Web cam magic: use live cameras to bring the world to your classroom
Instructor, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Hannah Trierweiler
Cam Headquarters
Whether you'd like to show your students the zoo across town or ruins halfway around the world, this site has it all. Search by category or location to access cams in all 50 states, more than 90 countries, and even on the open seas! Plus: If your class has a cam to share or recommend, you can do so here.
Around the World in 80 Clicks
Kids grades 4 and up will beat Phineas Fogg's record by a long stretch at this clever site, which takes the viewer from New York to Slovenia and back again, all through the power of Web cams. It's a delightful companion activity to Jules Verne's classic tale, or any geography lesson.
The Wild Web
Click on "Live Cams" at the Discovery Channel site to take students of all ages on a journey from the summit of Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano to the penguin exhibit at the Montreal zoo. A "When to Watch" box for each cam conveniently lists the best viewing hours.
Space Adventures
http://spacelink.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/Multimedia/On-line.Multimedia
Imagine your students touring the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center, observing a hurricane from high above the Earth, or inspecting the Hubble repair center. They can do all of this and more in your next space unit just by clicking on "Webcams" at this fantastic site.
Safari on a Shoestring
Invite your students to play a game of I Spy by checking out these 10 different Web cams placed at game reserves across Africa. Who can spot a graceful giraffe or thrashing hippo first? If the cams are quiet, check out "Pick of the Day," a guaranteed recent shot of an animal up close.
Icy Expeditions
The cameras here offer a chilly glimpse of the Arctic. Students can read about wintry animals and the many experiments scientists are conducting at the top of the world.
Cams for the Kids
Leonard's Cam World links to cams that are child-safe, so it's a good place to send young researchers on their own. Cams are grouped by category, including capital cities, animals, storms, and national parks.
Animals from A to Z
Get a close-up of alpacas, sharks, and falcons at this creature- and kid-friendly site by clicking on "Animal Web Cams." A collection of still images provides backup if the animals have wandered out of range.
Wacky Weather
Whether you're discussing weather patterns or geography, showing students the "live" differences in world climates will pack an educational punch. Use this directory of ski resort Web cams to show that when it's balmy in Colorado, it's frigid in Argentina.
Old Faithful
www.nps.gov/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm
The reality of Web cams is that it's hard to predict if you'll catch the right shot to share with your students. Not so with this cam, which captures the trusty eruptions of Yellowstone's Old Faithful Geyser. A helpful timer lets you know when to expect action.
Hannah Trierweiler is assistant editor of Instructor.
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