THIS WEEK ON
 SCIENCE FRIDAY...

Science Friday > Archives > 1998 > December > December 11, 1998:

Hour Two: Science Gift List

I'm dreaming of a white.... Furby? Telescope? Chemistry set? Radio-controlled robot Einstein doll with kung-fu action grip?

Whether you like it or not, it's that time of year again - time to circle the mall endlessly in search of those perfect gifts. As usual, we'll be running down our list of gift ideas with some holiday experts. So if you need some inspiration, are wondering about what educational toys might actually be fun to play with, or have suggestions of your own, please tune in. And listen next week as we talk about one gift idea in detail - science books.

Some items mentioned on our show on 12/11/98:
if you've got suggestions, or more info about the products we mentioned, send us a note here!

GPS systems- use with mapping software to display on a laptop.
"Night Navigator" - works with GPS to locate constellations
Digital cameras - "Barbie" digital camera from Mattel lets kids be in pictures with Barbie
Hot Wheels software from Mattel lets kids design and race cars on computer
Lego Mindstorms robotic invention systems- build and program your own robots
Furby - virtual pet toy
Uncle Milton's "Bug's Life" products
Can O' Worms Composting Tray
DVD players
Wild Goose "Ooh-Aah Chemistry" Kit
Safe surfing software - advice at www.safekids.com
Petz software - virtual pets on your computer
Amazing Amy doll
Interactive Barney, Arthur dolls
Sound Bytes lolipop holders
Gearation
donation to charities - perhaps something that gives computers or net access to kids (send us your suggestions)
iphone (phone that gives net access) - www.bigplanet.com
Windows CE devices - HP Jornada
Palmpilot
V-tech Start & Go Car, Counting Carrots
telescopes - Discovery Channel, Meade, Celestron
Cydonia - Mars adventure computer game
Seti @ Home Screensaver (not yet available)
IBM Home Director Kit - x11 modules
Pagers for kids - small Motorola fits on keychain. Two-ways let people exchange messages
Oddessy Globe
GeoSafari Globe
Math Shark
Zoob construction set
flashlight with no batteries - shake it to power it, white LED for light www.innovativetech.org
Windup radio
Millenium countdown hat

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

Guests:
Larry Magid
Syndicated Columnist
Los Angeles Times
San Francisco, CA

Tim Langford
General Manager
Zany Brainy Stores
Alpharetta, GA

Chris Byrne
Editor
Playthings Marketwatch Newsletter
New York, NY

This segment produced by:
Annette Heist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist