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This is what makes Mount Everest so special to climb

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Mount Everest is now a bigger draw than ever before. Here are some fascinating facts about the world’s tallest peak.

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10 reasons climbing will make your life better

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10 reasons climbing will make your life better

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For us, the mountains are home. We plant trees for each sustainable essential purchased, so we get to spend a lot of time in the mountains appreciating what they have to teach us. Mountain enthusiast, Katie Goldie, shares her experiences climbing mountains and how they can enrich your life.

1. The physical health and fitness benefits are huge

Not only will you build incredible strength and endurance from climbing mountains (consistently), but you'll also find that your diet becomes better. You're also going to find that unhealthy food will not fuel you properly. The work involved in hiking and climbing demands 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 all can see pictures from mountain tops and long to get there, but it takes effort and planning to make it a reality. 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 revelling 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.

3. You will meet the most amazing people who you will call friends

Hikers and climbers are an awesome group of people. I've found that they're positive, outgoing and extremely welcoming and share similar goals - to get to the top of the mountain and enjoy a day of exercise and nature's beauty. Spending so much time together and taking in these beautiful places, you'll 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 special; they have a magic to them. Maybe it's the fact they can be dangerous, or maybe it's their ability to make us feel so small. You might feel that your problems fade a little when you are around them, or that life slows down a bit. You will feel the urge to return after spending time surrounded by them or climbing them.

5. Climbing mountains will teach you patience, persistence and gratitude

Mountain climbing can be physically and mentally exhausting. But when you reach the top, any 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 you can.

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

Spending time in the mountains, they'll eventually grow into a space you care about and want to protect. This might spark new gratitude for the efforts we have in place to protect nature. Their beauty often draws a crowd, and it's our responsibility to work together and respect them for future generations to enjoy. This respect for the mountains may even trickle into your home life. It might 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

If you have negative thoughts about climbing a mountain, it is probably your one-way ticket to failure. Telling yourself you can't or that it is impossible doesn't help in any way. If you are positive, even if the climb is impossible at the moment, you will continue to try.

I always tell myself I must have 120% determination to achieve this climb. 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.

8. They will teach you to enjoy the small luxuries in life

A gruelling six hours of vertical in the heat and you stop for a water break. It will probably be the best water you have ever tasted in your life. We overlook the small things in life that we take for granted, like water.

When you reach the peak but forgot to bring your extra coat, you will realize how cold the wind can make you and how important the little things are when they are not there. We learn to become more prepared and to respect comfortable things, like not sleeping on hard rocks in the cold, for instance.

9. They will teach you about change and being prepared for change

If you have ever spent time in the mountains, you should know that the weather changes in a heartbeat, so being prepared is key. Every mountain is different, so much of the time, you also have to change your route.

There is never just one way up a mountain, sometimes, the route is many other ways, or something is blocking your way. Mountains will teach you that things are always changing, and you just need to find another tactic to overcome the change.

10. Every mountain will teach you something

I always find that every mountain I have climbed has taught me at least one important lesson. On one rainy climb, I learnt that cameras are not waterproof! Another climb taught me to be better prepared at finding the route (more research etc). Whether they teach you to bring a bivy in case you have to sleep overnight or teach you that proper shoes are essential, you always learn something every time.

Mountain climbing can be the greatest and the worst thing you ever do in life, but at the end of it all, you usually end up wanting more of it no matter what.

(Follow along with my climbing adventures @goldiekatie_)

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10 Reasons Why Climbing Mountains Can Enrich Your Life - THE ENVIRONMENTOR

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Hiker and photographer Kate Goldie share her insight on how climbing mountains can positively impact your life and teach us all something.

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I was just listening to Jon Krakauer speaking about Everest being the biggest mistake of his life. Remember, this is his experience from a climb that was mismanaged, a lot of people died around him and his experience climbing high on Everest under extreme conditions and I agree with what he said. Our experience on Everest will dictate our feelings, emotions and connection to Everest and how we view that long lasting experience.

I can only speak from my experience and Everest changed my life and others around me for the better. You can ask everyone who has climbed Everest about their experience and you will possibly get a different answer from each person. Each person comes from a different set of circumstances, different countries, emotional intelligence, their history, their journey, type of people they are, climbing experience, experience on the mountain and their fears etc... all these and more lead each person to a different personal journey and experience of Everest.

When I climbed Everest. I had a great friend with me. We were climbing to raise money for the Mt. Everest primary school. I had great weather (most of the time) never felt any effects of Altitude. We had an excellent acclimatization schedule that worked really well for me. I had a wide range of climbing experience, I was well trained and I enjoyed the summit of Everest and got back down safely and my unique journey to Everest is still helping people in Uganda and other parts of the world. So I am glad I climbed Everest, but would never do it again.

A guy died in the tent next to us, two people passed us on route to the summit and never came back. I sat beside bodies in the snow and witnessed the worst and best of people. I had some of the lowest moments in my life preparing for Everest. I put my life on hold for two years. I had 12 Euro in my bank account when I left for Everest. I put excess stress on my family and pushed the limits for a dream only I can really understand. These experiences have shaped me and changed me for the better.

In my case the pros outweighed the cons. I have watched the Mt. Everest primary school grow from 80 to 240 students over the last 7 years. They now have professional teachers, kindergarten project, water drinking well, teachers accommodation and developing and growing. I am an ambassador for the charity Fields of Life. I get to speak around the world about my unique journey up Everest and challenge people in the mountains and in the work place. I have climbed Kilimanjaro 30 times, Island peak 15 times,led 30+ treks to Everest Base Camp and 6 of the 7 summits and blessed by the opportunity Everest and climbing have given me.

Everest, the biggest mistake of Jon Krakauer's life. While his experience on Everest was a terrible one. People should not jump on the negative Everest band wagon. While tragedy surrounds Everest: The loss of life, incidents, earthquakes, avalanches, risk and danger associated with Everest are what people focus on. Let us focus on the positive effect of climbing Everest and all the people who have climbed Everest for a cause. Everest has changed so many lives for the better and the positive effects reach right around the world. Join us trekking and climbing for a cause. GET IN TOUCH today and start your journey with us.

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I was just listening to Jon Krakauer speaking about Everest being the biggest mistake of his life. Remember, this is his experience from a climb that was mismanaged, a lot of people died around him and his experience climbing high on Everest under extreme conditions and I agree with what he said.

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Chaos. Carnage. Walking over dead bodies. Corruption. Egos. We've all heard the dark stories from this year's Himalayan season. But is Everest really getting more dangerous? The numbers show a different picture.

Since the days of Mallory and Irvine, peril has always accompanied an Everest expedition. But the public perception of risk soared after 1996, in which eight climbers died in a storm, and the bestseller Into Thin Air described that event to hundreds of thousands of readers. That year also happened to be precisely when the two first big commercial outfitters (Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness) entered the scene.

Four more people perished on the mountain in 1996, for a total of 12, while 98 climbers reached the coveted summit. This gives a summit-to-death ratio of 12%.

This year, 11 people died on Everest, while the number of summits is a whopping 850! The ratio therefore decreased to 1.2%.

The following charts compiled by the ExWeb/AdventureStats team shows that the summit-to-death ratio has been steadily decreasing over the last two decades. The increased use of supplementary O2 and HA Sherpas supplying camps and accompanying climbers, improved equipment, better weather forecasting and enhanced coordination among expedition teams to assist in case of rescue have all helped improve the odds.

Note that the above charts do not count the anomalous years of 2014-15. In 2014, the deaths of 16 Sherpas who were preparing the route through the Khumbu Icefall led to the cancellation of the entire climbing season. Same with the 2015 earthquake. This is not to discount Sherpa deaths, which are included in other years. But because of the cancellation, those two years had zero summits, which would skew the ratio unnaturally.
Causes of death
Those tragic events are, however, included on the graph below, compiled by the Himalayan Database. Because of their different roles on the mountain, working Sherpas and foreign climbers occupy different ends of the chart.

The early pioneers perished mainly in mountain accidents. Lack of weather forecasts, poor route information, inferior gear, virtually no communication and few possibilities of rescue greatly increased the risk of being caught in a storm or an avalanche or falling when a rope broke or a crampon tip snapped.

In modern times, as more people attempt to climb the mountain, altitude sickness and hypothermia have become more prominent. Traditionally, the north side featured a noticeable lower number of summits and greater mortality rates, due to strong northerly winds, higher camps and no chance to be helicoptered out in case of altitude sickness.

Meanwhile, the popular Nepalese side has slowly increased its percentage of casualties from falling seracs in the Khumbu icefall and, this year, too many climbers jamming the upper sections who run out of O2 while waiting in line or collapse from fatigue on the way down.

Both sides have their pros and cons, but technical advances have actually made Everest safer. It's just more crowded.

Incidentally, the worst summit-to-fatality ratio among the 8000'ers remains Annapurna, followed by K2 and Nanga Parbat. Everest sits in 10th position. By this yardstick, only Gasherbrum II, Lhotse and Cho Oyu are less deadly.

About the Author

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Chaos. Carnage. Walking over dead bodies. Corruption. Egos. We've all heard the dark stories from this year's Himalayan season. But is Everest really getting more dangerous? The numbers show a different picture. Since the days of Mallory and Irvine, peril has always accompanied an Everest expedition.

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The 2016 climbing season on Everest has already seen over 350 successful summits, but experienced its first fatalities this weekend. These six deaths (five climbers and one Sherpa, who fell while setting lines) have reignited the passionate debate about who, and how many people should be allowed to climb Everest annually. As an adventure athlete, I'll never understand the allure of Everest for climbers with inadequate mountaineering training. Aside from acts of God, most of the people who die perish not from the technical risks (thanks to Sherpas and guides), but from two external factors over which they have limited to no control: crowds and altitude sickness. Numerous experts cite that larger crowds have led to slower ascents due to line-ups and longer times spent above the death zone (8000 m), thus making climbers more susceptible to fatigue, illness, oxygen depletion, or even bad weather. Is it really that life-changing (should you survive) to stand on top of the Earth's highest point? Is it worth the risk? Perhaps, but I still don't think I'll ever understand the compulsion. While one source I read listed the total death toll on Everest over 280, I couldn't find any statistics on how many climbers have come off the mountain with serious injuries (including frostbite, edema, vision impairment, etc.), but obviously that number will be much higher.

Those who seek to positively change their lives can take on something equally colossal and impactful, but less life threatening. For example, one of my favourite endurance challenges ( Charlie Ramsay Round -- a 24-hour, 100 km fell running challenge in Scotland) has less than 90 successful completions in over 30 years. Difficult? Hell yes. Technical? Absolutely -- there are areas where you definitely need to be paying attention. Fatalities? None that I know of. Of course, fell running is not mountaineering but I'm talking about taking on epic, life-changing challenges that are still difficult, require significant preparation, and lots of luck, but probably won't cost you your life.

Venting, I posted on my Facebook page, and received a slew of feedback, both pro, and con to my position. Ultimately, the purpose of this open dialogue is to gain better understanding of why we do what we do. What drives us? Where are our values? When is a risk too great? Compelling reasons were brought up and debated by friends -- some of which I'm posting here.:

1. Sherpas: One friend commented, " The Sherpa deaths are shameful. Wealthy westerners taking advantage of human life in the 3rd world at its worst." While another replied, "... Obviously I'm in no way saying it's ok to exploit human life. And yes, there are people who treat the Sherpas poorly but the facts are, around 282 people have died on Everest, around 113 were Sherpas. The average income in their countries is around $700 annually and a Sherpa can make anywhere between $3000-$5000 in a single season on Everest. Yes they live in poor conditions but it's still a very sought after job and it provides the Sherpas and their families better lives and more options as far as food, shelter, education and an all around better life. If that's a bad thing then I guess I'm crazy."

2. Addiction: Another friend wrote , " It's very close to (hard) drug addiction. Once we understand that, we'll begin to get the thrill seeking brain. I'm always even more amazed at the individuals who risk leaving behind (or actually do) their young families to pursue these expeditions."

3. Ego: We all search for acceptance and respect, which is reflected in this comment, "... If someone says they have climbed Everest, no one asks "what is that?" It carries a certain level of instant respect. I think that, for some people, is worth any amount of risk. There's really nothing else on earth that equals Everest for the amount of respect you gain for the amount of effort required." Another friend, and very experienced climbing guide chimed on ego with, "Most peoples egos are beyond their capabilities. Alpine climbing is the true test. Not everyone is up for real stakes. In all honesty comparing trail running to mountaineering doesn't really work. One can quit a trail run at any point with pretty much zero consequences. You will be comfy in the little aid station and warm in the back of a van in no time. I would agree that being the 1500th person on the summit is not worth much. There are plenty of First Ascents left in the Andes and Himalaya. These are all near or over 6000m and are either unclimbed or had 1-2 ascents. Plenty of lines left. The real question is what is it worth to be first?"

