This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Coolest Inventions Of 2007

Spanish Translation

Maryanne M. Buechner; Andrea Dorfman; Lev Grossman; Anita Hamilton; Julie Rawe

A phone that brings the world to your fingertips. A robot that can see and recognize you. A postage stamp you can plant in a flower pot. Electric cars that can be stacked together for storage. These are just a few of the new gadgets, gizmos and bright ideas hatched by inventors. We saw very cool inventions in 2007. Which is your favorite?

Superphone

The iPhone is no ordinary gadget. It's a handheld, do-it-all computer. IPhone owners can use it to talk, hear music, watch video and look things up on the Internet. No wonder so many people want one!

This Robot Can See You

How is Domo different from other robots? This machine can recognize people! Scientists built Domo to be able to hold objects. When you touch its hands, Domo will give your hand a squeeze. Its human-like eyes can even see who's watching.

Head in the Game

Relax, Mom! The HITS helmet can tell if a player is hurt. When players crash into each other, the high-tech helmet measures how hard their heads bump. It sends the results to a computer, which helps parents and coaches decide if a doctor is needed.

City Wheels

Zoom, zoom, zoom. The City Car could change the way people travel in cities. Drivers borrow the tiny cars like they would a shopping cart. They pick the cars up and then drop them off at stations. The two-seat electric cars are stackable, and could be on the streets by 2011.

Mail and Grow

How do you make a garden grow? Just peel the film from these stamps and plant them in dirt! The stamps are from Holland, and contain real flower seeds. Now that's a special delivery!

A Flying Robot

Birds do it. Bees do it. And now a toy does it too. FlyTech Dragonfly is the first remote-controlled toy to fly by flapping its wings instead of using a spinning propeller. The dragonfly is sturdy but weighs just one ounce.

Skintight Space Suit

Astronauts will soon be able to shed poundsoof heavy gear. The Bio-Suit will fit space travelers snugly. It is lighter than today's bulky suits and made of stretchy materials that are easier to move in.

Next: Inventing Fun