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Back to Animals

A zoo can be an awesome place to see animals first hand and learn about what they eat, their habits, environment, and all sorts of other interesting facts about animals. Another name for a zoo is zoological garden.

Today zoos are becoming better and better places for animals. In the past some zoos were somewhat cruel to animals. Placing animals in environments they were not suited for and often not keeping the animal's best interest in mind. However, today many zoos do wonderful work in animal research and take great care of their animals.

Photo by Ducksters

Some good things that many Zoos do today include:

Acting as sanctuaries for endangered animals. They provide a safe environment for animals that are being threatened by changes in the environment. Often zoos will work to breed and maintain endangered animal populations. Sometime animals are nearly extinct in the wild and the only place they survive is in zoos.

Education on wildlife. Zoos provide a great opportunity for us to learn more about creatures from distant lands.

Research on wildlife and how we can help animals survive radical changes. Zoos do veterinary medicine research as well.

Today's modern zoos house animals in enclosures that are similar to the animal's natural habitat. This can include buildings made for nocturnal animals where they are bright at night, so the animals can sleep, and dark during the day, so zoo visitors can see the animals moving about. Also, climates are controlled in some zoo enclosures for animals like penguins and polar bears. Many zoos have great open spaces as well where animals may graze together. Some zoos have an area where you can take a mini-safari or ride around in a truck or bus to hopefully see the animals up close.

Perhaps the most famous zoo is the San Diego Zoo in Southern California. Many modern zoo practices were pioneered at the San Diego Zoo. The largest zoo in number of animals is the Bronx Zoo with over 6000 animals. The largest zoo in land size is the North Carolina Zoo with 535 acres.

Photo by Ducksters

Seeing an elephant, giraffe, lion, polar bear, penguins, seals, or other incredible creatures at the zoo can be an amazing experience. Be sure to check out your local zoo and get the opportunity to see some awesome animals and learn more about nature.

Another great place to see animals, similar to a zoo, is at an aquarium. Most states have an aquarium where they display all sorts of fish and some sea mammals.More on endangered species:
Amphibians in Danger
Endangered Animals
How Animals Become Extinct
Wildlife Conservation
Zoos

Back to Animals

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Learn about the zoo. History and types of zoological gardens. List of Zoos with interesting animals.

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How do you feel about keeping animals in zoos? Read both sides of the argument to help you decide.

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5. Giant Panda Cubs Give Hope to Endangered Species

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5. Giant Panda Cubs Give Hope to Endangered Species

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4. National Geographic Kids: Animal Friendships

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4. National Geographic Kids: Animal Friendships

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These photos of unexpected animal friendships will melt your heart.

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6. Dogs work with elephants at the Pittsburgh Zoos

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6. Dogs work with elephants at the Pittsburgh Zoos

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7. A zoo visit can help wildfire around the world

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7. A zoo visit can help wildfire around the world

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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

The N.C. Zoo is one of only two state-operated zoos in the country. While more than 60 percent of its operating budget comes from the state, all of its conservation, research and education programs - and even the animals exhibited at the park - are purchased with private funds raised by the North Carolina Zoological Society.

Karen Brown with the Zoo Society says the "Adopt an Animal" program features a list of animals that can be "adopted" for a year.

Those who "adopt" an animal get a certificate, a photo of the animal and a fact sheet about the species.

Funds raised through the program benefit the Zoo's Animal Enrichment Program, which allows the Zoo to pay for additional training for zookeepers as well as purchase treats for the animals.

Some of the most popular animals for "adoption" are the African elephant, the polar bear, the zebra, the giraffe and the chimpanzee.

For more information about "adopting" zoo animals, visit nczoo.com or call the Zoo Society at (336) 879-7250.

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NC Zoo's 'adoption' program benefits animals, zookeeper training

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The N.C. Zoo is one of only two state-operated zoos in the country. While more than 60 percent of its operating budget comes from the state, all of its conservation, research and education programs - and even the animals exhibited at the park - are purchased with private funds raised by the North Carolina Zoological [...]

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Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Save Species

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12. Are there animal care problems at National Zoo?

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12. Are there animal care problems at National Zoo?

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/ CBS News

WASHINGTON - The National Zoo has a reputation as a leader in animal care, science and cute photo opportunities such as the naming of Bao Bao the baby panda earlier this month.

But a CBS News investigation has learned that behind the scenes, there are insider allegations of mismanagement involving animal care. Five sources with more than 35 years' combined experience at the National Zoo have raised concerns to CBS News about recent animal injuries, deaths and escapes.

The sources don't want to be identified for fear of retaliation. They say problems began last year when the zoo decided to double the population of the Cheetah Conservation Station, adding a half dozen new species but no extra space. Besides cheetahs, the CCS also houses zebras, gazelles and other species.

CBS News asked animal biologist and ethicist Marc Bekoff to look at the complaints. He was an independent reviewer of a 2005 National Academy of Sciences investigation of the zoo that found "systemic problems at the highest levels."

Of the newly raised issues, Bekoff said: "I call it 'fetch and pray.' You get the animals and then you pray that the project will work out."

The CCS' new animal mix didn't always work out. Issues identified by the zoo sources include two newly acquired hornbill birds that were kept in an indoor shack for seven months because their exhibit yard wasn't ready. Only after a volunteer complained were the birds allowed in an outdoor space. But the wallaby that had to share its yard with these new arrivals became frightened, according to sources, bloodied its nose and spent much of its time frightened and hiding.

One of two new red river hogs quickly became malnourished and died of an infection. The other hog, along with oryxes and sitatungas (two types of antelopes), sometimes became overly aggressive when mixed together, and some were injured in vicious fights.

It's not unusual for animals to spar, but the zoo sources say management failed to predict easily foreseeable conflicts between species and genders, and had ineffective backup plans for separating and protecting the animals when the conflicts arose.

"It's no surprise to me as a field biologist that so many of them do not work out," Bekoff told CBS News. "They're just too hastily put together and they're not well thought through."

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says the National Zoo meets the highest industry standards and the animals always receive the best care.

"We take great care in introducing our animals to these various habitats and transitioning them. Ideally, these things wouldn't happen, of course," said Baker-Masson. "I think my colleagues were very well aware and they know these species and they know how to take care of these species. ... Every single animal has a very specific course of action and a plan."

Bekoff says the zoo's plans appear to have been inadequate. "They should only be able to get the animals when it can be shown that they can properly house them and care for them."

Two animals in the CCS, a Dama gazelle and a pregnant kudu (another type of antelope), died when they got spooked on separate occasions and ran into barriers in their confined spaces, breaking their necks.

The gazelle death happened last month after a zebra attacked a veteran zookeeper. The commotion apparently frightened the gazelle, which is on the endangered species list. Zoo sources say it wasn't found for hours. The pregnant kudu died last June. Zoo sources say as the animal lay suffering with a broken neck, workers were unable to quickly locate necessary veterinary records.

Baker-Masson says Dama gazelles and kudus are skittish animals by nature and were housed in adequate spaces that met the requirements of the American Zoological Association, which recently re-accredited the facility.

As for the hornbill birds that were keep indoors for eight months, Baker-Masson says the space was "more than adequate and it gave the staff a very good amount of time to prepare and work with the hornbills" but "ideally they would have [had] access to their outdoor yard space more quickly."

Bekoff calls the lengthy indoor confinement "totally unacceptable."

"There's not one single excuse that I would accept," he said. "Basically this is a form of animal abuse and animal neglect. ...They get an 'F' in this project.'

Zoo sources also expressed concern about two escapes from the CCS: a vulture whose wings were allegedly not properly clipped and a red panda who managed to climb out of its exhibit. Both animals were later recaptured and zoo officials say the failures that allowed the escapes have been fixed.

CBS News has learned that the zoo convened a task force last summer to investigate the internal complaints about animal care at the CCS. The task force made findings last August and Baker-Masson says some of its recommendations are already being implemented.

Zoo officials refused CBS News' repeated requests to release the task force report even though, under public records law, it's considered public material.

As to why the National Zoo is withholding the information, Baker-Masson provided a number of rationales. First, she said that the task force report was still only a draft, four months after it was scheduled to be completed. However, when CBS News asked for the draft, she would not provide that either.

Later, in an interview, Baker-Masson said that the task force report is finished, but that the zoo isn't ready to release it.

"We're more than happy to [release the task force report]," Baker-Masson told CBS News. "But we have to do it in a thorough and process-oriented way that makes sense."

She acknowledged that some of the concerns investigated were founded.

"Absolutely," Baker-Masson said. "Anytime a concern is raised, it's looked at very seriously and we have to examine, you know, what changes are appropriate for that particular species, what changes are appropriate for the staff, what changes are appropriate for the facility itself. So yes, absolutely, some changes have been made."

Another incident the zoo is keeping mum about is the November zebra attack on the zookeeper. Baker-Masson says that AZA standards require that there always be a barrier between a keeper and zebras, which can inflict serious bite wounds. But the zoo says three weeks after the attack, it still has not identified how the zebra got to the keeper and it would not release the incident report or other public information about it. The injured zookeeper was recently released after several weeks in the hospital.

Sharyl Attkisson

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Are there animal care problems at National Zoo?

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Behind the scenes, there are insider allegations of mismanagement involving animals at famed D.C. facility

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13. Ducksters: How Animals Become Extinct

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13. Ducksters: How Animals Become Extinct

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Endangered Animals: How They Become Extinct

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How do endangered species and animals become extinct? Hunting, pollution, loss of habitat, and introduced species all play a part.

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Read Should We Keep Animals in Zoos? on Epic

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

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Read Should We Keep Animals in Zoos? on Epic

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Should We Keep Animals in Zoos? kids' book from the leading digital reading platform with a collection of 40,000+ books from 250+ of the world's best publishers. Read now on Epic.

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Read Zoo Scientists to the Rescue on Epic

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Read Zoo Scientists to the Rescue on Epic

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Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under. Get Started

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Should Kids Take Mental Health Days? - Child Mind Institute

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Mental health days for kids are a day off from school for a child to rest and recharge emotionally. Our experts talk about when they are a good idea, and when they’re not.

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2.  12 States that have mental health days for students

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2.  12 States that have mental health days for students

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12 states that allow mental health days for kids in schools

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States like Washington, Maine and Arizona are working to improve child mental health by allowing students to take mental health days.

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3.  New CT Law Allows Students to Take Mental Health Days

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3.  New CT Law Allows Students to Take Mental Health Days

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Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

MILFORD - Students have always had the chance to take days off from school for illness. Now the same can be said for those students needing a mental health day.

On July 1, 2021, the Legislature passed Public Act 21-46, allowing students to have two mental health wellness days in a school year. But while it has been in place for more than a year, the law remains one that is still not widely known.

"The idea behind providing two mental wellness days is first to support self-care and help create good mental wellness habits early in life," said state Rep. Liz Linehan, co-chair of the Committee on Children. "Secondly, by classifying mental health days, we reduce the stigma of mental health concerns and give our kids a way to talk to the adults in their lives about their struggles."

The legislation gives local or regional boards of education the ability to permit any student in kindergarten through 12th grade to take two mental wellness days during the school year. However, students can't take mental health wellness days during consecutive school days.

Linehan said enacting this law is key to aid students, who she says are overworked, over-scheduled, and many times overwhelmed.

"According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), almost 6 million in the U.S. have been diagnosed with anxiety, and many go undiagnosed," she said. "In addition, almost 19 percent of adolescents aged 12-17 reported seriously considering suicide, and that statistic is from before the pandemic.

"One of the best things we can do for our children's mental wellness is teaching them it's OK to say you need a break to regroup and rejuvenate before there is a concern like anxiety and depression," Linehan added. "That, coupled with other good habits like a full night's sleep, eating healthy foods, exercise, and mindfulness, provide a strong foundation for mental wellness throughout their lives."

State Sen. Saud Anwar, also co-chair of the Committee on Children, said the idea for the law came after conversations with parents and students.

"Students who had been struggling with emotional challenges within our school systems sometimes wanted a little break from the stresses they had difficulty coping with," said Anwar. "We also looked at data where truancy has been looked at as a symptom of an underlying mental health difficulty that student might be facing."

Anwar said it was essential to have a plan to give some days for students to use as mental wellness days.

"We started with a conversation of two to four days, and then we landed on two days because we wanted to make sure we don't compromise students' educational curriculum," he said. "Two days was a compromise because some of the families we talked to had recommended four days for this.

"Not all children can cope with the stresses, especially with the mental health challenges our students face," Anwar added. "We felt having a couple of days with no questions asked and no notes needed from a doctor's office would be the best approach to help them out."

Jennifer Close, a teen and young adult life coach based in Milford, said she is thrilled to see state legislation provide increased support around mental health.

"Encouraging our students to positively utilize their two mental health days from school is very important," she said. "Our students experience the same stress as adults and can struggle even more when they do not have strategies to cope with their schedule demands.

"Taking a day to themselves can be just what they need to reset and focus on their responsibilities with a rested and more positive mindset," Close added. "Many of our student's jam pack their schedule with academics, athletics, clubs, and volunteering, which can cause burnout or feelings of overwhelming."

Area superintendents said students have already begun to use the two mental wellness days since the start of the 2021-22 school year, although not every district is tracking the use of these days. The number of students using the days differs as well, with some districts seeing little use.

In Shelton, Superintendent of Schools Ken Saranich said 14 families utilized mental health wellness days last school year; two families used both days. "We have not had any families use any of these days this school year," Saranich added.

Trumbull Public Schools Superintendent Martin J. Semmel said some of their students had also used the mental school days since it was approved by legislation. No data was given on how many students used them.

Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools Susie Da Silva said that in the 2021-22 school year, 195 students took 249 mental health days from kindergarten to eighth grade, and 54 used both days. At Ridgefield High School, 89 mental health days were taken by 70 students, of which 11 used both days.

Da Silva noted that elementary students had taken zero mental health days this school year, but five high school students have taken six mental health days, and one has used both days this school year.

Darien Public Schools Superintendent Alan Addley said there is no conclusive record of how many students have taken a mental health day in that district since there is no separate monitoring beyond the general excused absence. However, he said the number is probably low because it's not widely known to the community as a day students can take.

"It probably wasn't on people's radar," he said.

Close said students should use their two mental health days wisely and take time to think about specific activities or strategies they would benefit from engaging in during their time off.

"Self-care looks different for everyone, so maybe it's a day to organize their space, read a new book, rest on the couch or catch up on sleep," she said. "No matter what it is, we all need a day to reset, and there should be no stigma around the need for some extra time to ourselves."

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New CT law allows students to take mental health days

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MILFORD - Students have always had the chance to take days off from school for illness. Now the same can be said for those students needing a mental health day. On July 1, 2021, the Legislature passed Public Act 21-46, allowing students to have two mental health wellness days in a school year.