4. Dreams: Do we have the right to critique the allure of Everest? One friend asked, " Who are we to judge other peoples dreams? It's not for us to decide what motivates or pulls people towards certain things. It's sad, of course, but they died doing something they loved. We should all be so lucky", to which I would answer " Yes, they died doing what they loved, freezing to death on the top of a mountain while other climbers filed past".

To tackle Everest is to court your own mortality in a very real way, and I'm not sure if the majority of summit seekers truly realize this going into it. One quote that resonates with me was shared by another friend and is attributed to the Italian climbing legend Walter Bonatti " Mountains are the means, the man is the end. The goal is not to reach the top of mountain, but to improve the man." I think that if we can approach any and all of life's challenges with this mentality we will be better for it. As for risking it all on Everest - only you know how that will that make you a better person.

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To Climb or Not to Climb Everest: When Is the Risk Too Great?

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The 2016 climbing season on Everest has already seen over 350 successful summits, but experienced its first fatalities this weekend. These six deaths (five climbers and one Sherpa, who fell while setting lines) have reignited the passionate debate about who, and how many people should be allowed to climb Everest annually.

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I almost died on the climb  and I still want to go back

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I almost died on the climb  and I still want to go back

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A long queue of mountain climbers on Mount Everest on May 22. (Nimsdai Project Possible via AP)

For those unfamiliar with the business of Mount Everest, last week's photo showing hundreds of climbers in a dense line snaking up the mountain's southeast ridge on their way to the 29,029-foot summit was a shock. An American named Don Cash died in that traffic jam after being on his feet for more than 12 hours.

Another American who made it to the summit and came down safely later told the New York Times, "It was like a zoo." The Times blamed "fly-by-night adventure companies . . . taking up untrained climbers," the Nepalese government, "hungry for every climbing dollar it can get," and "a growing body of thrill-seekers the world over" for the situation.

To many observers, this wasn't just confirmation of the worst aspects of Everest's reputation; it was a sign that today's Everest climbers represent the height of human stupidity. But the situation on the summit this year is not reason enough to demonize those who were up there or who will go up there in the future.

I've been writing about the world's highest peak as long as I've been a journalist, and I was on the scene at Base Camp, living with the Everest ER doctors, when, in April 2015, a massive earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed more than a dozen climbers - and almost killed me. Yet if someone offered me the chance to go climb Everest in the next few years, I would probably say yes.

That wouldn't mean just paying $70,000 for a one-time adventure. Before climbing Everest, I'd have to take mountaineering courses here in the United States, an expedition to another 8,000-meter peak such as Cho Oyu and months off from full-time work. What's lost in today's conversation about Everest is how much time and effort the majority of climbers dedicate to preparing for their summit attempts.

Everest has had periodic PR crises since 12 people died during the spring of 1996 and Jon Krakauer condemned the commercial guiding industry's foibles in his book " Into Thin Air." Every few years, the cycle repeats itself: Faraway onlookers shake their heads, reporters write about how climbing conditions are worse than ever, and Nepal's government officials, who control access to the mountain's most popular route, make vague statements about imposing new rules.

I came away from my time at Base Camp feeling conflicted: So much obviously unnecessary death has occurred around this place, but, if I had the means, I would go back as soon as I could. For all the bad it brings out in people, Everest will always be an invigorating, awe-inspiring wonder. To see it with your own eyes is a gift; to meet the people of Nepal's Khumbu Valley is to be humbled and befriended in ways you never imagined.

I'm a distance runner, and I believe that, just like climbing Everest, pretty much anyone can run a marathon these days. That doesn't mean running a marathon is easy or perfectly safe. Several people die running in the United States each year, although there's no doubt that climbing Everest is riskier than running 26.2 miles. But both pursuits are fairly irrational, require sacrifices and are not easily understood by those who say, "I would never do such a thing."

Fortunately, if you can't finish a marathon, you're probably not going to hurt anyone else in the process. Ill-prepared Everest climbers compromise the safety of other people on the mountain. That's a real problem that "the beauty and awe of Everest" can't excuse. But it's possible to hold all these thoughts at the same time: Just because a massive feat of physical endurance is achievable doesn't mean it's easy. And just because some people will attempt this feat without proper training doesn't make everyone who does it an idiot. And it doesn't make the pursuit itself stupid.

The Nepali government and certain guiding companies absolutely can do more to keep inexperienced climbers off Everest. The problem is not that too many people want to climb. It's that a few guiding companies are willing to accept clients who aren't ready to do it - and catering to their needs on the mountain is often what leads to deadly traffic jams.

There's a lot to roll your eyes at about the modern Everest experience: the insanely luxurious accommodations some expeditions provide at Base Camp, the high sticker prices, the human waste. The endless superlatives climbers use to distinguish themselves and get funding for their trips: the youngest person, the oldest person, the first person with cystic fibrosis. (I could be the "first woman with Type 1 diabetes.") So much of that deserves healthy cynicism. But the desire to test your own limits by walking to the top of the world on your own two feet remains pretty darn pure.

Kathleen Parker: This South Carolina Republican is off to tackle Everest - then climate change

Allie Ghaman: An attack on one hiker is an attack on us all

Letters to the Editor: We and our siblings exist because of the Wanderbirds Hiking Club

John McKinney: Nature has something to tell us. It's time we listened.

David Von Drehle: Visit some national parks, Trump - and hurry

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Opinion | My trip to Mount Everest almost killed me. I still want to go back.

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For those unfamiliar with the business of Mount Everest, last week's photo showing hundreds of climbers in a dense line snaking up the mountain's southeast ridge on their way to the 29,029-foot summit was a shock. An American named Don Cash died in that traffic jam after being on his feet for more than 12 hours.

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Should an 11-Year-Old Be Allowed on Everest?

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It depends who you ask. But I just can’t wrap my brain around sending a child up the highest mountain in the world.

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On April 18, 2014, an avalanche killed 16 Sherpas on Mount Everest, making it the deadliest day in the mountain's history. But one year later, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake triggered another fatal avalanche that killed more than 20 climbers and shut the mountain down for the 2015 season. During this year's season, at least 11 climbers have died on Everest experts say.

At 29,029 feet, Everest is known for its dangers; that's part of the allure. But in recent years, tragedies have spiked, and frozen bodies scattered across the mountain are an eerie reminder of the growing hazards. So why is the world's tallest mountain claiming more lives than ever before?

1. Climate change makes Mount Everest unpredictable.

Everest tragedies are nothing new; since 1990, at least one climber has died in pursuit of the summit every year. But each climbing season, Everest is getting more unstable. Kent Clement, a professor of outdoor studies at Colorado Mountain College, argues that climate change is possibly the most imminent risk for climbers.

"As temperatures rise, Everest's thousands of feet of ice and water are becoming unstable, making the mountain even more volatile," Clement said.

Collapsing seracs-50- to 100-foot columns of ice formed by intersecting glacier crevasses-are a growing threat. Seracs can stand perfectly still for decades, then spontaneously fall over, killing those nearby and, in some cases, triggering avalanches further down the mountain. Case in point: The deadly 2014 avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas was caused by a serac collapse in the Khumbu Icefall, the most dangerous section of the route up Everest's southeastern face.

As you'd expect, climate-related risks are the new norm. A study in the journal The Cryosphere [ PDF] predicts that Mount Everest's glaciers could shrink by 70 percent this century, making currently unstable sections of the routes even more so.

2. Human biology is at odds with high altitudes on Mount Everest.

In addition to natural disasters, Everest climbers face a number of life-threatening health risks.

In high-altitude settings, there is less oxygen in the atmosphere, and oxygen doesn't diffuse into a climber's blood as well as it would at sea level. That can lead to serious medical problems. The two most common illnesses on Everest are high-altitude pulmonary edema ( HAPE), in which constricted blood vessels cause fluid to leak into the lungs' air sacs; and high-altitude cerebral edema ( HACE), in which fluid leaks from blood vessels in the brain, causing headaches, neurologic dysfunction, coma, and eventually death if not treated (and in some cases, even when treated).

"Altitude illness impacts people in different ways, and we don't really know who is susceptible until they have altitude illness," Christopher Van Tilburg, an expert in travel medicine and a physician Oregon's Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, told Mental Floss. "High-altitude pulmonary edemas can hit people suddenly-even highly trained, fit mountaineers."

3. Neurological and psychological factors can impair Everest climbers' judgment.

Another health risk that affects a climber's cognition is hypoxia, which is simply when the brain doesn't get enough oxygen. According to Clement, hypoxia can drastically impair judgment, making it one of the most dangerous Everest risks.

"The higher you climb, the more your judgment gets impaired," Clement said. "It's amazing how hard it is for smart people to do simple math and memory problems at high altitudes."

In addition to causing treacherous missteps, hypoxia can drive climbers to push harder and go farther than they normally would-but not in a good way. These "cognitive traps" often happen when a climber gets closer to the top and replace logic and safety with stubborn determination, putting everything at risk to reach their goal. Another word for it? Summit fever.

According to Clement, the cure is setting a strict turnaround time: an ironclad moment when a climber promises to turn around and forego the summit to save their life. Turnaround times are decided before setting foot on Everest, and should be agreed upon between climbers, guides, and expedition leaders. But hypoxia, exposure, and inexperience can encourage climbers to ignore the protocol.

"Every time you ignore your turnaround time, you're putting yourself at risk," Clement said. "Professional guides are also supposed to follow these rules, but they get stuck in cognitive traps, too, because the more clients they get to the top, the more clients they'll have next season."

4. Medicine can reduce-but not eliminate-Mount Everest's dangers.

Any climb above 19,000 feet-the altitude known as "the death zone"-will have associated health risks, but there are treatments that can help climbers survive. Medicines include acetazolamide (sold under the brand name Diamox), a diuretic that helps prevent a mild edema, and dexamethasone (brand name Decadron), a steroid used to treat a brain edema and reverse the symptoms of acute mountain sickness. The only true fix for acute mountain sickness is immediate descent.

The best way to stay alive on Everest is proper training, fitness, and organization, but even those steps can't guarantee safety.

"Training doesn't really offset objective hazards like rock falls, ice falls, avalanches, and earthquakes," said Van Tilburg. "And while we have medicine for altitude illness to help people acclimatize, we don't have medicines for the myriad other risks on Everest."

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4 Reasons Why Climbing Everest Is Deadlier Than Ever

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On April 18, 2014, an avalanche killed 16 Sherpas on Mount Everest, making it the deadliest day in the mountain's history. But one year later, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake triggered another fatal avalanche that killed more than 20 climbers and shut the mountain down for the 2015 season.

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Should Kids Climb Everest? | 12-Year-Old California Boy to Climb Everest Next Month - SnowBrains

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12-year-old Tyler Armstrong is currently waiting for the call that will grant him permission to attempt to climb Mount Everest, Earth’s highest and most dangerous peak.

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Two experts weigh in on the pros and cons of trying to send humans to Mars.

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On February 18, NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars. Its mission: to seek evidence of past microbial life. Something may have thrived on the planet billions of years ago. An easy landing was not guaranteed. The rover’s 300 million–mile journey…

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Darrell West describes how the launch of the Perseverance rover and the search for evidence of life on Mars could change how we view the universe.

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Some of the challenges of traveling to Mars

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Some of the challenges of traveling to Mars

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Curious Kids is a series for children. If you have a question you'd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au You might also like the podcast Imagine This, a co-production between ABC KIDS listen and The Conversation, based on Curious Kids.

What are some of the challenges humans will face as we make plans to travel to and explore Mars? - Lynlee, age 10, Arlington, Tennessee.

Hi Lynlee. You're not the only one wondering what a trip to Mars might be like. Elon Musk, a US businessman who has a company called SpaceX, said his spaceship will be ready for short trips to the red planet by 2019.

Meanwhile, the Mars One project, run by a Dutch company, aims to build a permanent human settlement on Mars.

I've worked as a collaborating scientist with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Project for the past 16 years. If you managed to get yourself a ticket to Mars on a spaceship, here's how I'd advise you to prepare.

