On The Web

The Mathematics Association of America, supported by the National Science Foundation, offers a mathematical sciences digital library-MATHDL-for educators and students that includes The Journal of Online Mathematics and its Applications and multiple digital classroom resources such as Java applets, interactive modules, and Flash presentations for studying numerical and graphical solutions of differential equations. Go to www.mathdl.org/jsp/ index.jsp.

LEARN ABOUT FINLAND

Did you know that 34 percent of all Finnish electricity comes from renewable sources? Students will learn this and much more at Project Finland, an award-winning site from the Embassy of Finland. Students iages 9-12 can explore the interactive site, learning about this progressive society, taking quizzes, completing activity guides, and watching video clips of Moomintroll, Finland's most well-known animated character. Environmental, social, and global issues are covered on this virtual tour of Finland. Go to www .projectfinland.org.

REELING SLEEPY?

Caffeine, work, or late night TV keeping you up? The fact is, most people don't get enough sleep. The National Institutes of Health created Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms as a learning tool to understand the basic concept of sleep, biological clocks, disorders, and the consequences of deprivation. Geared toward teaching high school students, this site offers lessons and activities to help link the science of sleep and its effect on everyday life. Go to http://science.education.nih .gov/customers.nsf/HSSIeep? OpenForm.

SPACE FLIGHT IN 60 secONDS

At the NASA Brain Bites Web site, students can choose from a menu of informative, 60-second videos on eight questions, including: What time is it in space? How do you go to the bathroom in space? How long would a round trip to Mars take? How do you scratch your nose in a spacesuit? Go to http:// spaceflight.nasa.gov/ brainbite/home.html.

VIRTUAL SPELLING BEE

Brandeis University offers students in grades 2-6 a chance to compete with their peers in an online spelling bee. Students use a nickname to register and log in, choose a partner, and test their reading, spelling, and listening skills. No personal information is asked for or given; players only communicate by the choices they make during the game. The site's creators hope the spirit of competition will encourage students to improve skills. To access the free site, go to www.spellbee.org.

MANAGING MONEY

A new "My Money" tool kit from from the Financial Literacy and Education Commission and the Federal Citizen Information Center can help you manage your money better and gain financial security. Learn how to protect your credit record, set up a budget, and manage your credit or solve credit problems with advice from a series of publications that can be ordered via mail or downloaded from www .mymoney.gov. The free publications provide practical suggestions on how to save and invest your money wisely.

CONSERVING THE RAINFORESTS

The Rainforest Alliance offers a free, expanded conservation curriculum with unique units for kindergarten through sixth grade. Each unit features three to four comprehensive multidisciplinary lesson plans, which meet national standards. Topics covered include the Amazon, the Maya forests, migratory birds, and chocolate. Some materials are available in Spanish and Portuguese. Go to www .rainforest-alliance.org/ programs/education.

GUIDE To EVERYDAY COMMUNICATIONS

Have you ever been stumped by a youngster asking you how a cell phone worked? Or what the "am" in AM radio stands for? Now you can send them to the FCC Kidszone, a Federal Communications Commission site aiming to educate today's youth on all things regulated by the FCC. Definitions, descriptions, and the history of cell phones, TV, radio, and the Internet can be found here along with teachers and parents' guides to the site. Go to www.fcc.gov/ cgb/kidszone/.