This website is The Exploratorium's online extension of the experiences that can be found on the museum's floor. At this site, the user can get information about the various programs offered by the museum and other general information about the museum. The meat of the site, though, is its online, interactive activities and exhibits. Some of its exhibits are augmented by live Webcasts and Shockwave technology. The site also contains instructions for over 200 simple experiments that can be viewed on any type of Web browser. The extent and use of multimedia varies, as does the level of student background to which the activities are pitched. Educators exploring this site, however, will find many delightful and useful science activities that can be done in class. The site loads quickly and is easy to navigate, with the main page containing prominent links to the various sections of the site. In addition, a broad spectrum of the sciences are represented on the site. For example, a compelling online exhibit called Revealing Bodies takes a look at how the human body has been inspected and depicted for scientific and medical purposes over the centuries. This exhibit uses a blend of medicine, technology, art, and culture to show how visual images have helped us observe, describe, and conceptualize the human body. If you're not interested in the human body, though, do not despair. You can enter the Observatory and be treated to astronomy exhibits and activities. Or check out one of the extensive collections above.
