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Why war? -Linden

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On February 24, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine. The next day, Russian troops reached the edge of the country's capital, Kyiv. The move came after weeks of Russian troop buildup along Ukraine's borders.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Ukraine's president. He has called on world leaders to provide military assistance and sanctions against Russia. A sanction is a punishment, often one designed to hurt a country economically.

PRESIDENCY OF UKRAINE/HANDOUT/ANADOL AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES

World leaders have condemned Russian president Vladimir Putin for his actions. The United States and many other countries have sent military aid to Ukraine and put sanctions in place. U.S. president Joe Biden called the attacks "unprovoked and unjustified." He has said the sanctions will "impose a severe cost on the Russian economy."

SERGEI GUNEYEV-SPUTNIK/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

"This is a dangerous moment for all of Europe, for freedom around the world," President Biden said at a news conference on February 24.

Crisis in Context

Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe, shares a long border with Russia, and is home to nearly 44 million people. Ukraine was once part of the Soviet Union. So was Russia. Ukraine and Russia became separate countries after the breakup of the Soviet Union, in 1991.

Putin claimed the attack was necessary to protect people in two parts of eastern Ukraine. These regions are controlled by separatist groups. The groups want their regions to break away from Ukraine. Before invading the country, Putin recognized the two regions as independent republics. Other countries have not.

Putin has also accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia's demand that Ukraine be stopped from aligning with them. Ukraine has hoped to join NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty × treaty MEDITERRANEAN-GETTY IMAGES an official agreement between countries or parties (noun) My sister and I signed a peace treaty and promised to quit fighting. Organization. NATO is made up of 28 European countries, plus the U.S. and Canada. And Ukraine has applied to join the European Union. It's made up of 27 European countries. If Ukraine were part of these groups, it would get more direct support.

The U.S. says Russia's claims are an excuse for a wider invasion of Ukraine. "This was never about genuine security concerns," Biden said. "It was always about . . . Putin's desire for empire × empire BETTMANN-GETTY IMAGES a group of countries and territories under the control of a single ruler or government (noun) The original 13 colonies were part of the British Empire. by any means necessary."

The World Responds

SEAN GALLUP-GETTY IMAGES

Large anti-war protests have taken place in cities around the world, including in Russia. Thousands of Russians have taken to the streets to protest their country's decision to invade Ukraine. On February 24 alone, more than 1,700 people across 53 Russian cities were detained by authorities. At press time, protests continue daily.

PIERRE CROM-GETTY IMAGES

As of March 3, more than a million people had fled Ukraine for safety in neighboring countries, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Aid groups are helping Ukrainians (see "Helping Hands"). One is the United Nations Children's Fund. Another, Nova Ukraine, is providing food and medical supplies. Both accept online donations.

KRYSTIAN DOBUSZYNSKI-NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

World leaders continue to show support. As war broke out, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia to end its attacks. "We stand with . . . Ukraine during this terrible time," he said.

Helping Hands

WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

World Central Kitchen is providing hot meals to refugees at border crossings in Poland, like the one shown above. The group is also helping to feed people still in Ukraine.

World Central Kitchen was founded in 2010 by chef José Andrés. On February 27, he posted a video on social media, from the Poland-Ukraine border. "People are cold. . . . They carry with them whatever they can bring," he said. "They have a smile, with hope, when the situation is so dire."

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On February 24, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine. The next day, Russian troops reached the edge of the country's capital, Kyiv. The move came after weeks of Russian troop buildup along Ukraine's borders. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Ukraine's...

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Very simple, very easy, very pretty
>Baldeedeemar

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With any kind of watercolor paint and paper, you can create a handful of mini watercolor flowers. This 9-minute demonstration by artist and art tutorial YouTuber Shayda Campbell shows how a few brush strokes can create roses, black-eyed Susans, berries, eucalyptus leaves, and more.

"These mini flowers are the perfect practice subject to build your confidence and get you painting something you're proud of... Whatever shape emerges when that brush hits the page, just leave it. It's perfectly imperfect."

The video below is a slightly more detailed demonstration with tips on creating 12 different watercolor flowers, including peonies, berries, rosebuds, lavender, and daisies. As with all of Campbell's tutorials, painting is about fun, play, creativity, and connecting with the natural world...

"I think the key with flowers is keeping it a little strange and a little bit it's messy because they're not supposed to look perfect."

As always, keep practicing until you're happy with them.

Watch these related flower and painting videos next:
* How to paint layered petals with watercolors
* Kasey Golden's seven watercolor tips for beginners
* Story of Flowers, a breathtaking botanical animation
* How to see more and care less: The art of Georgia O'Keeffe
* How did Cedric Morris become an artist?
* Tigers in the Jungle, a watercolor demonstration
* Flying a drone over the Netherlands' patchwork quilt of flowers

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How to paint 'perfectly imperfect' watercolor flowers | The Kid Should See This

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With any kind of watercolor paint and paper, you can create a handful of mini watercolor flowers. This 9-minute demonstration by artist and art tutorial YouTuber Shayda Campbell shows how a few brush strokes can create roses, black-eyed Susans, berries, eucalyptus leaves, and more.

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Trippy...could that actually work?
-Corduroy

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Les machines impossible, an animated series for the Centre Pompidou - The Kid Should See This

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What happens to a bowling ball after you bowl with it? How do vending machines really work? What happens to your luggage when you check it in at the airport? What's inside a street organ? In 2017, Centre Pompidou museum approached me to create five short films for their kids web show Mon Œil in...

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When a bald eagle is shot through its wing, Ontario, Canada-based veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford and the team at the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge come to the rescue so that the bird can get back to soaring in the sky.

This four-minute video summary from The Dodo shares how Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet repairs the raptor's fractured humerus, the main bone on the wing that runs from its shoulder to its elbow.

With a few months of physical therapy at the refuge, the bald eagle is able to take to the air, first in large shelters and then out in the wild as it's released over the frozen Niagara River.

More about this raptor from All About Birds:

"Bald Eagles are powerful fliers-soaring, gliding, and flapping over long distances... Capable of floating, a Bald Eagle may use its wings to 'row' over water too deep for wading. Though often solitary, Bald Eagles congregate by the scores or even the hundreds at communal roosts and feeding sites, particularly in winter. These groups can be boisterous, with birds jostling for position and bickering over prey...

"The Bald Eagle's recovery is a spectacular conservation success story, and numbers have increased between 1966 and 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 250,000, with 88 percent spending some part of the year in the U.S., 31 percent in Canada, and 8 percent in Mexico..."

"Once abundant in North America, the species became rare in the mid-to-late 1900s-the victim of trapping, shooting, and poisoning as well as pesticide-caused reproductive failures. In 1978 the bird was listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Since 1980, gentler treatment by humans along with the banning of DDT (the bird's main pesticide threat) have led to a dramatic resurgence. By the late 1990s, breeding populations of Bald Eagles could be found throughout most of North America. In June 2007, the bird's recovery prompted its removal from the Endangered Species list."

Find Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge and Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet on Instagram.

Watch these hand-picked related videos next:
* Releasing Rocky the eagle back into the wild
* Imping an injured owl's wing to make it stronger
* Take a ride on an eagle's back over France's Rhone-Alpes
* An Eagle's Feather, an animation about the mighty Philippine Eagle
* Waddles the duck gets a 3D-printed prosthetic leg

Bonus: Saving the Island Fox.

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An injured bald eagle learns how to fly again | The Kid Should See This

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When a bald eagle is shot through its wing, Ontario, Canada-based veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford and the team at the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge come to the rescue so that the bird can get back to soaring in the sky.

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I can not believe that the wolfs are re listed on the endangered species list! -Linden

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Gray wolves are going back on the endangered-species list. On February 10, a federal judge ruled that the animals still need protection.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the gray wolf from its endangered-species list in early 2021. "The gray wolf has exceeded all conservation goals for recovery," former Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said.

Environmental groups sued. They said the wolf's numbers would keep shrinking. "There are still too many places where the population hasn't come back," Jason Rylander told TIME for Kids in April. He worked with Defenders of Wildlife, a group involved with the lawsuit.

In his recent ruling, Judge Jeffrey S. White wrote that the USFWS "failed to adequately analyze and consider" the impact of delisting gray wolves. The decision affects most of the continental U.S. It will not apply in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. The wolves are already protected in Arizona and New Mexico.

Kitty Block is president of the Humane Society of the United States. She calls the ruling a "monumental victory." Now, she says, the USFWS "must develop a plan for meaningful recovery across the species' range."
Stop and Think! How has TFK covered gray wolves before? Why did the editors decide to write an update now? How might they update the story in the future?

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Gray wolves are going back on the endangered-species list. On February 10, a federal judge ruled that the animals still need protection. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the gray wolf from its endangered-species list in early...

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I don't know why i think this is cool...
-Corduroy

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What is happening in this video? How are these colorful marbles rolling up this cardboard slope? Are unseen laws of physics at play here? Is there something misleading going on? Are the marbles defying gravity?

The YouTube channel Things made of cardboard writes: "I used a little trick to show how easy it is to make a false impression."

Pause after the third yellow marble-around the 50-second mark-to make your guesses before the answer is revealed.

File under illusions, tricks, and perception. Related media literacy videos on TKSST include:
* How to spot a misleading graph
* Why do people fall for misinformation?
* 4 Tips for Making Kids Ad Savvy
* Debunking fake 'kitchen hacks' that have billions of views

Also: It's different from what you expected (Unexpected Outcomes) from Design Ah!

Plus, enjoy a few real marble run videos:
* Making a giant cardboard marble run from scratch
* Andrew Gatt's Ultimate Paper Roller Coaster
* Paul Grundbacher's wooden marble machines
* AlgoLoop, a desktop marble machine toy by Yosuke Ikeda
* How to make a steel track marble run, a step-by-step guide

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The Strange Gravity | The Kid Should See This

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What is happening in this video? How are these colorful marbles rolling up this cardboard slope? Are unseen laws of physics at play here? Is there something misleading going on? Are the marbles defying gravity? The YouTube channel Things made of cardboard writes: "I used a little trick to show how easy it is to make a false impression."

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its really maddening how slow it is, but also really satisfying to watch, -Corduroy

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Caterpillar machines by kinetic artist Reuben Margolin | The Kid Should See This

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This 18-foot-long, battery-powered Caterpillar with Chariot (2018) was handmade over the course of one year by Emeryville-based kinetic artist Reuben

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something so simple yet so creative -Baldemar

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These kawaii donut animal stamps were carved out of a plastic Pentel Hi-Polymer block eraser, demonstrating how small components can add up to create cute and modular illustrations.

The ParadeMade YouTube channel 's creator Jiahui Zheng documents how she cuts each simple piece, starting with a template, and then using ink color and a black pen to define the finishing touches. The final donut animal illustrations include a pig, a frog, a koala, a bear, and a cat.