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1. 8 Reasons Why Schools Ban Kid-Friendly Smart Watches

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1. 8 Reasons Why Schools Ban Kid-Friendly Smart Watches

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8 Reasons Why Schools Ban Kid-Friendly Smart Watches

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Spread the loveThe parents buy smartwatches for their children so they can track and monitor them, but not everyone is convinced that it's a good strategy. In 2017, Germany regulators banned the sale of smartwatches aimed at children referring to them as spying devices.

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2.  Five Reasons Kids Smartwatch is a Back to School Essential

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2.  Five Reasons Kids Smartwatch is a Back to School Essential

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As soon as our kids enter kindergarten, some of their peers already have cell phones, starting a very long and arduous negotiation of if they are ready or not. While smartphones have made our lives better in so many ways (remember ?), they aren't designed for kids and can do more harm than good.

The good news? A smart phone watch for kids is a great alternative to a cell phone that allows you and your child to stay connected, get peace of mind, and allow them to have a at the same time. Read on to find out why a healthier relationship with screens is a back-to-school essential for your family!

Stay Connected When You're Apart

Being able to , , and even anytime, anywhere is one of the best parts about a smartwatch for kids. Whether it's sharing accomplishments in real-time (like a picture of their A+ on their test), a midday check-in in-between conference calls, or being able to call you if they got on the wrong bus or want to head to a friend's house after school, kids wrist phones check all the boxes to keep your family safely connected.

Get Peace Of Mind Knowing Your Child Is Safe

With , contacts, , and tons of , a kids tracking watch gives you peace of mind knowing your child is safe. Parents can even see their child's past locations using History Route-a great feature if your child likes to go places or switch locations unannounced. Unlike cell phones, parents or guardians can enable a secure to block unknown contacts or strangers from messaging or calling your child, allowing only to get through. Hello safe connection, goodbye worrying! parent-approved contacts

Promote A Healthier Relationship With Screens

Our kids won't know a time without technology involved in every aspect of their lives 🤯, making a tech-IRL balance important . Our children have an intuitive nature when it comes to technology (hand them a device and they somehow figure it out 10x faster than we can), but we also want to prioritize the beauty of living in the non-digital world. With a kids phone watch, they get the best parts of technology to stay connected and safe, without having to deal with the negatives like screen time, social media, internet dangers, or cyberbullying.

They Get Freedom While Learning Responsibility

Deciding to give your child an everyday tech device is a big step. Will they lose it? Are they going to take care of it? Luckily, a childrens smart watch stays attached to their wrist and is to withstand the inevitable bumps, drops, spills, and unidentified sticky substances, making it a safer investment than a smartphone for kids. With a kids GPS watch, they get more freedom to be kids, while also learning responsibility and respecting the value of their belongings.

Allows Them To Focus & Manage Their Time Better

Instead of having to worry about them playing hours of games or falling down a TikTok rabbit hole, a phone watch for kids limits distractions to help your child learn lifelong healthy habits. With features like and , your child learns to prioritize their studies to allow more free time to be, well, kids. Hate having to remind them to pack their backpack the night before school? 🙋‍♀️ Set a Do Not Disturb Class Mode from your parent app to take care of the reminding (and save yourself a headache).

This school year, stay connected, stay safe, and most of all, get peace of mind with a phone! Have any questions? DM us and we'd be happy to answer any questions!

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5 Reasons a Kids Smartwatch is a Back To School Essential

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A kid's smartphone watch is a great alternative to a cell phone that allows you and your child to stay connected, get peace of mind, and allow them to have a healthier relationship with screens at the same time. Find out why a kids smart watch phone is a back-to-school essential for your family.

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PHOTO: Zoos are increasingly coming under fire for the living conditions of their animals. (photo via Flickr/Amboo Who)

Is a zoo visit really an irresponsible trip to take?

According to World Animals News, the UK-based travel company, Responsible Travel declared it will no longer offer trips that include visits to zoos.

"Our conclusion is that zoos are not appropriate in 2017," said Justin Francis, Responsible Travel's CEO. "In our view, rather than being self-proclaimed conservation organizations they are in fact businesses that exploit animals for profit."

The article pointed out that this halt in business also follows Virgin Holidays' announcement that they will not sign up any new attractions which feature captive whales and dolphins for theatrical shows, contact sessions (such as 'swim-with' programs) or other entertainment purposes.

The agency will also work closely with partners to make sure they are compliant with the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism. It will support the creation of coastal sanctuaries for whales and dolphins while supporting international cooperation to end the capture of wild cetaceans.

Back in October TripAdvisor announced plans to stop selling tickets to attractions where you can ride or touch wild or endangered animals. This change was to take effect in early 2017.

With endorsements from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), TripAdvisor will create a wildlife tourism education portal for travelers in partnership with top accredited trade groups, conservation organizations, academic experts, tourism experts, and animal welfare groups, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ABTA--Britain's largest travel association and the Global Wildlife Conservation.
READ MORE: Thomas Cook Drops Some Dolphin, Elephant Encounters
"We believe the end result of our efforts will be enabling travelers to make more thoughtful choices about whether to visit an animal attraction and to write more meaningful reviews about those attractions," said Stephen Kaufer, president and CEO of TripAdvisor.

By early 2017, every attraction listed on TripAdvisor that involves animals will be identified with a "PAW" icon that links to an education portal.

How does this affect travel agents and their clients?

As a family travel specialist, Denise Lorentzen of Dreams Family Travel said that she always keeps zoos, aquariums, water parks, museums and even parks on her radar to incorporate into a client's itinerary if needed.

"I don't really stop selling a location like that," said Lorentzen. "If someone is traveling in a location that has a zoo or another museum, etc. then why not open their eyes to it? Sometimes travelers just need a down day or relax, play at the park or do something easy going like a museum or perhaps adding a water park day to break it up."

Margie Lenau said that whether you agree with the concept or not, more and more people are interested in seeing animals up close. "I see families very interested in nature, including animals," said Lenau. "I think the trend now is to get into the actual habitats of the animals to see them as they are. African safaris are becoming increasingly popular."
READ MORE: TripAdvisor Halts Sale of Tickets for Animal Tourism Deemed Cruel
This entire topic has struck a chord with Beth Johnston, who said that she is a huge animal advocate who has mixed emotions about zoos.

"I think many people these days are much more conscious about animal welfare," said Johnston of Beth's Beautiful Getaways. "After the release of the documentary Blackfish, I was horrified about the treatment of killer whales at Sea World. I see the value that some zoos provide, with animal education and helping to prevent the extinction of certain species with specific breeding programs."

Johnston said that trips to see animals are changing. "I know that in India instead of people riding elephants they now offer visits to elephant sanctuaries to educate and inform," she said. "I think photography safaris in Africa are becoming more popular because people want to see the wildlife in its natural habitat."

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Is a zoo visit really an irresponsible trip to take? According to World Animals News, the UK-based travel company, Responsible Travel declared it will no longer offer trips that include visits to zoos. "Our conclusion is that zoos are not appropriate in 2017," said Justin Francis, Responsible Travel's CEO.

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4.Smartwatches, dumb idea: Thailand schoolcatches high-tech cheaters

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4.Smartwatches, dumb idea: Thailand schoolcatches high-tech cheaters

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5. Teens fight for new law giving Oregon students mental health days

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5. Teens fight for new law giving Oregon students mental health days

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The new rule is the first of its kind

Students in Oregon will be able to take mental health days in the same way they would take sick days under a new law.

It's after four teenagers successfully campaigned for the American state to introduce the legislation.

Pupils will be able to have up to five days off every three months for "issues with mental or behavioural health".

The group behind it say they aimed "to change the stigma around mental health".

Sam Adamson, Lori Riddle, Hailey Hardcastle and Derek Evans (l-r) have also called for tighter gun rules and a lower voting age in Oregon

Hailey Hardcastle, an 18-year-old from Portland who helped champion the mental health bill, says she and the other members of the group put the proposal together in an effort to "encourage kids to admit when they're struggling".

According to data from Oregon's Health Authority, nearly 17% of eighth-graders (13 and 14-year-olds) had reported seriously contemplating taking their lives in the past 12 months.

Until now, schools there were only obliged to excuse absences related to physical illnesses.

Although lots of businesses in the UK are becoming more open about discussing mental health, there is no law which forces schools or employers to recognise mental health issues as an excuse for having a day off.

There are no similar laws in the UK

Hailey and the other teen campaigners, Sam Adamson, Lori Riddle and Derek Evans, have had criticism from parents in the state who suggest the law will encourage students to find more excuses to miss school.

Some say students could already take "mental health days" by lying or just pretending to be ill.

But Hailey says those views miss the point of the new law - and that students are more likely to open up about how they're feeling if they know mental health issues are being formally recognised by their school.

"Why should we encourage lying to our parents and teachers?

"Being open to adults about our mental health promotes positive dialogue that could help kids get the help they need."

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Mental health days: How teens changed the law in Oregon

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Four teenagers in Oregon successfully campaign for mental health days to be recognised by state law.

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6. Data and statistics on children's mental health

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6. Data and statistics on children's mental health

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Good background information on children's mental health

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5. How Tech Can Help Keep Your Kids Safe at School (website)

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5. How Tech Can Help Keep Your Kids Safe at School (website)

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When my son went to preschool at age 4, I taught him to use a cellphone for kids that I tossed in his backpack. It had no apps and four numbers: Mom, Dad, Grandma, and 911. This time was way before school shootings were in the headlines.

Many parents are shocked when they find out what their child is doing on their phones, tablets, or computers. Don't be that parent. Get proactive. Much like you have the sex talk with your kids, have the digital life talk. Tap or click for my free tech contract parents and kids can use to set boundaries.

A new report shows there were 193 incidents of gunfire on school grounds during the 2021-2022 school year. I can't imagine the stress of dropping your child off at school now and truly questioning whether they will be safe.

That's why I want to help any parent or guardian with school-age children use the right tech. For your convenience, I have linked to some helpful products you can check out and order on Amazon. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, but I assure you, my recommendations are always independent.

Here's what I would do

Many schools don't let kids have cellphones in the classroom until they reach a certain age. Smartwatches can be a better safety tool than cellphones. Here's the reason why:

In an emergency, kids can tap a few buttons on a watch. This movement is more inconspicuous than making a phone call, especially when the watch is hidden under long sleeves.

For little kids, I like T-Mobile's SyncUP KIDS Watch. It makes calls and texts to approved contacts, but it also has real-time location tracking, virtual fences and one button to press to call for help or 911.

An Apple Watch is excellent for older kids who use an iPhone. Remember, this is sized for adult wrists, so it's not well suited for young kids. The Apple Watch SE is a good deal compared to the much more expensive newer models.

Take the time to teach your child how to use any smartwatch. To use Apple's Emergency SOS feature, press and hold the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Dragging the slider calls emergency services and sends your child's current location to any emergency contacts. Here are the steps for setting up emergency contacts.

For older kids and teens with an Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch includes an SOS feature that sends a message to designated emergency contacts, along with location information. You can adjust the settings so that this is accessible by pressing the Home key three times. Here's how.

Skip Fitbits since they do not have an emergency or SOS feature.
How to set up parental controls on all your kid's devices: Windows, Apple, Android
Put a tracker on them or in their backpack too

A tracking device is another way to keep an eye on where your kid is throughout the day. In an emergency, it can help you locate them too.

If you have an iPhone, use an AirTag. I have them all over the place: On my luggage, my dog's collar, my car, my purse, you name it. Here are more smart uses for the inexpensive trackers.

You can slip one into your child's backpack, but it may not always be on them. You do what feels suitable for your child. I like these accessories that always keep it right on their body:

* Kids can hide this silicon clip with a tracker in a pocket or waistband.

* For very young kids, a necklace may be more comfortable. Here's a cute two-pack that holds an AirTag securely in place.

* A keychain holder is a nice option for teenagers and older kids, but remember it may get left in a backpack.

For Android users, you can use a Tile tracker or a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+.

Apps for your child's phone

If your child has a phone and is allowed to bring it to school, there are ways they can quickly and silently contact you.

Life360 offers location tracking and a way to ask for help without saying a word. The free version includes the SOS Help Alert. If your child opens the app and taps or holds the SOS button, an alert with their location is sent to the emergency contacts you set up ahead of time.

Paid options start at $14.99 a month and add many more features.

Noonlight is another solid option. Your child can press a button to call for help silently. There is an extra step, so this one is best used with older children and teens.

With Noonlight, open the app and hold down on the button that reads "Hold until safe." If there is no emergency, release the button and enter a four-digit pin to cancel. Releasing the button without entering a pin will notify police of an emergency.

The Safety Network feature is excellent too. You can request a check-in with your child; if they don't respond, the app will help you trace them. Note: This works only with iPhones. The safety button works with iPhone and Android.

Know your options: 9 safety apps you'll want on hand in an emergency

Practice at home

It pains me to say this, but you should also have safety drills at home so your kids know what to do if they need to. Teach them how to use their smartwatch or phone apps to contact you in an emergency.

Discuss with your child when and where it's appropriate to pull out their phone - and what constitutes an emergency. This is especially important with young kids.

Keep your tech-know going

My popular podcast is called " Kim Komando Today." It's a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Smart headlights, ads on Apple Maps, find hidden trackers

Do you use navigation apps when you drive? Buckle up. You might have to deal with ads cluttering the screen. Also, Ford wants to make night driving easier with its smart headlights. Plus, is someone watching you with a hidden tracker? Here are the signs you need to watch out for.

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

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How tech can help keep your kids safe at school

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When my son went to preschool at age 4, I taught him to use a cellphone for kids that I tossed in his backpack. It had no apps and four numbers: Mom, Dad, Grandma, and 911. This time was way before school shootings were in the headlines.

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SYRACUSE, Utah - Jennifer Steele watches to make sure her 7-year-old daughter makes it home from school every day, thanks to a GPS watch.

It's not helicopter parenting for Steele. It's to prevent what happened last spring from ever happening again.

"My daughter, last May, didn't come home from school," Steele explained.

The then-first grader was allowed to get off at the wrong bus stop, and Steele said she got little help from the school to track her down.

"When I finally found her, she was like three miles from our home, five miles from the school," Steele said.

Having lost confidence in the Davis School District and its bus drivers, Steele took matters into her own hands, by making sure her daughter left for school each day wearing the watch.

It worked for the rest of the school year, but when September rolled around, Steele encountered a problem.

"We got an email saying [the watches] are not allowed. They have to be powered off and put in their backpack," explained Steele. "You can't have them out during the school day at all."

