And the Wall Came Tumbling Down
The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to divide communist East Germany from democratic West Germany. East Germans gained access to the Western side in 1989, collapsing the wall as they poured in.#
Archive · October 1999
Dr. Copernicus Archives — October 1999
A weekday digest of things worth looking at, written for students and teachers.
About this page. This is original material first published on gocopernicus.com in May–December 1999, restored to its original address. Outbound links from the period have been left as plain text rather than live links — the destinations are 25 years old and almost all of them are gone. Links inside entries point to this site's own subject pages.
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A Food for Every Mood
If you won't eat anything but burgers and fries, you probably don't know about all the other yummy foods out there that kids love. Try some simple recipes recommended by your peers, and then share your own.#
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The Great Escape
On Wednesday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m., join in the Great Escape and map a fire escape route for your family. Then, take tips from#
The Great Chicago Fire
Read Mrs. O'Leary's account of that fateful night, and compare it to the commissioners' report. Then, take a tour through the Chicago Historical Society's illustrated galleries and collection of life stories to round out your experience.#
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Terrible Tremors
Once seismic waves are recorded, scientists can predict how destructive the earthquake might be by measuring it against the Richter Scale. Teach your kids proper safety drills to allay their fears in the event of an earthquake.#
Peace, Love, and Understanding
Learn more about attachment parenting through informative articles. Ask your questions directly to the experts. Still not convinced? Check out the research and hear from other parents.#
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Awards, Not Apples
On this "Honor Thy Teacher" site you can help your favorite educator celebrate International Teacher's Day in a non-edible way. Print out an "American Teacher Award" certificate of recognition to present to him or her today.#
What It Takes to Teach
According to 1998 Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler, excellent educators do more than lead lessons and grade papers. Superstar teachers also act as compassionate and enthusiastic mentors who "believe in their students and love their work."#
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Look Ma, No Hands!
Car companies are developing technology that may allow people to "drive" without even touching the wheel. Engineers believe if cars can "see" and "feel" other cars without human help, commuters may be able to fit more cars on crowded roadways.#
Super-stuffed Superairbus
Planes that are not super-sized next century may enjoy other improvements, such as more electronic gadgets for passengers. Travelers' toys may include outlets for laptop computers, individual TV sets, and choices of seat-side movies.#
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A Brave New World
Columbus might have used several navigation methods when he sailed the seas in the fifteenth century. View a map of the islands on which he is thought to have landed, and read about his ships and crew on board for the discovery.#
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Quake Quest
Though they only last a short while, earthquakes can do massive damage to structures built along fault lines. Walk, don't run, though this online exhibit on the history of seismology, and you'll learn how scientists predict and measure quakes.#
A Day in the Life of Columbus
A sailor could measure how fast they were going by tossing a knotted rope tied to a reel into the water. By counting the remaining knots on board after a certain amount of time, he would then use multiplication to learn their ship's speed.#
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Education World Weekly Feature
Looking for easy-to-do online projects with great curriculum links? Want to get some extra classroom mileage out of your students' Halloween sugar highs? This week, Education World offers a potpourri of great October ideas!#
One Famous Farmer
George Washington was instrumental in developing farming techniques such as crop rotation and fertilization to replenish barren land. Take your class on this virtual field trip and test their knowledge with the Pioneer Farmer Quiz.#
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A Day with a Difference
Not just your normal Saturday, Make a Difference Day calls community members to cooperate in charity efforts. How you contribute depends on you. Browse programs already scheduled, or start your own service project.#
Can You Spare Some Time?
With information on where you live, VolunteerMatch can match you with a worthy organization near your home. Or, if you don't want to leave the house, find out about virtual volunteering opportunities on the Web.#
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Lots More Shaking Going On?
