When I was little I would always ask my parents how everything worked. How does the microwave work? How does a TV get a picture? Any and everything I could ask a question about I would. My parents had a lot of the answers, but some questions are a little too hard to handle. Now there is a website that can help you with those “How does this work?” questions appropriately named “How Stuff Works”.
This is one of those sites I tend to gravitate toward when I get bored at work, but it can also be a good site to direct your children to when they have questions you don’t know the answer to.
The site is divided up into ten sections: Auto Stuff, Science Stuff, Health Stuff, Entertainment Stuff, Computer Stuff, Electronics Stuff, Home Stuff, Money Stuff, and People Stuff.
Each different section of the website has articles explaining how different things work. For instance, in the electronics section you can learn how a car alarm works, or learn about HDTV. Do you know how GPS phones pinpoint your location?
If electronics aren’t really your thing then you can choose one of the other channels. For instance in the Science Channel you can learn how rollercoaster’s work, or even how the earth works.
Most of the articles on this site are pretty informative, and give you a good overview of how something actually works. This is really not a site to send younger children, the writing is geared toward more of an adult audience so it may be a little over their head. If your youngster asks you a question and you don’t know the answer this can be a good place to start looking for it. Older children should be able to navigate the site pretty easily on their own.
Next time you’re faced with a difficult question check out “How Stuff Works” and see if you can find the answer.