The policy from Steele's elementary school is clear, stating "privately owned electronic devices... must be turned off as soon as the student arrives at school," and cannot be turned on again until "the student is outside the building." Additionally, the watch "must be stored in the student's backpack" all day.

Steele said she worked with the school to reach a compromise: her daughter's teacher would make sure the watch was back on her wrist and turned on when the bell rings at the end of the day.

Steele said the compromise isn't working. Most days, the watch is still in her kid's backpack when she arrives home. A couple of times, she says it's been left at school.

"Only one time has she come home with it on her wrist," said Steele. "I called the district, and they said they're not going to give her permission to wear it, it's district policy, and it sounds like she needs a little more education and training about how to put a watch on. She's seven."

KSL Investigators took Steele's safety concerns to Davis School District spokesperson Chris Williams, who told us the policy is there for a good reason

"There's nothing that would preclude technology to be put on after school is over while a student gets on a bus and goes home," said Williams. "We don't necessarily see devices being worn throughout the day as something that we would necessarily want to occur because that can be something that wouldn't necessarily help the student stay on task. We want the student to make sure that they're listening to the teacher."

In January, KSL's Deanie Wimmer discovered just how distracting electronics in the classroom can be, with an experiment to find out how many notifications middle schoolers received on their cell phones during one class.

Students were bombarded, receiving 662 notifications for 30 students in 40 minutes. The pings on student cell phones were not only distracting, but it could sometimes take 15 minutes for students to refocus on class.

KSL found numerous times where communication between parents and students in the classroom is important.

In January, parents told KSL they got word their kids were safe during a lockdown at Hunter High School because their kids texted them from their phones while in class.

In September, parents lamented that Layton High School didn't communicate enough about what was going on when the campus went on lockdown due to a stabbing across the street.

The month before that, students were applauded for reporting a dangerous situation at Granger High School through the SafeUT app. To do so would require students to have their phones in their hands, not their backpacks.

Steele argued unlike middle or high schoolers with multifunctional smart phones, her daughter is an elementary schooler with a watch that has few functions. There are no apps, only preprogrammed phone numbers to guardians, and Steele has the power to lock it during class time.

Davis's policy is similar to Utah's largest school district, Alpine, which leaves the electronics policies up to each school. KSL received no response in our attempts to reach an Alpine spokesperson to clarify if GPS watches are allowed.

Granite, Nebo, Jordan, and Canyons school districts all indicated that GPS watches are allowed in the classroom, so long as they are not causing a distraction to students.

Williams said ultimately, it's a case-by-case scenario if students are allowed to wear tracking watches in class.

"We will do everything we can to try to understand the situation and let the parents understand where we come from and to try to find a happy resolution," he said.

In Steele's case, the watch must still stay in the backpack, despite her concerns. She hoped more changes would come to the policy for the sake of her family and others.

"We should have a reasonable expectation that our kids are going to be sent home to us safe when we send them to school," said Steele. "When that doesn't happen, we should be able to use the tools at our disposal to make sure that happens.
Have you experienced something you think just isn't right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.

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Safety feature or distraction? Debate over kid-tracking watches in the classroom

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SYRACUSE, Utah - Jennifer Steele watches to make sure her 7-year-old daughter makes it home from school every day, thanks to a GPS watch. It's not helicopter parenting for Steele. It's to prevent what happened last spring from ever happening again. "My daughter, last May, didn't come home from school," Steele explained.

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7. Smartwatches have no place in our classrooms

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7. Smartwatches have no place in our classrooms

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A couple of years ago, my husband bought me a smartwatch for Christmas. At the time, I wondered why he would get me such a fancy gadget that just does stuff I could already do with my phone. It wasn't that I was ungrateful. I just didn't think of myself as the kind of person who would use all those features. And I didn't think I wanted to be that plugged in.

I was wrong.

I use my watch to send and receive text messages, check my email, set timers, track my fitness goals, and look at photos. My watch has a calculator and a heart rate monitor. I can check news headlines, sports scores, and the weather. And I am sure there are more features I've yet to discover and others I won't ever use.

I use and enjoy my watch much more than I ever thought I would. But if I had younger children, I wouldn't want them to have access to this type of technology at all times. And as a teacher, I know that smartwatches have no place in the classroom.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not), this way of thinking is controversial. In fact, some parents are up in arms over school policies that ban smartwatches-but maybe that's just because they haven't thought through all the ramifications of smartwatches in school.

Here are three major reasons smartwatches should be banned from the classroom:

1. Smartwatches might be the most insidious distraction yet.

It's already difficult enough for teachers to keep kids off their cell phones during the school day. The last thing we need is for them to basically have one strapped to their wrist. Students cannot resist sneaking a peek at their phone even when it means they have to slip it out of their pocket or backpack and hide it in their lap to do so. The temptation to read a text message, check a sports score, or look at a social media notification when it's just a matter of glancing at their arm would be too much. They would never be able to escape the distraction, and teachers would have no way of knowing if students are checking the time or reading a text. As their watches vibrate and buzz against their skin, the school day would be a constant series of interruptions-which makes concentrating and learning nearly impossible.

2. Being too connected can interfere with a child's development.

Not only are smartwatches a distraction, but when it's a parent who is texting their child during the school day, they can also inhibit normal child development. Depending on their age and maturity level, kids need to be able to keep track of their own schedules and responsibilities. But if a child simply has to glance down at his wrist to get a reminder from Mom to turn in his permission slip, bring home his math book, or go to basketball practice after school, he will never develop the ability to problem-solve or manage his own life. Every mom wants to look out for her child. But generations of children have gotten by without 24/7 contact with a parent and constant reminders about what to do next.

3. Smartwatches pose privacy and safety concerns.

Smartwatches don't necessarily follow the same safety protocols or have the same protection software as computers do. This leaves them more vulnerable to hackers who could gain access to a child's personal information or even her location-possibly even the location of other children on campus.

In addition to safety issues, smartwatches are also a threat to academic integrity. Forget writing answers on the bottom of their shoes. There are a number of ways for students to store and access information using a smartwatch. They just need to watch this video or try one of these other 12 ways to cheat using a smartwatch.

The bottom line is that, though they may be cool and handy gadgets for adults, smartwatches have no place in the classroom. Dealing with another distraction and even more threats to the safety and integrity of our kids is the last thing teachers need right now. More importantly, it's also the last thing kids need.

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Opinion: Smartwatches Have No Place in Our Classrooms

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The bottom line is that, though they may be cool and handy gadgets for adults, smartwatches have no place in the classroom. Dealing with another distraction and even more threats to the safety and integrity of our kids is the last thing teachers need right now.

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8. As school resumes, some parents have begun using smart technology to track their kids

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8. As school resumes, some parents have begun using smart technology to track their kids

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As kids head back to school, some parents are now keeping track of their children by using technology such as smartwatches.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Classes have resumed for most of Arkansas, and as students head back to school, some parents have been taking on a bigger role in keeping track of their children.

They've been doing so with wearable tracking technology.

Jade Culp, mom of 2nd grader Zeke Culp at E-Stem Elementary in Little Rock made the decision to buy a T-Mobile smartwatch for kids. The watch has allowed herto track Zeke's location, and it has also allowed him the ability to call and text a few select numbers.

She explained that the smartwatch came in handy during the first week of school this year after Zeke left through the wrong door.

"I'm at work, panicking. And then he's like crying...and I texted him. I was like, stay where you are, and he read the watch, and he stayed where he was...We were able to get him because I could see him on the watch on the app," Culp said.

Ron Self, the Safety and Security Director for Little Rock School District explained that this type of limited communication technology isn't new, but has gained popularity in recent years. Specifically in devices like watches and AirTags, as well as apps like Life360.

"Anything that parents can do to do their part to keep their kids safe, I think it's a great thing," Self said.

But he added that parents should still feel secure with the safety measures the district already has in place.

"The Little Rock School District... is fortunate enough to not only have a large security department, but a very great partnership with LRPD, as well," Self explained.

Culp did admit she had some hesitation with the use of the smartwatch at first but said that she stands by her decision. "At first, it made me feel like that overbearing helicopter mom... but it helped so much..." Culp also said, "What if it was like a situation where he was kidnapped or school shooting... I want him to be able to text me call me tell me what's going on."

Self explained that communication devices such as the kids smartwatch are a personal family choice he also expressed some caution, "...remember that, that may not always work, you know, during an emergency situation, and to trust that the district is keeping their best interest in mind."

There are still some technology-free ways to help keep kids safe in school this year and every year.

"Little things like making sure kids know their phone numbers and addresses...If they see something don't be scared to tell an adult and let us know what's going on," Self explained.

Whether you have made the choice to track your children via technology or not, the top priority for everyone will still be to make sure they are kept safe.

"It's nice to have that extra security. And I don't care how much that watch would have cost. I'm super glad we have it," Culp said.

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As school resumes, some parents have begun using smart technology to track their kids

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As kids head back to school, some parents are now keeping track of their children by using technology such as smartwatches. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Classes have resumed for most of Arkansas, and as students head back to school, some parents have been taking on a bigger role in keeping track of their children.

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7. Students speak out - "We Need Mental Health Days"

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7. Students speak out - "We Need Mental Health Days"

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Even before the pandemic set in, alarming numbers of young people were suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The stress of COVID-19 has exacerbated those struggles. Schools are working on ways to support students' emotional trauma, including allowing excused absences for mental health days. Education Week asked five students how they felt during the pandemic, and what role mental health days might play in helping students nationwide.
Sara Falluji, rising junior, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, Ky.

With COVID, this year has been stressful and difficult. I noticed it in my friends. A lot of that stress for me has manifested in physical ways. It's sort of a fatigue, and an inability to focus on school assignments.

I didn't go [to school] in person. I was doing virtual. I wouldn't really skip a class, but I took naps immediately after my last class. I didn't even intend to, it was just happening. I'd struggle with getting work in on time because I couldn't get the energy to finish. Typically, I get straight As, but this year I had a C and quite a few Bs.

We really need excused mental health days. There have been plenty of times I've needed one or a friend needed one, but stress is our normal and you just push through. I've never seen an avenue for taking a day like that, and didn't want people to [see] me differently for it. In a competitive program like the one I'm in, anxiety is so normal, it's like why would you take a day off when we're all going through it?

Karla Pickett, rising sophomore, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, S.C.

We don't have excused mental health days. I most definitely would use them. Sometimes school can become overwhelming and you need a day to process it all.

I did virtual the whole year. I was able to maintain my grades. But it became overwhelming not being in a room with a teacher, not being there to get help you when you need it, to talk through the issues. It was really stressful. I was taking four dual-enrollment courses and it was very difficult.

My sister went to college, and we are the only two siblings, so not having her in the house to talk to was a difficult transition. I didn't get to see any of my friends during the pandemic at all. I had a lot of anxiety. The pandemic was the main reason why. I didn't want to get others sick. I was worried about my grandmothers, aunts, and uncles getting sick. And I wasn't able to see them.

I really could have used mental health days. I was absolutely stressed out. I would have spent a day meditating, figuring out what I need to do to get back to me.

Ben Ballman, 2021 graduate, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, Md.

I've been working on [student] mental health issues since the 8th grade. I had these friends, they're not feeling so great, they don't really see a point in living. Pretty extreme things for 13-year-olds. And I'm concerned; these are my favorite people in the world and I have no idea what to do.

I tried to learn more about it. I started reading articles and books. I started to be able to point [friends] in the right direction, where they could go for support, the resources they have. Over time, it snowballed. In high school, I'm doing it more and more, and I'm thinking, I'm not a professional! What the heck is going on here? Kids are coming to another kid. They should go to the counseling department. Sophomore year, I created a Google form, asking questions, like whether students feel supported by counselors. I sent it out across Montgomery County and got almost 500 responses from a lot of schools. It was a resounding negative response.

Kids don't feel supported by counselors. They don't feel welcome. They see a counselor, they rush through a checklist and get them out the door as fast as possible. I was really surprised by that. So I made a little team to help me reach out to students with more questions. And we interviewed counselors and administrators to get that perspective. That led to an open letter I sent to the board of education the summer after sophomore year, describing the issues and possible solutions. I met with the heads of counseling and psychology in the county, and it was good, but I never really heard anything.

I decided to get more students involved. We created a coalition called DMV Students for Mental Health Reform. The main point is to work with local delegates on legislation. In February, Delegate [Alonzo] Washington introduced HB461, which introduced mental health days for the first time in Maryland as a statewide measure. It passed the House, but stagnated in the Senate. We were working on some amendments.

There are three main arguments for mental health days. They allow students a way to support themselves outside school. School can be extremely stressful. You need to take a break, take a breather, focus on yourself for a bit. They also decrease stigma and allow more open conversation about mental health. They would also help schools practice mental health prevention. A lot of times, schools have resources, like programs, and counselors, but many times they don't have the ability to see which students are struggling before it's too late and it reaches a crisis situation.
Kylee Linnell, 2021 graduate, Phoenix High School, Phoenix, Ore.
I have a complicated history with mental health. I have [obsessive compulsive disorder], which is a whirlwind in itself; childhood trauma, anxiety stemming from OCD. I've struggled on and off with depression. I have good days and bad days.

I love the idea of mental health days. Our school is supposed to do them, but they're still working out the kinks. Your parent has to call in. Sometimes kids just need a half hour. Like if I walk into my math class I'm gonna have an anxiety attack.

This past year we had COVID, and we also had the Almeda fire here. My emotions have been all over the board. In some ways, I did better, because I was able to distance myself from what's going on because I didn't see people, didn't go to school every day. I watched a lot of TV in my room, got lost in a fictional world. But eventually it crashed down. I had a meltdown, I can't do this anymore, can't keep pushing it away.

So many people lost homes [in the fire]. It wasn't clear how we were supposed to get online to go to school. Nothing went smoothly until December. If you had questions, you had to figure it out on your own. I tried to reach a school counselor. I was struggling, but so was everyone else. There just weren't enough resources. Even if they do get back to you, their attention is divided among 100 students.

The most important thing schools can do is find some way to listen to student feedback about mental health. Our school gave us a survey at the end of the year. They asked us stuff they've never asked us before, like do you feel safe in school? Do you feel like you fit in? Are you happy? And all I could think was, why are you asking this now, when we've just graduated? I wish they'd asked us years ago.
Amber Kiricoples, 2021 graduate, Peabody High School, Peabody, Mass.
I struggle with mental health. It runs in my family. I go to therapy regularly. It got bad in high school. My friend and I proposed excused mental health days to our school committee. They were open to it, but we were never able to follow up. It got lost in the COVID fog. They are working with us on a school curriculum for mental health, though.

