INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER

Links for Youth and Teens

One of the most comprehensive Internet web sites devoted to young people is "FirstGov for Kids" (www.kids.gov). There, you will find a treasure hunt of web sites covering arts, computers, history, homework, science and math, recreation and fun stuff, and much more. Below, you'll find a selection of individual sites for young people to get you started. More sites will be featured in the future.

These United States

State Websites
Facts and fun stuff about many of the states in the United States.

American FactFinder Kids' Site from the U.S. Census Bureau
Find out what a census is and why we use one, then take a fun quiz or click the "facts" button on the Main page to get all kinds of information about any state in the country.

History

America's Story from America's Library
Have fun while learning about America's history. Jump back in time; meet amazing Americans; discover America's favorite pastimes, sports, and hobbies; send a postcard to a friend; watch a movie, hear a song, play a tune from America's past. And much more! This site is from the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world and the library of the United States.

Today in History
Another site from the Library of Congress. This is a day-by-day listing of historical and cultural events with a lot of links to digital items -- pictures, photographs, exhibits -- found in the vast collections of the Library of Congress. Pick a day and begin your discovery.

Not Just for Kids
Explore history interactively on-line or try activities at home with friends and family. Become a historian and look for clues about people in earlier days, or find out about the importance of the buffalo in the lives of American Indians. You can also discover fascinating stories about inventions -- discover how the quartz watch was invented, make your own light bulb, enjoy the on-line exhibit about electric guitars. Brought to you by the Smithsonian's Museum of American History.

For additional sites about history, click on the history link at FirstGov for Kids http://www.kids.gov/k_history.htm

Government

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
No matter how old you are, you will find many interesting facts, historical documents, games and activities to explore while learning about the U.S. branches of government, the U.S. election process, how U.S. laws are made, what it means to be a U.S. citizen, and more.

Congress for Kids
Take a tour of the federal government with Uncle Sam. With games, quizzes and other fun activities, you will learn the basics of the American democratic form of government.

Foreign Affairs

U.S. Department of State for Youth
Along with "Pat, the passport pal," use word games, puzzles and other activities to discover interesting facts about the United States Department of State. On these pages, you can read stories by children and teens of diplomats overseas; learn about cultural exchange programs; and explore the world by finding an interesting country and learning about it.

The White House

The White House Kids Page
Here you can find Kids pages on life in the White House and U.S. Presidents, as well as a White House Photo Album. Pages, from the view of the First Family's pets and animals, give a White House tour, explore the history of the White House, offer a history quiz on U.S. President's occupations, and present the biographies of an "American Dream Team" of inspiring baseball players, athletes, patriots, teachers and artists. You can also find biographies of the President, Mrs. Bush, the Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, as well as biographies of the First Family's pets and animals.

National Parks

GoZone
Get to know our national parks on-line with fun activities and games. You might even become a Junior Ranger!

Space

Just For Kids - Johnson Space Center
This site has great links such as sending your name to Mars, living in space, and becoming a virtual astronaut.

NASA Educator Astronaut Program
Learn about astronaut school, living in space, and the crew here on earth. You can also nominate your teacher for NASA's educator astronaut program.

NASA's Kids Page
This is a fun site from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Play a variety of games and activities, and learn more interesting facts about space.

NASA Kids
Here are the answers to everything you wanted to know about space and the solar system, track the location of space shuttles and stations, or learn about rockets or mapping the earth from space.

NASA's Observatorium
National Aeronautics and Space Administration site for Earth and space data with pictures of the Earth, planets, stars, and other cool stuff, as well as the stories behind those images.

StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers
The Sun, moon, comets and asteroids oh my! Here you will find interesting information about a lot of amazing space subjects. By the time you have completed the Space Stuff Section, you will be an expert on becoming an astronaut and space probes.

The Space Place
Amazing facts and fun activities to do to learn more about space science.

From the Smithsonian Institution: the World's Largest Museum Complex

Smithsonian Education
A site for students and kids to "explore, discover and learn." Topics from Art to Science & Nature to History & Culture to People & Places. Follow "Cappy" the giraffe on an adventure through American art; design your own stamp, painting or mask; take a drive through time, find mystery bugs, learn all about the animals at the National Zoo. Many more exciting activities await you at this site.

Kids' Castle
Kids' Castle includes articles written about the things that interest you: sports, history, the arts, travel, science and air and space, all with great photos. There are message boards filled with questions to get kids from all over the world talking to each other. And, Kids' Castle has lots of fun and challenging games and contests. This site is created by Smithsonian Magazine.

Encyclopedia Smithsonian
Encyclopedia Smithsonian helps answer frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian with links to resources on subjects from Art to Zoology.

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