Read more: An Opportunity for life: finding Mars' most liveable mud

The journey to Mars

You might be travelling with other astronauts in a journey that will take between seven and 12 months, packed in a tight space. So you'll need to stretch and probably find a way to have part of the spacecraft spinning to create artificial gravity. Having no gravity for a long time can cause a lot of painful health problems for astronauts.

Then there's the powerful cosmic radiation that comes mostly from our Sun. It can damage electronic equipment on board and create health problems for the crew. You and the crew will have to solve these problems on your own.

You must know every detail of the spacecraft inside out and draw on your extensive astronaut training to fix problems using only what you brought with you. You may have to 3D print spare parts from materials like titanium (using tech invented by Australia's national science agency CSIRO).

You'll probably also need stuff like carbon fibre, printable solar cells, 3D mapping, robotics and cybersecurity technology. The good news for you is that CSIRO (where I work) is tackling this with its new space roadmap.

Communication will be difficult. Expect any message you send to Earth to take 20 minutes to reach its destination. Video conferencing will not be possible. Social media is still accessible, but tweets or Facebook posts will take 20 minutes to appear and responses from Earth will take up to 40 minutes to arrive.

Life on Mars

If you make it to Mars, the real challenge begins. Gravity on Mars is a fraction of what it is on Earth so everything will seem very light. A thing that weighed 100kg on Earth would weigh just 38kg on Mars.

You will need to live in Mars' punishing environment. Dust storms with winds reaching 400km/h could leave you in the dark for several weeks. It's mostly pretty cold. The temperature variation between day and night is in excess of 120°C.

The atmosphere is not breathable: it is only 1% the thickness of our atmosphere, mostly made of carbon dioxide, argon, and nitrogen with only a small amount of oxygen.

The most interesting challenge, in my opinion, is the Martian day (also known as "sol"). It is around 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth. I had the privilege of working with the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity and whilst doing that I had to live on Martian time.

I arrived at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory every day at 8am (on Martian time). If that was 8am in California, then the next day I had to arrive 8:40am, then 9:20am, 10am, 10:40am. It was like having a summer daylight savings every single day.

Growing plants on Mars is not going to be easy. The soil is really salty and acidic. It is still unclear if we should bring bacteria to Mars to help plants grow (as they do on Earth).

Finally, I would say any mistake in flight or during the exploration can hurt or kill you. The room for error is really narrow.

Why on Earth would you engage in such a dangerous, life-threatening endeavour?

I guess the answer lies in what has made humans explore throughout the centuries. We are always looking for the next frontier.

Read more: Curious Kids: What plants could grow in the Goldilocks zone of space?
Hello, curious kids! Have you got a question you'd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to us. They can: * Email your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au
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Curious Kids: What are some of the challenges to Mars travel?

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I've worked with NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Project for 16 years. If you got yourself a ticket to Mars, here's how I'd advise you to prepare. And by the way, any mistake could kill you.

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What is space junk and why is it a problem?

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What is space junk and why is it a problem?

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In 2009, nearly 500 miles above Siberia, two satellites collided at some 22,300 mph, bursting into a cloud of thousands of pieces of debris. The culprits of this high-speed accident were the inactive Russian satellite Cosmos 2251 and the active U.S.-based communication satellite Iridium 33. Their catastrophic end was the first known time that two satellites collided in space, and a startling reminder of the growing problem of space junk.

More than 23,000 known man-made fragments larger than about 4 inches, which is a little wider than two golf balls across, zip around our planet. But those are just the pieces large enough to track. An estimated 500,000 pieces between 0.4 inches and 4 inches across join those larger fragments.

Most of that debris sits within 1,250 miles of Earth's surface in what is known as low Earth orbit, home to lots of satellites, such as NASA's Earth Observing System fleet and the International Space Station. And while space is big-so even 23,000 fragments tend to be far from each other-even the tiniest bits of man-made flotsam can be problematic for active earth orbiters because of their breakneck speeds.

Space junk can impact other objects at over 22,300 mph, faster than a speeding bullet. Collisions with those tiny pieces often leave pits and dings in the many satellites, telescopes, and other objects orbiting our planet. In 2006, for example, a tiny piece of space junk collided with the International Space Station, taking a chip out of the heavily reinforced window.

What is all this trash?

Space junk has been amassing since the first human-made satellite, Sputnik 1, escaped Earth's gravitational pull on October 4, 1957. The momentous event heralded the start of the Space Age as humans began to explore ever further away from our home world, a feat that has been repeated in more than 4,700 launches around the globe. But that also means we've left our mark on space in the form of trash.

The junk includes the stages from rockets that jettison satellites into orbit and the satellites themselves once they die. But it also includes smaller bits and pieces lost to space including paint chips that flake away from the outsides of devices, nuts and bolts, garbage bags, a lens cap, screwdriver, and even a spatula.

But the number has increased sharply in recent decades thanks to both the 2009 satellite collision and China's 2007 destruction of the Fengyun-1C weather satellite during an anti-satellite missile test. On March 27, 2019, India announced it also successfully completed an anti-satellite missile test, creating a new cloud of at least 400 pieces of debris, which increased the risk of impacts to the ISS by an estimated 44 percent over a 10-day period. (The ISS can be maneuvered away if it's in danger.)

There are a few positives, however, for that particular cloud of space junk. Unlike China's high-altitude test in 2007, India's missile is thought to have targeted a low-altitude satellite, Microsat-R, which means most of this debris is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere over time. Even so, in a town hall following the event, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine called the debris cloud's creation "unacceptable" and added that "when one country does it, then other countries feel like they have to do it as well."

As the skies become increasingly crowded with scientific and commercial orbiters, all nations need to pitch in to quell the growing problem.

How do we know what's up there?

The United States Department of Defense monitors the debris with the Space Surveillance Network. The group is tasked with detecting, tracking, and cataloging the many human-made items swirling around the planet using a global network of telescopes.

Objects about 4 inches across and larger are cataloged and routinely tracked. Objects as small as 0.12 inches can be identified by ground-based radars, allowing scientists to estimate the population with statistics. Estimates for even smaller material come from examination of the divots and pits on returning spacecraft that operated in low altitudes.

Can we stop launching things to space?

While some of the junk will lose altitude over time and burn up in Earth's atmosphere, there's a lot of stuff up there. Even without new launches or major explosions, the space junk already in low Earth orbit is so abundant that it will likely continue to multiply over the centuries as orbiting pieces collide.

Computer simulations of the next 200 years suggest that during that time debris larger than about 8 inches across will increase by 1.5 times. But the smaller particles will increase even more. Junk between 4 inches and 8 inches is expected to multiply 3.2 times and debris less than 4 inches will grow by a factor of 13 to 20. One review of the state of space junk published in Science notes: "In reality, the situation will undoubtedly be worse because spacecraft and their orbital stages will continue to be launched."

We've become increasingly reliant on the growing constellation of satellites up above. Not only are they invaluable for science but we use them for communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and more. So rather than halting future launches, researchers have been investigating an array of methods to both remove and reduce the space junk.

What is being done?

The cadre of concepts in development to control space junk often sound more like science fiction than reality. JAXA, Japan's space agency, is testing an electronic space whip that stretches six football fields long, known as the electrodynamic tether (EDT). The electrified line, nearly 2,300 feet long, is capped with a 44-pound weight. When deployed, it's intended to knock debris out of orbit, sending it to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

And that is far from the only option. Other proposals include giant magnets, harpoons, and nets to safely whittle down the growing debris cloud. Many nations are tackling the problem from the other side of the equation, ensuring that any future man-made orbiters sent to soar above Earth's surface have an appropriate end-of-life plan to limit the growing cloud of debris that envelops our home planet.

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Space junk is a huge problem-and it's only getting bigger

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Hundreds of thousands of man-made objects are zipping around our planet-from dead satellites to errant nuts and bolts, putting our working satellites at risk.

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Ali Sundermier
Ten-year-olds Oliver Blaise and Leonard Gu aren't really sure what they want to be when they grow up.

"I might want to be a scientist," Gu said as he held up a spacecraft made of Legos that he and Blaise designed.

The two boys created the spacecraft for ExploraVision, a Toshiba-sponsored project carried out by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

ExploraVision is the world's largest science competition for K-12 students. It challenges children to envision the technology of the future. The spacecraft earned Blaise and Gu first place in the competition's grade 4-6 category. The boys each received a savings bond worth $10,000 for their invention.

They call it the Hubble NEST (Next Elimination of Space Trash). It's goal: To rid the world of space junk orbiting the planet.

"We both really like space and we were concerned with trash on Earth," Blaise said. "That sort of brought us to space trash. It's a serious problem and nothing is being done about it."

Space trash, or debris, consists of defunct spacecrafts and satellites, abandoned rocket stages, and fragments created from erosion, disintegration, and collisions. NASA is currently tracking more than 500,000 pieces of debris that are the size of a marble or larger, orbiting Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 mph.

And according to NASA, there are more than 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball orbiting the Earth. And that's not including the millions of pieces of debris that are too small to be tracked.

Because they travel so fast, even tiny paint flecks hurtling through space can damage a satellite or a spacecraft.

At first, Blaise and Gu thought about using a net of spider silk and carbon nanotubes stretched between two towers to catch the junk.

"But there's no guarantee it will hit the net," Gu said. "It might hit the towers and damage them."

So, naturally, they moved onto lasers. But even that idea had some issues.

"We know we can disintegrate things," Gu said. "But if the laser hits a large piece of space junk, it's just going to break up into more."

Finally the two young innovators moved onto the Hubble NEST.

"At that time, we learned that NASA was going to decommission the Hubble Space Telescope in literally two years," Gu said. "We both are fascinated by the Hubble, and we love space, so we don't want NASA to decommission it. We thought: Instead of taking a new spaceship to space, let's recycle this and reuse it and that's going to save some money."

The concept is pretty simple: Repurpose the Hubble Space Telescope into a spacecraft that will seek out and eliminate space trash. But there was a major drawback to this plan. The Hubble isn't outfitted with any propellants, so it can't move forward on its own.

So Blaise and Gu decided to pair the Hubble with a flock of flying robots called "sparrow drones."

The Hubble will communicate with these drones, which will be controlled by pilots on Earth, and tell them where the trash is.

Then, the drones will fly in and grab the space trash, either with "beaks," or, if the space trash is abnormally large, with claws or suction cups.

If the space trash is valuable, the drones will carry it down to Earth. If not, they will burn it up in the atmosphere.

Blaise and Gu said that while designing the spacecraft was actually pretty easy, the research was the hardest part. That's because right now, Blaise said, nothing is actively being done about the problem of space trash.

"Literally nothing," he said. "Nada. Just a bunch of ideas."

So even if Blaise and Gu aren't certain what they want to be when they grow up just yet, the world could certainly use creative thinkers like them to go into science. And Exploravision might just give them a nudge in the right direction.

"It taught me a lot about space that I don't think I would have learned if I didn't do this," Blaise said.

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These 10-year-olds want to recycle the Hubble Space Telescope to clean up space junk orbiting Earth

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Ten-year-olds Oliver Blaise and Leonard Gu aren't really sure what they want to be when they grow up. "I might want to be a scientist," Gu said as he held up a spacecraft made of Legos that he and Blaise designed.

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According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there are nearly 2,800 working satellites in space. We depend on these devices for technology we use every day, such as video calls, online maps, satellite TV, and weather tracking. Scientists use them to study space and learn more about our planet.

But there are many other satellites in orbit that are no longer working. They're among the objects cluttering up space. Some of these eventually fall back toward Earth, either landing or burning up in the atmosphere. But much of this space junk circles Earth for decades.

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Space junk is a problem. Debris floating around Earth puts technology and future space missions at risk. Experts are working on solutions. "We still have time to act responsibly," Vitali Braun, an engineer at European Space Agency (ESA), told TIME for Kids.

Trash Trouble

Orbital debris, a type of space junk, is any human-made object that has stopped working but continues to float around the Earth. This includes abandoned satellites and pieces of spacecraft, such as rocket stages. "It's a legacy × legacy TAB1962-GETTY IMAGE carried over from an earlier time (adjective) Grandma's house was a legacy gift. problem," Braun says. "You have a satellite or rocket stages put into space in the 1960s, and they're still there."

Space junk also includes fragments of objects. These occur when satellites collide with things. They also result from an object crashing into an old rocket stage that still contains fuel, causing an explosion. Braun says there have been more than 250 space explosions since the 1960s.