These donut animal design tips can be used with any material or can be free-drawn with crayons, color pencils, or other available tools.

Pentel Hi-Polymer erasers contain Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic. To work with a more environmentally friendly material, look for an eraser that's PVC-free or recycled rubber, or start with a biodegradable material like potatoes, cardboard, plywood, or battleship gray linoleum.

Previously from ParadeMade: Carving greenhouse, plant, and flower rubber stamps.

Try these crafty projects next:
* Making Space and art with illustrator Christian Robinson
* Painting fireworks with a toilet roll tube
* DIY Bookbinding: Make a sketchbook with a cereal box, paper, and thread

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DIY kawaii donut animal stamps made with an eraser | The Kid Should See This

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These kawaii donut animal stamps were carved out of a plastic Pentel Hi-Polymer block eraser, demonstrating how small components can add up to create cute and modular illustrations. The ParadeMade YouTube channel 's creator Jiahui Zheng documents how she cuts each simple piece, starting with a template, and then using ink color and a black pen to define the finishing touches.

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look how much teamwork and effort this took - Baldemar

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"Idea: 3 second animation of a ball. Pass it to someone in another country. They pick up where you left off."

This is the concept that director and animator Nathan Boey introduced to 40 animators around the globe. The result: Pass the Ball, a screen-linked animation composed of 40 three-second segments that feature 40 different styles. The experimental short's collaborative form took 40 months to complete.

"Animators (in order): Nathan Boey, Podenco, Leo Franchi, Vincenzo Lodigiani, Mario Forero, Kaho, Dina Amin, Vickie J Boschiero, Vincent Raineri, Caroline Kjellberg, John Kim, Mert Kizilay, Ilgi Candar Dyer, David Rowley, Wendy Eduarte, Morgan O'Brien, Marcus Bakke, Steve Savalle, Allen Laseter, Andy Gregg, Jaren Tigani, Alex Delker, Tushar Pandey, Ameen, Vishal Varghese, Gaurav Chandrakar, Yat Fung Leung, Lego Lam, Knifeson Yu, Sabine Volkert, Ivyy Chen, Tung Wu, Jin Shen Wong, Brandon Kisereu, Salman Hashmi, Ryan Kane, H. Kristen Campbell, Joe Bichard, Nicholas Luchak, Serkan Goncagul"

Watch more animation work from previously mentioned stop-motion animator Dina Amin on TKSST.

Then, watch these related animations:
* Preschool Poets: Animated shorts based on poems by 4 & 5-year-olds
* Matches, inventive stop motion studies by Tomohiro Okazaki
* White Out, an abstract watercolor animation by Jeff Scher
* Dance of Harmony, an animated synesthetic voyage
* Making art with everyday objects: Christoph Niemann
* Pen Point Percussion and Dots: Norman McLaren

via Colossal.

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Pass the Ball, a collaborative animation by 40 animators around the globe | The Kid Should See This

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"Idea: 3 second animation of a ball. Pass it to someone in another country. They pick up where you left off." This is the concept that director and animator Nathan Boey introduced to 40 animators around the globe. The result: Pass the Ball, a screen-linked animation composed of 40 three-second segments that feature 40 different styles.

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these ants are fixing a tree-Quincy

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The Azteca alfari ants fiercely protect the Cecropia trees, which provide them with food and shelter (Credit: Donna Conlon/ stri.si.edu)

Ants are known to undergo extreme measures to save their own. Past studies have shown the industrious insects carrying wounded comrades back to the nest to heal and even exploding and sacrificing themselves to save their colonies from predators. Now, a team of young researchers in Panama has found an empathetic ant species that rapidly repair any damage to its host tree.

The events leading to the amazing discovery began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-2020. To pass time during the lockdown, Alex Wcislo and his friends decided to shoot clay balls at trees with a slingshot. They targeted the flat, broad leaves of the slender Cecropia trees to make the task more challenging. Things were going well until one of the 9 mm (0.35 inch) clay balls accidentally hit the tree trunk, leaving a clean exit and entry wound.

Alex Wcislo and his team of young researchers study Cecropia trees in Panama (Credit: Donna Conlon/ stri.si.edu)

Concerned that he had caused permanent damage, Alex returned to examine the tree the following morning. He was accompanied by his father, William Wcislo, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). To their surprise, the hole had been completely patched up! Curious to find out what was going on, Alex and his friends enlisted in the STRI's volunteer program. After setting up the experiment parameters with William, the teens got to work.

They drilled holes in the Cecropia trees in the vicinity and then carefully documented what followed. The young scientists found that in 14 of the 22 cases, swarms of Azteca alfari ants instantly congregated in the damaged area. The hardworking insects instantly got to work and, using material from the stems, significantly reduced the size of the hole within two and a half hours. In most cases, the gap was completely sealed within 24 hours.

The small, sand-colored insects' harmonious relationship with the Cecropia trees has been known for many years. The trees provide the ant colonies with food and shelter. In return, the insects protect their leaves from herbivores. However, their repair skills - which researchers suspect have been honed fixing damage caused by the sharp toenails of the sloths and silky anteaters that frequent the trees - had never been seen before.

The ants were able to quickly repair the damage to the tree (Credit: Alex Wcislo et.al jhr.pensoft.net)

"Sometimes messing around with a slingshot has a good outcome," said Alex. "This project allowed us to experience first-hand all the intricacies behind a scientific study. All in all, it was a great learning experience, especially considering the difficulties associated with fulfilling this due to COVID-19."

Alex and his team, who published their findings in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research on December 30, 2021, still have one mystery to solve. They are not sure why the insects did not repair all the holes. Understanding this selective behavior is something they hope to explore in the future - stay tuned!

Resources: stri.si.edu, sciencealert.com

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These Amazing Ants Are Experts At Tree Repair!

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Ants are known to undergo extreme measures to save their own. Past studies have shown the industrious insects carrying wounded comrades back to the nest to heal and even exploding and sacrificing themselves to save their colonies from predators.

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Weird little short...I watched it on mute though...-Corduroy

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An unruly little kid loses a ball down a well, enlisting help from the innocent fella who was being hit with the ball just minutes before. Down into the well by bucket we go. Spot the ball floating in the cave water... and also something quite different... something glowing in the distance.

Well Being is a 2011 student film by Bao director and Pixar storyboard artist Domee Shi. Bao is the opening short to Pixar's Incredibles 2.

Next, watch: Escape, a science fiction animated short from Moonbot Studios, How to wait for a very long time, Why Do Deep Sea Creatures Look So Scary? and more videos featuring balls.

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Well Being, an animated short by Domee Shi | The Kid Should See This

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An unruly little kid loses a ball down a well, enlisting help from the innocent fella who was being hit with the ball just minutes before. Down into the well by bucket we go. Spot the ball floating in the cave water... and also something quite different... something glowing in the distance.

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This is a 3 min article about the volcano eruption that caused widespread   and damage in Tonga. -Linden

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Powerful Volcano Eruption And Tsunami Cause Widespread Damage In Tonga

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Powerful Volcano Eruption And Tsunami Cause Widespread Damage In Tonga has 230 reviews and 0 ratings. Reviewer dcminter2031 wrote: "That is awsome!"

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interesting-Ben

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An artist's illustration of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) that recently discovered water under Mars' surface (Credit: ESA)

Researchers have long suspected that Mars was once home to several rivers, lakes, and perhaps even oceans. But while they have been able to detect ice, and some salty lakes, in the planet's polar regions, finding water in other areas has proved elusive. Now, scientists have finally found evidence of a large water reservoir just a few feet below the surface of the Red Planet's Valles Marineris canyon system.

Located along the equator of Mars, the Valles Marineris is one of the Solar System's largest canyons. The massive tectonic chasm measures over 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) long and 5 miles (8 km) deep. NASA estimates that if the Valles Marineris were on Earth, it would stretch across the continental United States - all the way from New York to California.

The TGO found a large amount of hydrogen in the Valles Marineris canyon system (Credit: ESA)

"We found a central part of Valles Marineris to be packed full of water - far more water than we expected," said study co-author Alexey Malakhov, a scientist at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "This is very much like Earth's permafrost regions, where water ice permanently persists under dry soil because of the constant low temperatures."

The discovery was made using data collected by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), which has been circling the Red Planet since 2018. TGO, a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), is designed to detect the presence of gases such as methane and water vapor in the Martian atmosphere. The researchers say that between May 2018 to February 2021, the orbiter's Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND) found an unusually large amount of hydrogen - a measure of water content - in the '

The water was discovered in the Candor Chasma valley of the Valles Marineris canyon system (Credit: ESA)

The scientists, who revealed their findings in a press statement on December 15, 2021, suspect the water is in the form of ice. If true, it could make up as much as 40 percent of the area's near-surface material. However, FREND could also be detecting water that is chemically bound to minerals in the soil. The team plans to analyze more data to determine the water's form. Regardless of the outcome, they believe the discovery is a game-changer for potential human missions to the Red Planet.

"Knowing more about how and where water exists on present-day Mars is essential to understand what happened to Mars' once-abundant water, and helps our search for habitable environments, possible signs of past life, and organic materials from Mars' earliest days," says Colin Wilson, ESA's TGO project scientist.

Resources: www.esa.in, Live Science.com

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Large Deposit Of Hidden Water Discovered On Mars

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Researchers have long suspected that Mars was once home to several rivers, lakes, and perhaps even oceans. But while they have been able to detect ice, and some salty lakes, in the planet's polar regions, finding water in other areas has proved elusive.

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this is just so sad!
-Quincy

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Powerful Volcano Eruption And Tsunami Cause Widespread Damage In Tonga

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Powerful Volcano Eruption And Tsunami Cause Widespread Damage In Tonga has 230 reviews and 0 ratings. Reviewer dcminter2031 wrote: "That is awsome!"

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-Corduroy

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It's cute but creepy -Baldemar

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Building with parts of plants, leftover technologies, and mechanical tidbits, stop-motion animator Ainslie Henderson creates unique puppets that take on a life of their own in his work. This video short, Stems, is a bittersweet celebration of their personification, set to music by Poppy Ackroyd. "Everything they do is their swan song" before they go back to being inanimate objects. Via Vimeo:

"I take my time," says Henderson, who is then quick to point out that the design of the puppets is every bit as important as the way in which they're ultimately animated. "They should have a kind of 'aliveness' even before they move, that way you don't have to do terribly much in the animating to bring them to life." When asked if he ever gets attached to his creations, Henderson's response is perhaps unsurprising: "I cherish them. Even the ugly, or half finished ones get a place on the shelf in my studio. They're like this weird, constantly growing little family who stare out at me from the windowsill as I'm working."

Next: Laika's Head of Puppetry explains how stop motion puppets are made, a few Tinker Friday projects, and Bottle by Kirsten Lepore.

Plus: Ricky Syers and his handmade marionette of Doris Diether and puppets created by Barnaby Dixon.

