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 13 of 86
Sound can help us find things in water. It works like an echo. We make a sound. The sound hits something and comes back. This helps ships see what is under the waves. It is like magic! Can you hear the sound?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis is a special space ship. It carries people to space. It helps them live in orbit. It also brings them back home. The ship is very safe. Do you want to fly to the stars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA spacecraft flies in space. It can carry people. It can also carry things. Some fly far away. They help us see the stars. Do you want to go to space?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA spear is a long stick. It has a sharp tip. People use it to hunt. It can also be used for fishing. It helps us reach far away. Do you like to explore?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleComputers can talk to us. They turn words into sounds. This helps people who cannot see well. It can also help people read. It sounds like a real person. Do you like talking to computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA spreadsheet is a tool on a computer. It uses a big grid of boxes. You can put numbers in the boxes. The computer can do math for you. It helps us keep track of things. Do you like using computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA spring is a bouncy tool. It can stretch or squash. It can also twist. It helps things move. It can even hold power. A spring goes back to its shape. Do you see springs in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA stable is a home for animals. It is a big building. It has small rooms inside. These rooms are for horses or oxen. The animals stay safe there. They can eat and rest. Do you like horses?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleStairs help us move up and down. They use small steps to reach high floors. You step from one step to the next. This makes a big climb easy. They can be straight or turn in a circle. Have you seen stairs today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMaking things the same helps us. It helps parts fit together. This makes tools work well. It keeps us safe too. It makes things easy to use. Do you like things that fit?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA man named John started a big oil company. It was called Standard Oil. The company grew very large. It made oil for many people. This helped us use oil for light. Do you like to learn about big companies?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome things are hard to see. Planes use special shapes to hide. They also use special paint. This helps them stay hidden from tools that look for them. It is like playing hide and seek. Can you find them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA steam train is very strong. It uses steam to move. It burns coal to heat water. This makes the steam push. The steam makes the wheels turn. It can pull many cars. Do you like trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA steamship uses steam to move. It has a big engine. The engine turns a wheel or a screw. This helps the ship go fast. It does not need wind. It helps people travel far. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA steam turbine is a big machine. It uses hot steam to spin. This spinning helps make power. It can make the lights turn on. This helps us every day. Can you see the steam spin?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople make steel from iron. It is a very strong metal. We use it for many things. It helps build our world. Do you see steel near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig ships can travel far inland. They use a special path of water. This path has many locks. Locks help ships move up and down. It helps ships reach the Great Lakes. This is a very big job. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleStorm drains help with rain. They take water away from roads. This keeps the streets dry. It helps stop big floods. These drains lead to rivers. Do you see them on your street?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA stove makes heat. It helps us cook food. It can also keep us warm. We use it in our homes. It is very helpful. Do you like warm food?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThings can be strong or weak. Some things pull or stretch. Some things push or squeeze. Some things twist. We can test how much they hold. This helps us build safe things. Can you find something strong?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA submarine is a boat. It can go under the sea. It stays deep in the water. It can even stay there for a long time. People use them to study the ocean. Do you want to dive deep?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA sundial tells the time. It uses the sun. A stick casts a shadow. The shadow moves on a plate. This shows us the hour. It is very old. Can you find a shadow?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA supercomputer is a very fast computer. It is much faster than your computer at home. It helps us study the weather. It can even look at the stars. These machines help us learn new things. Do you like learning about…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA supermarket is a big shop. You can find many foods there. It has meat and fruit. It also has things for your home. You can pick what you want. It helps us buy food easily. Do you like to shop there?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople use tools to find places. They measure how far things are. They also find the right angles. This helps us make maps. It also helps us build roads. Do you like maps?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA pool is a place for water. People build them to swim in. Some are in the ground. Some are above the ground. You can swim for fun. You can swim to stay strong. Do you like to swim?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA switch helps us control power. It can turn things on or off. It uses metal parts that touch. When they touch, power flows. When they move apart, power stops. You use them for lights. Do you use a switch today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA sword is a long tool. It has a sharp blade. It is bigger than a knife. People used it a long time ago. It helps us learn about history. Do you like old things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA tank is a big machine. It has strong metal sides. These sides keep the people inside safe. It uses long tracks to move on mud. It can go over rough ground. Do you like big machines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA tanker is a big ship. It carries lots of liquids. These ships can move oil. They can move juice too. These ships help us get what we need. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA taxi is a car for hire. A driver takes you where you want to go. You can ride with a small group of friends. It is a fun way to travel. Have you ever seen a taxi?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople draw plans to build things. These drawings show how things work. They help us make big cars or houses. A person uses tools to draw them. They must be very neat. Do you like to draw plans?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTed Turner is a man who likes news. He started a news channel. It stays on all day and night. He also helps the world. He gives money to help people. He even helps animals and the land. Do you like watching news on TV?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople send notes from far away. They use signs to talk. You can use flags or lights. This helps people share news fast. It is like magic! Can you send a secret sign?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA TV network sends shows to you. It sends shows to many small stations. These stations show the programs on your TV. This helps many people watch the same thing. It is very cool. Do you like to watch TV?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWe make clothes from soft plants. We use cotton to make them. It is very soft. Cotton helps us feel good. It is fun to wear. Do you like cotton shirts?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleYou can send short notes on a phone. These notes use letters and numbers. You can send them to friends. It is a fast way to talk. You can even send small pictures. Do you like to send notes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe New York Times is a news paper. It tells us what is happening. It tells stories from far away. It helps us learn about the world. It has been around for a long time. Do you like to read the news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA theodolite is a tool for looking. It helps people see angles. It is used to build roads. It can help build big homes. This tool is very helpful. Do you want to see through it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople use math to study computers. It helps us learn how they work. This tells us what computers can do. It helps us make new tools. We can solve big puzzles with it. Do you like puzzles?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSmart people study how computers work. They look at what machines can do. They check if a task is too hard. This helps us use computers well. We can learn a lot from them. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA thermometer tells us how hot or cold things are. It can check the air or your body. It helps us stay safe and healthy. It is a very handy tool. Do you know if it is hot today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThese are very big bombs. They use heat to work. One part starts the work. Then the heat makes another part go. This makes a very large blast. They are much stronger than old bombs. Do you see how big they are?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Times is a big paper. It tells news from London. It has been around for a long time. People read it to learn things. It helps us know what is happening. Do you like to read the news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Journal is a big news paper. It tells us about money. It tells us about business too. People pay to read it. It helps us learn. Do you like to read news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDisney makes many fun things. They make movies and big parks. You can see Mickey Mouse there. He is a very famous mouse. It is a very big company. Do you like Disney movies?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Washington Post is a news paper. It tells stories from the city. It tells stories from far away. It helps us know what is happening. We can read it on paper. We can read it on a screen too. Do you like to read news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA big dam sits in China. It is on a long river. The dam makes power for homes. It also stops big floods. This helps many people stay safe. It is a very big thing. Do you want to see it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article