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 Murray Buechner; Andrea Dorfman; Deirdre Van Dyk; Lev Grossman; Anita Hamilton; Lisa McLaughlin; Alice Park; Julie Rawe

A phone that brings the world to your fingertips. A robot that can see and recognize you. A dress that senses your mood and lets everyone know whether you are happy or sad. A machine that could help save your life. These are just a few of the recent gadgets, gizmos and bright ideas developed by inventors. Here are some of 2007's smartest notions and most interesting new products. Which is your favorite?

Mail and Grow

How do you make your garden grow? Just peel off the plastic film on these stamps and plant them in dirt! Issued by a Dutch company, TNT Post, the stamps contain real flower seeds.

Express Yourself

If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, put on a Philips SKIN Probes outfit. The Bubelle dress uses sensors to pick up on your feelings. Lights in the dress change colors to match your mood.

Superphone

You've heard the hype. Guess what? It's true. The iPhone is no ordinary gadget. It's a handheld, walk-around computer. Its touchscreen helps users talk, hear music, watch video, use the Internet and more. More than 1.4 million iPhones have been sold.

City Wheels

Zoom, zoom, zoom. The City Car aims to change the way people travel in cities. The electric cars stack together like shopping carts. The system could save energy. Passengers pick up and return the cars at stations. The cars should be running in 2011.

Head in the Game

Relax, Mom! The HITS helmet records the location and force of impacts to a football player's head. The high-tech helmet sends data to a computer. A Web analysis helps parents and coaches see if a doctor is needed.

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 propeller. The dragonfly is sturdy yet ultralight, weighing just one ounce. It sells for $49.99.

Skintight Space Suit

Astronauts will soon be able to shed some poundsoof heavy gear, that is. The Bio-Suit is formfitting spacewear developed by MIT professor Dava Newman. It is lighter than today's bulky suits, and made of elastic materials that improve mobility.

This Robot Can See You

What sets Domo apart from run-of-the-mill robots? This machine has the ability to recognize people and react to its surroundings. Created by two scientists at MIT, Domo can hold objects, place a cup on a counter and grasp your hands when you touch its spring-loaded ones. Its human-like eyes can even see who's watching.

Transformers

High heels are not built for comfort. Now, in just three quick steps, towering high heels become comfy flats. Camileon Heels transform with just a tug, a click and a tuck. The unique design prevents the heel from collapsing or coming loose.

Good Blood

Scientists have developed a new machine that can convert anyone's blood to type O-negative. Only 7% of people have type O-negative blood. Those people are called universal donors, because their blood can be given to help people of any blood type. The blood converter is now being tested on humans.

Let It Rain

Even Mary Poppins would want to trade in her old parasol for this sleek new model. Shaped like a bat wing, the stylish Senz umbrella can withstand winds up to 70 miles per hour without flipping inside out! For $55, the Senz will have you singing in the rain.

Healing Hand

Even trained professionals find it hard to get CPR chest compressions right. Enter the CPR Glove, which was invented by three Canadian college students. The glove is embedded with sensors and chips that talk you through the proper CPR technique. The sensors measure the amount and frequency of pressure that is applied to the chest.

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