Harry Potter and the Museum with the long line

http://www.harrypotterexhibition.com/
get an up close and personal look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that appeared throughout the Harry Potter films.

This image is from an iron-on shirt design that I put together in 2005, you can use it if you like.

free science

Want to win a chance to see one of the last Space Shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center? Paramount and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex have teamed up on the Star Trek “Go For Launch” sweepstakes! http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/startrek.aspx

45 weird College Scholarships

my favs are the tall person and the Starfleet Academy scholarships but the candy technologist one is right up there too.
Zen College Life

Dinosaurs on stage and screen

Walking with Dinosaurs live on German Television

Games for the brain

Go ahead, let your teenagers play another few minutes of Tetris, that simple-yet-addictive puzzle game; it may well be good for their brain. Researchers have new evidence that playing Tetris makes a developing brain more efficient and thicker in certain regions. Discover

My cortex must be like a brick between the hours I put into tetris back on the first gameboy and this flash game Bloxorz.

Bonsai Design

I met the author of this book at a collector's show in Honolulu, nice person that sounds like he loves to teach. Gorgeous book, tons of color photos. My 12 year old was into the idea of taking one of his classes this fall.

Traveling article

This is a good article about traveling with kids from SFGate.

Lessons out of school

I never had any doubt there was learning to be gained by taking Julian out of school for this trip. Idealistically, I had hoped it would come from seeing historic buildings and by swimming in the customs of a foreign nation. But, while he picked up some of those elements, I began to realize that learning happens on its own schedule and often without any order or logic I could dictate.

Borders gift card and discounts for kid summer readers

I'll have to check on the reading list, good thing I have a 12 year old! They have a PDF form on their site for the 50% off coupon.

Seasame Street is 40 this year

time flies, I'm glad that youtube has a lot of the classic songs. PBS.org has printable coloring pages of the gang, this one looks like a mug shot of Grover.

Puzzle hunt

I got to go with on a puzzle hunt/adventure that Ravenchase put together. It was like a scavenger hunt but with clues and puzzles and codes that the kids have to solve in order to get to the end. It was a blast - we worked our way through town and ended up digging up a treasure chest at the beach.

Each team of kids got a pack with a UV flashlight, a map, some rope, a mirror, clue sheets and a really cool codex that could only be opened once all the clues have been solved.