Heather Cowardin works at NASA. She says the United States is tracking more than 23,000 pieces of space debris (see "Too Much Junk"). These tiny fragments can damage working satellites, which can affect research in space.

Cosmic Cleanup

Companies all over the world are working to clean up the area surrounding our planet. Astroscale, a company based in Japan, is one of them. It plans to launch the ELSA-d mission soon. This mission will test the concept of using magnets to collect space debris. Chris Blackerby is Astroscale's chief operating officer.

ASTROSCALE

He says the idea is to get companies to put magnetic plates on satellites before launching them. Then an Astroscale spacecraft could attach to the magnetic plate and remove nonworking satellites from space. Cleaning up space junk isn't easy, Blackerby adds. "We're trying to pick up a piece of trash that's moving at 17,500 miles an hour," he says.

ASTROSCALE

Another mission is led by a company based in Switzerland. It's called ClearSpace, and its work will be supported by ESA. ClearSpace plans to launch a debris-removal spacecraft in 2025. The craft will grab a piece of an old rocket, slow it down, and eject it back to Earth. Eventually, the debris will "burn out like a shooting star," says cofounder Luc Piguet.

CLEARSPACE

Governments are trying to help too. Some are updating their country's space guidelines to limit the amount of debris created. The sustainability × sustainability RADOMIR TARASOV/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES the ability to do something without causing permanent damage to the environment (noun) One way to improve sustainability in schools is for students to bring in a resuable water bottle that they can refill at the water fountain. of space "is not a single-agency or a single-country problem that we can solve," Cowardin says. "We have to work on this together."

Too Much Junk

Thousands of marble-size fragments and millions the size of pencil lead are orbiting Earth. That's according to NASA's Heather Cowardin. Some result from satellites colliding with other objects. Cowardin says fragments can travel extremely fast. And they damage working satellites. That's why cleanup efforts are so important. This chart from ESA shows the increase in space debris over time.

SOURCE: ESA; BORDER ILLUSTRATION BY DREW WILLIS FOR TIME FOR KIDS BASED ON ICONS BY NEYRO2008-GETTY IMAGES

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According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there are nearly 2,800 working satellites in space. We depend on these devices for technology we use every day, such as video calls, online maps, satellite TV, and weather tracking. Scientists use them...

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Is homework beneficial? The pros and cons

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Is homework beneficial? The pros and cons

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It's a question that looms as large as any other in the education world. Alongside standardized testing, charter schools, and other topics of vigorous debate in headlines and classrooms alike: there's no denying that homework is a hot-button issue.

With vocal, informed advocates both for and against homework as a part of the daily academic routine, who's right here? Is homework actually beneficial for kids? And based on that answer, is it necessary?

It's not just about achievement, test scores, and readiness for college and careers. Homework's impact on kids' mental health and non-academic skills also must be closely examined.

Then there's the sheer amount of it in some schools. As kids juggle enrichment activities, jobs, and family time, many parents are asking how much homework is too much homework.

Pros & Cons of Homework

Let's dive into each of these critical questions. Don't worry, we did our homework on this.

Pros of homework in schools
1. Research correlates homework with higher academic success for secondary students.
Duke University analyzed findings from 60 homework-related research studies and found statistically significant evidence that middle and high school students who complete homework regularly will score higher on tests and earn better grades than those who do not.
2. Experts actually agree on the right amount of homework
The " 10-minute rule " is widely accepted as the best measurement of homework in terms of quantity. It goes like this: in 1st grade, kids should have 10 minutes of homework, 20 minutes in 2nd grade, and so on until about 2 hours of homework in 12th grade.

Among many educational experts, the National PTA and National Education Association (parents and teachers) agree that, if these length guidelines are followed, homework benefits students.
3. Homework gives families a valuable window into life at school
It can help parents and families support their children in multiple ways. Homework offers a tangible snapshot into what (and how) kids are learning, allowing parents to engage with their children in meaningful conversations about school.

Points of success and confusion, furthermore, can help parents identify learning needs that need special attention, like gifted and talented programs, special education services, or custom academic support.
4. High quality homework assignments enrich students' learning
There is well-documented evidence that, when designed correctly, homework enriches students' engagement with academic material.

- Overall literacy increases when students are assigned choice reading.

- Math skills increase with independent practice, and technology can help.

-Across disciplines, effective homework assignments increase students' retrieval abilities, aka the ability to remember information and reapply skills on their own.

-Effective homework assignments are a logical extension of the " I do/we do/ you do " teaching model, a widely accepted best practice across disciplines.
5. A solid homework routine helps kids develop life skills
The Duke study mentioned earlier also found that students build important skills like conscientiousness, time management, organization, and prioritization by doing their homework.

There's no doubt about it: kids will need these skills in college, future careers, and to lead balanced, happy lives. By managing homework responsibilities, kids can build vital skill sets like a " growth mindset," Stephen Covey's widely lauded 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids & Teens, and the grit necessary to persevere through challenges.

Cons of Homework in Schools
1. Too much homework is detrimental to students and counterproductive to learning
A "more is more" attitude is demonstrably unhelpful and unfounded in the homework conversation.

It's easier said than done to hit that 10-minute sweet spot across grade levels, and missing the mark is detrimental to students. In fact, studies show that too much homework can undo learning in addition causing mental health issues, which is damaging to children in and outside the classroom.
2. There is a lack of evidence surrounding homework at the elementary level
Educational research has yet to successfully demonstrate a tie between homework and academic success in elementary school.

This raises important questions and concerns about the efficacy of homework for young students. Key among them is the worry that dreading homework from an early age will negatively impact attitudes towards school and learning for years to come.
3. Homework, especially tasks that require/benefit from technology, exacerbates achievement gaps between privileged and disadvantaged students
Think about it. Successful homework completion hinges on things not all students have: quiet, safe space at home, ample school supplies, time after school not spent working/ caring for younger siblings, and internet access (not only for online homework, but research, and more).

The list goes on, so why does the homework brush treat students of all backgrounds the same?

Plus, teachers and other school leaders who make decisions regarding homework don't always understand or adequately weigh these factors. As a result, homework might perpetuate the problematic inequalities that exist in K-12 education.
4. Homework routines increase stress for the whole family
Many families dread "the homework battle," and with good reason. Not all parents have the knowledge, time, or (frankly) patience to be homework monitors, and not all students have the self-regulatory skills to do so themselves.

And then comes the deluge of distractions.

Getting those under control is like a miserable game of whack-a-mole for families and students alike. According to a recent poll, 80% of parents identify distractibility as the #1 detractor from successful homework completion.

The sheer number of distractors (social media, games, apps, texting) that will always be more fun than kids' science homework just seems to keep growing. It's undoubtedly challenging and stressful to deal with these, especially when the homework battle usurps quality time together.

Considerations for Elementary School

There are specific pros and cons of homework in elementary school that are worth reviewing separately here. Like I mentioned, it's worth noting that research is limited regarding the benefits of homework in grades K-4. And for many, "preparation for secondary school" isn't a sufficient reason in and of itself to incorporate it into elementary grades. Throw in the research about how much kids learn through play at this age, and it's certainly worth asking if homework is worth it for younger kids.

That said, the advised amount of time for elementary school kids should be 10 minutes maximum in 1st grade, 40 minutes at maximum in 4th grade, which should not be a challenge for most kids. The question becomes what skills a homework routine adds into the school routine, just as much as what kind of assignments youngsters receive.

Considerations for High School

Kids get increasingly busy in secondary grades (as any parent knows), so the pros and cons of homework in high school become a part of an increasingly complex schedule equation.

Juggling academics, sports, jobs, and other extracurricular activities is no easy feat, and there can seem to be too few hours in a day to get it all done. That feeling already causes stress for many teens, adding to the mental health challenges they often face at this age.

So, what are the benefits of homework in middle school onwards? Research correlates a regular homework routine with increased long-term academic success. Middle and high school are developmentally critical in cognitive growth; critical thinking, planning, executive functioning, and judgement can all be supported by quality homework routine. College and career-bound kids learn all kinds of valuable life skills, and it's an important opportunity to practice the academic skills that become increasingly applicable in real life.

The bottoms line is: at this age, balance matters more than ever.

My take on just how beneficial & necessary homework is:

If I didn't take a stance here, my former students would rightly point out I'm not taking my own advice (and wouldn't pass the rubric I used to assess their writing).

Based on the existing evidence and personal experience, my take is this: academically enriching, developmentally appropriate homework is beneficial to students on the whole.

I also think there is a lot of work to be done to realize these benefits. The evidence clearly demonstrates that excessive or arbitrary homework assignments do more harm than good.

If homework is here to stay, schools need to get to work in improving its quality, implementation, and constant evaluation within the education community. Families need to get involved and step up at-home support.

It's past time to tackle the inequalities the homework issue exposes in public schools among other the many challenges outlined above. It is the responsibility of teachers, students, families, and their school communities to navigate these challenges and maximize positive outcomes for kids.

So what's next?

Glad you asked! A lot needs to happen to make homework actually work for students, so I'll focus on what's within reach for action steps. Here are a few recommendations:

Advocate for quality homework assignments. This needs to be a part of teacher training and professional development as well as ongoing conversations between families and schools. These could well be tough conversations, but they're well worth having.

Talk with your student and school professionals about kids' mental health. In my opinion, this is as important a conversation as any in schools, but it isn't currently given the time and attention it deserves-not even close. Reach out to your child's school to get the ball rolling if needed!

Ask for help! Seriously, don't be shy. Teachers and other school professionals can't drive to your house and supervise homework time themselves, but most would be happy to provide advice and/or resources. They know your child too and can add valuable insight into their needs.

Encourage learning outside of school AND beyond homework worksheets. Seemingly endless/excessive practice of anything will inevitably lead to kids feeling discouraged. Revitalize learning for the whole family with a fun read, interesting documentary, or trip to a museum or park.

It's our mission at iD Tech to help kids thrive, and we love sharing insights with our community along the way to achieving that mission!

For more resources, check out our recent posts on Zoom school etiquette and safety and goal-setting strategies for kids.

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Is Homework Beneficial & Necessary? | Pros & Cons for Kids & Teens

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It's a question that looms as large as any other in the education world. Alongside standardized testing, charter schools, and other topics of vigorous debate in headlines and classrooms alike: there's no denying that homework is a hot-button issue. With vocal, informed advocates both for and against homework as a part of the daily academic routine, who's right here?

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Homework is pointless- what to do about it.

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Homework is pointless- what to do about it.

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Opinion: Your kid is right, homework is pointless. Here's what you should do instead. | CNN

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Homework has the potential to spoil the little downtime we have for one another, becoming another item on a seemingly infinite to-do list. Here's how to deal with the dilemma.

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In July 2017, families in Marion County, Florida, got some surprising news about the school year ahead. "Traditional homework as we know it will disappear, at least for elementary students," school superintendent Heidi Maier said in a voice message to parents. "Instead of working on classroom assignments at home, we want students reading," she said.

More than 20,000 students attend the county's 31 elementary schools. Dara Mehr, a fifth grader, is one of them. Last year, Dara had two or three hours of homework a night. "I would have 12 math questions and six or seven pages of work to do for reading," she told TIME for Kids.

Now Dara's only homework is to read for 30 minutes. She enjoys having more time for activities like painting and playing video games. But her mom, Kayla Mehr, misses last year's assignments. "The kids knew that once they finished those worksheets, they were done," she says, referring to Dara and her sister, Neveah, a second grader. "Sometimes, getting them to sit down and read for 30 minutes is a challenge."

Around the country, in states from Florida to Vermont to California, elementary schools are experimenting with a no-homework policy. Superintendent Maier and other school leaders say the new policy is based on research. Studies have shown that homework does not grades or test scores in elementary school.

Paula Fass is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of The End of American Childhood. She points out that disagreement over the value of homework is not new. "There's been over homework ever since schooling became a requirement," she says.

Support for homework has gone up and down through the years (see "Homework History"). "In the 1900s, a lot of parents thought that homework just occupied children's time [when] they could be doing chores," says Fass. More than a century later, many still question the role that homework should have in kids' lives.

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Finding a Balance

Harris Cooper is a professor at Duke University and the author of The Battle over Homework. He has analyzed more than 50 studies on homework. In his view, homework has a positive effect on achievement. "The effect gets larger as kids move through the grades. But even in the early grades, homework has a positive effect on simple skills." Examples include spelling and math facts.

The National Education Association and the National PTA suggest that students get 10 minutes of homework per grade, starting in first grade. Cooper supports this , known as the "10-minutes rule."

