Website Review: 78 Coins

78 COINS is an interactive website that shows why we’re probably not alone in the universe.

This interactive story takes users through a series of slides that discuss the probability of rolling all “heads” or “tails” with 78 coins. As users flip through the story, they learn about chance and the findings of astronomers.

Librarians will find this simple interactive to be a fascinating introduction to both probability and the nature of the universe. Use it to jumpstart a discussion of aliens and feature the library’s fiction and nonfiction works associated with the possibility of alien life.

To visit the website, go to http://www.joshworth.com/dev/78coins/.

Website Review: BAM! Body and Mind

BAM! BODY AND MIND from the Center for Disease Control provides information and activities aimed at helping young people make healthy lifestyle choices.

Designed for children 9 to 13 years old, the website contains six sections: Diseases, Food and Nutrition, Physical Activity, Your Safety, Your Life, and Your Body; all are packed with information and activities. For example, the Disease section includes the Disease Detectives and Immune Platoon activities and more. Information about Asthma is found within Disease Detectives and more details are added in Meeting the Challenge in the Physical Activity Section. Acne and its treatment are explained in the Under the Microscope section of Your Body.

In the Teachers Corner, educators can quickly view lessons and activities, handouts, and recommended related materials. Teachers can use BAM! to provide interactive, informative and fun activities in their classrooms; activities that are linked to the national standards for science and health.

Librarians can partner with teachers to plan and deliver a healthy food activity. Setup a blender with needed ingredients and have students try the recipes for drinks and smoothies found in the Food & Nutrition section. Lots of other recipes are provided in Cool Treats. Pair this activity with a cookbook display featuring healthy recipes.

Visit and learn more about BAM! at http://www.cdc.gov/bam/