Cybermath.com
http://www.cybermath.com

Here's where teachers and Einsteins-in-training can discover the wonders of MathView, an interactive program that lets you view sites that use embedded mathematics. Cybermath.com actually demonstrates the power of MathView-you can download it as a plug-in, and experience the automatically changing algebraic equations first-hand, at both a high school and university level. You can also link to the corporate site and order MathView on a CD-ROM. Apparently that's what you'll need to put embedded math in your own site, but the manufacturer doesn't really explain the benefits of buying the program versus downloading the free plug-in. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh


Live and Learn
http://www.liveandlearn.com/

Live and Learn is a toy merchant, but it states adamantly and repeatedly that its Web site functions primarily as a resource for parents and teachers. And believe it or not, it's telling the truth-the products are mentioned secondarily. Unfortunately, there's a major hitch: The featured resources aren't very good. Live and Learn reprints some articles from the U.S. Dept. Of Education, but most of the rest are ultra-simplistic and fail to include the author's qualifications. Probably the only reason to visit the site is the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Toy Recall List. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh


Tiger Information Center
http://www.5tigers.org/

As the ultimate indicator species, at the top of the heap when it comes to charismatic megafauna, the five varieties of tiger face extirpation in their remaining habitats. For some of the species, there are actually more specimens in captivity than in the wild. This site goes a long way to making the case for their protection and preservation, reaching out to children as well as scientific investigators. The site contains information on everything related to these big kitties, from the details of tiger husbandry, to the use of tiger whiskers in traditional Chinese medicine, to the number of grams a suckling tiger kitten puts on every day. Comes complete with growls and purrs. - Steve LeVine


Educom
http://educom.edu

The problem with intensive discussions about future uses, means, and forms of technology, is that they often boil down to long-winded, nebulous ranting. Try this one on for size: "Educom believes that education and information technology (IT) will provide the most significant enhancements for human capability over the coming decade." Essentially, Educom is a non-profit group of colleges, universities, and computer companies who promote and participate in seminars, workshops, and lectures on educational uses for computer systems and the future of "information technology." The articles here (taken from Educom's publications) are well written and informative, providing some meat to the site. But the rest lacks definition-mostly confusing double-talk on the structure, purpose and importance of Educom. - Robert Capps


Collegescape
http://www.collegescape.com

This site contains everything you'll need for choosing and applying to the right university program-provided that program is one of the 200 listed here. Many of the featured schools offer profiles, e-mail access, and online applications. You can easily narrow your search by inputting the geographical area, tuition, and school size you're looking for. The site also reveals that "many of today's students have never used a typewriter," but "anyone with Internet access can apply with Collegescape." Hhmm ... I thought most computers required keyboard use. Perhaps I'm mistaken. - Ismael Marrero


Virtual Fly Lab
http://vflylab.calstatela.edu/edesktop/VirtApps/VflyLab/IntroVflyLab.html

Too many of your romantic din dins ruined by the persistence of fruit flies over your wine? Here's your chance, then, to mess with the drosophila, or possibly cross breed flies to dislike grape-based beverages. The Virtual FlyLab aims to "allow students to learn the principles of genetic inheritance through the design and analysis of genetic 'experiments.' " A bit of bio-savvy is recommended before venturing forth (endowing your flies with too many mutations might prove fatal). Keep it simple like I did: I compared my male flies to other males I know and mutated them thus-Spineless, Dumpy, and Bar Eyed. - Ismael Marrero


Views of the Solar System
http://bang.lanl.gov/solarsys/

By the time you read this, the Views in this site will probably include one of the planetesimal 1996TL66, a tiny little thing only 305 miles in diameter that was recently found beyond Pluto. In the meantime, enjoy the sometimes astonishing views of our neighbors in space. For those with a major in Foreign Language and a minor in Astronomy, vistas are available in both Portuguese and Spanish. Pages load quickly, and their images comprise AVIs, JPEGs, GIFs, and MPEGs. The site offers an introduction to each planet and its moons and satellites, as well as a list of Terms and Definitions. - Ismael Marrero


Teachnet.com
http://www.teachnet.com/

Remember when Lisa Simpson stole all the teacher's edition textbooks from Springfield Elementary, and the staff (who were all in the hallowed Teachers' Lounge, smoking) totally wigged out? Remember how utterly delicious that was because she accomplished something we could only dream of doing? Well, this isn't exactly that. Instead, Teachnet.com is a valued and much-lauded resource for helping educators generate lesson ideas, deal with parents, and prepare and organize themselves. It also provides classroom decor tips, such as an aquarium filled with cheap fish and a nice, comfy chair. If you're not a teacher, you're still welcome, but you'll have to bring your own cigarettes. - Ismael Marrero