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Stems, a bittersweet celebration of stop motion puppetry | The Kid Should See This

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Building with parts of plants, leftover technologies, and mechanical tidbits, stop-motion animator Ainslie Henderson creates unique puppets that take on a life of their own in his work. This video short, Stems, is a bittersweet celebration of their personification, set to music by Poppy Ackroyd.

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Look how much time and effort they put into this video!- Baldemar

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An avocado wanders New York City, feeling lonely and searching for its other half in this award-winning, puppet-filled story by The Bizzaro Company, directed by Mike Hayhurst.

The Pits originally premiered at the New York International Children's Film Festival and was selected for their Best of Fest world tour. The heartfelt short's writer and editor, David Bizzaro, is also a freelance builder and puppet wrangler for The Jim Henson Company and Sesame Street.

Next, watch Stems, the puppets of Barnaby Dixon, and how to make puppets with Jim Henson. Plus, watch more stories about companionship: Omelette, Avocado Man, and The Present.

via Laughing Squid.

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The Pits: An avocado searches for its other half | The Kid Should See This

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An avocado wanders New York City, feeling lonely and searching for its other half in this award-winning, puppet-filled story by The Bizzaro Company, directed by Mike Hayhurst. The Pits originally premiered at the New York International Children's Film Festival and was selected for their Best of Fest world tour.

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Hope you enjoy! - LInden

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The tallest volcano on Java, an island in Indonesia, erupted on December 4. Mount Semeru shot clouds of ash and smoke 40,000 feet into the air, darkening the sky. Hot gas and lava killed at least 34 people. Others are still missing.

"Trees, farms, houses are scorched, everything is covered in heavy gray ash," Haryadi Purnomo says. He works for East Java's search and rescue agency.

Around 3,000 houses and 38 schools were damaged. Thousands of people have been evacuated to shelters.

Days of rain triggered the eruption. At Semeru's top is a dome of lava that's too thick to flow. Rain caused it to fall apart. Experts say the dome could break up even more and cause an avalanche.

Semeru is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia. The country's islands sit along the Ring of Fire, a series of fault lines around the Pacific Ocean. Semeru has erupted many times in the last 200 years. There were no deaths the last time it erupted, in January.

President Joko Widodo's government said it would move villagers who lost their homes to a safer place within six months. They'll be given financial help while they wait.
WHAT details help you understand the impact of the eruption? Why are details important in a news story?

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The tallest volcano on Java, an island in Indonesia, erupted on December 4. Mount Semeru shot clouds of ash and smoke 40,000 feet into the air, darkening the sky. Hot gas and lava killed at least 34 people. Others are...

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If we could figure this out, it would be so much better for the cows! -Corduroy

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Brown cows roam the meadows of a farm in the Netherlands. They are Limousins, a breed known for the quality of its meat. Every few months, a veterinarian makes a tiny cut in a cow's flank, removes a sample of muscle, and stitches the cow back up. A dab of painkiller on the skin means this doesn't hurt much.

At a nearby lab, scientists put the samples into steel containers with a nutrient broth. The cells grow and multiply. This process creates new muscle. And from that, something like hamburger meat is produced. It's a lot like the stuff you buy at a supermarket.

RICARDO CASES FOR TIME

By 2030, meat grown in a lab could account for .5% of the world's meat supply, according to a recent report. One day, it might even replace factory farming, in which many cows are raised in small spaces. This could solve one of the big problems of our time: how to feed a growing global population without increasing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Every year, raising livestock for food causes up to 14.5% of the planet's greenhouse-gas emissions. That system is unsustainable × unsustainable VIEWSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES unable to be continued without doing permanent damage (adjective) Working long hours every day of the week was unsustainable for Johnny. , biologist Johanna Melke says. She works for a Dutch company called Mosa Meat. It grows meat in a lab. "People want to eat meat," she says. "This is how we solve the problem."

RICARDO CASES FOR TIME

An Easier Choice

Nine years ago, Mosa cofounder Mark Post helped introduce the first lab-grown hamburger. Today, more than 70 companies are making lab-grown meats that include beef, chicken, tuna, shrimp, and even mouse (for cat treats). (See "Something Fishy.") According to the World Resources Institute, global demand for meat will nearly double by 2050. Lab-grown meat could soon be a $25 billion industry.

RICARDO CASES FOR TIME

Post says a half gram of cow muscle could possibly be used to make up to 4.4 billion pounds of beef. That's more beef than Mexico consumes in a year. Growing meat could be as effective as solar and wind energy are at fighting climate change, he says.

"I can't give up meat, and most people are like me," Post says. "So I wanted to make the choice for those people easier: to be able to keep on eating meat without all the negative [consequences]."

In Development

So far, no company has figured out how to produce large amounts of lab-grown meat and bring down costs. Three chicken nuggets by the company Eat Just cost about $17 at a restaurant in Singapore. That's a lot more than regular nuggets cost at McDonald's.

RICARDO CASES FOR TIME

Cattle ranchers also stand in the way. The United States Cattlemen's Association asked the government to set rules. Ranchers want the terms beef and meat used only for products that come from animals raised in a traditional manner. That could make it harder to sell meat from a lab. "The terms you can use make a critical difference," says market researcher Michael Dent. "Who's going to buy something called 'lab-grown cell-protein isolates × isolate PAUL HENNESSY-NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES a small part separated from something larger (noun) The scientist analyzed isolates of a virus strain in his lab. '?"

Still, Mosa says its product can win people over, whatever it's called. "It was so intense-a rich, beefy, meaty flavor," says scientist Laura Jackisch, who gave up eating animal products years ago. "I started craving steak again."

Something Fishy

Some of the fish we eat is caught faster than it can be replenished. Overfishing can wipe out whole species.

ARIA CHEN AND ABHISHYANT KIDANGOOR FOR TIME

Avant Meats makes fish meat in a lab. This includes fish maw, a part of the fish that's popular in China. Lab-grown maw feels like real fish before it's cooked, chef Eddy Leung says. "But when you eat it, it doesn't yet have the kind of stickiness the real ones do." -By Amy Gunia for TIME, adapted by TFK editors

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Brown cows roam the meadows of a farm in the Netherlands. They are Limousins, a breed known for the quality of its meat. Every few months, a veterinarian makes a tiny cut in a cow's flank, removes a sample of...

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Hope you enjoy! -Linden

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Thomas Built Buses is a company in High Point, North Carolina. Workers at its school-bus factory are thrilled about a new plan by the United States government: the infrastructure × infrastructure RICHARD BAILEY-GETTY IMAGES relating to the basic structures, like roads and electrical systems, needed for a society (adjective) The mayor spoke about the city's infrastructure problems. bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law on November 15. Among other things, it sets aside money to help communities buy brand-new battery-powered school buses.

That's good news for Thomas Built. And it's good news for Chris Pratt, president of the local United Auto Workers union. He's worked as a welder at the Thomas Built plant for 22 years. To him, the new law means one thing: more jobs. "We're all excited," Pratt says. "This is something huge for us."

COURTESY THOMAS BUILT

The infrastructure law sets aside $2.5 billion for electric school buses. That's a tiny chunk of the $1.2 trillion it will invest to build or improve everything from roads and bridges to high-speed Internet access. But for workers like those in High Point and people trying to rid children's bus rides of diesel × diesel GREMLIN-GETTY IMAGES relating to a type of fuel used to power certain engines (adjective) Eric's looking for a car that doesn't run on diesel fuel. fumes, this money is a very big deal.

Charging Ahead

There are about 500,000 school buses in the U.S. They move 26 million kids between home and school every day. About 95% of those buses run on diesel fuel. This adds up to more than 5 million tons of pollution from greenhouse gases a year.

COURTESY THOMAS BUILT

Inhaling fumes from diesel-powered buses has been linked to lower test scores and breathing problems for kids. When sitting inside those buses, especially while stuck in traffic, kids often breathe the most polluted air they're exposed to all day.

It's hard to produce electric versions of some vehicles, such as big trucks. They need huge batteries. And these batteries require long charging times. Making electric school buses would be easier. They don't usually travel long distances. And there's plenty of time to charge them during the school day or at night. Making school buses electric would help the environment. It would be better for kids' health, too.

FREDERIC J. BROWN-AFP/GETTY IMAGES

There are only about 1,200 electric school buses in the U.S. They're either in use or soon to be delivered. The new government funding could bump that number to about 10,000 within five years.

Jobs on the Way

Kevin Bangston is CEO of Thomas Built. He says the company will soon be hiring a "pretty significant" number of workers. Pratt says the new positions can't come soon enough. "People come from hours away for these jobs," he says.

More jobs could be coming at other factories, too. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, IC Bus might soon ramp up production. In Georgia, Congressman Sanford Bishop represents a district that includes Fort Valley. The city is home to a Blue Bird bus company factory. Bishop expects there to be more bus-building jobs in his area. That would help his community financially. "It makes good environmental sense" too, Bishop says.

A Clean and Green Future

A bill called the Clean Commute × commute RICHARD NEWSTEAD-GETTY IMAGES a trip you make regularly, such as between home and school or work (noun) My daily commute to work involves a bus and a train. for Kids Act of 2021 is making its way through Congress. If it becomes law, it will make a big impact. The bill was introduced by Alex Padilla. He's a senator from California. The bill would set aside $25 billion for pollution-free school buses. That's enough to replace nearly half of the diesel-burning school buses (pictured below) currently in use in the U.S. Padilla called the bill "a wise investment in our children, our environment, and our future."

JAMIE RECTOR-BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

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Thomas Built Buses is a company in High Point, North Carolina. Workers at its school-bus factory are thrilled about a new plan by the United States government: the infrastructure bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law on November 15....

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I hope this plan works. All electric school buses would be such an improvement.
-Corduroy

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Thomas Built Buses is a company in High Point, North Carolina. Workers at its school-bus factory are thrilled about a new plan by the United States government: the infrastructure × infrastructure RICHARD BAILEY-GETTY IMAGES relating to the basic structures, like roads and electrical systems, needed for a society (adjective) The mayor spoke about the city's infrastructure problems. bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law on November 15. Among other things, it sets aside money to help communities buy brand-new battery-powered school buses.

That's good news for Thomas Built. And it's good news for Chris Pratt, president of the local United Auto Workers union. He's worked as a welder at the Thomas Built plant for 22 years. To him, the new law means one thing: more jobs. "We're all excited," Pratt says. "This is something huge for us."

COURTESY THOMAS BUILT

The infrastructure law sets aside $2.5 billion for electric school buses. That's a tiny chunk of the $1.2 trillion it will invest to build or improve everything from roads and bridges to high-speed Internet access. But for workers like those in High Point and people trying to rid children's bus rides of diesel × diesel GREMLIN-GETTY IMAGES relating to a type of fuel used to power certain engines (adjective) Eric's looking for a car that doesn't run on diesel fuel. fumes, this money is a very big deal.