We need mental health days. It's not some joke. It's actually a time where you need to treat your mental well-being like you do your physical well-being. You get a sprained ankle, you don't go to school. If you wake up with a panic attack, or anxiety, what good will it do you to sit in a building all day where you can't let it out? You need to take care of yourself.

What do adults misunderstand? Well, for one thing, that if you're having a bad day, if you have a little attitude, you're not a bad person. If you can't get out of bed one day, it's not because you're bad. You just can't explain it.

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Students Speak Out: 'We Need Mental Health Days'

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Even before the pandemic set in, alarming numbers of young people were suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The stress of COVID-19 has exacerbated those struggles. Schools are working on ways to support students' emotional trauma, including allowing excused absences for mental health days.

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1. More Than 1.6 Million Tesla Electric Vehicles Recalled in China...

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1. More Than 1.6 Million Tesla Electric Vehicles Recalled in China...

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Tesla recalls more than 1.6 million cars in China over steering software issues

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The issues with assisted driving functions and door-locking systems will be fixed by remote updates.

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Don't be Fooled by Tesla's Full Self Driving Car

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HAVs | Highly Automated Vehicles | Alliance For Automotive Innovation

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Highly automated vehicles (HAVs) are one of the most anticipated innovations coming out of the auto industry. Here are the benefits of HAVs.

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17. What is Zoochosis and How Do Animals Get It?

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17. What is Zoochosis and How Do Animals Get It?

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There are people who argue that animals are happy in zoos, or are at least content. Are they? Keep reading to learn about zoochosis and what it tells us about the degree to which captive animals suffer.

Read on to discover:

Zoochosis is a form of psychosis that develops in animals held captive in zoos. Most often, it manifests in what are called stereotypic behaviors, or stereotypies, which are often monotonous, obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose. Stated plainly, zoochosis is mental anguish made visible by abnormal behavior, and it's a common indicator of poor welfare.

Animals evolved in the wild, where they could roam freely, interact socially, problem solve, and in general live a rich sensory life. Captivity, whether in zoos, circuses, aquariums, or elsewhere, denies them all of this and more. As a result, animals suffer.

Crucially, stereotypical behaviors do not occur in the wild, but are exclusively seen in animals held in captivity.

Thousands of different species are kept in zoos, and each one has specific physical and psychological needs that can never be met in captivity, even with the best husbandry practices. The most common stereotypies seen in captive animals can depend on species, and individuals, but often include:

Pacing

Bar biting

Bobbing, weaving and swaying

Rocking

Self-mutilation

Over-grooming

Regurgitating and reingesting food

Definitely.

Yes.

According to Wikipedia, "A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury." This definition is inclusive of both bodily and mental disorders.

That said, zoochosis is not a disease in the sense of an abnormal condition that stems from within, such as from one's own body getting sick. Zoochosis is instead a disease that stems from outside forces, from the extreme sensory deprivation that zoos and other forms of captivity impose upon animals.

Zoochosis is a mental disorder that manifests in abnormal, and often unhealthy, physical behaviors. It is largely, though not necessarily exclusively, caused by psychological factors induced by physical captivity and sensory deprivation.

We don't know.

If I Don't See Signs of Zoochosis, Does That Mean Everything is Okay?

No!

Perhaps you have known someone in your own life who is suffering inside but bottles up all their emotions. Research is clear that this happens in nonhuman animals, too.

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What Is Zoochosis and How Do Animals Get It?

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Zoochosis is a form of mental illness that develops in animals held captive in zoos. Most often, it manifests in what are called stereotypical behaviors, which are often monotonous, obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose.

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18. VIDEO - Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Save Species

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18. VIDEO - Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Save Species

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Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Save Species

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1. NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight

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1. NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight

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NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight

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Monday, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. The Ingenuity team at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California confirmed the flight succeeded after receiving data from the helicopter via NASA's Perseverance Mars rover at 6:46 a.m.

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2. NASA releases 'hi-res' video of Ingenuity helicopter making historic flight on Mars

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2. NASA releases 'hi-res' video of Ingenuity helicopter making historic flight on Mars

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April 19th, 2021

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BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Ingenuity is the little Martian helicopter that could and did.

On Monday, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet.

"This really is a Wright brothers moment. It's the start of a whole new kind of planetary exploration," acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk said during a press conference.

"We don't know exactly where Ingenuity will lead us, but today's results indicate the sky - at least on Mars - may not be the limit."

Because Mars has only 1% the atmosphere of Earth, flying there is very difficult.

"A rotocraft pushes atmosphere to generate lift. When there is that little atmosphere, the roto system has to spin really fast. In fact it spins at over 2,500 revolutions per minute for the flight," Ingenuity's Project Manager Mimi Aung explained.

After an issue with its flight software delayed the historic mission last week, Ingenuity successfully spun up its high-speed blades and lifted about 10 feet off the ground, hovered for 30 seconds and landed.

"Ingenuity is the latest in a long and storied tradition of NASA projects achieving a space exploration goal once thought impossible," said Jurczyk.
In-depth: As NASA Perseverance rover watches, Ingenuity helicopter makes first successful powered flight on Mars
'I don't think I can ever stop watching it'

Engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory responded with cheers and applause at the arrival of the first photo, a black-and-white image of Ingenuity's shadow as it hovered above the Martian surface. A series of color images taken by the rover showed the helicopter landing.

Aung and her team have been working over six years to achieve this goal.

"This morning, our dream came true," she said.

The historic moment was captured on several cameras including a video camera on the Perseverance rover, which was standing by. Aung said watching the incredible footage of the flight gave her goosebumps.

"It looks just like the way we tested in our space simulator test chamber here. Absolutely beautiful flight. I don't think I can ever stop watching it."

But the flight didn't happen without some stress on the part of the engineers. On top of the flight software delay that pushed the experiment to Monday, they had to wait more than three hours to see if flight was successful.

"We operate on what's called 'Earth receive time,'" says Robert Braun, JPL director for planetary science. "What we're watching on the livestream is the signal that's coming back in real time from Mars. In reality, the helicopter will have flown autonomously several hours earlier."

'Wright Brothers Field'

NASA Associate Administrator for Science Thomas Zurbuchen announced the name for the Martian airfield where the flight took place, an ode to the pair of brothers who launched the first successful flight here on Earth.

"Now, 117 years after the Wright brothers succeeded in making the first flight on our planet, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has succeeded in performing this amazing feat on another world," Zurbuchen said. "While these two iconic moments in aviation history may be separated by time and 173 million miles of space, they now will forever be linked.

"As an homage to the two innovative bicycle makers from Dayton, this first of many airfields on other worlds will now be known as Wright Brothers Field, in recognition of the ingenuity and innovation that continue to propel exploration," he said.

Ingenuity arrived on the red planet Feb. 18 attached to the underside of the Martian rover Perseverance. Ingenuity's flight is considered a technology demonstration and is not critical to the science Perseverance is doing, namely searching for ancient microbial life on Mars.
Contributing: George Petras, Stephen J. Beard, Ramon Padilla and Jay Cannon, USA TODAY. Follow reporter Rachael Joy on Twitter @Rachael_Joy Derek Chauvin's trial: Vaccine check-in: America reaches milestone with COVID-19 vaccine now widely available to those who want it, but hesitancy still casts a shadow Closing arguments are set. What happens next? Breaking down jury deliberations and timing of the verdict
Over the next few days, the helicopter team will receive and analyze all data and imagery from the test and formulate a plan for the second experimental test flight, scheduled for no earlier than Thursday.

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NASA releases 'hi-res' video of Ingenuity helicopter making historic flight on Mars

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BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Ingenuity is the little Martian helicopter that could and did. On Monday, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. "This really is a Wright brothers moment.

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What Was the Apollo Program? (Grades 5-8) - NASA

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Apollo was the NASA program that resulted in American astronauts’ making a total of 11 spaceflights and walking on the moon.

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For centuries, people dreamed about leaving Earth and travelling to other worlds. Then, in 1957, the Soviet Union made the first small step into space by launching a small satellite, called Sputnik. The Space Age had begun.

Early space activities were dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union. However, as time went by, Europe and Japan also learned how to build their own satellites and rockets. Today, countries such as China, India, South Korea, Israel and Brazil are developing their own space industries.

During the last 60 years, unmanned probes have been sent towards all of the planets in the Solar System, as well as many satellites, asteroids and comets. Spacecraft have soft-landed on half a dozen worlds, while rovers have driven over the surfaces of the Moon and Mars. The Sun has also been explored in great detail by a fleet of spacecraft.

Many space observatories, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, have been launched to look at the distant Universe. They have sent back some amazing pictures taken in visible light. But they can also observe stars and galaxies at wavelengths that are invisible to human eyes - radio, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. The flood of discoveries has changed the way we look at the Universe.

More than 500 people have also flown in space since Yuri Gagarin paved the way in 1961. 20 people have travelled to the Moon and 12 of them have walked on the Moon. Space stations have been built, and astronauts have learned to live and work in space for many months, or even years.

Last modified 26 January 2011

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For centuries, people dreamed about leaving Earth and travelling to other worlds. Then, in 1957, the Soviet Union made the first small step into space by launching a small satellite, called Sputnik. The Space Age had begun.

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I am convinced that if NASA were to disappear tomorrow, if we never put up another Hubble Space Telescope, never put another human being in space, people in this country would be profoundly distraught. Americans would feel that we had lost something that matters, that our best days were behind us, and they would feel themselves somehow diminished. Yet I think most would be unable to say why.

There are many good reasons to continue to explore space, which most Americans have undoubtedly heard. Some have been debated in public policy circles and evaluated on the basis of financial investment. In announcing his commitment to send the country back to the moon and, later, on to Mars, President Bush quite correctly said that we do it for purposes of scientific discovery, economic benefit, and national security. I've given speeches on each of those topics, and these reasons can be clearly shown to be true. And presidential science advisor Jack Marburger has said that questions about space exploration come down to whether we want to bring the solar system within mankind's sphere of economic influence. I think that is extraordinarily well put.

But these are not reasons that would make Americans miss our space program. They are merely the reasons we are most comfortable discussing. I think of them as "acceptable reasons" because they can be logically defended. When we contemplate committing large sums of money to a project, we tend to dismiss reasons that are emotional or value-driven or can't be captured on a spreadsheet. But in space exploration those are the reasons-what I think of as "real reasons"-that are the most important.

When Charles Lindbergh was asked why he crossed the Atlantic, he never once answered that he wanted to win the $25,000 that New York City hotel owner Raymond Orteig offered for the first nonstop aircraft flight between New York and Paris. Burt Rutan and his backer, Paul Allen, certainly didn't develop a private spacecraft to win the Ansari X-Prize for the $10 million in prize money. They spent twice as much as they made. Sergei Korolev and the team that launched Sputnik were not tasked by their government to be the first to launch an artificial satellite; they had to fight for the honor and the resources to do it.

I think we all know why people strive to accomplish such things. They do so for reasons that are intuitive and compelling to all of us but that are not necessarily logical. They're exactly the opposite of acceptable reasons, which are eminently logical but neither intuitive nor emotionally compelling.

First, most of us want to be, both as individuals and as societies, the first or the best in some activity. We want to stand out. This behavior is rooted in our genes. We are today the descendants of people who survived by outperforming others. Without question that drive can be carried to an unhealthy extreme; we've all seen more wars than we like. But just because the trait can be taken too far doesn't mean that we can do without it completely.

A second reason is curiosity. Who among us has not had the urge to know what's over the next hill? What child has not been drawn to explore beyond the familiar streets of the neighborhood?

Finally, we humans have, since the earliest civilizations, built monuments. We want to leave something behind to show the next generation, or the generations after that, what we did with our time here. This is the impulse behind cathedrals and pyramids, art galleries and museums.

Cathedral builders would understand what I mean by real reasons. The monuments they erected to the awe and mystery of their God required a far greater percentage of their gross domestic product than we will ever put into the space business, but we look back across 600 or 800 years of time, and we are still awed by what the builders accomplished. Those buildings, therefore, also stand as monuments to the builders.

The return the cathedral builders made on their investment could not have been summarized in a cost/benefit analysis. They began to develop civil engineering, the core discipline for any society if it wishes to have anything more than thatched huts. They gained societal advantages that were probably even more important than learning how to build walls and roofs. For example, they learned to embrace deferred gratification, not just on an individual level, where it is a crucial element of maturity, but on a societal level, where it is equally vital. The people who started the cathedrals didn't live to finish them. The society as a whole had to be dedicated to the completion of those projects. We owe Western civilization as we know it today to that kind of thinking: the ability to have a constancy of purpose across years and decades.

It is my contention that the products of our space program are today's cathedrals. The space program satisfies the desire to compete, but in a safe and productive manner, rather than in a harmful one. It speaks abundantly to our sense of human curiosity, of wonder and awe at the unknown. Who can watch people assembling the greatest engineering project in the history of mankind-the International Space Station-and not wonder at the ability of people to conceive and to execute the project? And it also addresses our need for leaving something for future generations.

Of course the space program also addresses the acceptable reasons, and in the end this is imperative. Societies will not succeed in the long run if they place their resources and their efforts in enterprises that, for whatever reason, don't provide concrete value. But I believe that projects done for the real reasons that motivate humans also serve the acceptable reasons. In that sense, the value of space exploration really is in its spinoffs, as many have argued. But it's not in spinoffs like Teflon and Tang and Velcro, as the public is so often told-and which in fact did not come from the space program. And it's not in spinoffs in the form of better heart monitors or cheaper prices for liquid oxygen for hospitals, although the space program's huge demand for liquid oxygen spurred fundamental improvements in the production and handling of this volatile substance. The real spinoffs are, just as they were for cathedral builders, more fundamental.

Anyone who wants to build spacecraft, who wants to be a subcontractor, or who even wants to supply bolts and screws to the space industry must work to a higher level of precision than human beings had to do before the space industry came along. And that standard has influenced our entire industrial base, and therefore our economy.

As for national security, what is the value to the United States of being involved in enterprises which lift up human hearts everywhere? What is the value to the United States of being a leader in such efforts, in projects in which every technologically capable nation wants to take part? The greatest strategy for national security, more effective than having better guns and bombs than everyone else, is being a nation that does the kinds of things that make others want to do them with us.

What do you have to do, how do you have to behave, to do space projects? You have to value hard work. You have to live by excellence, or die from the lack of it. You have to understand and practice both leadership and followership. You have to build partnerships; leaders need partners and allies, as well as followers.

You have to accept the challenge of the unknown, knowing that you might fail, and to do so not without fear but with mastery of fear and a determination to go anyway. You have to defer gratification because we work on things that not all of us will live to see-and we know it.

