Simulations Simulations enable students to participate in cross-disciplinary environments that require them to react to multiple stimuli and generate original solutions to complex problems. graphically realistic simulations may allow students to perform dissections, mix chemicals, or visit other planets. They often require students to apply verbal, computational, and attitudinal skills in hypothetical situations. Popular examples of simluation software include Oregon Trail and Science Sleuths. In Oregon Trail students must make life-skill decisions when faced with hazards such as disease, starvation, floods, and accidents. Science Sleuths requires students to solve a science mystery through inquiry and laboratory simulations. The problems often frame math and reasoning skills in a social context. SwineOnline An engaging online learning experience can be found at SwineOnline. This simulation has students "adopt" a pig for a week, but don't let the comical cartoons and punny labels—like "Oinklopedia" and "Slop Exchange"—mask the difficulty of the task at hand. The complex decisions facing these virtual farmers are based on real hog-raising techniques and require in-depth understanding and skill to do well. Games are held weekly and all the online farmers are pitted against one another. Winners are judged on the age, health, and size of their virtual pigs. The site also offers a wealth of information on hog raising, such as care instructions, biology, a chat facility with hog farmers, and experts' responses to user questions. More Online Simulations The Stock Market Game Worldwide, sponsored by the Security Industry Foundation for Economic Education (SIFEE), simulates handling money invested in the New York and American Stock Exchanges and the NASDAQ Stock Market. Teams or individuals have accounts of $100,000 to invest in this 10-week online activity. Level: Grades 4-12+ Content areas: Economics, Math, and Language Arts "Evidence: The True Witness" was developed by students in a ThinkQuest program. ThinkQuest is a nonprofit organization that offers programs designed to advance education through the use of technology and founded the popular ThinkQuest Internet Challenge contest in 1996. Level: Grades 8+ Content areas: Science, Biology The International Communication and Negotiation Simulations represent an international conference dealing with current major issues. Level: High School Content area: Social Studies