Charging Ahead

There are about 500,000 school buses in the U.S. They move 26 million kids between home and school every day. About 95% of those buses run on diesel fuel. This adds up to more than 5 million tons of pollution from greenhouse gases a year.

COURTESY THOMAS BUILT

Inhaling fumes from diesel-powered buses has been linked to lower test scores and breathing problems for kids. When sitting inside those buses, especially while stuck in traffic, kids often breathe the most polluted air they're exposed to all day.

It's hard to produce electric versions of some vehicles, such as big trucks. They need huge batteries. And these batteries require long charging times. Making electric school buses would be easier. They don't usually travel long distances. And there's plenty of time to charge them during the school day or at night. Making school buses electric would help the environment. It would be better for kids' health, too.

FREDERIC J. BROWN-AFP/GETTY IMAGES

There are only about 1,200 electric school buses in the U.S. They're either in use or soon to be delivered. The new government funding could bump that number to about 10,000 within five years.

Jobs on the Way

Kevin Bangston is CEO of Thomas Built. He says the company will soon be hiring a "pretty significant" number of workers. Pratt says the new positions can't come soon enough. "People come from hours away for these jobs," he says.

More jobs could be coming at other factories, too. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, IC Bus might soon ramp up production. In Georgia, Congressman Sanford Bishop represents a district that includes Fort Valley. The city is home to a Blue Bird bus company factory. Bishop expects there to be more bus-building jobs in his area. That would help his community financially. "It makes good environmental sense" too, Bishop says.

A Clean and Green Future

A bill called the Clean Commute × commute RICHARD NEWSTEAD-GETTY IMAGES a trip you make regularly, such as between home and school or work (noun) My daily commute to work involves a bus and a train. for Kids Act of 2021 is making its way through Congress. If it becomes law, it will make a big impact. The bill was introduced by Alex Padilla. He's a senator from California. The bill would set aside $25 billion for pollution-free school buses. That's enough to replace nearly half of the diesel-burning school buses (pictured below) currently in use in the U.S. Padilla called the bill "a wise investment in our children, our environment, and our future."

JAMIE RECTOR-BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

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Thomas Built Buses is a company in High Point, North Carolina. Workers at its school-bus factory are thrilled about a new plan by the United States government: the infrastructure bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law on November 15....

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This person made a whole stop-motion video out of plushes! Baldemar

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"A knitted toy dinosaur must completely unravel itself to save the love of its life." Lost and Found is a bittersweet, potentially tear-inducing story about a crocheted Amigurumi fox and dinosaur who live in a Japanese restaurant's lost and found bin. Sad story warning: Parents of younger and/or sensitive kiddos may want to screen this one first.

Go behind the scenes of this stop-motion animation by Australia-based directors Andrew Goldsmith and Bradley Slabe, and produced by Lucy J. Hayes. Slabe also wrote the short.

For more sad but beautifully made tales, watch Father and Daughter by Michaël Dudok De Wit and Premier Automne by Je Regarde.

Plus: Learn more about the kara-usu, the teeter-tottering water feature at the barrel, in this Primitive Technology video.

via Laughing Squid.

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Lost and Found, a bittersweet stop-motion short | The Kid Should See This

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"A knitted toy dinosaur must completely unravel itself to save the love of its life." Lost and Found is a bittersweet, potentially tear-inducing story about a crocheted Amigurumi fox and dinosaur who live in a Japanese restaurant's lost and found bin. Sad story warning: Parents of younger and/or sensitive kiddos may want to screen this one first.

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Enjoy!

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Why does a squirrel have a bushy tail? It’s for. . . A. storing nuts. B. keeping up with fashion trends. C. staying warm in winter. The answer is C. When a squirrel is in a…

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Cool!

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A third sun temple made using mud bricks was recently discovered in Egypt (Credit: Massimiliano Nuzzolo)

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered thousands of ancient structures - and even entire cities. However, finding the six sun temples constructed by the Fifth Dynasty pharaohs has proved elusive. Only two had been found until recently, and the last one was unearthed 50 years ago.

On November 16, 2021, Dr. Massimiliano Nuzzolo, an assistant professor of Egyptology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, revealed the discovery of a third "lost" sun temple in Abu Ghurab, about 12 miles south of Cairo. Unlike the previously found sun temples, which were built from stone, this one was made using mud bricks. It was buried under the sun temple of Nyuserra, discovered by scientists in 1898. Nyuserra, who ruled from 2400 to 2370 B.C.E., was the sixth pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty.

Beer jars filled with ritual mud were found inside the sun temple (Credit: Massimiliano Nuzzolo)

Though the recent discovery is structurally similar to the sun temple of Nyuserra, Dr. Nuzzolo does not believe it was built by the pharaoh. The expert says Egyptian pharaohs did not rebuild their mud buildings with stone. Moreover, the artifacts found inside, which include beer jars filled with ritual mud, date to the mid-25th century B.C.E. - a generation or two before Nyuserra's era.

"The archaeologists of the 19th century excavated only a very small part of this mud bricks building below the stone temple of Nyuserra and concluded that this was a previous building phase of the same temple," Nuzzolo told CNN in an email. "Now our finds demonstrate that this was a completely different building, erected before Nyuserra."

While Dr. Nuzzolo and his team are confident the mud structure is a sun temple, they do not know the pharaoh behind it. The scientists believe further excavations will help reveal the king's identity. They also hope the artifacts will provide insights into the ancient civilization and its customs.

The new sun temple was found below the sun temple of Nyuserra (above), discovered in 1898 (Credit: Chanel Wheeler/ CC BY-SA 2..0/ Wikimedia Commons)

The archaeologists think the mud bricks may also explain why the sun temples, all believed to be around Abu Ghurab, have been so hard to find. "This [the use of mud bricks] may have facilitated their disappearance during the course of the centuries, as it occurred to several other ancient Egyptian monuments built with the same perishable material," Dr. Nuzzolo explains. "Moreover, mud bricks building can be easily demolished and buried under other constructions, as it probably happened in our case."

Dedicated to the sun god Ra - ancient Egypt's most powerful deity - sun temples were unique to the Fifth Dynasty. Dr. Nuzzolo believes their primary purpose was for the pharaoh to elevate his status to god by claiming to be Ra's only son. "Indirectly, therefore, the main purpose of the temple was that of being the place for the deification of the living king," he explains.

Resources: CNN.com, Smithsonianmag.com, artnews.com

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Archaeologists Unearth "Lost" Egyptian Sun Temple

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Egyptian archaeologists have discovered thousands of ancient structures - and even entire cities. However, finding the six sun temples constructed by the Fifth Dynasty pharaohs has proved elusive. Only two had been found until recently, and the last one was unearthed 50 years ago.

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How long did it take to make the duck? -Baldemar

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Skip to main content

A giant inflatable duck is seen floating on the water in Chile, in South America, on November 2. The work is by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. It's part of the country's Hecho en Casa ("Homemade") festival.

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A giant inflatable duck is seen floating on the water in Chile, in South America, on November 2. The work is by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. It's part of the...

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Hope you enjoy! -Linden

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Every year, TIME for Kids highlights inventions that are making the world better and a bit more fun. Before adding an invention to the list, we ask ourselves a few questions. How original is the idea? What will its impact…

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G3G5_121021_BestInventions2021

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-Baldemar

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Dung Beetle Battle - The Kid Should See This

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Which dung beetle will prevail in this battle for a ball of poop? Watch this NatGeo Wild video and make your best guess. The two creatures, most likely copper dung beetles, were filmed fighting over their treasure in South Africa's Djuma Game Reserve. Dung is a valuable resource, used as food and as a nursery...

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This is so cool, I wonder how long it took to make this spaghetti stop motion video! -Baldemar

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Western Spaghetti, the internet’s first viral stop-motion cooking animation

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In 2008, the Oscar and Emmy-nominated director PES created Western Spaghetti, a surreal stop-motion animation that took the internet by storm. It swapped

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The Voyager Space Station will be the first space hotel (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

The 650-foot-wide (198 meter) Ferris-wheel-like Voyager Space Station (VSS) will comprise two rings connected by spokes. The inner circle will be fitted with spacecraft docking stations for guests. The outer ring will house the rooms, restaurants, bars, gyms, and scientific research labs. The solar-powered hotel will spin at speeds high enough to create artificial gravity, ensuring occupants a comfortable stay. When completed, it will have room for up to 400 people. OAC hopes to attract not just tourists but also scientists, astronauts on long-distance missions, and even some semi-permanent residents.

The VSS will offer guests a luxurious space experience (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

While the idea is intriguing, making VSS a reality will take time. The team is currently building modules for a smaller prototype ring. The modules will be assembled in zero-gravity using semi-automatic robotic tools made for the purpose. Once completed, OAC engineers will attempt to create artificial gravity similar to what Mars has - about 40 percent that of Earth.

Even if the prototype is wildly successful, transporting the VSS modules to space will cost tens of billions of dollars. However, OAC, which expects to charge $5 million per person for each 3-day stay, is confident they will recoup the expense. Though the cost may seem excessive, it is cheap compared to the $55 million it costs to stay on the ISS. Besides, guests at the Voyager Station will be living in the utmost luxury.

"You're going to have the top chefs making really, really good food," Orbital CEO John Blincow told the Washington Post. "And when you pay $5 million to go someplace, it's not going to be burgers and fries ... We want to have Sting come up and play, and Beyoncé. There'll be two shows every night. ... That's part of the entertainment package."

The VSS will offer guests fun recreational activities (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Visitors will also be able to participate in recreational activities that are not possible on Earth. Among the proposed ideas are zero gravity basketball games. Blincow says, "When you jump in the air [in space], you jump five times higher." Also under consideration are spacewalks to allow visitors to enjoy clear views of Earth and space. If everything goes according to plan, the company plans to start construction in 2026 and welcome the first visitors to the VSS in 2027. Meanwhile, those eager to be among the first can save their spots for a small fee.

Resources: Space.com, Newatlas.com, orbitalassembly.com

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The World's First Space Hotel Hopes To Welcome Visitors in 2027

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Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

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Ben hope it isn't to expensive

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The Voyager Space Station will be the first space hotel (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

The 650-foot-wide (198 meter) Ferris-wheel-like Voyager Space Station (VSS) will comprise two rings connected by spokes. The inner circle will be fitted with spacecraft docking stations for guests. The outer ring will house the rooms, restaurants, bars, gyms, and scientific research labs. The solar-powered hotel will spin at speeds high enough to create artificial gravity, ensuring occupants a comfortable stay. When completed, it will have room for up to 400 people. OAC hopes to attract not just tourists but also scientists, astronauts on long-distance missions, and even some semi-permanent residents.

The VSS will offer guests a luxurious space experience (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

While the idea is intriguing, making VSS a reality will take time. The team is currently building modules for a smaller prototype ring. The modules will be assembled in zero-gravity using semi-automatic robotic tools made for the purpose. Once completed, OAC engineers will attempt to create artificial gravity similar to what Mars has - about 40 percent that of Earth.

