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.
This tool can fire many times. It uses power to load itself. It gets ready for the next shot. You must pull the trigger each time. It is very fast. Do you see how it works?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA tank can mix things to make new stuff. Some tanks let you add more stuff slowly. This helps keep the tank at a safe heat. It also helps make the right thing. This is very useful. Can you imagine making new things…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAn airship is a big flying ship. It has a strong part inside. This part helps it keep its shape. It can carry heavy things in the sky. These ships are very cool! Have you ever seen one fly?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig trucks carry lots of things. They pull a long part behind them. This part holds goods to move. They help bring things to us. It is a big job! Do you see them on the road?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMany trains run in a big city. These trains carry people far and wide. They help us get to school or work. You can use a smart card to pay. It is a fast way to travel. Do you like to ride trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA septic tank is a big box underground. It cleans dirty water from our homes. The water sits in the tank. This helps the waste go away. It keeps our ground clean. Can you imagine a tank under your yard?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSergey Brin helped make Google. He built a way to find things online. He worked with his friend Larry. This helps us learn new things. It is a very big job. Do you use Google to find things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA server is a special computer. It helps other computers. It shares things like games or mail. It sends things back when you ask. This helps us use the web. Can you think of a game you play online?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople plan how things work. They plan how to help you. They think about tools and people. This makes things easy to use. It helps you have a good day. Do you like things that work well?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCars need help to stay safe. People check the parts. They fix things that are old. They add new oil to help. This keeps the car running well. It helps you drive. Do you like cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA screen uses small lines to show numbers. It can show some letters too. You see them on clocks. You see them on calculators. They help us read numbers fast. Can you find one today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDirty water flows through our towns. It comes from our sinks and toilets. This water has soap and food in it. We must clean it to keep our world safe. It is a big job! Do you use much water at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig pipes hide under the ground. They carry dirty water away. This helps keep our towns clean. It keeps us healthy too. We need these pipes to stay safe. Do you know where they go?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSeymour Cray built fast computers. His machines were the best. They could do work very fast. He was a great builder. We use fast computers today. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleComputers use special code to make pictures. This code tells the computer how to show light. It helps make movies and games look real. You see it every time you play. It is very cool! Do you like video games?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shadoof helps move water. It uses a long pole. A bucket hangs on one end. A heavy weight sits on the other. It makes lifting water easy. This helps plants grow. Can you see how it works?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome rocks have oil inside them. People find these rocks. They use heat to get the oil out. This oil can be used for fuel. It helps us move around. Can you find rocks outside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTrains run under the city. They carry many people. The trains go to many stops. This helps people move fast. It is a very big system. Do you like trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis is a big place for planes. It is in a city called Shanghai. Many people fly in and out. It helps people travel far away. It is very busy. Do you like to fly in planes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome tools use a big blast. This blast is shaped like a cone. It pushes power to one spot. This helps it cut through metal. It can even make holes in deep wells. Do you want to see more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople can share rides. You can share a car or a bike. This helps people save money. It also helps our air stay clean. Sharing is a great way to move. Do you like to share?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shared path is for many people. You can walk or ride a bike. Some paths are made of hard stone. These paths help us save space. It is a fun way to move. Do you like to walk on paths?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA share taxi is a small bus. It carries many people at once. You can ride it to go to town. It is a cheap way to travel. It helps many people get around. Do you like to ride in a bus?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShawn Fanning works with computers. He made a way to share music. Many people used his new tool. It helped us find songs. He is very good at his job. Do you like to listen to music?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shed is a small building. It can hold your tools. It can hold your bike. It keeps things dry in the rain. A shed helps you stay neat. Do you have a shed?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleMetal can be made into thin sheets. These sheets can be flat or in rolls. We use them for cars and cans. They are used to make roofs, too. Metal helps build many things. Do you see metal near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSheldon Adelson was a busy man. He built very large hotels. He also owned many newspapers. He gave a lot of money to help people. He worked hard for a long time. Do you like to build things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shelf is a flat place to put things. It stays up off the floor. You can find them in homes or stores. They help us keep our things neat. It is a great way to save space. Do you have a shelf in your room?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShell is a very big company. It finds oil and gas. It works in many places. It helps give fuel to cars. We see their shops often. Do you see a Shell shop?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA script is a list of jobs. It tells a computer what to do. It can move files or print words. This helps you work fast. It is like a helper for your machine. Do you want to learn more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTrains run fast in Shenzhen. They move many people. There are many lines. The trains help us go places. It is a very big system. Do you like riding trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShereen Bhan tells news on TV. She works in India. She talks about business and cars. She has won many awards. Her work helps us learn. Do you like watching the news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis is a big airport. It is in a place called Moscow. Many planes land here. It helps people fly to new places. It is very busy! Do you like to fly in planes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shifter helps your bike. It picks the right gear. You move a small wire to do this. It makes riding easier for you. It sits on your bike bars. Do you like to ride bikes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCars use parts to stay smooth. These parts stop a car from bouncing. They help the wheels stay on the ground. They make the ride feel good for you. It is like a soft cushion. Do you like smooth rides?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShortwave radio sends sounds far away. The waves bounce off the sky. They can travel many miles. This helps us hear news from far lands. It is a fun way to listen. Do you want to listen to the world?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shell is a small tool. It holds many tiny bits. These bits fly out. The shell helps them move. It is used for many jobs. Do you see the tiny bits?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA slug is a heavy piece of metal. It comes from a shotgun. It is used to hunt large animals. This helps people stay safe. It is very heavy and strong. Do you want to learn more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSmall metal balls are called shot. They are often very heavy. People use them for many jobs. They can help keep things steady. They are very small and round. Do you like tiny things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShuji Nakamura makes bright lights. He found a way to make blue light. This light helps make white light. Now we have better lights at home. It is a big help to us. Do you like bright lights?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleShunpei Yamazaki is a smart man. He lives in Japan. He makes many new things. He helps make computer screens work. His ideas help us see things. He is a great thinker. Do you like to make things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA camera has a little door. This door lets in light. It can open fast or slow. Fast shots freeze a moving bird. Slow shots make things look blurry. It helps us take great pictures. Do you like taking photos?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA space ship went to space. It used special tools to look down. It made a big map of our land. This map shows hills and mountains. It helps us see the Earth. Can you find a mountain on a map?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA shuttle helps make cloth. It carries thread back and forth. It moves through long strings. This makes a soft fabric. It is a fun tool to use. Do you like soft cloth?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA sidewalk is a path for walking. It is next to a road. It is often higher than the street. This keeps you safe from cars. It helps us walk in town. Do you like to walk on a sidewalk?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSiding covers the walls of a house. It keeps out the rain and snow. It also keeps the sun and cold away. This helps keep you warm inside. It can be made of wood or metal. Do you like the color of your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleLarge machines help people reach walls. Some machines have wheels. They can move to a city. Some machines throw big rocks. These machines were made of wood. They help people get past gates. Do you like big machines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSiemens is a big company. It makes many things. They make trains and tools. They also help doctors. This helps people everywhere. Can you find a Siemens tool?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article