We now believe that 95 percent of the universe consists of dark energy or dark matter, terms for things that we as yet know nothing about. Is it even conceivable that one day we won't learn to harness them? As cavemen learned to harness fire, as people two centuries ago learned to harness electricity, we will learn to harness these new things. It was just a few years ago that we confirmed the existence of dark matter, and we would not have done so without the space program. What is the value of knowledge like that? I cannot begin to guess. A thousand years from now there will be human beings who don't have to guess; they will know, and they will know we gave this to them.

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Ambition, curiosity, and a reason the NASA Administrator admits has nothing to do with economic benefit.

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Take an orbit around this space flight movie and learn the two basic types of rocket, how they get the thrust to launch from Earth, and about NASA’s shuttles and satellites.

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11. Newly Discovered Planet May Support Life, Scientists Say

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11. Newly Discovered Planet May Support Life, Scientists Say

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12. NASA could only pray if a large asteroid was headed toward Earth

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12. NASA could only pray if a large asteroid was headed toward Earth

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13. Crippled Kepler probe may lead to discoveries of planets like Earth

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13. Crippled Kepler probe may lead to discoveries of planets like Earth

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Pros and Cons of Space Exploration | APECSEC.org

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Space exploration is almost like science fiction. The amount of space that is out there is unimaginable, and discovering everything that exists would be nearly

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15. Space exploration pros and cons: Are space programs a waste of money?

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15. Space exploration pros and cons: Are space programs a waste of money?

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Space exploration is a hugely expensive affair. Should we spend money on space exploration when we have so many problems on planet Earth? We debate the pros and cons of space exploration and the reasons for investing in space agencies and programs.
Should we spend money on space exploration?

The launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket into has brought back media attention to space exploration. Elton Musk's private aerospace company is in the process of becoming a major player and a partner for many space programs. However, most of the efforts to discover whats out still depend mostly on public funding.

Space exploration is costly, and many argue that in times of belt-tightening, we should focus on solving problems here on Earth, especially since the knowledge gained from space exploration has few immediate benefits. On the other hand, pronponents of space exploration argue that the knowledge to be gained is invaluable, and that it is in the very nature of humankind to explore. In addition, proponents of these programs argue that they have had significant benefits and resulted in the discovery or popularisation of many useful new technologies. Furthermore, space exploration could be the only way to escape human extinction in case living conditions become unsustainable on Earth.

Today there are six big government space agencies with the capacity to create, launch and recover satellites: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA), Russian Federal Space Agency ( Roscosmos or RFSA),the China National Space Administration ( CNSA), the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA) and the European Space Agency ( ESA) which integrates several European space agencies. Among them only NASA, ROSCOSMOS and CNSA have full capacity for human spaceflights and lunar soft-landing. In addtition to these there are many other government space agencies with variable capabilities, most of them have only the capacity to operate satellites, a few of them also have launch capabilities and can operate extraterrestrial probes. Some of these space agencies are competing to be the first to send humans to Mars and investigating if there is intelligent life on other planets.

These space programs and agencies are very costly. It is estimated that the total annual budget of space agencies is $41.8 billion. Among them the highest budgets correspond to:

NASA (USA, $19.3 billion)

Roscosmos (Russia, $5.6 billion)

ESA (Europe, $5.5 billion)

CNES (France, $2.5 billion)

JAXA (Japan, $2.5 billion)

DLR (Germany, $2 billion)

ASI (Italy, $1.8 billion)

CNSA (China, $1.8 billion)

ISRO (India, $1.2 billion)

Are all these costs justfified? Are there better ways to spend public funding? Should we mainly rely on private investors such as Elton Musk to promote space expliration? Will capitalistic incentives lead the way towards space exploration? In order to help make up your mind we outline next the most important benefits and problems of space exploration.

Space exploration pros and cons

Knowledge generation. Thanks to space exploration programs we are discovering many things that help us understand the universe. For instance, learning about planets, comets, stars, etc. can help us find solutions for some of the problems our civilization will face, such as overopulation and the need to colonize other planets.

Exploration and discovery are beneficial. Humans have always engaged in exploration to satisfy their sense of curiosity and look for opportunities. During the Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries, countries such as Spain and Portugal heavily invested in expeditions, but thanks to them they became super-powers and gained many riches. Later, during the second age of explorations in the 18th and 19th century, the discoveries of pioneers such as Captain Cook or Livingstone heavily contributed to scientific discovery.

Artificial satellites are crucial tools in modern society. For instance they are used for defence purposes and to fight against terrorism. Satellites help us also monitor the effects of global warming and detect wildfires. Space agencies are necessary to operate satellites.

Scientific advancement and by-products. Space exploration programs help introduce and test new technologies. Much of the research carried out to find solutions for space travel have applications elsewhere. For instance NASA research has contributed to develop velcro, fire-resistant materials, medical devices to relieve muscle and joint pain, new precise thermometers, artificial limbs, new air conditioning systems, land mine removal systems, improved radial tires, etc.

Space race may save humanity. Life on Earth may be threatened by climate change, pollution, depletion of resources, infectious diseases or nuclear war. Further, space exploration is necessary to find another planet on which humans could pursue their lives. Space programs help also find solutions to adapt human lives to the space or other planets.

Space industry jobs. The space industry employs directly about 120,000 people in the OECD countries and 250,000 in Russia.

Few direct benefits to space exploration. True, space technology has helped us launch satellites and introduce many useful products, but do we need to keep pushing forward? The direct intellectual gains from learning about far away planets or satellites such as the moon can hardly compensate the costs. Historical exploration on Earth allowed collect and trade resources. Bringing resources to Earth is not possible with the current technology.

Space travel is hazardous. Many lives have been lost in space expeditions. Space missions are very dangerous and can often cost lives and stress to the families of the astronauts or cosmonauts. Should highly qualified professionals and scientists risk their lives traveling outside Earth?

Failure is common. Many of the space exploration fail. Probes and satellites crash, exploration robots are lost, rockets blow up in the air, etc. It is frustrating to see how so much money and time are wasted in unsuccessful missions.

Danger of establishing contact with alien life. One of the main goals of space exploration is to find out if there is life outside Earth. However, establishing contact with other civilizations can be extremely dangerous and could jeopardize human life. If we flag our existence to technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, we may be somehow exposing ourselves to their attacks and invasion. The wanna-be colonizers could be colonized. Primitive life-forms such as virus and bacteria could also provoke epidemic diseases.

New source of international tensions. The space race is not over. There is a growing international competition to be the first in fulfilling some challenges in space exploration. Sovereignty over other planets and satellites, and over their resources, will become a controversial issue. With the advancement of technology domination of the outer space may tip the balance of power on a bipolar or multipolar Earth.

Priorities and opportunity costs. Even if there are benefits to space exploration, spending so much money and effort in reaching other planets is highly questionable. That money and brain power could be used to solve other more important problems for us. For instance governments could invest much more to prevent global warming, reduce crime rates and find a cure for cancer or Alzheimer's Disease.

Space exploration pros and cons: are space programs a waste of money or a good investment? Vote and share with us your experiences and ideas about publicly funded space exploration programs. Please invite others interested in science and technology to join the debate

If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option.

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Space exploration pros and cons: a waste of money?

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Is space exploration a waste of money? Pros and cons of space exploration. Debate: should we spend money on space travel, missions and agencies like NASA?

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Learn about conservation efforts, the species we've lost, and the success stories of species that have been spared from extinction.

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6. Sharks: Killers or Just Misunderstood?

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6. Sharks: Killers or Just Misunderstood?

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Bloodthirsty, ruthless, killer: shark. For years people have feared and slaughtered sharks because of the bad rap they have received from Hollywood, but these beliefs are not justified.

Sharks are not vicious and are actually quite gentle. Of the more than 388 species of sharks only two (the Great White and the Tiger) have been known to attack man and then only because of mistaken identity. Wetsuits and surfboards used by surfers are mistaken by sharks as the thick, rubbery, skin of seals, which are their main diet. Once the shark bites the surfer, it almost immediately lets go because it does not taste like its favorite meal.

Not all big sharks have huge jaws full of teeth, as many people believe. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, are the most affable creatures you will encounter in our world's oceans. These sharks (that can weigh over three thousand pounds and grow up to five stories in length) have no teeth at all. Instead they have a mouth full of baleen that they use to filter plankton and tiny fish out the hundreds of gallons of sea water that passes through their monstrous mouths at one time. These peaceful giants have been known to let divers ride on their backs and don't show any aggression when approached.

People should treat sharks with respect, as they should all earth's creatures. The only way for future generations to learn to appreciate these magnificent creatures (instead of fear them) is through education. This can be accomplished through programs which highlight the good points about sharks, instead of the myths surrounding them. Another way is to make ocean research available to all people - everyone should have the chance to learn the truth about sharks. ^

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Sharks: Killers Or Just Misunderstood? | Teen Ink

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Bloodthirsty, ruthless, killer: shark. For years people have feared and slaughtered sharks because of the bad rap they have received from Hollywood, but these beliefs are not justified.Sharks are not vicious and are actually quite

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Sharks are scary-no doubt about it. Just ask anyone who's seen Jaws or other films that feature these sharp-toothed creatures.

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9. Terrifying Tiger Sharks on the Attack in Hawaii

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9. Terrifying Tiger Sharks on the Attack in Hawaii

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When a great white shark is born, along with up to a dozen siblings, it immediately swims away from its mother. Born on the east and west coasts of North America, the south of Africa and southwest Australia, baby sharks are on their own right from the start. Their mother may see them only as prey. At birth the baby shark is already about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long; as it grows it may reach a length up to four times that. The pup (which is what a baby shark is called) will live its life at the top of the ocean’s food chain. But before it grows larger, the pup must avoid predators bigger than it is—including other great white sharks. Many baby sharks do not survive their first year. Young great white sharks eat fish (including other sharks) and rays. As they grow, the sharks’ favorite prey becomes sea mammals, especially sea lions and seals. Sharks count on the element of surprise as they hunt. When they see a seal at the surface of the water, sharks will often position themselves underneath the seal. Using their tails as propellers, they swim upward at a fast sprint, burst out of the water in a leap called a breach, and fall back into the water with the seal in their mouths. They can smell a single drop of blood from up to a third of a mile (0.53 kilometers) away. Sharks don’t chew their food; they rip off chunks of meat and swallow them whole. They can last a month or two without another big meal.

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11. Florida teen can't wait to surf again, even after shark attack

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11. Florida teen can't wait to surf again, even after shark attack

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12. Shark Attacks Expected to Rise This Summer

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12. Shark Attacks Expected to Rise This Summer

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Shark Attacks Expected to Rise This Summer

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More shark attacks are predicted this summer, but there are strategies to avoiding becoming shark bait.

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Elio, 13, was killed by an 8 foot bull shark while surfing at Cap Homard two weeks ago, on the west coast of the island paradise.

Since 2011 there have been 16 shark attacks, 7 of which have been fatal including the death of a 15-year-old girl in 2013, which prompted the government to impose a ban on bathing and surfing unsupervised along more than half of the island's coastline.

The attacks have devastated the island's economy as surf shops have been forced to close causing a 13 per cent drop in leisure tourism.

Rival holiday destinations in the region such as Mauritius and the Maldives have benefited from these shark attacks as more tourists visit these islands on a yearly basis.

Experts have tried to come up with a reason for the rise in shark attacks with some claiming the opening of a marine reserve in 2007 which was intended to boost the biodiversity of the coral in the area coupled with a fishing restriction in the area has led to an increase of prey for the sharks.

Other experts believe urbanisation is the root cause of the shark problem.

The increased levels of wastewater flowing in to the sea as a result of rising urbanisation on the island has created the perfect conditions for the bull sharks as they thrive in murky water.

Surfers and bodyboarders have called for more action to be taken to make the waters safer for humans.

Marine biologist Antonin Blaison said: "we will have to change our ways to account for the sharks' presence".

With no real plan of action and the tourism industry on the island continuing to plummet, Reunion's government may have to refocus their efforts on promoting the islands land attractions which boasts 91 different species of birds and a host of exotic animals.

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Rise in shark attacks scares tourists away from paradise isle of Reuni

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A RISE in fatal shark attacks off the coast of Reunion Island including the death of rising surf star, Elio Canestri, has stopped surfers from visiting the French territory.

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The White Shark, more commonly referred to as the "Great White," has been reported to be involved in more attacks on humans than any other shark.
Fossil remains suggest the Great White dates back to the early Eocene eras, which lasted from about 56 to 34 million years ago.

Mature males reach an average size of 10.5 feet while females can average 14 feet. Active during daytime hours, Great Whites feed on marine animals - they don't like sea birds or sea otters particularly. It's thought that they attack humans when they mistake diver and surfer silhouettes in the water during approaching from below the surface of the water. An alternative theory has also been suggested that Great Whites attack unfamiliar objects to test their potential as food. If true, that would help explain their involvement over the years in myriad hit-and-run attacks near beaches.

Not very much is known about the size of the great white's total population. Described as a slow-growing animal with low fertility rates, the Great White is considered at risk of overfishing.

Tiger Shark

According to theInternational Shark Attack File, the Tiger shark ranks No. 2 behind the white shark in the number of reported attacks on humans. The shark-monitoring group notes that the animal's "large size and voraciousness" qualify it as a formidable ocean predator. Surfers and swimmers need to know that Tiger sharks tend to be both curious and aggressive when they spot humans in the water.

Shortfin Mako

Powerful, fast and aggressive, the Shortfin Mako has been blamed for many reported shark attacks on humans. In more than a few cases, also blame human error as fisherman have been known to get injured after dragging hooked makos into their boats.
The Shortfin Mako is believed to be the fastest of any shark, able to swim up to 20 miles per hour. Prior to attacks, the sharks tend to swim in figure eight patterns and approach their prey with mouths open. The popularity of Mako meat in shark fin soup has reduced their populations; the World Conservation Union has listed the Shortfin mako as "Near Threatened."

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Swimmers, Surfers and Divers Need to Pay Special Attention to these Five Species

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15. Why These Shark Junkies Risk Their Lives

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15. Why These Shark Junkies Risk Their Lives

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Sharks: Stewards of the Reef (sharkstewards.com)

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4.  Has the summit of Mount Everest become an overcrowded tourist trap?

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4.  Has the summit of Mount Everest become an overcrowded tourist trap?

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The route to the top of the world has become too crowded.

The first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest was James Whittaker, who accomplished that towering feat in 1963. As he stood at the summit, accompanied his Sherpa guide, both men were very much alone.

Fast forward to 2013, when a team from National Geographic Magazine trekked up the mountain to mark the anniversary of Whittaker's quest; they found that in 2013, the challenge isn't nearly as....challenging.