Even if the prototype is wildly successful, transporting the VSS modules to space will cost tens of billions of dollars. However, OAC, which expects to charge $5 million per person for each 3-day stay, is confident they will recoup the expense. Though the cost may seem excessive, it is cheap compared to the $55 million it costs to stay on the ISS. Besides, guests at the Voyager Station will be living in the utmost luxury.

"You're going to have the top chefs making really, really good food," Orbital CEO John Blincow told the Washington Post. "And when you pay $5 million to go someplace, it's not going to be burgers and fries ... We want to have Sting come up and play, and Beyoncé. There'll be two shows every night. ... That's part of the entertainment package."

The VSS will offer guests fun recreational activities (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Visitors will also be able to participate in recreational activities that are not possible on Earth. Among the proposed ideas are zero gravity basketball games. Blincow says, "When you jump in the air [in space], you jump five times higher." Also under consideration are spacewalks to allow visitors to enjoy clear views of Earth and space. If everything goes according to plan, the company plans to start construction in 2026 and welcome the first visitors to the VSS in 2027. Meanwhile, those eager to be among the first can save their spots for a small fee.

Resources: Space.com, Newatlas.com, orbitalassembly.com

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The World's First Space Hotel Hopes To Welcome Visitors in 2027

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Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

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Okay, I don't have a picture for this but, a Israeli diver found a 900-year-old Crusader sword off coast of Israel -Baldemar

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-Quincy

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Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the United States (Credit: The B's/CC0/Flickr)

Few countries celebrate Halloween with as much fervor and excitement as the US. Children and adults alike observe the occasion by dressing in creative costumes, gorging on candy, and decorating homes and front yards with spooky skeletons and jack-o'-lanterns. Meanwhile, enterprising entrepreneurs cash in on the holiday with creative haunted houses, corn mazes, and hayrides. So, how did all the fun customs come about? Read on:

Trick-or-treating

Even dogs get into the Halloween spirit (Credit: AglampetGruodje/CC BY-SA 4.0/ Wikimedia Commons)

Halloween's most beloved tradition - trick-or-treating - is attributed to the Roman All Souls' Day holiday. On this day, residents in need would knock on the doors of the wealthy and offer a prayer for their dead, in exchange for a round, spiced treat called soul cake. "Souling" took a twist in Ireland and Scotland, when kids in costumes started to get treats in exchange for singing, reciting poems, or performing tricks. Immigrants from the two countries introduced the fun custom to America in the early 19th century, and the rest, as they say, is history!

How did candy become the treat of choice?

M&M's top the most popular candy choices in the United States (Credit: Morningconsult.com)

While today, most people give out candy to trick-or-treaters, that was not the case in the mid-20th century. Kids also received fruits, nuts, coins, and even small toys. In the 1950s, candy companies tried to capitalize on the growing popularity of trick-or-treating by offering small, individually-wrapped confections. Though that helped increase sales, candy did not become the dominant treat until the 1970s, after parents began fearing accepting anything unwrapped.

Today, over 600 million pounds - about 24 pounds per American - of candy are sold each year on Halloween! The holiday accounts for about 10 percent of annual candy sales and yields manufacturers over $2.6 billion annually! A recent survey of 2,200 adults, conducted by Morningconsult.com, found that M&M's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were the confections of choice, with Kit Kats, Hershey's bars, and Snickers rounding up the top five.

Jack-o'-lanterns

The Irish used turnips or beets to carve jack-o'-lanterns (Credit: Cristian Ungureanu/CC0/Flickr)

No Halloween is complete without spending many hours transforming pumpkins into spooky jack-o'-lanterns. This fun custom was started by the Irish, who used turnips or beets for their ghoulish creations. After coming to America, the immigrants switched to the orange gourds, which are both plentiful and easier to carve.

Decorating with black and orange

Orange and black are synonymous with Halloween (Credit: Public domain/Pxhere)

Black and orange are so closely associated with Halloween that the combination is rarely seen outside of October. The custom can be traced back to the 2000-year-old Celtic festival Samhain. Observed every November 1 in what is now modern-day Ireland, it marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. Black represented the "death" of summer, while orange symbolized the autumn harvest season.

Resources: Mentalfloss.com, Wikipeida.org, history.com

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The Origin Of Some Spooky Halloween Traditions

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Few countries celebrate Halloween with as much fervor and excitement as the US. Children and adults alike observe the occasion by dressing in creative costumes, gorging on candy, and decorating homes and front yards with spooky skeletons and jack-o'-lanterns. Meanwhile, enterprising entrepreneurs cash in on the holiday with creative haunted houses, corn mazes, and hayrides.

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All these poor animals covered in oil because of a oil incident -Baldemar

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A pipeline rupture leaked thousands of gallons of oil off Huntington Beach, CA (Credit: Richard Brahm/US Coast Guard)

A ruptured undersea oil pipeline off the coast of Huntington Beach, CA, has leaked thousands of gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean, threatening fish and wildlife and causing numerous beach closures. The spill, caused by a 13-inch tear in a pipeline that transports crude oil from an offshore drilling platform to a pump station in Long Beach, CA, was first reported by locals on October 1, 2021. Experts are still trying to determine the amount of oil leaked before the pipeline was shut down on October 3, 2021. The estimates range anywhere from 25,000 gallons to 136,000 gallons.

The strong ocean currents and winds have carried the oil down the coastline to San Diego, CA, causing officials to scramble to protect the area's biodiversity-rich wetlands. Volunteers from Oiled WildlifeCare Network (OWCN) have also been scouring the beaches looking for animals covered in oil. Fortunately, the number has not been as high as initially expected. As of October 11, 2021, the rescue organization has recovered and treated 27 oiled birds. Of these, only one, a brown pelican, had to be humanely euthanized due to a chronic, unrelated injury. The number of dead birds (38) and fish (9) washed ashore have also been relatively low.

OWCN experts clean a ruddy duck covered in oil on October 5, 2021 (Credit: OWCN/UC Davis)

Some experts are afraid of the oil's impact on the millions of birds that migrate through the state on their way south each fall. "It's devastating," John Villa, the executive director of Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy, which owns and manages 127 acres of wetlands along the coast, told Vox. The environmentalist says the toxic fluid has seeped into the marshes, which are home to several endangered avian species. Among them is the least tern, a small seabird with a worldwide population estimated to comprise only about 18,000 individuals.

Crude oil can also destroy large amounts of phytoplankton. The tiny algae are the basis of the aquatic food chain, feeding everything from microscopic, animal-like zooplankton to multi-ton whales. The oil also kills plants, making the coastline more susceptible to erosion. However, Ronald Tjeerdema, an environmental toxicologist at the University of California Davis, is optimistic that the California ecosystems will recover from the spill. "The main point I want to make, having studied spills for so long, is that the environment recovers over time - it's really resilient," he says.

The ruddy duck after being cleaned of oil ( Credit: OWCN/UC Davis)

An investigation of the cause of the pipeline rupture is currently underway. In the meantime, life appears to be getting back to normal on Huntington Beach, with the city and state beaches reopening on October 11, 2021. While most other beaches farther south have also been reopened to the public, ocean access is restricted until officials ensure the water is free of oil-associated toxins.

Resources: Vox.com, Foxbusiness.com, CNN.com, Axios.com

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Oil Spill Off The Coast Of California Closes Beaches And Threatens Wildlife

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A ruptured undersea oil pipeline off the coast of Huntington Beach, CA, has leaked thousands of gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean, threatening fish and wildlife and causing numerous beach closures. The spill, caused by a 13-inch tear in a pipeline that transports crude oil from an offshore drilling platform to a pump station in Long Beach, CA, was first reported by locals on October 1, 2021.

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Cool too! So satisfying! -Corduroy

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See the cracks and hear the crunches as residents of Elephant Lands at the Oregon Zoo enjoy their annual Squishing of the Squash giant pumpkin treats. After the initial stomps and smashes are captured on video, the elephants eat all of the pieces on their own time.

"They did the mash," the Oregon Zoo exclaims. "Thanks to giant pumpkin growers Larry Nelson and Jacob Baldridge for the gourd times."

Here's another pachyderm plus pumpkin video from 2020:

Watch more Oregon Zoo Squishing of the Squash videos on YouTube.

Previous pumpkins and elephants on TKSST:
* Capybaras nibbling on a huge pumpkin
* How to grow a giant pumpkin for a giant pumpkin contest
* How Elephants Listen... With Their Feet

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Elephants squish giant pumpkins | The Kid Should See This

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See the cracks and hear the crunches as residents of Elephant Lands at the Oregon Zoo enjoy their annual Squishing of the Squash giant pumpkin treats. After the initial stomps and smashes are captured on video, the elephants eat all of the pieces on their own time.

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That's really cool! I sure wish i could go!!-Corduroy

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The Voyager Space Station will be the first space hotel (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

The 650-foot-wide (198 meter) Ferris-wheel-like Voyager Space Station (VSS) will comprise two rings connected by spokes. The inner circle will be fitted with spacecraft docking stations for guests. The outer ring will house the rooms, restaurants, bars, gyms, and scientific research labs. The solar-powered hotel will spin at speeds high enough to create artificial gravity, ensuring occupants a comfortable stay. When completed, it will have room for up to 400 people. OAC hopes to attract not just tourists but also scientists, astronauts on long-distance missions, and even some semi-permanent residents.

The VSS will offer guests a luxurious space experience (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

While the idea is intriguing, making VSS a reality will take time. The team is currently building modules for a smaller prototype ring. The modules will be assembled in zero-gravity using semi-automatic robotic tools made for the purpose. Once completed, OAC engineers will attempt to create artificial gravity similar to what Mars has - about 40 percent that of Earth.

Even if the prototype is wildly successful, transporting the VSS modules to space will cost tens of billions of dollars. However, OAC, which expects to charge $5 million per person for each 3-day stay, is confident they will recoup the expense. Though the cost may seem excessive, it is cheap compared to the $55 million it costs to stay on the ISS. Besides, guests at the Voyager Station will be living in the utmost luxury.

"You're going to have the top chefs making really, really good food," Orbital CEO John Blincow told the Washington Post. "And when you pay $5 million to go someplace, it's not going to be burgers and fries ... We want to have Sting come up and play, and Beyoncé. There'll be two shows every night. ... That's part of the entertainment package."

The VSS will offer guests fun recreational activities (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Visitors will also be able to participate in recreational activities that are not possible on Earth. Among the proposed ideas are zero gravity basketball games. Blincow says, "When you jump in the air [in space], you jump five times higher." Also under consideration are spacewalks to allow visitors to enjoy clear views of Earth and space. If everything goes according to plan, the company plans to start construction in 2026 and welcome the first visitors to the VSS in 2027. Meanwhile, those eager to be among the first can save their spots for a small fee.

