In the movie Iron Man, super-human strength comes courtesy of some out-of-this-world technology. Even better, it’s real! See how the Exoskeleton works in this YouTube video from Raytheon Missile Systems.

Here’s a link to the fascinating report, A Path to the Next Generation of U.S. Banknotes: Keeping Them Real, which takes a look at the various ways nanotechnology, MEMS and other emerging technologies might be used to make the counterfeiting of money more difficult.

FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics competition for kids age 9-14 (up to age 16 outside the US) that focuses on teamwork, friendship, creativity and innovation. Having spoken with numorous teams over the past two years, I can tell you that this is an activity that kids really dig into - both boys and girls alike. Get your kids involved, volunteer to mentor a team, or show your support and be a sponsor. In some areas of the country, there are more kids who want to be involved than there are coaches or kits. The LEGO MINDSTORMS kits are just a few hundred dollars - and teams also need financial support to get to the World Festival. Support our future scientists and engineers! To learn more about FIRST LEGO League, or to get information about teams in your area, please visit the FIRST LEGO League website.

National Engineers Week is all about “increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers”…and to also raise “public understanding and appreciation of engineers’ contributions to society.”  One way they do this is through the annual Future City competition, where teams of kids envision the city of the future. A cool new website, Discover Engineering, was recently created to offer all kind of fun resources aimed at getting middle school students excited about science, technology, engineering and math.

Future City is all about engaging kids in science, technology, engineering and math, through hands-on, real-world applications. Teams create their city of the future via software, build a 3-dimensional tabletop model, write an essay and then make a presentation to a panel of judges. Want to get your kid involved or volunteer your time to mentor a team? Find out more at www.FutureCity.org

Learn more about how Gemesis is creating spectacular yellow diamonds in the laboratory, molecule by molecule. To see a fantastic assortment of the end product, visit Joseph Schubach Jewelers.

CTIA Wireless 2008 is accepting submissions for their 3rd Annual Fashion in Motion Scholarship. A $10,000 scholarship is awarded to a student or class project for a product or prototype that combines wireless technology and fashion. For more details visit the CTIA website. Hurry! The deadline for submissions is February 15th.

Calling all engineers! The FTF Design Challenge is all about creating the next green/eco-friendly breakthrough product, using at least one or more of Freescale’s suite of technologies, such as their MEMS acccelerometer or pressure sensor, or microcontroller, networking and/or wireless ZigBee solutions. There’s $150,000 in prize money at stake so get registered now! Visit Freescale FTF Design Challenge for more details .

In this hilarious website, Florence Henderson (the Brady Bunch mom) and her family teaches you all about germs. Play “spot the germ” and you could even win your very own plush microbe toy!

Want a fun way to teach young kids (age 3-8) the proper way to wash their hands? The Scrub Club can help. While you’re visiting the site, be sure to play the handwashing song!