A crowd of climbers slog up the Lhotse Face, heading toward Camp IV, last stop before the summit. Loose regulations and a boom in commercial guiding over the past two decades have made Everest far more accessible to experts and novices alike.

According to an article in the current National Geographic Magazine, about nine out of ten who reach the summit now are guided "clients," people who pay up to $120,000 for this "tour." Not that climbing Everest is easy, even under those conditions: Ten deaths were reported in 2012, including three Sherpa guides. But today-as if the altitude, the winds, the lack of oxygen wasn't enough to deter them-climbers walk up trails that are polluted, with garbage leaking out of the glaciers and pyramids of human excrement befouling the high camps.

In more than a few places, climbers face a more gruesome encounter: corpses of the dead who didn't make it to the top.

The cover of the June 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine.

"When I arrived at the apex ..., it was so crowded I couldn't find a place to stand," writes author Mark Jenkins in the June issue of the National Geographic. "Meanwhile, down below at the Hillary Step the lines were so long that some people going up waited more than two hours, shivering, growing weak-this even though the weather was excellent. If these throngs of climbers had been caught in a storm, as others were in 1996, the death toll could have been staggering.

"Clearly the world's highest peak is broke," he writes. "But if you talk to the people who know it best, they'll tell you it's not beyond repair."

Headlamps trace a path to the summit a few hours before dawn. Says one guide, "The most dangerous thing about Everest is everyone else who's trying to climb it."

There are about 35,000 visitors to the Everest region annually, and the money they spend for guides and permits is crucial to Nepal's economy, where the average national wage is less than $900. It has become, in the words of one climber, "a commercial mountain."

The crowding has led to altercations, and worse, on the mount. In 1996, eight climbers were killed and several others stranded in a sudden blizzard near the summit. The tragedy was documented by Jon Krakauer, a journalist and climber on that expedition, in his 1997 best-selling book, "Into Thin Air."

Crowded, yes, but still risky: Team member Hilaree O'Neill steps across a bridge of aluminum ladders lashed together above a crevasse in the Khumbu Icefall, considered one of the most unpredictable hazards on Everest.

There are still memorable moments at Everest. Earlier this month, Arunima Sinha, 26, a trainee police officer from India, became the first female amputee to reach the top. Just two days later, an 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer became the oldest man to scale Everest; while in 2010, Jordan Romero, a 13-year-old American boy, was became the youngest to trek to the top.

As the Everest climb becomes more of an "extreme sport" and less of a unique, life-changing event, the crowds and queues are likely to increase. In his piece, Jenkins lays out some way to improve the climbing environment, including issuing fewer permits to climbers, restricting the size of the climber teams to lessen congestion, and to require all climbers to remove all their waste and garbage from the mountain.

One crucial element is to ensure that climbers have the experience necessary; without the training, some just don't recognize that at some point, it might be time to turn around and go back.

"Only half the people here have the experience to climb this mountain," a Sherpa told the magazine. "The half without experience are the most likely to die."

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Has the summit of Mount Everest become an overcrowded tourist trap?

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The route to the top of the world has become too crowded. The first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest was James Whittaker, who accomplished that towering feat in 1963. As he stood at the summit, accompanied his Sherpa guide, both men were ver

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Last week, 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura became the oldest person to climb Mount Everest. Amazing, but other people weren't so lucky. As of 2012, an estimated 235 people have died on the mountain.

This infographic, from designer Ed Hernandez, breaks down what happened to them. Some of the causes of death are what you might expect-an avalanche or unexpected fall are the top two causes-but others are more surprising: altitude sickness accounted for nine deaths, while cerebral oedemas-fluid buildup in the brain that happens at high altitudes-killed five people.

Most of the climbers died while climbing back down the mountain, usually in the "Death Zone," which is 8,000 meters up (the mountain itself is 8,850 meters tall) and lethally combines blistering cold, low oxygen, and high elevation.

The infographic calls Everest "the highest graveyard on planet earth." No kidding.
Deaths on Mount Everest infographic visual.ly

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How People Die On Mount Everest [Infographic]

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Avalanches, exposure, heart attacks, and the other tragic ways Everest has claimed climbers' lives.

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7. Woman set to make history on Mount Everest

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7. Woman set to make history on Mount Everest

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Woman set to make history on Mount Everest

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Mountain climber Melissa Arnot joins TODAY from her Mount Everest base camp to talk about attempting to again scale the mountain, but without the help of supplemental oxygen. She'd be the first U.S. woman to complete the dangerous climb.

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8. Avalanche kills at least 12 people on Mount Everest

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8. Avalanche kills at least 12 people on Mount Everest

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The Time I... Climbed Mt. Everest - Disney Channel Official

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4. Autonomous Vehicles: Potential Benefits, Challenges, and Risks

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4. Autonomous Vehicles: Potential Benefits, Challenges, and Risks

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Autonomous vehicles: Potential benefits, challenges, and risks

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Optimists predict that by 2030, autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be reliable, affordable, and common enough to supplant most human driving, resulting in

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5. What do you think about self-driving cars?

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5. What do you think about self-driving cars?

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What do you think about self-driving cars?

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CBC Kids News uses cookies in order to function and give you a great experience. Your parent or guardian can disable the cookies by clicking here if they wish.

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6. VIDEO - The Pros and Cons of Self-Driving Cars

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6. VIDEO - The Pros and Cons of Self-Driving Cars

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7. VIDEO - Self-Driving Cars Need Lessons On Human Drivers

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7. VIDEO - Self-Driving Cars Need Lessons On Human Drivers

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Self-Driving Cars Need Lessons On Human Drivers | Maddie About Science

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8. Self-driving cars: The technology, history and future explained

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8. Self-driving cars: The technology, history and future explained

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Self-driving trucks are on the streets of Toronto

Every week, CBC Kids News takes a deep dive into a topic that's been making headlines. Click the video above or below for this week's KN Explains.

In October 2022, Loblaws started using self-driving trucks to make deliveries to some of their grocery stores in Toronto, Ontario.

That's right - no one is behind the wheel in these vehicles.

It's a first for Canada, but this is just the latest fleet of automated vehicles deployed by California-based company Gatik.

And it's something we're starting to see more all over the world - the rise of self-driving cars and automated vehicles.

But what exactly are they? How do they work? And is it safe to have cars on the road without a driver behind the wheel?

There's a lot to navigate here. Watch the video below to learn more.

KN Explains: Self-Driving Cars ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Have Your Say

This week's question is all about self-driving cars. Share your thoughts and opinions in the form below.

You can read the answer to last week's question here:

﻿﻿Have more questions? ﻿Want to tell us how we're doing? Use the "send us feedback" link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images with graphic design by Philip Street/CBC

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About the Contributor

CBC Kids News Contributor

Isabelle MacNeil is a Grade 12 student from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She started working with KN in 2018. Isabelle loves reporting, hopes to inspire others as a positive role model and believes that giving kids a voice is more important than ever.

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Self-driving cars: The technology, history and future explained

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KN explains self-driving cars, the history and technology behind autonomous vehicles and where they are on the road.

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9. The Pros and Cons of the Self-Driving Car Revolution

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9. The Pros and Cons of the Self-Driving Car Revolution

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According to a new survey by AAA, close to 70 percent of Americans are afraid of fully self-driving cars, reports. This number is up from previous years. The increase, according to the findings, is largely due to the public misunderstanding of self-driving technology and "recent headline-grabbing incidents" regarding self and assisted-driving technology. As technology becomes more advanced, here is a look at both sides of the debate on whether self-driving is the future:

Con: Machines are not as smart as humans

Self-driving systems "simply lack humans' ability to predict and assess risk quickly," explained Nick Carey and Paul Lienert for . The discrepancy would be even higher in "edge cases," or unpredictable systems. The development of automatic vehicles has proven to be more difficult than expected because "the brain makes judgments and assesses probabilities," and "every aspect of that thought process (conscious or unconscious) must be programmed to ensure safety," according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

"We have lots of empirical evidence that humans are incredibly good at intuiting the intentions of others," Sam Anthony wrote for "The perils of lacking an intuition for state of mind are already evident," in self-driving technology, Anthony continued. For now, fully self-driving cars are not possible. Some AV start-ups have implemented " human supervisors" who sit "tens of hundreds of miles away monitoring video feeds from multiple AVs."

Pro: Self-driving cars could make our roads safer

Despite concerns over whether self-driving vehicles could match up to human drivers, a study found that 94 percent of serious crashes in 2017 were due to human error, explained Bernard Marr for Forbes. "Fully autonomous vehicles would take human error out of the equation, thereby making our roads safer not just for drivers, but also passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians," he argues.

Self-driving vehicles have "superior senses" compared to human drivers allowing them to "navigate conditions that would be tricky for humans, such as driving through a fog bank or navigating a pitch black highway," wrote Caitlin Delohery for Utah Business. Given time, automatic vehicles have the potential to become safer than human drivers.

Con: They could cause privacy and security concerns

"A real cyberattack against autonomous vehicles is very much in the realm of possibility," wrote Ines Kagubare for The Hill. If a hacker figures out the system being used by a potential car, they "can now target those cars on the road," said Shane Tews, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise to The Hill. It could allow vehicles to become "instruments of terror."

Aside from the mechanics of the car privacy could also be a concern because "AVs will record everything that happens in and around them," argued The Economist. Self-driving taxis can contain large amounts of information about passengers which "could open the door to segregation and discrimination" and "restrict people's movements."

Pro: They could mark the end of parking problems

The widespread adoption of self-driving cars could lead to an "efficient use of space," especially in congested urban areas, per Charles Choi in IEEE Spectrum. Autonomous vehicle lots "would not require elevators and staircases" and people ... could simply be dropped off ... and let the vehicles park themselves." In turn, "That land could be allocated to other activities - residential space, perhaps, or maybe green areas for everyone," said Sina Bahrami, a transportation engineer at the University of Toronto.

People would likely own fewer cars, opting to "make use of automated ride-sharing or taxi services," argued Marr for Forbes. As a result, there will be "fewer people needing to find a parking space" and "the buildings of the future may no longer be flanked by huge, ugly car parks."

Con: They could cause job losses

The shift to autonomous vehicles could be "costly for some people, especially workers in legacy industries," according to Carolyn Fortuna of CleanTechnica. While there is a lot to gain in a growing new industry, some historic jobs may prove to become obsolete. Investopedia explained how "people who earn their living from driving these vehicles will suddenly find themselves out of a job" and how it would likely "be difficult ... to quickly find new work."

A study published in 2021 found that people "believe governments are not prepared for the transformations AVs will force upon workplace arenas." Fortuna wrote, "Efforts to design new jobs created by AVs should take advantage of the skills that people in the disrupted occupations already have."

Pro: They could be more environmentally friendly

In the future, self-driving vehicles could possibly help to reduce emissions because they "use significantly less gas and energy when driving, compared to a vehicle driven by a human" explained Ashleigh Rose-Harman in Greener Ideal. Also, most of the autonomous vehicles being developed and driven currently "are already fully electric" making them less damaging than their gas counterparts. The development could also lead to people purchasing fewer cars and avoiding "unnecessary overlapping trips that contribute to emissions."

However, the benefit is contingent on whether companies could improve the efficiency of the computing technology at a "significantly faster pace," Soumya Sudhakar, a researcher at MIT, told The Washington Post. "If we get ahead of it, we could design more efficient autonomous vehicles that have a smaller carbon footprint from the start."

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The pros and cons of the self-driving car revolution

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Examining what it would mean to let AI take the wheel

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10.What do kids really think about electric cars and the future of driving?

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10.What do kids really think about electric cars and the future of driving?

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IS THE FUTURE ELECTRIC?

Their answer to this is yes - but with caveats. All the children that visited our friends at Citroën were optimistic about electric cars being the future.

George, 13, thinks that "In the future everybody will have an electric car because it's much more efficient and it's cheaper to refuel. And it's way better for the environment... Although most people get their electricity from the grid, which is mostly non-renewable energy so it still doesn't fix the problem. Not yet, at least. I hope that in future, maybe they could charge themselves? I think they'll have solar panels on the roof."

Connie, 12, tells us that "there will be more electric than petrol cars, in the future. And I think they'll be a little bit smaller but faster. I am looking forward to driving, but I'm a bit scared!"

Billy, 12, has a slightly different take on whether battery electric cars will dominate in years to come: "In 20 years' time, I think cars will look very futuristic. They'll definitely be using hydrogen fuel cells by that point."

WHAT WILL YOUR FUTURE CAR BE LIKE?

Our survey, carried out by YouGov with responses from 1,000 kids aged six to 15 across the UK, also asked children to choose what they'd like in their "dream car" of the future. Their top five priorities were: comfort (54%), good gadgets and tech (45%), speed (44%), ability to fly (40%) and screens in the back (37%). Funnily enough, that top five reflects what Citroën's family electric cars are known for... well, except for the ability to fly (so far).

In our Coventry field test, all of the children are taken with the idea of flying cars in the future, although one bright spark does note that "it might be quite hard to insure a flying car".

Other chief concerns include efficiency and convenience, with many of the kids focusing on ways to make cars kinder to the environment. "I feel like, as cars evolve," says Billy, "they'll become more aerodynamic. Not like Formula One cars, but smoother - because you won't need a big 'box' for the engine any more."

Jake, 12, is keen on autonomous cars. "If you developed robots to self-drive cars, maybe so that they could drive even better than a human, you could just put in a destination like on a nav and the car would take you there. And maybe you wouldn't have to get a driving licence."

"I'd like an evolved version of the Citroën Ami. One that can take more people and go further to a charge!" says one enthusiastic contributor. The tiny Ami really strikes a chord with the kids, who love everything from the moulded plastic storage to the flap-up windows and quirky looks, all of which do give it the air of being a toy car made real. Its originality is a huge hit, as is the comfort of the e-C3: its cushy seats, another student enthuses, "are so comfy I could sleep in there".

So, if you're ever feeling jaded about politics, slightly alarming technical advances, and the general uncertainty of modern life, talk to a 12- or 13-year-old. The future will, suddenly, seem a lot brighter.
To learn more about Citroën's plug-in hybrid vehicles and 100% electric models, head to citroen.co.uk/electric-for-all.html

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What do kids really think about electric cars and the future of driving?

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We invited a group of curious school pupils to explore Citroën's latest electric cars and quiz the experts to see what the drivers of the future really feel about EVs.

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Austin Russell hops on a motorized cart. He speeds through a huge building in California. He passes a mannequin, a tire, and a coworker on a bicycle. They are all part of a demonstration. He wants to show how well his company's sensor × sensor ALEX WANG-GETTY IMAGES a device that detects, or senses, something like light, heat, motion, or physical pressure, and responds by transmitting a signal (noun) A light goes on when the sensor picks up motion. can monitor its environment.

