Tech Tool Review: Wonderopolis

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 Hello! The tech tool for this week was Wonderopolis, a website that encourages students to ask big questions and dive into self directed learning. The site is best known for its daily “Wonder of the Day,” which presents a question like “Why do leaves change color?” or “Can animals laugh?", and answers it through a short article along with videos (most of the time), vocabulary words, and links to possible follow up questions.

I really appreciate how naturally Wonderopolis fits into an inquiry based learning model. The ability to ask questions spark curiosity, and the follow up prompts guide students toward deeper thinking. It’s also easy to navigate, requires no login or subscription, and doesn’t have any ads or distracting pop ups. Just straightforward and student friendly content that works on any web browser!

In a school library, a great way to utilize this website would be by starting the class with the "Wonder of the Day". It could be a great way to settle into learning and spark discussion. After reading and watching together, students could share their thoughts on a shared Padlet wall or just in small groups. You could even build a bulletin board that changes weekly with new Wonders and student responses. In classrooms, teachers might use Wonderopolis to start off units, introduce new vocabulary, or as a way for students to practice independent research. For example, in a science unit on space, students could explore Wonders about black holes, planets, or gravity. During writing workshops, they might use a Wonder as inspiration for informational writing or opinion pieces.

Wonderopolis is a joyful, accessible tool that makes learning feel exciting and personal. However, I did find out something bittersweet while working with this tool. Wonderopolis.org will permanently close on July 31, 2025. Between now and July 31, you can revisit your favorite Wonders and save them as PDFs using the “Print” button on each page. Wonderopolis was built on the idea that natural curiosity can lead to incredible learning, and for nearly 15 years, it’s done just that.


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