Explore inventions, engineering, computing and the tools people build to solve problems. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
4,107 public articles · Page 11 of 86
A stamp is a small piece of paper. You stick it on an envelope. It shows that you paid to send mail. It often has a pretty picture on it. It helps your letter get to its home. Do you like to collect stamps?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA wheel helps make pots. It spins round and round. Soft clay sits on the wheel. Your hands shape the clay. It makes many round bowls. Can you make a pot?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig buildings make power. They make the power for your lights. This power travels to your home. It can come from sun or wind. It can come from water too. It helps us all. Can you turn on a light?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA power supply gives power to things. It can be in your computer. It can be in a small plug. It makes the power safe for you. It helps your things work well. Do you use a plug like this?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSmall boards help things work. They have tiny paths for power. These paths act like little wires. They connect parts in your toys. Most things use them today. It is like a tiny map! Can you find one in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople use special words to talk to computers. These words help us tell a computer what to do. It can help us make games. It can also help us build websites. We use these words to make new things. Do you want to talk…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople use many ways to talk to computers. Some ways use steps. Other ways use groups. These ways help us build tools. They make our world work. How do you use a computer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMany people ride together. They use buses or trains. You can pay to ride. This helps many people move. It is a good way to travel. Do you like riding the bus?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA pulley is a wheel. It uses a rope to lift things. It can help you move heavy loads. This makes work much easier for us. It is a very smart tool. Can you find a pulley near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA pump station moves water. It can move water from one place to another. It helps keep dry land from flooding. It also helps move water to our homes. This helps us every day. Can you find a pump near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople used cards to save info. These cards have small holes. Machines read the holes. This helps machines do work. It was used a long time ago. Do you like machines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople use long tunnels for water. These tunnels stay under the ground. They move water to dry places. This helps plants grow. It helps us too. Do you like water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA quarry is a place for stone. People dig for rocks there. They find sand and gravel too. We use these to build things. It helps us make homes. Have you ever seen a big rock?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRadio sends sounds through the air. It uses waves to carry music. You can hear it on a radio. It helps us hear news. It is fun to listen! Do you like music on the radio?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRagTime is a computer tool. It helps people make papers. You can add words and pictures. You can also add charts. It is used for work and school. It helps us stay organized. Do you use a computer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTrains move on metal tracks. They carry heavy things. They can also carry many people. Trains help us move fast. It is a very smart way to travel. Do you like to ride on a train?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTrains roll on metal tracks. These tracks stay in place. Small stones hold them down. The tracks help trains move fast. They keep the ride smooth for you. Do you like train rides?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rake is a tool for outside. It has a long handle. It has teeth on the end. You can use it to pick up leaves. It can also help fix the dirt. It helps us keep yards neat. Do you like to help in the yard?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleComputers use a special kind of memory. It helps the computer work fast. It can find and change things in any order. This helps you play games and do work. It is very helpful! Do you use a computer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleFast trains carry many people. Some go under the ground. Some go high in the air. These trains help us move in big cities. They are very fast. Do you like riding trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rapier is a long sword. It has a thin blade. The tip is very sharp. People used it a long time ago. It helps keep hands safe. It was very fancy to wear. Do you like old swords?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRaymond Loewy was a man who made things look good. He made cars and trains look very pretty. He even helped design things for space! His work helps us every day. Do you like things that look nice?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome chips hold secrets. They keep things safe. The info stays even when the power is off. This helps your games work. It is like a book that stays read. Do you like video games?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWe can make new things from old things. We use old paper and glass. We can even use old metal. This helps keep our world clean. It saves our trees and land. Do you recycle at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA fridge keeps food cold. It stays cold inside. This helps food stay fresh. It stops food from going bad. We use it every day. Do you like cold milk?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA relay is a smart switch. It uses electricity to turn on. It can turn on other things. This helps keep us safe. It works in many machines. Do you see switches at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA remote control is a small tool. It works from far away. You can use it to change the TV. It helps you from your chair. It is very handy! Do you have a remote at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWe can learn about things from far away. We use tools in the sky. These tools look at the Earth. They see forests and oceans. This helps us keep our world safe. Can you look up at the sky?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rickshaw is a small cart. A person pulls it. It carries one person. It helps people move around. It is a fun way to ride. Do you want to ride one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rifle is a long tool. It helps people shoot straight. It has a long tube. The tube has tiny lines inside. These lines help the shot spin. It is used for hunting. Do you want to see more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA riverboat is a special boat. It travels on rivers and lakes. These boats carry people or heavy things. They can move along the water. They help us get places. Do you like to ride in a boat?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rivet is a small metal pin. It holds things together. It can join big ships. It can join fast planes. People use it to make things strong. Do you see rivets on things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRoads help us go places. We use cars and buses. People use bikes too. Long ago, horses used roads. They carried things to people. Roads help us get food. Do you like to ride in a car?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRobert Fulton made a special boat. It used steam to move. This helped people travel on rivers. His boat changed how we move things. He was a great inventor. Do you like boats?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRobert was a man who loved science. He built the first big rocket. It used liquid to fly high. This helped us reach space. His work changed the world. Do you like to look at the stars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA robot is a machine. It can do many jobs. Some look like people. Some help us work. They do things that are hard or scary. Robots are very cool. Do you like robots?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA rocket engine is very strong. It pushes hot gas out the back. This push moves the rocket up. It helps ships go to space. It is very fast! Do you want to fly to the stars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMachines roll metal to shape it. It is like rolling dough. Big rollers squeeze the metal. This makes the metal flat. It can make rails too. We use metal every day. Can you find metal near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA roof is the top of a house. It keeps us dry from the rain. It also keeps the sun and wind out. A roof can be flat or sloped. This helps the water run off. It keeps your home safe and warm. Do you see a roof today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA room is a space with walls. You go inside through a door. Some rooms are for sleeping. Other rooms are for cooking food. Rooms help us live and work. What is your favorite room?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRope is made of many long bits. These bits are twisted together. This makes the rope very strong. It helps us lift heavy things. It can even help us climb. Do you like to play with rope?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRoscosmos helps people go to space. They build rockets and tools. They work with many other lands. They help keep people safe in space. It is a big job. Do you like looking at the stars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA router helps computers talk. It sends information to the right place. It works like a sign on a road. This helps your computer find the web. It is very helpful! Do you use a router at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRudolf Diesel was a smart man. He made a new kind of engine. This engine helps big ships move. It uses fuel to work well. His work helps us today. Do you like big engines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA ruler helps you measure things. It has lines on the edge. You can use it to draw straight lines. It helps us know how long things are. People have used them for a long time. Do you have a ruler at school?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleRupert Murdoch owns many news papers. He has papers in many places. Some are in the USA. Some are in the UK. He also has TV news. He is a very rich man. Do you like to read the news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA saddle helps you ride an animal. It sits on the animal's back. A big strap holds it in place. This helps the animal stay comfy. It also helps you stay safe. Do you want to ride a horse?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA sail is a big cloth. It catches the wind. The wind pushes the sail. This helps a boat move. It can move on water or ice. It is very fun to watch. Do you like the wind?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article