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: Sizing Up the Universe

SIZING UP THE UNIVERSE from the Smithsonian Institution is web-based interactive that helps students make comparisons between objects found in outer space.

Users are presented with objects found in space and explore the relative sizes and distances. Familiar objects such as beachballs and cookies help students visualize relationships. Google maps allows students to make place-based connections and comparisons.

Students are taken step-by-step through the universe starting with the Earth and Moon. Users are kept active by selecting objects and making decisions. Concise, informative feedback is provided at each stage. Short videos provide engaging information.

Librarians will find this website to be a useful way to help students visualize sizes in space. Both science and math teachers will find practical applications for this online interactive. Pair the website with books and videos exploring relative size and distance. Design a learning station with hands-on opportunities to size and distance experiments.

To visit the website, go to http://learning.si.edu/idealabs/sizinguptheuniverse.