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.
A water clock tells time. It uses water to work. Water drips out of a jar. Or water fills a jar. You can see the lines. This shows how much time went by. It is very old. Do you like water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome things move on water. They can be boats or ships. Some go deep under the water. Some use wind to move. They help us travel. Do you like to ride in a boat?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA water machine gives you a drink. It can make water cold. It can even make water hot. You can find them at school. They help us stay thirsty-free. Do you like cold water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThis machine makes thread. It uses a big wheel. The wheel turns with water. It makes thread fast. This helps make clothes. Do you like your clothes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWe use hot water every day. It helps us cook and clean. It is good for baths too. Big tanks keep water warm for us. Do you like warm baths?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA water wheel is a big wheel. Moving water hits the wheel. This makes the wheel turn. The wheel helps us do work. It can grind grain into food. It is a neat machine! Can you see it spin?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePeople make walls with sticks and mud. They weave thin branches together. This makes a strong frame. Then they add wet dirt and straw. It dries to make a house. People have done this for a long time. Can you imagine…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA waveguide is a metal pipe. It carries radio waves. The waves bounce inside the pipe. This helps them move. They travel to antennas. We use them for radar. Can you see the pipe?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome machines can do one job. A car can drive itself. It can also fix your typing. These tools help us every day. We use them a lot. Can you find one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA weather radio tells you about the sky. It can play sounds if a storm is near. This helps keep you safe. Some radios are small for trips. You can use them at home too. Do you like to listen to the news?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe web is a big place. Long ago, we only read pages. Now, we can make things too. We can share photos and videos. We can write our own stories. This helps us all work together. Do you like to share things online?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome apps live on the web. You use a browser to see them. You do not need to install them. They work on many computers. This helps us do work fast. Do you use the web to play games?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA webcam is a small camera. It plugs into your computer. It lets people see you. You can talk to friends on a screen. It helps you see far away places. Do you like to use a camera?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleComputers use colors on web pages. They use red, green, and blue. These mix to make many colors. You see these colors on your screen. They look very pretty. Do you have a favorite color?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA special tool helps make websites. It is easy to use. You can add pictures and words. It helps many people work together. It makes a site look good. Do you want to make a site?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleYou can read mail on the web. It works in a web browser. You can use it anywhere. This helps you stay in touch. It is very handy. Do you like to send mail?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA web page is on your screen. It can have words and pictures. Many pages join to make a site. It is like a book of pages. You can click to see more. Can you find a new page?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA web server is a special computer. It helps you see things online. When you ask for a page, it sends it to you. This helps us use the web. It is very helpful! Do you like to use the web?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleOne site can share its news. It sends stories to other sites. This helps more people see them. It is like a way to spread news fast. It makes finding things easy. Do you like to read news online?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeChat is a big app. It works on a phone. You can send notes to friends. You can also send pictures. It helps people pay for things. It is a very useful tool. Do you use apps?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWeibo is a place to talk online. It is a very big website. People share news and pictures there. You can see what stars are doing. It helps many people stay in touch. Do you like to share stories?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Welland Canal is a long path for ships. It connects two big lakes. Ships use it to move goods. It helps them go around big falls. It is a very busy place. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWerner was a great inventor. He made things that use power. He made a fast train. He also made an elevator. These things help us move. Do you like fast trains? He was a very smart man.
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA man named Wesley Clark helped make computers. He made them small. Long ago, computers were very big. He wanted them to be tools for everyone. Now we can use computers too. Do you use a computer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWestern Union helps people send things. It used to send fast notes. Now it helps move money. This helps people far away. It is a big business. Do you like to send notes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome rooms are for science tests. People use liquids there. They must be very careful. This keeps the room safe. It helps the work stay clean. Do you like science?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA wetsuit is a special suit. It keeps you warm in water. It helps you float, too. It protects your skin from stings. You can wear it to swim. Do you like to play in the water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA wet wipe is a small cloth. It is wet with water. You can use it to clean. It helps clean your hands. It can even clean a baby. They are very handy. Do you use them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWhatsApp is an app for phones. It lets you send notes to friends. You can also call them. It helps people talk from far away. It is a very popular tool. Do you use an app to talk to friends?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA whip is a long tool. It can make a loud crack. This sound helps move animals. Some whips are short and stiff. They can tap a horse. It is a very fast tool. Can you imagine a loud crack?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA bar helps pull things. It can help a horse pull a heavy load. The bar shares the work. This makes it easy for the animal. It keeps the pull even. Do you see things that pull?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA big machine helped pilots learn. It was a very fast computer. It was built a long time ago. This machine helped make new computers. It was very special. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA whiteboard is a smooth, white board. You can draw on it. You can use special pens to write. It is easy to wipe it clean. This helps us learn in class. Do you like to draw on boards?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome tools make thick smoke. They can hide things. They can also make bright light. This smoke helps people move safely. It is very hot. It can even start fires. Do you see smoke in the sky?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWhitney is a smart leader. She helped make a big app. Many people use it to talk. This work helps her lead a company. She is very good at her job. Do you want to be a leader too?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSome people sell things in big groups. They buy lots of things at once. Then they sell them to shops. This helps shops get what they need. It makes things easier for everyone. Do you like to shop at stores?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBig wires carry power to us. They link many places together. This helps share the power. It helps keep the lights on. We use it every day. Do you use lights at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThe Wii is a game machine. It lets you play fun games. You can move the controller to play. This makes games feel new. It is for everyone to enjoy. Do you like to play games?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleA wiki is a web page. Many people can change it. They can add new things. They can fix mistakes too. It helps us share what we know. It is fun to work together. Do you want to help write one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWikiLeaks shares secret papers. They show things leaders hide. This helps people know the truth. It can be hard for them. Some people are not happy about it. Do you like to learn new things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilhelm made fast engines. He worked with a friend. They made engines for boats. They made engines for cars too. These engines help us move. Do you like fast cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBill Bernbach made ads for things. He worked in a big city. He made ads that were new. He helped people see things in a fun way. His work changed how we see ads. Do you like ads?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilliam Caslon made letters for books. His letters were very easy to read. Many people liked his work. He made a new style for England. People still use his style today. Do you like to read books?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilliam Caxton made books. He used a new machine. This machine helped him print. He was the first in England. Now many people can read. Do you like books?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilliam was a man who made cars. He started a big car company. He also helped make Chevrolet. His work helps us drive today. He was very good at business. Do you like to ride in cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilliam Boeing loved to fly. He built a big plane. It could land on water. This helped people travel far. His company still makes planes today. Do you like to fly in planes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWilliam Fargo was a busy man. He helped move mail and money. He started big companies for this work. These companies still help us today. He was a leader in his city. Do you like to help people?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleBilly Vanderbilt was a rich man. He ran many trains. He helped build big tracks. He gave money to help schools. He also liked fine art. Do you like trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article