But he warns that homework can have a negative impact as well. "If there's too much of it or if it's too difficult, it can lead to frustration and to kids voicing concern about their abilities," he says. "And that's not a good thing."

Last year, Kelly Elementary School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, made headlines for eliminating homework. Jackie Glasheen, the principal at the time, told ABC News that she wanted kids to have more quality time with family. "We want them to engage with their families, talk about their school days, and go to bed," she said.

But this year, the school has a new principal, Isamar Vargas. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade have homework once again. But they receive only one assignment per day.

Vargas explained that the school takes a balanced approach. "We want to build responsibility and structure," she says. "But we don't want to take away the important time that children have with their families or practicing sports."

Kelly Elementary won't be the only school to experiment with its policies. "One thing you can know is that this is part of a long history of conflict over homework," says Fass, the Berkeley professor. "And that can be expected to continue."

Homework History

Attitudes toward homework have changed throughout U.S. history.

In the coming years, do you think support for homework will rise or fall?

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Early 1900s: A number of school districts pass anti-homework . The goal? To cut down on students' having to memorize information, known as rote learning.

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1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first satellite. The space race is on. Homework for math and science increases.

1966: The National Education Association suggests no homework in early grades and "limited amounts" in upper elementary.

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1983: President Ronald Reagan's Education Department releases a report on problems with schools. It creates pressure to get tough.

1990s: Global competition is on the rise. Support for homework in the U.S. is strong. Elementary students receive more homework than they had in the past.
Assessment: Click for a printable quiz. Teacher subscribers can find the answer key in this week's Teacher's Guide.

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In July 2017, families in Marion County, Florida, got some surprising news about the school year ahead. "Traditional homework as we know it will disappear, at least for elementary students," school superintendent Heidi Maier said in a voice message to...

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EDITORIAL: The importance and value of homework for students

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Homework benefits student learning While some schools are moving away from the assigning homework, it is important that students grow academically outside of the classroom and learn to work independently. As some schools begin to move towards no homework classes, speculation arises on the implications of the

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Should People Be Rewarded For Recycling?

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Should People Be Rewarded For Recycling?

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People are taking a stand against plastic straws. On July 1, Seattle, Washington, became the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Eight days later, Starbucks announced plans to phase out single-use plastic straws by 2020. More companies and governments soon followed.

Plastic is not biodegradable. It is harmful to the environment. Some say banning plastic straws is an important step toward saving our planet, but others think plastic-straw bans are inconvenient, unnecessary, and unfair. Here, two TFK Kid Reporters weigh in.

Yes!
by TFK Kid Reporter Josh Lee, 12 Chicago, Illinois
Plastic straws may help you take a drink without spilling, but the long-term costs are too high. Americans use 500 million drinking straws each day. When they are thrown away, they pollute our landfills and oceans. Marine animals sometimes mistake the plastic for food. There's a viral video on YouTube that shows a turtle with a straw stuck up its nose! It's okay for people to be attached to using straws, but there are good alternatives to plastic ones. People can buy paper or steel straws to carry with them. Many cities across the U.S. have restricted the use of plastic straws unless a person requests one. Passing more laws to ban plastic straws will not solve the problem, but it would be a good first step.

No!
by TFK Kid Reporter Maria Suarez, 1o Bellaire, Texas
Plastic straws should not be banned until we can find alternatives that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and acceptable for disabled people. Why? Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. Without plastic straws, people might use paper straws. But producing paper products uses a lot of energy. Plus, it creates air and water pollution. And paper can be used only once. Plastic can be reused and recycled. My dad and I wash and reuse nontoxic plastic straws. Finally, it is wrong to think that banning plastic straws will save the oceans. Instead, we should teach people to properly dispose of trash so it doesn't end up on beaches or in waterways.

The Next Debate! We want to hear from you! Do we still need daylight saving time? Email your opinion to tfkasks4you@timeforkids.com. Your response might be featured in an upcoming issue.

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People are taking a stand against plastic straws. On July 1, Seattle, Washington, became the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Eight days later, Starbucks announced plans to phase out single-use plastic straws by 2020. More companies and...

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Some schools are giving letter grades an F. In their place, students will get detailed descriptions of their progress. Critics argue that grades don't say much about which skills a student has mastered. After all, grades cover a combination...

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Happy, an Asian elephant, lives at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) says the zoo doesn't provide the space and socialization that Happy needs. The NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court. Its case will be heard in 2022.

The case has restarted conversations about whether or not zoos should still exist. Some say zoos save species from extinction and teach people about conservation. Others argue that living in captivity is bad for an animal's mental and physical health. Here, TIME for Kids readers weigh in.

KELLI NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Grace Hipp, 8 Nashville, Tennessee
Many animal species are saved from extinction thanks to zoos. This past summer, I saw the California condor at the San Diego Zoo and learned about the breeding program there. Several decades ago, these vultures were almost wiped out in the wild. But the zoo has taken some of them in and helped them breed. Now there are many more California condors.

COURTESY WINKI WARRENSON
Yanni Warrenson, 12 San Francisco, California
We should not have zoos. In zoos, animals might not be given proper living conditions. They might also be mistreated for entertainment purposes. Animals can feel stressed by cage restraint, an unfamiliar environment, and the presence of humans. A 2003 study of 35 species of carnivores found that zoo enclosures were too small for some of the animals to carry out their normal routines.

LIFETOUCH PHOTOGRAPHY
Shane Madrak, 10 Foster City, California
We should still have zoos for a few reasons. Zoos provide animals with food and a habitat that is made to resemble their natural habitat. Zoos also breed animals to increase their population. And most zoos have educational programs that help children learn about different animals and conservation efforts.

COURTESY ANNSLEY SLAWSKY
Susie Slawsky, 9 Pelham, New York
Animals are kept away from their homes, where they have lots of space to roam, and put in fenced areas or cages. If it's a crowded day at the zoo, some animals might get overwhelmed. When they're in zoos, they can also lose their natural instincts. If they were released into the wild, they wouldn't know how to survive. An animal's health is more important than our entertainment.

The Next Debate! Should the government set screen-time limits? Email your opinion to tfkeditors@time.com by January 6, 2021 for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue.

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Happy, an Asian elephant, lives at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) says the zoo doesn't provide the space and socialization that Happy needs. The NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court....

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

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The Extreme Sports Addiction [Infographic]

"The more fearful a certain sport makes you, the greater the release of chemicals. The greater the release of these chemicals, the greater the addiction-like symptoms." -Dr. Marvin Zuckerman, Professor Emeritus, University of Delaware CHASING THE HIGH WHAT IS THE E TREME SPORTS ADDICTION? What is it that drives risk-takers to pursue dangerous situations willingly and repeatedly? Who are they and what makes them keep going back for more? Does this "addiction factor" contribute to the advancement of action sports as well? Krush takes you behind the scenes of the extreme sports addiction to give you some answers! WHAT ARE THEY ADDICTED TO? THE ADRENALINE RUSH Adrenaline, aka Epinephrine A hormone released from the adrenal gland in the body when faced with stressful or dangerous situations (fight or flight response), elevating your heart rate and giving you a boost of energy and alertness. It can give people a sense of superhuman strength, HO speed, and other abilities that allow them to respond to traumatic situations. OH но The release of adrenaline (the adrenaline rush) stimulates the brain's reward system, triggering the release of dopamine... THE REWARDING BUZZ Dopamine A chemical in the brain that is responsible for the "high" or euphoric feeling you experience when you overcome danger or perceived extreme risk. When dopamine is HO released it provides feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Chronic risk-takers or extreme sports enthusiasts tend to have a higher saturation of dopamine in the brain. HO DOPAMINE LEVEL IN RISK-TAKERS VS. NON RISK-TAKERS Normal Level Risk-taker -the amount of dopamine released in the brain due to a rewarding experience + "In high novelty-seeking individuals, the brain is less able to regulate dopamine [thus releasing a greater amount], and this may lead these individuals to be particularly responsive to novel and rewarding situations that normally induce dopamine release." -Dr. David H. Zald, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University THE EUPHORIC FEELING DOPAMINE GIVES EXTREME SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WHEN IT FLOODS THE BLOODSTREAM WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE ? "TYPE I" 10-15% | * Type T (for thrill-seeking) personality types of the population are classified as Type T. can be described as "risk-takers and adventurers who seek excitement and stimulation wherever they can find or create it." (Psychologist Frank Farley) * These types of people tend to seek out unique experiences, the theory being that they need to stimulate low dopamine levels. Sensation-seeking trait is about bU% genetic THE DANGEROUS SIDE OF TYPE T PERSONALITIES DRUG ABUSE ALCOHOL ABUSE GAMBLING Using stimulating drugs such as amphetamines or cocaine synthetically raises the amount of dopamine in the brain, producing a short-lived artificial high. EXTREME SPORTS ADDICTION LEADS TO PROGRESSION THE ENDLESS PURSUIT... * Sensation seekers can become addicted to the "high" they get from the adrenaline and dopamine rush. This addiction drives them to chase the next high repeatedly. * Tolerance builds as the body gets used to the same rush over and over, which is why extreme sports athletes are constantly pushing the envelope and upping the ante. "You need risk to trigger reward and the body gets used to risk. In other words, just like drug addicts who need to take more and more of a substance to get back to the level of high they desire, action sports addicts need to up their danger quotient to achieve the same effect." -Dr. Greg Berns, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neuroeconomics at Emory University THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT BIG THING, THE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE TRICK, IS WHAT DRIVES THE CONSTANT PROGRESSION OF EXTREME SPORTS A FEW EXAMPLES... THEN NOW fmx 2X WHAT'S NEXT Ist Backflip Double Backflip 2006 2002 skydiving WIHAT'S NEXT Became a sport BASE Jumping Wing Suit Flying 128,000 ft. jump mid-1950's 2012 snowhoarding Double Alley-Oop Rodeo & Double McTwist 1260 2012 McTwists & 1080's 720's & 900's 1998 2005 3.5x SPINS 2x FLIPS WHAT'S NEXT 15 IL 11.5 t HALFPIPE WALL HEIGHTS HALFPIPE TRICKS & AIR HEIGHT WITH EXTREME SPORTS ATHLETES CONTINUING TO CHASE THE ELUSIVE HIGH AND PUSH THE BOUNDARIES, IT'S NO WONDER WE VE SEEN THE TRICKS BECOME INSANELY MORE TECHNICAL AND THE LEVEL OF RISK RAPIDLY INCREASING. WE CAN ONLY WONDER, WHERE WILL THE EXTREME SPORTS ADDICTION TAKE US NEXT? SOURCES KRUSH K http://www.jneurosci.org http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7802751.stm https://dana.org/media/detail.aspx?id=23620 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748420/pdf/nihms85634.pdf https://dana.org/media/detail.aspx?id=23620 http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-177868123/action-sports-participation-consumer.html http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869106,00.html?iref=werecommend?id=perma_share http://www.livestrong.com/article/532699-dopamine-sports/ http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2008/12/risk-takers-drug-abusers-driven-by-decreased-ability-to-process-dopamine-69546/ -seekers-chasing-a-craving/ w.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-playing-field/200803/the-addicitve-nature-adrenaline-sport .ca/2012/01/thrill- http://www. http://www. http://www.summitpost.org/living-on-the-edge-extreme-sports-and-their-role-in-society/214107 http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13126284 http://www.springerlink.com/content/j7578873352trx0g/ http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/extreme-sports-whats-appeal?page=2 .charlatan. "The more fearful a certain sport makes you, the greater the release of chemicals. The greater the release of these chemicals, the greater the addiction-like symptoms." -Dr. Marvin Zuckerman, Professor Emeritus, University of Delaware CHASING THE HIGH WHAT IS THE E TREME SPORTS ADDICTION? What is it that drives risk-takers to pursue dangerous situations willingly and repeatedly? Who are they and what makes them keep going back for more? Does this "addiction factor" contribute to the advancement of action sports as well? Krush takes you behind the scenes of the extreme sports addiction to give you some answers! WHAT ARE THEY ADDICTED TO? THE ADRENALINE RUSH Adrenaline, aka Epinephrine A hormone released from the adrenal gland in the body when faced with stressful or dangerous situations (fight or flight response), elevating your heart rate and giving you a boost of energy and alertness. It can give people a sense of superhuman strength, HO speed, and other abilities that allow them to respond to traumatic situations. OH но The release of adrenaline (the adrenaline rush) stimulates the brain's reward system, triggering the release of dopamine... THE REWARDING BUZZ Dopamine A chemical in the brain that is responsible for the "high" or euphoric feeling you experience when you overcome danger or perceived extreme risk. When dopamine is HO released it provides feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Chronic risk-takers or extreme sports enthusiasts tend to have a higher saturation of dopamine in the brain. HO DOPAMINE LEVEL IN RISK-TAKERS VS. NON RISK-TAKERS Normal Level Risk-taker -the amount of dopamine released in the brain due to a rewarding experience + "In high novelty-seeking individuals, the brain is less able to regulate dopamine [thus releasing a greater amount], and this may lead these individuals to be particularly responsive to novel and rewarding situations that normally induce dopamine release." -Dr. David H. Zald, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University THE EUPHORIC FEELING DOPAMINE GIVES EXTREME SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WHEN IT FLOODS THE BLOODSTREAM WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE ? "TYPE I" 10-15% | * Type T (for thrill-seeking) personality types of the population are classified as Type T. can be described as "risk-takers and adventurers who seek excitement and stimulation wherever they can find or create it." (Psychologist Frank Farley) * These types of people tend to seek out unique experiences, the theory being that they need to stimulate low dopamine levels. Sensation-seeking trait is about bU% genetic THE DANGEROUS SIDE OF TYPE T PERSONALITIES DRUG ABUSE ALCOHOL ABUSE GAMBLING Using stimulating drugs such as amphetamines or cocaine synthetically raises the amount of dopamine in the brain, producing a short-lived artificial high. EXTREME SPORTS ADDICTION LEADS TO PROGRESSION THE ENDLESS PURSUIT... * Sensation seekers can become addicted to the "high" they get from the adrenaline and dopamine rush. This addiction drives them to chase the next high repeatedly. * Tolerance builds as the body gets used to the same rush over and over, which is why extreme sports athletes are constantly pushing the envelope and upping the ante. "You need risk to trigger reward and the body gets used to risk. In other words, just like drug addicts who need to take more and more of a substance to get back to the level of high they desire, action sports addicts need to up their danger quotient to achieve the same effect." -Dr. Greg Berns, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neuroeconomics at Emory University THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT BIG THING, THE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE TRICK, IS WHAT DRIVES THE CONSTANT PROGRESSION OF EXTREME SPORTS A FEW EXAMPLES... THEN NOW fmx 2X WHAT'S NEXT Ist Backflip Double Backflip 2006 2002 skydiving WIHAT'S NEXT Became a sport BASE Jumping Wing Suit Flying 128,000 ft. jump mid-1950's 2012 snowhoarding Double Alley-Oop Rodeo & Double McTwist 1260 2012 McTwists & 1080's 720's & 900's 1998 2005 3.5x SPINS 2x FLIPS WHAT'S NEXT 15 IL 11.5 t HALFPIPE WALL HEIGHTS HALFPIPE TRICKS & AIR HEIGHT WITH EXTREME SPORTS ATHLETES CONTINUING TO CHASE THE ELUSIVE HIGH AND PUSH THE BOUNDARIES, IT'S NO WONDER WE VE SEEN THE TRICKS BECOME INSANELY MORE TECHNICAL AND THE LEVEL OF RISK RAPIDLY INCREASING. WE CAN ONLY WONDER, WHERE WILL THE EXTREME SPORTS ADDICTION TAKE US NEXT? SOURCES KRUSH K http://www.jneurosci.org http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7802751.stm https://dana.org/media/detail.aspx?id=23620 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748420/pdf/nihms85634.pdf https://dana.org/media/detail.aspx?id=23620 http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-177868123/action-sports-participation-consumer.html http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869106,00.html?iref=werecommend?id=perma_share http://www.livestrong.com/article/532699-dopamine-sports/ http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2008/12/risk-takers-drug-abusers-driven-by-decreased-ability-to-process-dopamine-69546/ -seekers-chasing-a-craving/ w.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-playing-field/200803/the-addicitve-nature-adrenaline-sport .ca/2012/01/thrill- http://www. http://www. http://www.summitpost.org/living-on-the-edge-extreme-sports-and-their-role-in-society/214107 http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13126284 http://www.springerlink.com/content/j7578873352trx0g/ http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/extreme-sports-whats-appeal?page=2 .charlatan.