Resources: Space.com, Newatlas.com, orbitalassembly.com

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The World's First Space Hotel Hopes To Welcome Visitors in 2027

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Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

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i wanna go there-armani

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The Voyager Space Station will be the first space hotel (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

The 650-foot-wide (198 meter) Ferris-wheel-like Voyager Space Station (VSS) will comprise two rings connected by spokes. The inner circle will be fitted with spacecraft docking stations for guests. The outer ring will house the rooms, restaurants, bars, gyms, and scientific research labs. The solar-powered hotel will spin at speeds high enough to create artificial gravity, ensuring occupants a comfortable stay. When completed, it will have room for up to 400 people. OAC hopes to attract not just tourists but also scientists, astronauts on long-distance missions, and even some semi-permanent residents.

The VSS will offer guests a luxurious space experience (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

While the idea is intriguing, making VSS a reality will take time. The team is currently building modules for a smaller prototype ring. The modules will be assembled in zero-gravity using semi-automatic robotic tools made for the purpose. Once completed, OAC engineers will attempt to create artificial gravity similar to what Mars has - about 40 percent that of Earth.

Even if the prototype is wildly successful, transporting the VSS modules to space will cost tens of billions of dollars. However, OAC, which expects to charge $5 million per person for each 3-day stay, is confident they will recoup the expense. Though the cost may seem excessive, it is cheap compared to the $55 million it costs to stay on the ISS. Besides, guests at the Voyager Station will be living in the utmost luxury.

"You're going to have the top chefs making really, really good food," Orbital CEO John Blincow told the Washington Post. "And when you pay $5 million to go someplace, it's not going to be burgers and fries ... We want to have Sting come up and play, and Beyoncé. There'll be two shows every night. ... That's part of the entertainment package."

The VSS will offer guests fun recreational activities (Credit: orbitalassembly.com)

Visitors will also be able to participate in recreational activities that are not possible on Earth. Among the proposed ideas are zero gravity basketball games. Blincow says, "When you jump in the air [in space], you jump five times higher." Also under consideration are spacewalks to allow visitors to enjoy clear views of Earth and space. If everything goes according to plan, the company plans to start construction in 2026 and welcome the first visitors to the VSS in 2027. Meanwhile, those eager to be among the first can save their spots for a small fee.

Resources: Space.com, Newatlas.com, orbitalassembly.com

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The World's First Space Hotel Hopes To Welcome Visitors in 2027

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Thanks to the hard work of companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin, space tourism is well on its way to becoming a reality. Now, California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) envisions a chance for galactic visitors to extend their "out-of-the-world" experience by checking into a luxurious hotel in low Earth orbit.

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this is way to crazy for -armani

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2,191-Pound Mega Gourd Takes Top Prize At The “Super Bowl” Of Pumpkin Competitions

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For most Americans, fall is synonymous with pumpkins. Some use the fruit to make delicious soups and bread, others to carve out scary jack-o-lanterns. Then there are those that spend months nurturing massive gourds for pumpkin weigh-off contests. Though there are numerous competitions nationwide, t…

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COOL!! But...I wouldn't want that to happen to me... no meteorites on my bed, no thank u.
-Corduroy

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A meteorite crash-landed on Ruth Hamilton's bed while she was sleeping (Credit: Ruth Hamilton)

Halloween may be a few weeks away, but Ruth Hamilton has already been subjected to a spooky "trick." On October 3, 2021, the Golden, British Columbia, resident was in deep slumber when she heard a massive explosion. Shortly after, Hamilton felt some debris on her face. She jumped off the bed and turned on the light only to find a melon-sized boulder on the pillow and a huge hole in her ceiling.

"I didn't feel it," Hamilton told CTV News. "It never touched me. I had debris on my face from the drywall, but not a single scratch."

A police officer dispatched to the scene initially attributed the explosion and the rock to a local construction crew working at a highway site in the vicinity. A company representative said that they were not responsible, but he had noticed "a bright light in the sky that had exploded and caused some booms."

"And the police officer came back in and said: 'Well, I think you have meteorite in your bed.'" Hamilton told CTV News.

The meteorite created a massive hole in Hamilton's ceiling (Credit: Ruth Hamilton)

The officer's suspicion was confirmed by camera footage of a fireball hurtling towards Canada about the time the meteorite crash-landed on Hamilton's bed. Upon hearing about the amazing discovery, scientists from the University of Calgary and the Western University in Ontario rushed over to examine the 2.8-pound (1.3 kg) space rock and look for other fragments. They found a 1.1-pound (0.5 kg) meteorite in a field about a mile away from Hamilton's house and believe there are many more. "We strongly expect that dozens of more meteorites will have fallen and encourage residents to be on the lookout," Alan Hildebrand, a planetary scientist at the University of Calgary, said in a statement.

The researchers also want residents to share with them any videos or photos from the October 3, 2021, night. "We're trying to reconstruct what the path was through the sky as it arrived," said Western University geophysicist Phil McCausland. "Because it's scientifically even more valuable if we can reconstruct what the orbit was before it hit the Earth. It gives us an idea of where it came from."

In an interview with iHeartRadio.ca, Chris Herd from the University of Alberta explained the significance of the unexpected gift from space. The geologist, who is not involved with studying the current meteorite, said, "It's like sending a mission, a multi-billion-dollar mission to an asteroid to bring a sample back, but it comes to us."

The charcoal grey boulder, nicknamed "Golden" is currently being analyzed by the researchers. Once done, they will return the precious space souvenir to Hamilton. Come to think of it, the meteorite may have been an early Halloween "treat" for Hamilton!

Resources: Space.com, Cnet.com, iheartradio.ca

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British Columbia Resident Gets Rudely Awakened By A Falling Meteorite

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Halloween may be a few weeks away, but Ruth Hamilton has already been subjected to a spooky "trick." On October 3, 2021, the Golden, British Columbia, resident was in deep slumber when she heard a massive explosion. Shortly after, Hamilton felt some debris on her face.

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it is cool but you have to kill it

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The spotted lanternfly might look pretty with its red wings and black dots. But the insect is causing big problems in the United States, and experts are telling people to take action against the pest. “Kill it! Squash it, smash…

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The Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption is causing extensive damage in La Palma (Credit: INVOLCAN.org)

La Palma, one of Spain's Canary Islands, has been feeling the wrath of the Cumbre Vieja volcano since September 19, 2021. The explosive volcano, which came to life shortly after 3:00 pm local time, has been spewing out large amounts of molten lava, sometimes up to 20 feet (6 meters) high. The slow-moving rivers of magma have destroyed nearly 400 homes,buried dozens of kilometers of roads, and consumed hundreds of acres of farmland.

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute confirmed that the lava had started pouring into the Atlantic Ocean. Officials fear that the magma's interaction with the cold water will release toxic gases and small particles. They are asking area residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. Scientists are also concerned that the chemical reactions between the lava and water may result in powerful underwater explosions.

Experts are unsure when Cumbre Vieja, or "Old Summit," will calm down. La Palma's Teneguía volcano, which came alive in 1971, remained active for more than three weeks. "The only way to know is to know the total volume of eruptible magma under Cumbre Vieja," says Pablo J. González, a physical volcanologist at the Spanish National Research Council. "That piece of information is unknown."

The only silver lining is that no lives have been lost yet. Cumbre Vieja provided plenty of warning - in the form of 20,000 small earthquakes - during the week leading up to the first eruption. This, together with the magma's slow pace, has allowed officials to safely evacuate the over 6,000 residents in its path.

The massive volcanic eruption was captured in an image by NASA's Landsat 8 satellite (Credit: Earthobservatory.NASA.gov)

La Palma is among the smallest of the main eight volcanic islands in Spain's Canary Islands archipelago, which is strung along Africa's northwestern coast. The largely rural community of 85,000 residents depends on crops like bananas, avocados, and grapes for its livelihood. Unfortunately, the lava has buried many plantations and left thousands homeless. While it may take months, or perhaps even a few years, to recover from the destruction, the Spanish government has promised to do everything it can to help.

"The people of La Palma should rest assured that we have all the resources and emergency personnel necessary," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said after meeting the local officials on September 19, 2021.

Resources: elpais.com, Smithsonianmag.com, NPR.com,

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Canary Island Volcano Continues To Erupt After Two Weeks

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La Palma, one of Spain's Canary Islands, has been feeling the wrath of the Cumbre Vieja volcano since September 19, 2021. The explosive volcano, which came to life shortly after 3:00 pm local time, has been spewing out large amounts of molten lava, sometimes up to 20 feet (6 meters) high.

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Ben w-w-what!?!?!??!?! this is absurd!

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Should A Blank Canvas Be Considered Art? One Dutch Artist Certainly Thinks So!

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A mirror coated in red paint, a banana stuck to the wall with duct tape, and an invisible sculpture — these are just a few of the abstract artworks that have recently sold for astounding amounts. Now, Dutch artist Jens Haaning has taken the genre to a whole new level. His aptly named “TAKE THE MONEY…

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Look at how these plants grow in space! -Baldemar

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The things people consider art are just stupid. A blank canvas!? Banana taped to a wall!? -Corduroy

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Should A Blank Canvas Be Considered Art? One Dutch Artist Certainly Thinks So!

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A mirror coated in red paint, a banana stuck to the wall with duct tape, and an invisible sculpture — these are just a few of the abstract artworks that have recently sold for astounding amounts. Now, Dutch artist Jens Haaning has taken the genre to a whole new level. His aptly named “TAKE THE MONEY…

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Dang!! Oil companies need to be less carless -Corduroy

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thats really weird-armani

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Pig-Faced Shark Found In The Mediterranean Sea Becomes An Overnight Sensation

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A fish with the body of a shark and the face of a pig may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie. But that precisely describes the dead shark retrieved from the waters off Italy’s Elba Island on August 15, 2021. Not surprisingly, photos of the unusual animal, posted on the Elb…

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Something weird and strange but interesting -Baldemar

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Pig-Faced Shark Found In The Mediterranean Sea Becomes An Overnight Sensation

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A fish with the body of a shark and the face of a pig may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie. But that precisely describes the dead shark retrieved from the waters off Italy’s Elba Island on August 15, 2021. Not surprisingly, photos of the unusual animal, posted on the Elb…

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something that I found interesting

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Mixing physics, engineering, paper and what looks like some seriously rewarding folding, cutting and taping DIY, Andrew Gatt builds incredibly sturdy paper roller coasters out of heavy paper strips. Yes! Only paper and tape was used to make this paper roller coaster... and it almost reaches a two-story high ceiling!

