Copernicus Channel Guide — August 1999

What gas do air conditioners use to cool your house? Freon. Where is the longest coastline in the U.S.? Juneau, Alaska.#

Despite Democratic opposition and President Clinton's vow to veto the bill, Republican congressmen are working hard this week on a tax-cut plan that would use anticipated budget surpluses to finance tax reductions.#

You'll need more than muscles to tend to your new pet: a 60-pound Siberian cyber tiger. Start by building a home and choosing food for your feline. Then let him loose to hunt around his new habitat.#

Teachers who want new ideas for their tired lesson plans will find Learning Center a terrific resource for improving curriculum standards and creating exciting classroom projects. Parents and kids should also check out the Voyager Adventure Station, as well as our other links, to keep the summer fun.#

Participate in discussion groups, go to friendly chat areas, or find an electronic pen pal, locally or from across the world.#

How do your school's academic standards measure up and what can you do to foster improvement? Many federal and state agencies publish free information for school communities, and the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education is a great resource. Even if your school isn't part of a localized Copernicus community, School Biz offers valuable information for educators and parents alike.#

Though school's out, continue your child's education "after the bell." Read movie and music reviews, conduct science experiments from home, or even plan your entire family vacation online using our featured family resources.#

On Monday, the Senate passed legislation that will make it harder for sweepstakes companies to lure in sales by sending phony "you may have already won" announcements and other such promises of purchase-related cash and prizes.#

Southeast Asia is home to Borneo, the third largest island in the world, and many other island groups or " archipelagoes " such as the 5-country conglomerate known as the Malay Archipelago. Every night while you sleep, your brain takes a mini-vacation, using the rest and relaxation to sort out information, replenish chemicals, and solve problems so you're set to start when the alarm sounds.#

To evade the bureaucracy that divides a leader from his people, young King Abdullah II of Jordan has twice adopted the unorthodox practice of playing "king-in-disguise," masking himself as a cab driver and a TV reporter in order to hear what his citizens have to say.#

Starting Sunday, the entertainment industry will celebrate Alfred Hitchcock's 100th birthday by rebroadcasting his classic suspense films and TV series, as well as airing commemorative made-for-television biographies.#

Before the first day of school, visit Learning Center for lesson plans, teacher tools, online resources, and more.#

Battling against an estimated 78 fires sparked Wednesday by extensive lightning, firefighters will work through the weekend to douse the blazes burning across 500 miles of Nevada range, an area one-third the size of Rhode Island.#

On August 9, 1974 Richard Nixon resigned as president, concluding the "long national nightmare" known as Watergate. However, the end of his presidency marked the beginning of reforms aimed to keep government clean, some of which are still operational 25 years later.#

Political analysts trying to explain why Russian President Boris Yeltsin replaced his prime minister for the fourth time yesterday speculate that Yeltsin is trying to ensure that he, his family, and his political associates will be protected when his time in office ends.#

Though many eclipse chasers across Northern Europe had an obscured view, millions strained to see the solar eclipse, some going to such extreme lengths as boarding the Concorde airplane to get above the heavy clouds for a clear view.#

Though details are still fuzzy, organizers of Net Aid are clear about their goal for the multimedia event: they hope the experience, a mix of stadium concerts, TV and radio broadcasts, and Webcasts, will reach so many millions of viewers that it will spark a movement to end world hunger.#

In videotaped remarks, President Clinton assigned parents responsibility for keeping students safe in school, but did promise to help by offering policy initiatives and advice on how to decrease school violence and avoid tragedies like the Littleton, Colorado shootings last April.#

After a summer of healing, Columbine High School students return to classes today in refurbished buildings equipped with new security measures and counselors on hand to help faculty and students cope with the haunting memories of last year's tragedy.#

People in western Turkey's largest cities are trying to recover from a devastating earthquake that injured more than 2,500 citizens, collapsed buildings, and shut off telephone and electric service Monday night.#

Educators are pleased by high school students' scores on this year's ACT college-entrance exam because 1999 results, though the same on average as the 1998 and 1997 composites, confirm a decade-long trend toward higher scores.#

On average returning college students will spend half their waking hours on the Web researching coursework, emailing friends, or ordering food, clothes or other products off the Internet. All this time online has some asking, "How wired is too wired?"#

After taking Iowa's straw poll last weekend, voters are ready to narrow down the field of Republican presidential candidates by ousting all but three or four of the GOP forerunners.#

Outscoring other major metropolitan areas, Seattle ranked top of the class earning an A+ in the 1999 Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card, which will be released nationally on Tuesday.#

Although decisions won't be made until after Labor Day, the fate of the Selective Service System, a half-century old agency that requires men to register for military service when they turn eighteen, is being battled on Capital Hill.#

Psychologists report that forgiveness may be good for your health, citing studies that show that people who forgive others reap physical and mental benefits not enjoyed by those who bear the burdens of unresolved grudges.#

What are the six building blocks of your body? Protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, fiber, and vitamins. Answer questions like these and more using our online reference library of dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauri, and search engines in Quick Facts.#

Forecasts for an above-average number of hurricanes this season have sent researchers hunting for answers about why low-grade hurricanes intensify into strong storms just before reaching land.#

To study climatic changes in the planet's history, NASA will set down its Mars Polar Lander on a frozen ice plane about 500 miles from the south pole of Mars.#

The number of college graduates certified to be teachers is reaching an historical high. Schools across the U.S., however, are scrambling to find qualified teachers to fill their classrooms this fall.#

Despite four recent deaths on roller coasters, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports the rides are safer than garden hoses, a statistic that may explain why amusement park goers are not too scared to sneak in some pre-Labor Day thrills.#