Russell is 22 years old. He runs a company called Luminar. It is building a sensor to help autonomous × autonomous JAE C. HONG-AP having autonomy, or the power to do things independently (adjective) At the restaurant, customers use an autonomous system to place orders. vehicles see. Autonomous vehicles can drive themselves without the help of a human. "It's easy to make an autonomous vehicle that works 99% of the time," Russell says. "But the challenge is in that last 1% of all the different edge cases that can happen."

An edge case is something that is unexpected. It could be a sudden snowstorm. It could be a person stepping into the street. Self-driving cars must "see not just some of the objects some of the time," Russell says. "They must see all of the objects all the time."

Russell is working on a technology known as lidar. Lidar is a short name for "light detection and ranging."

No Single Solution

New cars might have multiple sensors already. But each type of sensor has drawbacks × drawback GETTY IMAGES a disadvantage or problem (noun) A longer drive to work is a drawback of Jane's new job. . For example, cameras are helpful for backing up. But they do not work well in snow or darkness. Radar sensors can keep cars at a safe distance from other cars. But they sense metal better than soft stuff, like people.

Until now, lidar has been very expensive. New companies are racing to make it cheaper. But cheaper lidar must still work well to be used in a driverless car.

Robot cars might never get tired. They might never have a fit of road rage. In those ways, robot cars are better than humans. But the brain still understands a car's surroundings better than any technology can.

Elon Musk owns Tesla. He has argued that advanced radar could do the same job as lidar. Other companies are working to make super-powered cameras.

Experts say autonomous vehicles will have a mix of sensors, just like people. "I wouldn't want to trust only one sense," Andy Petersen says. He works at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. "There are ways you can fool any one sensor," he says. "It would be hard to fool them all."

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Austin Russell hops on a motorized cart. He speeds through a huge building in California. He passes a mannequin, a tire, and a coworker on a bicycle. They are all part of a demonstration. He wants to show how well...

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12. 21 Key Pros and Cons for Self Driving Cars

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12. 21 Key Pros and Cons for Self Driving Cars

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With tens of thousands of people hurt and killed on roadways all over the world, one of the hottest topics for discussion in the automotive industry is about making the driving experience safer for everyone. Although accidents are impossible to avoid because of mechanical error, the promise of self-driving cars is that it could reduce or eliminate the impact of human-caused collisions while we travel.

More than 30,000 people die on the highways, side streets, and residential roads of the United States each year. The vast majority of these incidents are 100% preventable, with the CDC reporting that many of them are due to distracted or fatigued driving.

As the numbers of injuries go up, the push to create safer vehicles continues to increase. Not only do we need to make drives more aware of their surroundings, but we must also improve the technologies which are available behind the wheel to ensure that everyone can reach their intended destination safely.

Self-driving cars solve many of the issues described above. This technology might also create an entirely new set of problems for us to manage over time. That is why the pros and cons of this idea deserve a review.

List of the Key Pros of Self Driving Cars

1. It eliminates the problem of human error while driving.
Computers are the ideal driver because they eliminate all of the bad driving behaviors that humans have when they get behind the wheel. Over 80% of the accidents which occur in the United States are a result of driver error, which means a self-driving vehicle takes a lot of danger out of the transportation equation automatically.

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, 27.8% of accidents are because a driver was going too fast for the conditions or under the influence of drugs, medication, or alcohol. 7.5% of collisions were due to a failure to stay in the correct lane. Another 7% occurred because there was a failure to yield the right of way. Self-driving cars could eliminate all of these issues.

2. Self-driving cars do not become distracted by the conditions.
A computer might not be 100% perfect, but it is far closer to that standard than a human driver could ever be. One of the unique advantages that a self-driving car provides is a lack of distraction when you travel down the road. By using complex algorithms that guide the vehicle in the correct lane, calculate the appropriate stopping distance, and other information that's available while on the road, there is a significant decrease in the risk of an automobile accident when using this technology.

Sharon Heit, who is the mother of a texting-while-driving victim, told the NHTSA this for their PSA with the Ad Council: "In a split second, you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you." Removing the distractions can eliminate the problem.

3. It would increase the speed of our transportation networks.
Did you know that the average American commuter wastes more than a full week in traffic each year? Even with improvements to our transportation networks, drivers in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Seattle can spend over 100 hours each year idling in traffic. Not only does this issue waste their time, but it also contributes a heftier amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to our atmosphere.

Self-driving cars could reduce the problems we have with congestion because each vehicle would be in contact with every other one on the highway. Computers would eliminate the bad driving habits to improve the efficiencies of our current infrastructure. That means everyone could arrive at their intended destination with greater speed.

4. Self-driving cars would create more independence for some communities.
Although self-driving cars cannot eliminate all risks, this technology could provide more independence for people who have a disability severe enough to keep them homebound without assistance. These vehicles could transport people who are blind, deaf, or have a physical disability that limits their ability to navigate a car under its current setup. Instead of relying on paratransit, a caretaker, or the kindness of others, people in this situation could get into their vehicle and tell it where to go.

5. This technology would save millions of dollars each year.
Driverless vehicles would reduce the amount of property destruction that occurs every year due to accidents, collisions with wildlife, and similar expenses that happen during these unexpected circumstances. Over $1 billion could be saved each year in just the United States by transitioning most drivers over to this technology. That would mean lower automotive insurance costs, fewer medical judgments due to damage, and more money that could be used to make investments and build wealth.

6. Self-driving vehicles would help to save a lot of lives.
Adrienne LaFrance wrote in The Atlantic in 2015 that the presence of self-driving cars in the United States could save over 30,000 lives per year. This shift would equal the changes that occurred between the 1970s and 80s, when over 60,000 people died in traffic accidents in the generation before. "Researchers estimate that driverless cars could, by mid-century, reduce traffic fatalities by up to 90%," she writes.

Estimates from 2018 published by ZDNet increase the annual number of people saved to 35,000 per year. Although there could still be computer mistakes or mechanical issues that create problems on the roadways, there would be much less risk getting behind the wheel with this technology when compared to our current situation.

7. It could help the environment in numerous ways.
Self-driving cars often use electricity as their primary fuel source instead of gasoline. That means there would be fewer emissions produced by each car, reducing the amount of pollution that we experience in our urban centers. There would be fewer issues with braking and accelerating because the car's computer would manage everything, enhancing the fuel economy of each vehicle as well. That means we would need less oil, which would reduce our energy needs, and that would eventually help us all to save money too.

8. Self-driving cars would give us a better riding experience.
Drivers get the short end of the traveling experience in the modern vehicle. Passengers now have the option to watch TV, listen to music, or browse the Internet while the person behind the wheel must keep their eyes on the road. When everyone is concentrating on their devices, then there are fewer opportunities for conversation. Self-driving cars would let the driver take part in this entertainment while the vehicle gets you to your destination.

This advantage could help you to be more productive because you could work from your vehicle while it drives you to work. It would reduce the fatigue that occurs when driving during rush hour or over long distances. You could even travel overnight, sleep in the car, and wake up refreshed even though you were are on a long-distance trip.

9. It would reduce the number of car prowls that occur in each community.
When we create self-driving cars, then we are making a vehicle that is highly self-aware. That means it would become almost impossible to steal something from inside the cabin. Various locks and interfaces that incorporate biometrics would keep your valuables protected or prevent an unauthorized person from using the car in the first place. Even if you were in an unsafe neighborhood, the investment in this technology would reduce policing expenses and insurance costs while providing you with a greater peace of mind.

10. We could drive faster with driverless vehicles on the road.
Because computers would be handling the driving responsibilities for long-distance trips, the design of our highway system would support a higher speed limit on straight stretches of road. That means we could arrive at our destinations faster without increasing the risk of an accident. Each autonomous vehicle could calculate its distance between vehicles, determine the highest and safest possible speed, and then work with cabin technologies to ensure every passenger remains safe.

List of the Key Cons of Self Driving Cars

1. There is an increased threat of hacking and sabotage with self-driving cars.
If a vehicle becomes autonomous, then it must have a secure firewall in place to prevent any form of hacking. Criminals could take advantage of security gaps in the programming to create errors or feedback loops that could lead to accidents. There is even the possibility that some could reprogram a vehicle to do whatever they wanted without the consent of the owner.

We know this issue exists because the computer systems on our current vehicles are already susceptible to hacking. Chris Valasek of IOActive and Charlie Miller of Twitter were able to use the latest techniques to take over the electrical system of a Jeep Cherokee without direct access to the vehicle, shutting it down from 10 miles away.

2. It could lead to fewer transportation-related employment opportunities.
If we no longer need drivers to transport goods from community-to-community, then there could be a massive reduction in the number of driving jobs in a community. Everyone from Uber drivers to UPS personnel could find that the efficiencies of automation make them an obsolete part of the labor force. Although the early days of this technology would likely require a driver to be present to manage a potential emergency, there would also be a significant reduction in the number of positions that become available - which means less money coming into the local economy.

3. There would be less eye contact during transportation interactions.
We know that long-distance driving would be safer when using a self-driving vehicle, but would it be as effective for urban situations? If you have ever spent time driving in a large city, then you know that there are numerous close calls between drivers and passengers that occur every day. One of the only ways that pedestrians can sometimes safely traverse a crosswalk is to make eye contact with the driver.

On March 18, 2018, an Uber vehicle driving in autonomous mode hit 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg as she crossed a street in Tempe, AZ. The vehicle continued on after the incident, even though there was a driver behind the wheel as well. This accident caused Uber to suspend its operations in this field in multiple cities.

4. Self-driving cars would be in charge of making the judgment calls.
There are times when a driver must make a judgment call that puts the life of everyone in their vehicle and in others into their hands. Experienced drivers will often know where their path of escape is in any situation, giving them a chance to save lives. Self-driving cars might stop if it can detect an object in the middle of the road, but it may not see the value in swerving to avoid a child rather than put the adult passengers at risk.

Even as AI becomes more adaptable and aware of driving expectations, there is still a real-world human judgment that is sometimes necessary to manage that this technology may be unable to do with our current resources.

5. Weather conditions could impact the quality of autonomous driving.
Self-driving vehicles can perform well when weather conditions are optimal. We have already discovered that night-time sensors may not make the car as effective in an autonomous mode as it would be during daylight hours. There are also questions to consider when precipitation creates adverse roadways to navigate.

Our current system requires the vehicle to track the painted lines on the road to ensure that the car stays in the correct lane. If snow were to cover these lines, then it would be virtually impossible for the computer to maintain full control. That means there may always be an element of human driving that must be present in an automobile, no matter how advanced our technologies become.

6. There is the kangaroo problem which must still be resolved.
When Volvo began to test their self-driving vehicles in Australia, they noticed a unique wildlife problem with their sensors. Technical Manager David Pickett put it this way in an interview with ABC. "When [the kangaroo] is in the air, it actually looks like it's further away, then it lands, and it looks closer."

The reality of our sensor technologies right now is that they are imperfect. We have taken great strides toward creating an autonomous system that can recognize many hazards, but it does not see them all. That is why most automakers are using semi-autonomous features in some models because there is still too much theory and not enough fact available with this technology.

7. Self-driving vehicles create a question of legal responsibility.
When our technologies change, the laws that we have which govern our activities must also adapt to the new circumstances. Most jurisdictions as of 2019 have not passed road laws that govern who is liable for an accident should an issue with an autonomous vehicle occur. In December 2017, a Chevy Bolt driving autonomously hit a motorcycle while the vehicle made a lane change.

GM stated that the Bolt "glanced" the side of the motorcycle. The injured cyclist then filed a lawsuit against the automaker, making it the first of its kind holding the manufacturer responsible instead of the driver for the accident. As this technology continues to improve, we must create rules that govern responsibility to eliminate gray areas in the law where no one might be on the hook if something happens.

8. There is a cost issue to face when implementing self-driving technologies.
When you look at the 2019 auto market, there are semi-autonomous vehicles available from a variety of manufacturers in the $30,000 range. If you want to purchase one that is fully autonomous, then Allstate suggests that the technology could add at least $100,000 to the final cost of the vehicle. Even Tesla's Autopilot system comes in at $10,000 for only that technology.

The average price of a new car in the United States is already unbelievably high. Experian notes that it will cost $34,000 to purchase a vehicle today, even when you look for affordable options. That would likely push the cost of a true self-driving vehicle to over $125,000 - a price that the average middle class family cannot afford.

9. We still do not trust the technology that creates self-driving vehicles.
Only 1 in 5 current drivers say that they would trust their self-driving car to get them to their destination safely. Just 7% said that they would use an autonomous vehicle and trust it without driving it first, providing that it was tested and safe. That's the same number of people who say that they can drive better than any computer or robot every could. Almost 60% say that they prefer to have control of their own car at all times when on the road.

When incidents that cause injuries or fatalities include self-driving technologies, it makes everyone leery about how successful this technology could be. Our tolerance for mistakes from machines is much lower than what we accept from humans already.

10. There could be privacy concerns to consider with self-driving vehicles.
The computer of a self-driving vehicle would be storing plenty of critical data about the habits of each driver. It would keep track of your various destinations, allowing someone to know what stores and businesses you prefer to visit in your community. It would note the times of operation for the car as well, which would indicate when you were away from home. Not only could this help marketers send you targeted information more often, but it could also put your safety at risk should someone access it without good intend.

We already have very few protections in place that guard our privacy, and automakers might make it a requirement that they can sell this collected information as a requirement to complete a purchase.

11. Self-driving cars require other autonomous vehicles to be successful.
A self-driving car can calculate distance and understand speed, but it does not entirely comprehend some of the other signals that you can see while driving right now. What would happen if you encountered a slow driver with their emergency flashers on? How would the vehicle handle an interaction with a car that had its brake or turning indicators failing to work?

This disadvantage is another reason why human insight into the driving process is often the preferred process for most people today. There are times when the eyes can see more than what the sensors detect.

Verdict on the Key Pros and Cons of Self Driving Cars

Self-driving cars are going to be in our future. It is more a matter of "when" than a question of "if" at this point. That means we must prepare ourselves for changes to our transportation networks over the next generation.

Change can be good. Kids from the 1980s can remember how difficult it was to travel across the United States with a 55mph speed limit in place. Now there are higher speed limits and other changes to driving laws that simplify the processes of driving, such as the use of city-wide HOV lanes, express lanes, and distraction avoidance reminders.

The key pros and cons of self-driving cars will help us all to create and embrace this technology in the coming years because we can enhance efficiencies while learning how to manage these changes. By recognizing the potential dangers today, we can create a safer tomorrow.