I included just about every feature that I could think of when I designed this roller coaster. It has a switch, three funnels, a half pipe, track hidden inside the structural beams and columns, a jump, many spirals and loops, switchbacks, hill and valley sequences, and stairs. It's 16'4" (4.97 meters) tall, yet its base is only 13" (33 cm) by 12.5" (31 cm). It's free standing, so it does not lean against anything for support. It weighs 2 pounds and 10 ounces (1190 grams). Besides the cardboard base, it is made of only stiff paper and tape. Every marble takes between 90 and 115 seconds to reach the end.

Gatt has more videos of his roller coasters ( one at the 2012 World Maker Faire where visitors helped built it), as well as templates for sale and a gallery of student-made projectsat PaperRollerCoasters.com.

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

Curated, kid-friendly, independently-published. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today.

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Andrew Gatt's Paper Roller Coasters | The Kid Should See This

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Mixing physics, engineering, paper and what looks like some seriously rewarding folding, cutting and taping DIY, Andrew Gatt builds incredibly sturdy paper roller coasters out of heavy paper strips. Yes! Only paper and tape was used to make this paper roller coaster... and it almost reaches a two-story high ceiling!

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SpaceX’s All-Civilian Inspiration4 Crew Completes Historic Mission

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Hawthorne, California-based SpaceX is known for making history. It was the first private spaceflight company to transport astronauts to the International Space Station and the first to develop a reusable rocket booster. On September 18, 2021, the American aerospace company did it again by completing…

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That is frighting and disgusting, it's a smart thing to try testing. -Corduroy

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If it's flushed down the toilet, Rob Knight wants to know about it. He's a researcher at the University of California San Diego. He specializes in microbes, the tiny organisms that live in your gut. Knight is testing the university's...

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Circuses treat these poor animals horrible! I'm glad they have a new home -Corduroy

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The first batch of 32 retired circus elephants arrived at White Oak Conservation earlier this year (Credit: whiteoakwildlife.org)

After years of intense public pushback, the now-shuttered Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus finally announced the retirement of their Asian elephant performers in 2016. While the decision was a resounding victory for animal lovers and activists, it raised a new issue. The mighty pachyderms were raised in captivity and lacked the skills to survive in the wild. Now, thanks to Florida-based White Oak Conservation, the animals have a new home - one where they can roam freely.

The two orphaned Florida panthers are among hundreds of endangered animals that call White Oak home (Credit: WOConservation/ CC BY-SA 4.0/ Wikimedia Commons)

Located about 30 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, the sprawling 17,000-acre facility is home to between 350 and 400 animals comprising 35 endangered species. They include rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, and okapis.

The conservation center welcomed the first batch of retired circus elephants in May 2021. The 12 female elephants, which include two sets of full sisters and numerous half-sisters, range from 8 to 38 years old. To make the transition easier, they were socialized together for several months majestic animals will be joined by the remaining 20 as soon as the before being moved. The additional areas to house them are completed.

The 2,500-acre sanctuary is modeled after the elephant's natural habitat in the wild. The diverse environments include pine forests, meadows, and wetlands, all connected for easy transition by foot. The animals can wander in the woods, relax in the mud, or swim in one of the eleven specially-built water holes. The elephants can also spend their days relaxing inside the specially-built barns close to their human caregivers.

"We are thrilled to give these elephants a place to wander and explore," said the conservation center's owners Mark and Kimbra Walter. "We are working to protect wild animals in their native habitats. But for these elephants that can't be released, we are pleased to give them a place where they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives."

White Oak Conservation is not the only non-profit helping rehabilitate retired circus elephants. On September 23, 2021, Georgia-based Elephant Refuge North America (ERNA) will welcome Bo. The 34-year-old male elephant has spent the past 30 years performing for the George Carden Circus.

Bo will be housed in a seven-acre habitat complete with pastures, woods, a pond, and a new custom-designed, fully automated elephant house. The pachyderm's habitat will be expanded to 100 acres once ERNA can raise sufficient funds to reinforce the perimeter fencing. The conservation center also hopes to add nine more retired elephants to the sanctuary.

Resources: whiteoakwildlife.org, elephantaidinternational.org

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Retired Circus Elephants Move To New Home With Plenty Of Room To Explore

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After years of intense public pushback, the now-shuttered Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus finally announced the retirement of their Asian elephant performers in 2016. While the decision was a resounding victory for animal lovers and activists, it raised a new issue.

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WARNING: don't die from cuteness

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Adorable Video Captures Black Bear Cub’s First Playground Slide Experience

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The school day had just ended at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina. Most students had left, and the ones in the school’s “supervised homework help” program were inside the campus. Fifth-grade teacher Betsie Stockslager Emry was also heading home when she noticed two playf…

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Hmm. Hope they don't get at my family's peaces and apples! Corduroy

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The spotted lanternfly might look pretty with its red wings and black dots. But the insect is causing big problems in the United States, and experts are telling people to take action against the pest. “Kill it! Squash it, smash…

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Adorable Video Captures Black Bear Cub’s First Playground Slide Experience

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The school day had just ended at Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina. Most students had left, and the ones in the school’s “supervised homework help” program were inside the campus. Fifth-grade teacher Betsie Stockslager Emry was also heading home when she noticed two playf…

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This is really cool, an amazing idea. by the way Corduroy posted this

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WaterPod s a sustainable desalination pod that naturally turns seawater into drinkable water Credit:Jamesdysonaward.org)

Humans have flown to the Moon and may even make it to Mars. But providing clean water to all remains a challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three people globally still do not have easy access to clean water. While desalinating ocean water is an obvious solution, the current process is both expensive and harmful for the environment. Now, some Malaysian students may have found a cheaper, more sustainable way to transform seawater into drinkable water.

WaterPod was created by students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (Credit: Jamesdysonaward.org)

Bennie Beh Hue May, Loo Xin Yang, and Yap Chun Yoon of the Asia Pacific University of Technology came up with the idea of WaterPod after observing the hardships of ethnic groups like the Sama-Bajau. The "sea nomads" reside in homes atop stilts in the shallow waters off the coast of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While the ocean provides the legendary divers with plenty of food, they often have to barter with nearby communities to obtain fresh water.

Made using recycled plastic waste, WaterPod is designed to draw up water from the sea with minimal salt intake. The salt that remains is filtered through a process of evaporation and condensation in the clear plastic-covered, dome-shaped container at the top. The water retrieved is collected in a storage chamber that can hold between 8 to 10.5 gallons (30.28 to 39.75 liters). The sustainable, self-cleaning device can work as an individual unit of water desalination. However, its modular design also allows for the creation of a network of WaterPods that could provide water for entire communities.

WaterPod is cost-effective and environmentally friendly (Credit: Jamesdysonaward.org)

The ingenious device beat out 120 entries to win the national James Dyson Award in Malaysia on August 25, 2021. The team will now compete with 84 finalists worldwide for the International 2021 James Dyson Award. The annual contest aims to encourage students to develop unconventional ideas to solve real-world problems. The winners, announced by the end of 2021, will receive a cash prize of $38,167 and an additional $6,440 for their university. If WaterPod wins, the inventors plan to use the funds to develop the device beyond the prototype stage.

Resources: www.jamesdysonaward.org, thebossmagazine.com

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This Ingenious Portable Desalination Device Makes Seawater Drinkable

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Humans have flown to the Moon and may even make it to Mars. But providing clean water to all remains a challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three people globally still do not have easy access to clean water.

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cleaner and cheaper way to get water

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WaterPod s a sustainable desalination pod that naturally turns seawater into drinkable water Credit:Jamesdysonaward.org)

Humans have flown to the Moon and may even make it to Mars. But providing clean water to all remains a challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three people globally still do not have easy access to clean water. While desalinating ocean water is an obvious solution, the current process is both expensive and harmful for the environment. Now, some Malaysian students may have found a cheaper, more sustainable way to transform seawater into drinkable water.

WaterPod was created by students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (Credit: Jamesdysonaward.org)

Bennie Beh Hue May, Loo Xin Yang, and Yap Chun Yoon of the Asia Pacific University of Technology came up with the idea of WaterPod after observing the hardships of ethnic groups like the Sama-Bajau. The "sea nomads" reside in homes atop stilts in the shallow waters off the coast of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While the ocean provides the legendary divers with plenty of food, they often have to barter with nearby communities to obtain fresh water.

Made using recycled plastic waste, WaterPod is designed to draw up water from the sea with minimal salt intake. The salt that remains is filtered through a process of evaporation and condensation in the clear plastic-covered, dome-shaped container at the top. The water retrieved is collected in a storage chamber that can hold between 8 to 10.5 gallons (30.28 to 39.75 liters). The sustainable, self-cleaning device can work as an individual unit of water desalination. However, its modular design also allows for the creation of a network of WaterPods that could provide water for entire communities.

WaterPod is cost-effective and environmentally friendly (Credit: Jamesdysonaward.org)

The ingenious device beat out 120 entries to win the national James Dyson Award in Malaysia on August 25, 2021. The team will now compete with 84 finalists worldwide for the International 2021 James Dyson Award. The annual contest aims to encourage students to develop unconventional ideas to solve real-world problems. The winners, announced by the end of 2021, will receive a cash prize of $38,167 and an additional $6,440 for their university. If WaterPod wins, the inventors plan to use the funds to develop the device beyond the prototype stage.

Resources: www.jamesdysonaward.org, thebossmagazine.com

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This Ingenious Portable Desalination Device Makes Seawater Drinkable

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Humans have flown to the Moon and may even make it to Mars. But providing clean water to all remains a challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three people globally still do not have easy access to clean water.

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Here is something that I read.

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Last year, a 9-year-old boy from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, set up a lemonade stand. He got lots of customers. "They all took a sip of lemonade and either gave a thumbs-up or said it was really good!" he told TIME for Kids. Even so, this boy did not want to share his name for this article. That's because he found out that by operating a business without a permit, he'd broken a state law.

In most states, it's illegal for kids to open a lemonade stand without first applying for a permit or license. These laws are meant to stop business owners from disregarding food-safety standards and local traffic rules. But applying for permits and licenses costs time and money.

The good news for young entrepreneurs × entrepreneur ANNIKA ERICKSON-GETTY IMAGES a person who starts a business (noun) Walt's life as an entrepreneur began when he opened his first lemonade stand. is that in recent years, several states, including Texas and Iowa, have made it easier for kids to run lemonade stands. And more lawmakers are getting on board.

Passing a Bill

Pennsylvania is now supporting lemonade sales by kids. John Hershey is a state representative there. In February, he introduced a bill. It was nicknamed Free the Lemonade Stand. The bill exempts × exempt SDI PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES to free from an obligation (verb) Mary was exempted from gym class because of her sprained ankle. kids from having to get a permit or license before starting most small, short-term businesses.

Hershey got the idea for the bill after reading about a family in Montgomery County, Maryland, that was threatened with a $500 fine for allowing kids to run a lemonade stand. Hershey didn't want that to happen in his state. He says running a lemonade stand is an "opportunity that young kids should have."

Tom Wolf is Pennsylvania's governor. On June 30, he signed Hershey's bill into law.