There has been no increase in the number of earthquakes over the years. However, our understanding of earthquake causes has increased. For instance, we no longer blame quakes on the movements of beasts like giant hogs, turtles, or elephants.#
Reasons for the Rumble
Plate tectonics is the invisible and incremental movement of the earth's giant plates. Over time, these plates shift and press against each other until the stress becomes so great it shatters the Earth's crust.#
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The Universal Language
Even after they've graduated, your kids will need to use math throughout their lives. If they want to carpet a bedroom, bake cookies, or invest in the stock market, they'll need to learn math, a language spoken around the globe.#
Family Fun in the Sun
Get through the winter with visions of an island vacation dancing in your head. Read up on the family-friendly activities of the cool Caribbean and unbelievable Bahamas, all topped off with a slice of key lime pie.#
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The Image Seekers
Are photographs art? Can they truthfully record history? Can a photographic image be used to persuade or manipulate? Focus in on this wonderful snapshot history of American photography.#
Revenge of the Mummy
Though they may seem scary, mummies were made to preserve the bodies of those who had died so they would be appear young in the afterlife. Walk through this mummy-making tour to see how the Egyptians once did it.#
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Education World Weekly Feature
The National School Safety Center (NSSC) has declared the week of October 17-23 America's Safe Schools Week and is the focus of this week's Education World stories.#
Mapping Migration
Beginning in February, 2000, students across the country will work together to collect migration data. It's not too early to register for this free online program to help scientists track the return of birds and butterflies.#
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Talk without Speaking?
In this children's chat room, you can find friends from across the globe. With the touch of a button, join 175, 000 other kids to talk about school, friends, hobbies, and other fun stuff.#
Safety in School
If you are in grades 6-12, USA TODAY wants to hear what you think about safety and violence in school. If you have opinions you want to share, fill out their survey and register to win a prize.#
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Math in the Past
Centuries ago, ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks used math in their everyday lives. Read about how math developed over time thanks to smart men and women throughout history.#
What's the Word about the 23rd?
Avogadro proposed that the number of molecules in one molecular gram of weight = 6.0221367 x 10 23. His discovery is celebrated on the 23rd because it is the exponent of his famous formula.#
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Xcellent Xpeditions
Every other week, National Geographic presents new Family Xpeditions, entertaining geography activities for parents and children to enjoy together. Check out their latest Xpedition, or search their archive of previous adventures.#
See You in Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia is a country made up of tiny Pacific islands. Used by the Japanese as a strategically located base during World War II, Micronesia has a rich history and an underwater museum of sunken ships.#
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Bat Attack!
The large fruit bat (or Pteropus vampyrus) can reach a wingspan of over six feet. Our Adventure Team will probably be ok, though. Despite their scary scientific name, these bats eat only insects and fruits.#
Scuba, Scuba Do
Learn what it takes to scuba dive in Micronesia's Chuuk Lagoon, then come up with questions for our Adventure Team to answer during our live Web chats Wednesday through Friday.#
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Education World Weekly Feature
The Education World staff is looking forward to an exciting few days at the National Middle School Association's annual conference in Orlando. If you're there, be sure to come up and introduce yourself!#
Deep Sea History
On February 17-18, 1944, American ships and planes blanketed Chuuk Lagoon with firepower to gain control of the Japanese base in Micronesia. Take your class through a virtual gallery of photos of the well-preserved, sunken Japanese ships.#
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Halloween Treats
A grab bag of Halloween goodies, this site can help you whip up some treats of your own. Test out recipes for black cat cupcakes or jelly-filled spiders or send your special "pumpkin" a holiday greeting.#
Big Sights in a Small Country
While on Chuuk, the Adventure Team has terrific things to see and do including scuba diving in an "underwater graveyard" of sunken ships and tropical fish, visiting a local high school, and eating dinner with a Chuukese family.#
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Smaller than a Breadbox?
Micronesia means "tiny islands." But what Micronesia lacks in size, it makes up for in quantity. The Federated States of Micronesia includes over 600 islands scattered over an area the size of France.#
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A Ghost, An Angel, A Hobo
Are your kids having trouble deciding what they want to be for Halloween? Did you get invited to a last minute party? You may already own everything you need to be a tourist, a cowboy, a ghost, an angel, or an athlete.#
Freaky Food
Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or just want to freak out the family, try these quick Halloween recipes. As a bonus, each recipe provides the fat, calorie, cholesterol, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium content.#
Subjects covered this month
Science
8 entries from October 1999
Arts & Literature
8 entries from October 1999
History
7 entries from October 1999
Geography
5 entries from October 1999
Computers & the Internet
5 entries from October 1999
Mathematics
4 entries from October 1999
Health & Medicine
4 entries from October 1999
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