This Shockwave-powered site provides informative, interactive tools with which to explore science. Students will go to either an impressive catalog of interactive multimedia activities or websites specified by their teachers. The interactive multimedia activities are provided under these headings: building blocks [of science], electricity and magnetism, optics, astronomy, life sciences, fun and games, wave motion, and mechanics. Each of these headings contains numerous, Shockwave-driven, interactive activities that demonstrate the interrelationships of scientific principles. The breadth of science topics and the clarity of their coverage provided by the site are impressive. Students may explore probability and genetics through multiple generations of mice or see the effects of manipulating phased-array radiators. The Shockwave-based applications provide extensive control options for students and clear instructions for their use. Load times for these applications were remarkably swift over a 28.8 Kb dial up connection. The interactive applications allow students to visualize and experiment with scientific concepts and learn the relationships among equations, graphs, and real world experience. Teachers may elect to "join the community" by registering with the site. Minimal information is required and no fees are charged (this will change in fall 2003 - see info in the Review Updated paragraph). Registration provides teachers with the opportunity to create course pages and a personal website for their students to access. Knowledge of HTML is not required to set up a course site within ExploreScience.com. The extensive FAQ section is valuable for both teachers and students. This is a top-of-the-class learning site for anyone curious about scientific concepts and phenomena.
**Review Updated: 8/2/05
ExploreScience and ExploreMath are now merged into one site called ExploreLearning. In order to make full use of this site, the user needs to become a paid subscriber.
