institute for African-American students in
Alabama. He was born in 1856. At this website, provided by the National Park Service, you can take a virtual tour of
highlights of Washington's life and accomplishments including:
*Overview - Learn how Booker Taliaferro Washington rose from slavery to become one of the most powerful and influential
leaders of his time.
*Personal Life - Get a glimpse into Washington's family life.
*Building a University - Discover how his determination helped him transform what started as a "Normal School" into a
prestigious university initially dedicated to providing practical knowledge that would help African-American students
earn a living.
*The Oaks - Get a mini-glimpse of Washington's grand home that was the social hub of Tuskegee University during his lifetime.
*Washington Gallery - Don't miss this terrific photo gallery documenting Washington's life and times.
Once you're through learning about Booker T. Washington, be sure to use the menu to explore the exhibit based on the life
of George Washington Carver as well as the exhibit based on the remarkable story of the Tuskegee Airmen - the first
African-American fighter pilots in our nation's history.
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Virtual Tour of The Jill Windmill
Age Range: 9 and up (approximately)
At this website you can take a virtual tour of Jill Windmill - a 19th century corn windmill located in the United Kingdom.
Through photographs and text you can virtually visit the various floors inside the windmill and learn all about the
milling process from grain to stoneground wholemeal flour.
When you get to the site you'll see an introduction and a pictorial demonstration of hoisting the grain sack. In
addition to reading the text, you can roll your cursor over the photographs to see pop-up explanations of the photos. The
last line of text on each page explains what picture to click on to advance to the next stage of the virtual tour.
The tour is quite content-rich, but you have to click on the pictures to access all of the information provided including:
*Hoisting the Grain Sacks
*Loading the Grain into the Bins
*The Milling Process
*Learn About the Parts of the Mill including Sweeps, Spiders, and Shutters
*Facing Into Wind - How Wind Makes The Mills Work
When you've completed the virtual tour, you can read about the history of the mill and see other photographs by using the
menu on the left side of the page.
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