Author Bio
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.

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21 Key Pros and Cons for Self Driving Cars

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**19. Zoos in the news: Rethinking the Ethics and Safety of Zoos

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Why should we explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent researching something with apparently so few benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth?

Perhaps the best answer lies in our history. What made our ancestors move from the trees onto the plains? Did a wider distribution of our species offer a better chance of survival?

Nearly all successful civilisations have been willing to explore. In exploring, the dangers of surrounding areas may be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, these dangers have the ability to harm us. With knowledge, their effects or consequences may be lessened.

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows new resources to be created. Resources translate into success at survival. Resources may be more than physical assets.

Knowledge or techniques acquired in exploring or preparing to explore always filter from the developers to the general population.

Techniques may be medical applications, such as new drugs or ways of living to increase the quantity or the quality of time lived. Techniques may be social, allowing the people in a society to better understand those within or outside that culture.

ESA's space programme is a strategic asset. ESA does what individual European nations cannot do on their own.

Scientists from European nations can function at world-class level in their specialist fields, in co-operation rather than competition.

By studying alien worlds, such as Venus, Mars or Saturn's moon Titan, we can place our own world in context. ESA's exploration of the Solar System is focused on understanding the Earth's relationship with the other planets, essential stepping stones for exploring the wider Universe.

While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The chance of a large asteroid or comet hitting the Earth is small. But given time, it will happen.

Some explanations for extinctions and evolution include strikes by asteroids or comets. Our technology is reaching the point where we can detect such a threat and might be able to do something about it.

The dangers exist and knowledge can allow us as a species to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

Earth is the only planet known to sustain life, but our ability to adapt could eventually allow us to inhabit other planets and moons.

Our lifestyles would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future. Space allows us to expand and succeed.

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Why should we explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent researching something with apparently so few benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? Perhaps the best answer lies in our history. What made our ancestors move from the trees onto the plains?

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** 20. The Rise of Space Tourism: From Tito to Bezos and Beyond

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** 20. The Rise of Space Tourism: From Tito to Bezos and Beyond

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11. What to know about climbing Mt. Everest

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11. What to know about climbing Mt. Everest

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In the years since human beings first reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, climbing the world's highest mountain has changed dramatically. Today, hundreds of mountaineers manage the feat each year thanks to improvements in knowledge, technology, and the significant infrastructure provided by commercially guided expeditions that provide a veritable highway up the mountain for those willing to accept both the risks and a hefty price tag.

Where is Everest-and how old is it?

Mount Everest-known in Nepali as Sagarmatha and Tibetan as Chomolungma -straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet at the crest of the Himalayan mountain chain. Although reaching the top of the world is an arduous and potentially deadly undertaking due to the extreme altitude, avalanches, icefalls, and other hazards, the mountain lies quite close to the equator, at a latitude of approximately 28 degrees, the same as Tampa, Florida.

Earth scientists estimate that Everest is 50 to 60 million years old, a youngster by geological standards. The mountain was formed by the upward force generated when the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collided, pushing up the rocks that formed the highest mountain on Earth. That force is still at work today, pushing Everest's summit about a quarter of an inch higher each year. (Learn more about how mountains are formed.)

What are the hazards of climbing Everest?

At 29,032 feet, Everest's summit has approximately one-third the air pressure that exists at sea level, which significantly reduces a climber's ability to breathe in enough oxygen. Because of this, scientists have determined that the human body is not capable of remaining indefinitely above 19,000 feet.

As climbers move higher up the mountain and their oxygen intake is reduced, their bodies are increasingly at risk for a number of ailments, including pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, and blood embolisms. The chances of frostbite are also dramatically increased at such altitude as the heart works harder to pump blood around the body delivering oxygen. The life-giving organs are first priority; digits are last.

The vast majority of climbers ascending Everest use tanks of oxygen to reduce the effects of the extreme altitude. However, bottled oxygen has its own drawbacks and risks. For starters, it's expensive, heavy to carry, and empty cylinders are frequently abandoned as litter.

Furthermore, breathing "gas" only increases the relative oxygen to about the same level as the air at basecamp, and if it runs out on summit day, the body might not be able adapt to the sudden lack of oxygen. Lastly, oxygen units are notoriously unreliable, as Everest guide Adrian Ballinger discovered in 2018 on summit day when his team experienced a systematic failure of their breathing systems.

How many routes are there to the top?

Although 17 different routes have been pioneered to the summit of Everest, almost everyone climbs it via one of two routes. From Nepal there's the Southeast Ridge, the line created by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary in 1953. From Tibet, there's the North Ridge, where George Mallory disappeared in 1924 long before a Chinese team finally completed the climb in 1960.

Although experienced mountaineers say the overall difficulty of the two routes is comparable, the challenges are different. On the Southeast Ridge, mountaineers must race through the hazardous Khumbu Icefall, but it's a slightly shorter summit day and easier to descend quickly in the event of an emergency. On the North Ridge, it's possible to drive jeeps all the way to base camp, but mountaineers must traverse several kilometers of terrain above 27,000 feet to reach the summit. (Read about China's highway to Everest.)

How crowded is Everest?

Mount Everest's popularity soared in the 1990s when international guides began to pioneer commercial trips up the mountain. Despite the risks, Everest draws hundreds of mountaineers from around the world to its slopes each year. In 2021, the Nepal Ministry of Tourism issued a record 408 Everest climbing permits, the highest in its history.

Who are Everest's guides?

For local logistics companies and the government of Nepal, Everest is big business. A typical spot on a commercial team costs anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on the level of service and the expertise of the outfitter. The Ministry of Tourism reported collecting $5.2 million in 2018 permit fees.

The industry is built on the backs of a small cadre of professional Nepalese guides who work together each spring to prepare the route with fixed ropes and ladders, stock each camp with essentials like tents, stoves, bottled oxygen, and food, and then patiently coach their foreign guests up to the summit.

Although historically it was the Sherpas-the Tibetan tribe of people who live closest to the mountain-who were hired by expeditions to carry loads of supplies up the mountain, today there are multiple ethnic groups who find employment on the mountain, leading to the less-catchy moniker of "high-altitude mountain worker."

For a typical three-to-four-month Everest expedition, most earn between $2,500 and $5,000. In recent years, thanks to educational opportunities like the Khumbu Climbing Center, Nepalese guides have begun to receive training and certifications to international standards.

How long is an expedition?

The best weather for reaching the top of Everest typically arrives in the second half of May, but preparations for a successful ascent begin months beforehand. Most teams assemble in Kathmandu in late March to begin acclimatization. As they trek toward basecamp, their basecamp support staff and high-altitude workers are already on the mountain, carrying loads and preparing the route to the summit.

In April, climbers make several overnight forays ("rotations" in Everest parlance) to successively higher camps up the mountain to acclimatize, while the first teams of Nepalese guides reach the summit. By the second week in May, teams hope to have an established trail of several miles of fixed ropes leading from basecamp to the summit, with several well-stocked camps along the way.

After a final rest-some teams will even decamp the mountain entirely to spend a few nights at lower elevation for maximum recovery-the summit push normally takes place over an arduous four to five days' round trip from basecamp. If all goes well, most Everest climbers are done with the mountain and on their way home by the beginning of June.

How dangerous is it?

More than 300 people are known to have died climbing Everest, according to the Himalayan Database. The overall death rate-the number of fatalities divided by the overall number of people on the mountain, not just those who summit-is approximately 1.2 percent, meaning that if you try to climb Everest, you have about a one in a hundred chance of dying along the way.

"Statistically, Everest is becoming safer primarily due to better gear, weather forecasting, and more people climbing with commercial operations," says respected Everest chronicler Alan Arnette. "From 1923 to 1999: 170 people died on Everest with 1,169 summits or 14.5 percent. But the deaths drastically declined from 2000 to 2018 with 7,990 summits and 123 deaths, or 1.5 percent." (Read about new safety measure on Everest.)

What's the summit like?

The actual summit of the mountain is a small dome of snow about the size of a dining room table. There's room for a half dozen or so climbers to stand and enjoy the view, although on busy days mountaineers must take turns to truly stand on top of the world.

Is there anything left to explore on Everest?

The last new route to be climbed on the mountain was accomplished by a team of hearty Russians in 2004. While each of Everest's three major faces and ridges have been ascended, there are several intriguing challenges for future mountaineers to attempt, including the unclimbed Fantasy Ridge and the so-called Horseshoe Traverse, an audacious enchainment of Everest and its two neighboring peaks, Lhotse and Nuptse.

"Everest is in many ways still a blank canvas," says alpinist and National Geographic photographer Cory Richards. "It's still as high, cold, and formidable as it ever was. How one chooses to climb it is as much a reflection of creativity as skill. There is always a new way to approach something, and Everest is no different."
Editor's note: This story was originally published on January 22, 2019. It has been updated.

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What to know about climbing Mount Everest

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Find out all you need to know about climbing Mount Everest, from its geology to the cost of climbing the notorious peak.

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Mount Everest Expedition is the dream destination for the numerous mountain nomads from the all around the planet. Each year, it attracts thousands of the climbers who try climbing it and many of them become successful as well. Trekking its base and foothills also one of the most popular activities in Nepal.

"Because it's there," the British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory famously told the New York Times when asked why he was attempting Everest's peak before his 1924 attempt ended in his death. For several others, it can be for the status and prestige that they can proudly say that they have accomplished the journey of the tallest peak of this earth. Wow! What a wonderful feeling.

To further understand why people, attempt the climb each year despite the dangers of going above 26,000 feet-otherwise known as the "death zone"-here are six must-read stories about those who have done it. The very essential reason for many people to undertake the risky and tough summit to Mt Everest is their urge to assume adventures.

Reasons to climb Mount Everest the highest mountain in the world

There are a plethora of merits and demerits of climbing mountains and so does Everest. When we observe all over this earth, we get convinced that there is no dearth of mountains for the mountaineers to climb. The highest mountain in the world delivers you with an implausible adventure. The extreme difficulty level of this mountain also adds value to adventure. Even, many other mountains are more beautiful than Everest and climbing those mountains will be an exciting as well as enjoyable experience. It will be a more challenging experience for mountaineers to climb some of the other mountains.

And the reason is crystal; Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. If one could climb Mt Everest successfully at least once, indeed it will be a great attainment. The experiences that one will have during the Everest summit take him to the summit of his mountaineering activities. Because of their severe urge to climb the highest mountain peak, they are able to balance the risks intricate in it with the victory they will be able to achieve out of their task. Here are the top 7 reasons why people choose to climb Everest.

1. The Physical Health and Fitness Benefits are Huge

Along with the incredible strength and endurance, you will also find that your diet becomes better during the journey. You will find how much endurance is obligatory to walk in the thin year and also will find that unhealthy food will not fuel you properly. The journey includes several hikes, climbs, and expeditions which demand a proper diet. The altitude trains your lungs to become stronger, and the struggle becomes less and less every time you hike. Plus, there's a lot to learn from exercising in nature.

2. You can see places very few get to See

We can observe the mountain peaks from the top of any mountain but you need to reach there by making a lot of effort. There is nothing more to see than standing at the top of the world. When you carve out time and space for a good high-altitude mountain trek, when you make it to the top, there is nothing like reveling in the beauty and rarity of the view. Unless it's foggy or smokey, you're guaranteed to get a breathtaking view that many will never see. Almost half a century mountain peaks can be observed from the top of Mt. Everest, the tallest peak on the planet.

3. You will Meet the most Amazing People who you will call Friends

Everest region is full of adventurers, mountaineers, climbers, and record holders. Most of them are positive, outgoing, and extremely welcoming and share similar goals - to reach the top of the mountain and enjoy a day of exercise and natural beauty.

Spending so much time together and taking in these magnificent places, you will likely make life-long friends. If you're new to trekking or climbing, a great way to find a hiking partner is through alpine clubs, hiking groups, and social media.

4. You will finally Understand why the Mountains Naturally call to you

Mountains are tall, magical, gleaming, and outstanding. They have magic to attract people from the entire planet. Perhaps it is the fact they can be hazardous, or maybe it's their capability to make us feel so small. You might feel that your problems weaken a little when you are around them, or that life slows down a bit. You will sense the urge to return after spending time surrounded by them or climbing them.

5. Climbing mountains will teach you Patience, Persistence, and Gratitude

Climbing mountain can be both physically and mentally exhausting. However, once you reach at the top of Everest (8848.86m), the tallest point on this entire planet, all the roadblocks or struggles you may have had along the way fade and make room for a deep sense of accomplishment. It reminds you to take life one piece and a time and celebrate the peaks whenever possible.

6. They will teach you why we want to protect the environment

Leave NO Trace is one of the most popular slogans in mountain treks/climbs. While spending time in the mountains, you will eventually grow into a space you care about and want to protect. This might This might trigger new gratitude for the efforts we have in place to protect nature. Their beauty often draws a crowd, and it's our accountability to work together and esteem them for future peers to relish. This admiration for the mountains might even trickle into your home life. It may inspire you to adopt more sustainable habits or essentials that don't harm our planet (and even better, seek to improve it).

7. They will teach you positivity

The main cause of failure to climb the mountain is the negative mindset towards the mountain or having failed before the climb. Convincing yourself that you can't climb or achieve it won't make you successful. If you are positive, even if the climb is tough at the moment, you will continue walking there.

For a successful accomplishment, you should tell yourself that I must have 100% dedication to climb this mountain. If you don't believe you can climb the mountain, then you probably never will. You can do more than you think you can, and you just have to trust yourself, believe in yourself and take it one bit at a time, before you know it, you will be standing on the peak.

What do we need to know before climbing Everest?

Achieving the top of Mt. Everest (8848.86m) is a dream for any mountain lover. The tallest peak in the planet offers with plenty of adventures and sceneries. Several things need to be considered while climbing Everest before actually going to climb.

You should have proper use of mountaineering equipment such as fixed ropes, carabiners, jumar, crampons, and ascenders for climbing there. Several sections of the mountain are quite dangerous including the Khumbu Icefall and others which add difficulties to the trip. Steep incline, altitude sickness, and thin air are some of the challenging aspects.

Sometimes, you need to push hard with the help of the fixed lines and ultimately you will walk from the summit ridge to the top which is short and accessible. The longer you spend in the Himalayas, the more chances are of you getting successful. So, proper acclimatization and adapting to the weather and climatic conditions will ensure a successful ascent.

All in all, climbing the highest mountain on the planet is not like walking in the park or beach. Adventurers must consider all the dangers and risks while climbing. Choosing the right company and Sherpa is obligatory for a successful summit.

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This blog gives you detailed information about the reasons behind climbing Mt. Everest.