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The Extreme Sports Addiction [Infographic]

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What is it that drives risk-takers to pursue dangerous situations willingly and repeatedly? Who are they and what makes them keep going back for more?

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Slopestyle can be dangerous. But is it too risky at Sochi Olympics?

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Slopestyle can be dangerous. But is it too risky at Sochi Olympics?

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Opinion: Playing high school football carries a big chance of brain injury

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Opinion: Playing high school football carries a big chance of brain injury

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Overconfidence and a lack of training and a habit of not wearing safety gear, especially helmets, help cause more than 40,000 head and neck injuries nationally a year in sports like skateboarding.

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Choose Your AdventureWelcome to the Outdoors section of Exploration Junkie! Exploration often implies various outdoor activities and sports - on land, in the water, or in the air. And of course, it's also a lot of fun. Develop your outdoor skills now and take your outside experiences to a whole new level!

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Sarah Burke's Death: Extreme Sports Dangers

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Sarah Burke's Death: Extreme Sports Dangers

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/ CBS News

Extreme sports bring excitement, and are starting to draw big bucks.

But are the athletes putting too much on the line?

The daring participants say extreme sports are all about the thrill, the rush of adrenaline they get. They're climbing higher, jumping farther and moving faster, all in the name of personal glory.

Still, when things go wrong, they pay a heavy price.

Humans aren't supposed to fly, but Jeb Corliss comes pretty close.

His extreme exploits have a huge following. One video of him in action alone has gotten almost 9 million views.

Corliss hurt in stunt jump
Uncertainty clouds recovery of skiier Sarah Burke

On Monday, Corliss was seriously injured on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Moments after he stepped off a cliff -- a 3,500-foot drop -- he hit the wall, breaking both his legs. He had to be taken by helicopter to a hospital.

Only a day before that, another extreme athlete, ice climber John Roberts, died after a 60-foot fall in Colorado.

And last Tuesday, free-skier Sarah Burke was critically injured during a training run in Utah.

All of these athletes take risks and are at the leading edge of extreme sports -- a one-time bit player on the sports scene that has exploded in recent years, thanks in part to social media and TV coverage.

The extreme athletes known as "Birdmen" even attracted the attention of "60 Minutes" in 2010.

Sponsorships have helped extreme athletes soar to new heights. Corliss has eight sponsors, including camera company GoPro.

GoPro CEO Nick Woodman says what Corliss does is risky, but not nearly as risky as most people would think, because he's so good at it.

Corliss jumped without permission from South African authorities, a jump that not only put him in danger, but his rescuers, as well -- one of the many reasons why big brands tend to shy away.

"A lot of big brands, (and) rightly so, don't want to take that chance. You don't want to see blood spattered all over a logo that you've invested millions and millions of dollars in," says sports marketer Joe Favorito.

But, Favorito adds, athletes who are determined will find a way. "What they're trying to do is offset costs and take it to another level as, quote, a professional athlete," he said. "And people think, when you're associated with sponsors, that makes you a professional. Sometimes, it makes you become a little more risky."

Professional skier and base-jumper JT Holmes knows how dangerous extreme sports can be. He knew Burke, and watched his close friend, Shane McConkey, die after jumping off a 2,000 ft cliff. Holmes was also the subject of the Steve Kroft "60 Minutes" story on "Birdmen," and was a stunt man for the film "Transformers." Holmes insisted on "CBS This Morning" that he engages in extreme sports because they're "just good, clean fun." He admitted he thinks about the possibility the activities could kill him. "Certainly," Holmes said. "Every single jump, every single ski run, you have to be aware of the (possible) consequences and, if you're going to choose to put yourself in these perilous situations, you need to be prepared."

To see the entire interview, click on the video below.

Trending News

Jeff Glor

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They've become big business, but a death and some injuries have led some to question whether they're worth the money, thrill

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Do you like the excitement of extreme sports? If so, you might be an 'adrenaline junkie'. Find out more about white-water rafting and parkour in this video.

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Is your kid obsessed with becoming the next X Games star, Olympic medalist, or YouTube stuntman? Young kids often have no fear when it comes to taking risks, but are extreme sports like dirt bike riding and bungee jumping dangerous for kids?
Related: Sports Safety Tips for Your Child
Though traditional sports like football, basketball, and hockey aren't exactly going out of style, the world of extreme sports is growing in popularity. Kids and adults alike are participating in increasing numbers in these risky-if not sometimes downright dangerous-sports. But why?

From skateboarding and snowboarding to BMX biking and rock climbing, pop culture and social media have collided to amp up physical activity and make super-sized stunts seem like the norm. Long gone are the days when peer pressure from classmates, neighbors or older sibs drove younger children to drop into a half-pipe or launch their bike off a crazy incline.

Today's kiddos are also influenced by...well, influencers. YouTube stars, TikTok creators, and even Olympic athletes have turned extreme sports from something that only the wildest child would attempt to everyday activities.

If your littles are begging to do extreme sports and you're totally new to these types of activities, read on for more info on the risks, benefits, times to encourage your kiddo, and when to flat out say a big 'ol, " NO."

Extreme Sports Growing More Popular with Kids

Some kids are happier riding their skateboards than dealing with the structure of soccer practice. Others like cruising around on their BMX bikes until their legs just quit, surfing themselves silly, or spending the entire weekend learning new tricks on their inline skates.

Of course, young kids are also attracted to extreme sports because they're cool. And who doesn't like being on the cutting edge? Snowboarding, the bad-boy little brother of skiing, was legitimized by sports traditionalists when it became an official Olympic event at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Fast-forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were actually held in 2021 thanks to the pandemic) and skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing became legit gold, silver, and bronze events!

Studies Show Fewer Kids Are Joining School Sports Teams

Have the days of dribbling a ball down a court or passing a puck gone the way of the dinosaurs? According to stats from Project Play, in 2021 the most popular youth sports for children ages six through 12 were bicycling, basketball, and baseball. Even though more than 5.2 million children biked in 2021, this was a significant change from way back in 2008.

The Project Play statistics show that only 18 percent of children reported bicycling in 2021, while a whopping 27.7 percent got active on two wheels in 2008.

Basketball team play dropped from 16.6 percent to 14.5 percent participation and baseball from 16.5 percent to 12.6 percent between 2008 and 2021. The number of children playing other popular team sports, such as soccer, tackle football, and flag football, also dropped during the same time frame.

Basketball is Less Popular But Bicycling is Big with Teens

The same downward trends didn't happen for teen participation in all traditional sports. Bicycling participation grew from 16.8 percent to 21 percent between 2008 and 2021 and baseball play rose from 8.2 percent to 9.5 percent.

What could account for the overall downward trend in team and individual youth sports play? There isn't one reason. But some of the possible explanations include an increasingly competitive climate, the high cost of intensive travel sports (such as hockey), or interest in other activities -such as extreme sports.

Dangerous Sports: Kids in BMX, Climbing, and Bungee Jumping?!

We spoke to Paul Vail, 29, a BMX freestyle bike rider for more than 14 years to learn more about the kinds of extreme sports kids are trying.

Vail says that when it comes to extreme sports, "Today's kids who've been riding skateboards or BMX bikes since they were 12-year-olds will become the parents who say, 'Yes, skateboarding, bike riding -- perfectly acceptable sports for my kid to do. And don't tell me they have to play football or be on the basketball team to be accepted, because that's no longer true.'"

Vail balks at the term "extreme sports." "People have been skydiving, skiing, riding bikes, doing tricks, and taking jumps forever. I think the extreme sports label is a gimmick. I like the term 'alternative sports'."

Extreme or not, it's important to encourage kids to express themselves physically, whether their athletic tastes are trendy or traditional. Both solo and team-oriented sports can build self-confidence, relieve stress, and promote physical fitness -- all of which are vital to growing kids and adults alike.

Kids in "alternative" sports are expressive, highly skilled athletes. And sports like rock climbing, snowboarding, inline skating, surfing, skateboarding, extreme skiing, and mountain biking (to name just a few), require significant technical ability as well as strength and endurance. Plus, alternative sports can help your kids develop positive qualities like discipline, persistence, and determination.

Kids in Ski Jumping or Snowboarding

BMX, skateboarding, and bungee jumping aren't the only extreme sports kids flock to. Even though ski jumping might seem like a new adventurous activity, it made its Olympic debut way back in 1924.

