Many people depend on blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay for their jobs. But overfishing and changes in the blue crabs' habitats have reduced their numbers. Learn how scientists have stepped in to study these blue beauties so that they can keep a healthy crab population. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through...

The Horten Ho airplane was made in Nazi Germany during WWII. Germany needed a new weapon, and hoped this experimental aircraft would help them win the war. The Horten Ho would have been a fighter jet with incredible speed, but it did not fly as planned. Learn about the Smithsonian Institution's efforts to restore this fascinating historical artifact and the challenges they faced during the restoration process. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian...

In the 1970s, NASA wanted to build a new kind of spacecraft that could be used over and over again. The Space Shuttle Program was born, and NASA engineers and scientists were tasked with designing and creating the first shuttle. Nine years later, the first space shuttle was launched. Learn the history of the Space Shuttle Program and the many issues and problems that the engineers faced. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this...

Did you know the first battery-powered vehicle was created in the 1830s? People who attended the 1892 World's Fair in Chicago could see one. And in 1894, you could buy an "Electrobat" and travel 25 miles on a single charge! Since then, EVs have surged in popularity and have become much more technologically advanced. Learn the history of EVs, how they work, why they're good for the environment, and discover the future of the electric vehicle! Created...

Our planet is covered with volcanoes. They are fascinating natural wonders that are potentially dangerous and destructive. But, they are important to Earth's survival. Scientists who study volcanoes ask lots of questions. Let's find the answers and learn more about volcanoes--and the volcanologists who study them! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds reading skills while engaging students'...

Over the years, people have looked for ways to improve our imperfect sight. This has led us to the world of optics, which is the study of light and how it travels. What are some of these innovations that have changed how we see the world, and how do they work? Find the answers to these questions with this Smithsonian Informational Text! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this text builds students' reading skills while engaging...

It's hard to imagine the film The Wizard of Oz without the "yellow" brick road or the "ruby" slippers. The memorable and distinctive use of color was made possible by a new technology called Technicolor. The vibrant colors showed that Oz was a very different place from Dorothy's home in Kansas. Learn the technology behind Technicolor along with the history of film with this high-interest informational text! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian...

Navigation instruments have changed over time. Lodestones, sunstones, and sextants helped early navigators find their way. Modern technology makes navigation more precise than it has ever been. But the roots of navigation still remain. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features...

Believe it or not, water can be used to power boat and train engines. In fact, water in the form of steam changed the manufacturing and transportation industries thanks to steam power pioneers like Denis Papin, Thomas Newcomen, James Watt, and Richard Trevithick. Explore the ways that steam is now used to generate electricity and plans for future uses of steam power! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational...

You've probably heard of lions and tigers. Perhaps you've seen them at the zoo. But have you heard of the clouded leopard? This shy member of the cat family is an endangered species. Their shyness makes studying them a challenge for zookeepers and scientists. Find out why they are so special, and why they need our help. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while...