We have written before about the poor performance of our children (and many grown-ups, too, unfortunately) in the area of geography. It is a sad state of affairs, but one, given today’s amazing technologies, does not need to exist.

Between, computers, video games, and television, kids today are surrounded by so much fast moving technology that they grow accustomed to instant information a rapid pace demanding multitasking. In many cases they have become dependent on this stimulation to the point where they bore very easily without it!

Thus is is fortuitous that there are now so many new technologies available that seriously educational but which also can satisfy this need for a “wow” factor.

Google Earth is one of the most amazing free sites on the internet. Using satellite photography of the earth’s surface, this software enables you to zoom in on any place on Earth and enjoy close up imagery. I can spend hours fooling around on Google Earth just visiting places I will never hope to see in my real life!

http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

Another great site is the Earth Observatory from NASA. 

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

Our tax dollars at work! The image of the day is worth the effort but there is so much more here as well!

And for schools, where live interaction is crucial but where the “wow” factor is still necessary, we have our Earth Balloon. Called The Earth Dome, this  giant earth balloon uses the same NASA photography of the planets surface but this time applied through a computer program to create a seamless, unbroken planetary skin for a balloon that stands twenty feet tall! The detail is amazing, and the “wow” factor is jaw-droppingly real!

The earth balloon is a marvelous tool for teaching not only world geography, but also all about the atmosphere as well as areas relating to the geology of our small blue planet. Best of all, the program is not expensive. A school of up to 400-500 students can enjoy a visit from the earth balloon for only $695. School assembly tours of the earth balloon are available for schools located throughout the Midwest, on the East Coast, in Texas, and throughout California.

So if your students are lagging a little in geography, or need a boost in earth science, or you just want to introduce a little “wow!” into your schedule, a visit from the earth balloon might be just what you are looking for!