Of course, this doesn't mean kiddos were climbing up mountains, whooshing down slopes, and flying into the air on two skis a century ago. While this soaring sport isn't exactly new, its youth appeal has spiked in recent years. According to Women's Ski Jumping USA, five to eight years old is the age average for ski jumpers to start the sport!

Like ski jumping, snowboarding is a winter-time extreme sport that has skyrocketed in popularity. Again, snowboarding became Olympic-official in 1998. Almost a decade later, in 2006, then-19-year-old Shaun White made his first bid for the gold. But White certainly wasn't the last teen to take this extreme sport up a level and put it center stage.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Kim became the youngest women's Olympic halfpipe competitor to nab the gold in 2018 at the PyeongChang games. With role models like White and Kim to follow, a whole new generation is getting into the halfpipe!

Not only do today's kiddos follow these, and other top athletes, but during the Olympics, they can watch the extreme antics of snowboarders on YouTube, TikTok, and just about every other social media site.

Kids and Sport Injuries

How dangerous are extreme sports? As a parent, your child's safety is priority number one. And that's why you're not so sure about your kiddo's extreme activities. Even though extreme sports do often come with, as the name implies, extreme risks, these aren't the only athletics that can result in serious injuries.

According to Stanford Medicine Children's Health, each year over 3.5 million children (14 and under) are injured during sports play. This includes more than 775,000 kiddos who require ER treatment. The majority of the injuries requiring hospital-level care are the result of collisions, falls, overexertion (during informal recreational activities) or object-related impacts.

When it comes to the most injuries per sport, football takes the top spot-with nearly 215,000 five- to 14-year-olds treated in hospitals in one year. This number is higher than what you find with some extreme sports. But in general, more children play this type of traditional team sport than engage in extreme activity.

A 2015 study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine looked at the prevalence of head and neck injuries in extreme sports. The researchers found that between 2000 and 2011 there were more than four million total injuries from these types of activities (this includes adult injuries).

Over 11 percent of these were head and neck injuries. Of these head and neck injuries, the extreme sports with the highest number of incidents included skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, and motocross.

Fear is probably the number-one reason many of us avoid taking risks. For athletes in extreme sports, conquering fear is part of the adventure of sport. When a skateboarder is practicing tricks on a 15-foot ramp (commonly called a half-pipe), or a mountain biker is flying down a rock-strewn single-track trail, and he makes a mistake and falls -- well, it's going to hurt a little. Okay, maybe a lot.

But the athletes we spoke to didn't complain about injuries. In fact, most have enjoyed relatively injury-free experiences in their sports. Brian Krause, a competitive skydiver for the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, has taken thousands of jumps out of airplanes without so much as a sprained ankle.

But Matt Donovan, a pro downhill mountain bike racer from Massachusetts, said that when he first got serious about racing, his season was "very injury-laden. I had two concussions, a separated shoulder, a broken hand, multiple cuts, and lacerations. And I cracked a rib."

There are two kinds of sports injuries:

1. Chronic Repetitive or Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries can cause stress fractures, muscle tears, or progressive bone deformities.

2. Acute Injuries

Acute sports injuries occur as a result of trauma from contact with a major force. Acute sports injuries include fractures, broken bones, dislocations, and more serious spinal and brain injuries.

Is It Wrong to Let Children Do Extreme Sports?

Should safety concerns stop your child from trying an extreme sport? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If your adventure-loving kiddo is all about skateboarding, snowboarding, parkour, BMX biking, or any other high-octane activity, you will need to think about:

Your Child's Age and Developmental Level

Is your child developmentally ready to handle the challenge? What is their skill level when it comes to basic coordination and athletic tasks like running, jumping, and balancing? Can you trust them to act responsibly, follow an instructor's directions, and wear safety equipment correctly?

Your Child's Motivation

Does your child want to become the next Tik Tok star? If your tween has dreams of easily twisting a BMX bike around in mid-air like their fave influencer or thinks videos of teens crashing their skateboards into just about anything and everything is hilarious, they may struggle to stay safe while engaging in an extreme sport.

The Instructor or Coach

Who will teach your child about the sport? A YouTube video or IG video are not a substitute for the real deal. Only a qualified instructor or professional should instruct your child.

The Safety Equipment

Do you know what safety equipment your child will need? Will they wear it? You may need to learn more about the equipment standards before you allow your child to participate in extreme activities.

What types of equipment do children need? The specific items depend on the sport. These could include a helmet, shoulder pads, shin pads, elbow pads, or wrist guards.

According to Seattle Children's Hospital, skiers and snowboarders should wear a helmet that meets ASTM, CEN, or Snell standards. Skateboarders should wear one that conforms to the ASTM F1492 standard. Children who ride bikes or scooters should wear a helmet that meets CPSC or Snell standards, knee pads, and elbow pads.

When is an extreme sport too extreme? If you don't feel comfortable with your child engaging in the activity or don't feel that they can follow safety directions, it's okay to just say no. Some sports are not age-appropriate for younger kids, and you should wait until they're a bit older to try them out.

It's also okay to talk to ask questions, talk to a pro, or take your time gathering facts, stats, and any other info about the adventurous activity! Learn more about extreme sports by taking our quiz here.

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Kids and Extreme Sports: Should They Be Allowed?

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Should kids do extreme sports? BMX riders, snowboarders and X Game stars weigh in on the benefits and risks of kids doing extreme sports.

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With Magazines+, you get fresh, high-interest content delivered all year long-in print, online, or both. Every single story, video, and activity is designed to hook your students and keep them engaged. And because Magazines+ complements your curriculum, it's easy to implement during any part of the school day!

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Scholastic Classroom & News Magazines | Subscribe Now!

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Scholastic Magazines+ cover the latest topics to enhance instruction in math, science, reading, social studies, and more! Subscribe Today!

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Slopestyle can be dangerous. But is it too risky at Sochi Olympics?

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Slopestyle can be dangerous. But is it too risky at Sochi Olympics?

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Extreme Sports Facts

Check out our range of extreme sports facts.

Learn about the summer and winter X Games, different types of extreme sports, the surfaces and environments such as water, land, snow and air, as well as lots more interesting facts and information.

Extreme sports, sometimes called action sports or adventure sports, do not have an exact definition but are generally considered to be activities that are seen as having a high level of potential danger.

Extreme sports often involve high speeds, dangerous heights, the requirement for a high level of specialist technical skill, and highly specialized gear or equipment.

Success in extreme sports usually involves judging panels scoring athletes based on visual and technical criteria and completion of a 'trick'.

Height based extreme sports include Bungee jumping, skydiving, BASE jumping, paragliding and hang gliding.

Water based extreme sports include scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding surfing, whitewater kayaking and rafting.

Wheel based extreme sports include BMX, skateboarding, mountain biking, inline skating, rally car and motocross.

Winter based extreme sports include skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobile.

Cliff and cave based extreme sports include rock climbing, ice climbing, caving, free diving, mountaineering and cave diving.

The X Games are an annual extreme sports event, organized by the U.S. sports broadcaster ESPN. Participants compete to win gold, silver, and bronze medals along with prize money.

The first Summer X Games were held in 1995 in Newport, Rhode Island. The first Winter X Games were held in 1997 at Mountain Resort, Big Bear Lake, California.

X Games are typically held in the USA. The winter games are held in January or February and the summer games are usually held in August.

X Games have also been held in Asia since 1998 and Europe since 2010.

The X Games competitions often makes heroes of those athletes who are talented and brave enough to pull of a new and exciting 'trick' such as Tony Hawk's 900 in skateboarding, Travis Pastrana's double backflip in freestyle motocross, Heath Frisby's first snowmobile front flip or snowboarder Torstein Horgmo's triple flip.

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Extreme Sports Facts - Information About X Games, Action Sports & More

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Extreme Sports Facts Check out our range of extreme sports facts. Learn about the summer and winter X Games, different types of extreme sports, the surfaces and environments such as water, land, snow and air, as well as lots more interesting facts and information.

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Where Will Your Plastic Trash Go Now That China Doesn’t Want It?

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Last year, China drastically cut back its imports of plastic waste to recycle. Now the U.S. and other wealthy nations must figure out what to do with their discards.

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California’s bag ban hurting the job market? Video

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California’s bag ban hurting the job market? Video

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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Toronto is banning plastic shopping bags in stores.

Starting in January 2013, you'll have to bring your own reusable bag to the store to cart your goods away.

More than 250 million bags end up in landfill every year, never breaking down into compost, according to a report by CBC News.

Plastic bags can also clog drainage systems and, when they are washed out to sea, can hurt fish and other marine animals.

Plastic bags are banned or restricted in about a quarter of the countries in the world, according to online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

Countries including Italy and South Africa have banned plastic bags. Many large cities have also banned them.

Toronto currently charges five cents per bag-for instance, for people who want a plastic bag to carry their groceries home.

The five-cent fee was put in place to discourage people from using the non-environmentally friendly product. Instead, people are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to stores.

After Ireland put a fee on plastic bags in 2002, 90 per cent fewer bags were used. In 2010 Washington D.C. began charging five cents per plastic bag and that city's consumption of them went down from 22.5 million to three million in the first month.

In Toronto, the plastic bag fee has cut down on the number of plastic bags used by half, according to Metro newspaper.

A ban was not exactly what Toronto mayor Rob Ford had in mind when he brought up the subject at City Council on Wednesday. In fact, he wanted to end the five-cent fee on bags.

However, Councillor David Shiner proposed a very different motion. He suggested Toronto do away with plastic bags altogether.

That motion passed, 24 to 20. Starting on Jan. 1, 2013, retailers in Toronto will not be allowed to give out or sell any plastic shopping bags, including ones that claim to be "compostable or biodegradable."

According to Metro, "Ford appeared upset after the vote, blinking rapidly." Ford said council's decision didn't make any sense, and said he felt the motion will be overturned.

Council also voted to stop the five-cent fee for plastic bags, from July 1 until the ban takes effect. That means stores will be able to hand out plastic bags free in Toronto for six months.

Ford later told a news radio station that he would like to see Torontonians come down to City Hall to protest the ban. He said he thinks the ban is the dumbest thing Toronto council has ever done.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
By Jonathan Tilly

Writing/Discussion Prompt
What do you think should be done about plastic bags. Should they be free of charge, cost 5 cents, or be banned altogether. Make a jot list of reasons to support your answer.

Reading Prompt: Purpose
Use the information in today's article to write a letter to Toronto's City Counsel. OK, now go ahead... and send send it. Let them know what you think!

Primary, Junior, & Intermediate
Identify a variety of purposes for reading and choose reading materials appropriate for those purposes (OME, Reading: 1.2).

Grammar Feature: Verbs
Verbs are action words. Every sentence includes at least one verb. The verbs authors choose help readers understand the text. Underline the "key" verbs in today's story that help you understand it. How do these verbs affect your understanding?

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Mayor Ford is furious that Toronto's city council voted to ban all plastic bags in 2013. Read the facts and form your own opinion! Kids News

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*may be one that you want to steer students toward during Session 12 “Who Said What? Studying Perspective”

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Plastic retail bags - the kind you get from your grocer or at the corner store - are being targeted for bans and taxes in communities around the country, regardless of the unintended consequences. Bans and taxes have a negative impact on working families and seniors on fixed incomes, but they don't help the environment in any meaningful way-in fact they can cause bigger problems.

Banning and taxing recyclable, reusable products doesn't make sense, even in the most well-intentioned scenarios. Keep reading to find out why.

Environment
Plastic bags are the most environmentally friendly option at the checkout. Find out the surprising green truth for yourself.

Recycling
Plastic bag recycling is simple and effective, thanks to thousands of recycling drop-off locations across the country.

Jobs and Economy
Bag bans and taxes make trips to the grocery store more expensive, especially for low- and fixed-income families - with no meaningful impact on the environment to back them up. They also threaten thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Health
Be mindful with your reusable canvas and non-woven bags. Without frequent washing and appropriate storage, reusable bags can harbor dangerous bacteria.

Reuse
Nearly 90% of Americans reuse plastic bags. What do you do with yours?

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Bans and taxes have a negative impact on working families and seniors on fixed incomes, but they don't help the environment in any meaningful way-in fact they can cause bigger problems.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Bei Bei (bay-bay) the giant panda is now over 60 pounds-and growing! But he wasn't always so giant. The one-year-old cub, which lives at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., was about the size of a stick of butter when he was born. Cared for by zookeepers and his mom, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), Bei Bei has spent the last several months going through a major growth spurt.

At birth Bei Bei was blind, furless, and weighed less than a third of a pound. Within 48 hours, white fur began to grow on parts of his wrinkly skin. Two weeks later, dark fur started cover the rest of his body.

Up until then, Bei Bei's mom had been cuddling with the infant almost nonstop to keep him toasty. But Bei Bei's new coat kept him warm enough to allow Mei Xhang to slip out of her den for food breaks. Mei Xhang was never gone for long though. Whenever Bei Bei called out, she quickly returned to nuzzle or nurse the infant.

Bei Bei is now in basic training, learning to come when keepers call to him. Next he'll master standing, lying down, presenting his paws, and opening his mouth on command-all actions that will make it easier for veterinarians and zookeepers to give Bei Bei checkups.

Before long the cub will stop drinking his mother's milk and eat nothing but bamboo. But even as he grows, he'll stay with his mom for another two years. By the time he's four years old, Bei Bei will weigh about 250 pounds. At that point he'll move to a panda reserve in China, where he'll enter a breeding program to help his species survive. No wonder this panda is such a big deal!
Text from "Exclusive: Watch Bei Bei the Zoo Panda Cub Grow Up" by Jennifer S. Holland for National Geographic News, adapted by Allyson Shaw, NG Staff

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See pictures and read about Bei Bei the giant panda cub on National Geographic Kids.

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Zoo Orders Huge Shoes for One of Its Elephants

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Zoo Orders Huge Shoes for One of Its Elephants

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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7 Reasons Why Animals in Captivity Deserve Freedom

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7 Reasons Why Animals in Captivity Deserve Freedom

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7 Reasons Why Animals in Captivity  Deserve Freedom | Animal Videos | Kids Videos | @PETAKids

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Experts say zoos need to better meet the needs of animals. For a mother and kids at the Philadelphia Zoo, in Pennsylvania, it was a close encounter of the ferocious kind. Directly in front of them was a Siberian tiger.…

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Skip to main content

Why Zoos Matter

We at the Saint Louis Zoo are passionate about the work we do. We not only care about the work we're doing, we are fostering animals that are threatened or endangered and supporting their perpetuation into the future.

Making a Difference

The world around us is changing fast. Species of wildlife are facing global extinction on a massive scale. About 41 percent of all amphibian species and 26 percent of all mammals are now threatened with extinction, and fully half of the world's primates - our closest relatives - teeter on the edge of existence. We face the loss of one in eight of all bird species. Overall, the extinction rate has increased a hundred-fold over the last century, and today we estimate that over 18,000 species face oblivion. Zoos are in a unique position to make a difference. Zoos are focused on offering the very best possible nutrition, enrichment and environment for animals in their care.

The many committed people at zoos care deeply about animals, working with an incredible variety of species, from one-celled creatures to elephants. Our research on behavior, reproductive biology, nutrition, animal health and genetics is valuable to wildlife managers, field researchers and other scientists.

For example, the Saint Louis Zoo has been doing a mother/infant bonding study with antelope and other hoofed animals at Red Rocks for 14 years. The data we've gathered - how often and when a species typically nurses, who initiates nursing, proximity, grooming, nuzzling - has provided information to field researchers that would be hard to come by otherwise.

We are animal experts

Zoo professionals are experts on breeding small populations of endangered species. That knowledge, too, has become valuable to scientists working with wildlife populations. Nowadays animals in wild habitats are often found in small, fragmented groups because of agriculture, logging or other human activity.

We collaborate with organizations worldwide on conservation breeding, habitat preservation, community development, public education and research.

Explore our conservation efforts

From Fence to Field

In 2004, the Saint Louis Zoo established the WildCare Institute to work in conservation hotspots locally and around the globe.

From Forest Park and Missouri streams to the Horn of Africa or the coastline of Peru, the Zoo is taking a holistic approach to wildlife conservation. While the Zoo has been involved in helping save endangered species for decades, our goal today is create a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world. Ultimately, we need to help save the ecosystems on which animals and humans depend. WildCare Institute addresses three key ingredients in conservation success: wildlife management and recovery, conservation science, and support of the human populations that coexist with wildlife.

Connecting people to animals

People learn at zoos. They learn in our formal classes, lectures, camps, teacher workshops, distance learning, zoo tours, overnights and outreach programs. Informally they learn from keeper chats, docent volunteers, interpreters, signage and special exhibits. Most important, they learn from observing zoo animals.

On a scale of 1 to 10, our visitors rate their educational experience at the Saint Louis Zoo as a 9.1.

Unique Experiences.

Zoos are a place where families can have unique experiences together every time they visit. Today's families are more conscious than ever of the need to teach their children about the natural world and respect for living creatures.

Why do people come to the zoo?

Why do zoos matter?

Because we care.

We want to keep this planet's amazing wildlife around for future generations.

Donate to our Conservation Fund

If you'd like to contribute financially to our conservation efforts, you can make a donation through the Saint Louis Zoo.

Learn more

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The Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16,000 animals, many of which are endangered, entry is free every day for everyone, an important part of our commitment to people and animals - always.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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*may be one that you want to steer students toward during Session 12 “Who Said What? Studying Perspective”

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This piece is a response to "The Modern Zoo" from the May 2008 issue of Teen Ink. I volunteer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and have gotten to know its keepers, veterinary staff, and other workers. According to the writer of "The Modern Zoo," staff torture animals, do not provide adequate living space, and keep the animals merely to entertain. In my three years of volunteering, I have never seen, nor had any reason to suspect, any foul play at my zoo. The allegations in "The Modern Zoo" that all zoos are inhumane and cruel is false, I believe.

According to the article in Teen Ink, "Zoos claim to educate visitors. Yet we've all seen the one-sentence signs that describe monkeys. What can be learned from this? Certainly not enough to justify inhumane captivity." One-sentence signs are not the end of zoos' efforts to educate. At my zoo an entire department is devoted to educating the public about conservation of animals and our planet. If zoos didn't care about education, why would they have this? While exhibits may display signs with brief information, staff work daily at the zoo to educate visitors about conservation and other critical topics.

Some zoo employees visit schools and businesses to educate the public about how to be more responsible with our environment. This department even organizes conservation projects around Ohio, such as the community effort to remove waste from Big Creek. Volunteers spent a day restoring the creek to a more healthy ecosystem. The zoo is also part of a national conservation campaign called Year of the Frog, dedicated to saving amphibian species from extinction. Zoos put forth tremendous effort to educate people, and to say that they do not is just not true in my experience.

"Zoo animals endure inadequate living conditions with no space," claims the article. It's not fair to make this generalization. My own zoo, for example, is planning a one-of-a-kind, spacious exhibit for its elephants. The exhibit encompasses many acres, and will be large enough to support a breeding population. If zoos didn't care about adequate space for their animals, why would they waste time raising millions of dollars to build this type of exhibit? Also, my zoo cares a lot for its animals; it houses the second oldest hippo in North America and its polar bears are twice the age of those in the wild.

I witnessed a life-saving surgery on a 13-year-old wolf. Veterinarians worked for two hours to save his life. Thirteen is very old for a wolf. Zoos do care for their animals, and do what they can to keep them strong and healthy.

"These animals are simply meant to entertain," claims "The Modern Zoo." That too is false. At the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, animals are never forced to do anything for the sake of visitors' entertainment. We believe in positive animal/ human interaction. Zoo staff never force or coerce an animal due to this policy.

The author of "The Modern Zoo" is obviously very passionate in his opinion about zoos. I am also very passionate. I have not written this to personally attack him. Rather, I am simply stating facts. "The Modern Zoo" paints zoos as cruel, inhumane facilities, but it is both unfair and untrue to claim this about all of them. Many have state-of-the-art veterinary facilities and work hard to save endangered species.

I hope that readers will see that zoos seek to protect and save endangered species, as well as educate and encourage the public to do the same.

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This piece is a response to "The Modern Zoo" from the May 2008 issue of Teen Ink. I volunteer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and have gotten to know its keepers, veterinary staff, and other workers. According to the writer of "The Modern Zoo," staff torture animals, do not provide adequate living space, and keep the animals merely to entertain.

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I would like to begin by defining “zoo.” It is a park-like area in which live animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public exhibit. Hold on, large enclosures? More like tiny cages. As zoo funds are cut, cages become smaller wi

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Are there animal care problems at the zoo

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Are there animal care problems at the 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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*the start of the clip may be one that you want to steer students toward during Session 12 “Who Said What? Studying Perspective”

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Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Save Species

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NC Zoo’s ‘adoption’ program benefits animals, zookeeper training

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NC Zoo’s ‘adoption’ program benefits animals, zookeeper training

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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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Real sanctuaries are safe, comfortable places for animals to live after they've been rescued from not-so-nice places like circuses or laboratories. People can sometimes visit these sanctuaries, which is an awesome way to learn about and see animals without supporting businesses that hurt them, like roadside zoos or wildlife parks. Roadside zoos and wildlife parks use animals to make money. It's confusing because they sometimes call themselves "sanctuaries" or "rescues" to bring in more customers, because they know that people don't want to visit roadside zoos, but they're being dishonest when they do that.

It's important not to get these horrible places confused with actual sanctuaries. But how can you tell the difference? It's easy! There are a few simple questions you can ask about a place to figure out whether it's helping or hurting animals the animals who live there.

You can find answers to these questions by browsing a facility's website and social media pages (your parents can help):

1. How are animals housed?

Real sanctuaries make sure that an animal's living space is as close to their natural habitat as possible. Animals should live with others of their own kind so they can have friends. It's mean to keep them all alone in small, dirty pens with concrete floors and nothing to do-and you should stay away from places like that.

2. What kinds of activities do the animals get to do?

The animals' living area should have lots of ways for them to play and enjoy themselves! For example, there should be a large structure for chimpanzees to climb on, water for bears to soak and splash in, and large fields for roaming and exploring. Animals need these things if they're going to be healthy, happy, and comfortable.

Animals should also live with others of the same species so they can communicate with each another easily and form relationships and groups. In many sanctuaries, the animals who already live there help teach the newcomers how to get back in touch with their natural instincts and enjoy life again.

3. How big is the facility?

Animals should be given enough space to explore, roam, climb, and forage. And a real sanctuary NEVER takes the animals out of the facility to show them off.

4. Are visitors allowed to touch or hold the animals?

True wild-animal sanctuaries (with big cats, bears, primates, or wolves) NEVER allow visitors to touch or hold the animals, even babies, and that includes taking photos with them. This would be scary for the animals and dangerous to the visitors, too!

5. Where did the animals come from?

The animals who live there probably came from a place where they were mistreated, so they have a sad and painful past. The staff will want to share each animal's story so that visitors can learn about the various places that hurt animals (like laboratories, circuses, and roadside zoos). Real sanctuaries provide animals with a permanent home for the rest of their life. They NEVER trade, borrow, or loan animals.

6. Does the facility breed animals?

Sanctuaries NEVER breed animals, meaning that they don't make any of the animals have babies. Places that do breed animals are using them to make money-that's not right, and that's not a sanctuary.

7. What is it like to visit a sanctuary?

Most sanctuaries only allow very limited visits. Usually a guide takes people on a small tour of the place and doesn't let them walk around by themselves.

8. Is it accredited?

True sanctuaries are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), a group that makes sure sanctuaries follow strict rules to protect the animals who live there, like the ones listed above.
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All living, feeling beings deserve a comfortable place to live where people aren't always staring at them. A true sanctuary puts the needs and wants of the animals first. So if you care about animals, NEVER visit a roadside zoo or a wildlife park, and explain to your friends and family why places like that are bad for animals!

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8 Ways to Tell a REAL Sanctuary From a Roadside Zoo | PETA Kids

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Roadside zoo or animal sanctuary? This list will explain the difference-so you can figure out if a place is hurting or helping animals.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Learn more about the Association for Zoos and Aquariums’ members, educational programs, and conservation efforts, as well as the kinds of facilities we support.

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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Newsela | Some clever chimps stage escape at Kansas City Zoo

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It took a branch, a wall, and a smart chimpanzee ringleader to cause a “Code Red” at the zoo.

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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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Primary Kids This way to amazing animal stories, poetry and art and loads more info. Tell us why you love animals, and send us your poems and pictures, too: Age 5 – 7 The Issues. If you’re 5, 6 or 7 years old, and you want to learn some fascinating things about animals, you’re in […]

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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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Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.