Reaping the Rewards

There are many reasons for a kid to start a small business. These include raising money for charity and keeping busy during long summer days. Some kids simply want to pick up extra cash. Victoria Hanson, 11, is a former TFK Kid Reporter. She lives in Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania. Victoria supports the new law in her state. "Children are not old enough to apply for jobs," she says. "Selling lemonade is an easy way for kids to make money."

Hershey says that kids who run a business learn valuable skills, such as marketing and bookkeeping. "The American dream is to want to build something for yourself," he says. And this new lemonade-stand law "helps kids do that at an early age."

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Last year, a 9-year-old boy from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, set up a lemonade stand. He got lots of customers. "They all took a sip of lemonade and either gave a thumbs-up or said it was really good!" he told TIME for...

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Look at how cool this is -Baldemar

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https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/giants-danger/ This topic is about Sequioa trees and how there burning inside of wildfires because of climate change. -Baldemar

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California’s KNP Complex wildfire forced the evacuation of Sequoia National Park on September 14. The blaze threatened the park’s giant sequoia trees. These trees are some of the largest in the world. By September 17, the fire had reached the…

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Look at this interesting document.

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California’s KNP Complex wildfire forced the evacuation of Sequoia National Park on September 14. The blaze threatened the park’s giant sequoia trees. These trees are some of the largest in the world. By September 17, the fire had reached the…

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Hope you enjoy! -Linden

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These Amazing Paralympians See No Challenges, Just Opportunities

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The pandemic-delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which took place from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, 2021, attracted a record number of competitors. A total of 4,403 athletes — 2,550 male and 1,853 female — competed across 22 sports and 23 disciplines. Here are a handful of the incredible men and women who…

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a moment of silence to remember.

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A terrorist attack in New York City killed 2,977 innocent people on 9/11/2001 (Credit: clermontcountyohio.gov)

The longest war in American history has ended. On August 31, 2021, a US aircraft carrying the remaining US officials in Afghanistan lifted off from Kabul, ending the nation's almost 20-year presence in the country. The chain of events leading to the long, drawn-out war began early on September 11, 2001.

Nineteen terrorists split into four groups, each with a trained pilot, hijacked four commercial flights: United Flight 93 from New Jersey, American Flight 77 from Washington, DC, and United Flight 175 and American Flight 11 from Boston. The airplanes were flying cross country, either to Los Angeles or San Francisco. They, therefore, had enough fuel to cause the maximum possible damage.

The Twin towers collapsed within hours after the airplanes crashed into them (Credit: NOAA/Public Domain)

The passengers aboard the airplanes knew they had been hijacked shortly after takeoff. However, the rest of the world remained unaware of the situation until 8:46 AM (EST). That's when American Flight 11 was seen heading towards New York City's tallest buildings - the World Trade Center's (WTC) Twin Towers. Before anyone could react, the aircraft crashed into the North Tower, creating a massive impact hole from the 93rd to the 99th floor.

Experts initially thought the crash was caused by a pilot error or an airplane malfunction. However, that theory changed when United Flight 175 rammed into the South Tower at 9:03 AM EST. About half an hour later, at 9:37 AM EST, American Flight 77 hit the Pentagon in Virginia. Shortly after, United Flight 93 crash-landed in an empty field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. By then, it was evident that America had experienced a well-planned terrorist attack.

A 9/11 memorial and museum was built in the area where the Twin towers once stood (Credit: 911memorial.org)

The aftermath of the attacks was heartbreaking, especially for those inside the majestic Twin Towers. The intense fires, caused by the fully-fueled airplanes, weakened the steel support trusses that attached each of the 110 floors to the building's exterior. This, together with the aircraft's initial impact, caused both towers evacuated a majority of the estimated 18,000 people in the WTC complex, they themselves were not as lucky. Most did not make it out alive. The Pentagon building withstood the crash, but the aircraft's initial impact killed 184 people. to crumble into a giant heap of cement and steel in less than two hours. While the quick-thinking firefighters and police officers had

The senseless act of violence, planned by Islamic extremist organization Al-Qaeda, killed 2,977 innocent people. The death toll would have been even higher if United Flight 93's crew and passengers had not taken control of the airplane. They managed to divert the aircraft - believed to be heading to the US Capitol in Washington, DC - to an empty field in Shanksville. Though none of the 40 survived the crash landing, their courage saved the country from an even bigger catastrophe.

S oon after, the US and its allies declared a "Global War on Terror" in Afghanistan. They wanted to retaliate against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban - the fundamentalist Islamic militia - who provided them safe haven. The two-decades-long conflict spanned four US presidencies, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, and cost about $2 trillion. Unfortunately, it did little to change the state of affairs.

The 20-year war in Afghanistan was America's longest foreign conflict (Credit: Statista/CC-By-SA-2.0)

While Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was assassinated in 2011, the terrorist group remains active. It has spawned several offshoots, including the deadly ISIS. The United Nations estimates that 5 million Afghanis have been displaced by the war since 2012. To make matters worse, the Taliban returned to power shortly after the departure of the allied forces. In just ten days, from August 6 - 15, 2021, they took over the provincial capitals Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, and, finally, Kabul. As the Taliban militants gained ground, the country's president, Ashraf Ghani, fled to the UAE, and the US Embassy rapidly evacuated thousands of citizens from the country.

President Joe Biden has drawn criticism for the unfortunate turn of events. However, the US leader defended his decision, saying, "I was the fourth president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan-two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war on to a fifth."

September 11, 2001, was a tragedy of epic proportions - one that will never be forgotten. However, it has also made Americans more resilient and determined to continue living without fear. On September 11 - or Patriot Day, as it is now called - take a few minutes to remember the thousands of innocent lives lost on that fateful day and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to try to stop global terrorism.

#NeverForget

Resources: History.com, Wikipeida.com, www.aljazeera.com

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America's 20-Year War In Afghanistan Has Ended

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The longest war in American history has ended. On August 31, 2021, a US aircraft carrying the remaining US officials in Afghanistan lifted off from Kabul, ending the nation's almost 20-year presence in the country. The chain of events leading to the long, drawn-out war began early on September 11, 2001.

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https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/the-slinky-machine-a-hand-cranked-wooden-slinky-escalator

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What if you had a never-ending stairway for a Slinky to "walk" down? How long do you think it might continue to descend? Matthias Wandel of Woodgears.ca decided to find out. This is The Slinky Machine, a specially-constructed, wooden Slinky escalator or treadmill.

The challenges that come with making a Slinky Machine include keeping the Slinky from falling off the steps left or right, keeping its strides consistent, and getting the steps to move at just the right speed so that the slinky will continue to descend. Wandel's solutions: A backboard, a slight angle on each step and on the machine itself, a hand crank, and lots of measuring, testing, and practice.

How many steps can the slinky go? Watch:

Related DIY: Slinking Science on an inclined plane.

In the archives, more Slinky experiments and more from Woodgears.ca, including a Binary Marble Adding Machine and Paul Grundbacher's marble machines.

h/t Boing Boing.

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The Slinky Machine: A hand-cranked, wooden Slinky escalator | The Kid Should See This

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What if you had a never-ending stairway for a Slinky to "walk" down? How long do you think it might continue to descend? Matthias Wandel of Woodgears.ca decided to find out. This is The Slinky Machine, a specially-constructed, wooden Slinky escalator or treadmill.

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https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/straight-rod-curved-hole-demonstration

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Imagine how you might pass a straight metal rod through a curved hole. How does that work if neither bends? Is it impossible? This demonstration at the Science Museum in Valencia, Spain shows that it's absolutely possible with some creative thinking: Motion changing where objects intersect over time. Gif via Reddit:

Update: We want to build our own! Here's a great example of how some paper, a toothpick, some tape, and a straw can recreate this excellent science project. There are also instructions for a stronger wood version at Exploratorium.edu.

Saw this somewhere and wanted to try it when I had more time. It will be one of the daily challenges I'll be sharing with our Ss starting next week. #hawksmakerspace pic.twitter.com/EY6ELOsTqG

- ChuckStoffle (@ChuckStoffle) March 19, 2020

In the archives: more spinning and more geometry, including a few Eames films from Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond.

via Neatorama.

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How can a straight metal rod pass through a curved hole? | The Kid Should See This

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Imagine how you might pass a straight metal rod through a curved hole. How does that work if neither bends? Is it impossible? This demonstration at the Science Museum in Valencia, Spain shows that it's absolutely possible with some creative thinking: Motion changing where objects intersect over time.

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Skip to main content

The SpaceX Crew Dragon is nearly 27 feet tall. A powerful rocket lifts it into space. Dragon made its first crewed flight in 2020. It will carry Inspiration4 astronauts to space this month. Read on to learn about the parts of the craft.

1. Nose Cone
This opens to a windowed cupola, where astronauts can see into space.
2. Capsule
This is the pressurized section of the craft. It carries the crew.
3. Windows 4. Side hatch 5. Engines 6. 16 thrusters
These help position the craft.
7. Modernized instrument panels
Three large touch screens face the four astronauts. Each screen is capable of calling up 10 sets of displays.
8. Launch abort system
This separates the capsule from the rocket in case of emergency.
9. Heat shield 10. Unpressurized trunk section
Half of this is covered in solar panels to provide power. The trunk detaches shortly before reentry. It is also used to hold cargo and has a capacity of 1,300 cubic feet.
11. Four fins
These fins are the base of the trunk. They help stabilize the Dragon in the event that the mission must be cut short.

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The SpaceX Crew Dragon is nearly 27 feet tall. A powerful rocket lifts it into space. Dragon made its first crewed flight in 2020. It will carry Inspiration4 astronauts to space this month. Read on to learn about the parts...

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COOL! Maybe the clone it like in jurassic park!! -Corduroy

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COOL! Maybe the clone it like in jurassic park!! -Corduroy

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https://www.dogonews.com/2021/9/10/rare-embryo-found-inside-prehistoric-turtle-egg

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An illustration of the prehistoric nanhsiungchelyid turtle hatching from its egg (Credit: Masato Hattori)

The Henan Province in central China is a treasure trove of dinosaur eggs. However, the odd-looking black orb with a blue tint, presented to Fenglu Han and Haishui Jiang by a farmer in 2018, was unlike any dinosaur egg the experts had encountered before. The paleontologists from the China University of Geosciences initially thought the egg might belong to a new species of the prehistoric giants.

However, a closer examination revealed that the tennis-ball-sized fossil housed a well-preserved embryo of an extinct prehistoric turtle called the nanhsiungchelyid. The massive land-dwelling animals roamed North America and Asia during the Cretaceous period - from 145 to 66 million years ago.

This is the first time researchers have been able to identify the turtle species from an embryo (Credit: Yuzheng Ke)

The discovery is extremely exciting given that intact turtle eggs from the Cretaceous period are hard to find. They are usually too small and too fragile to survive. The few fossil embryos discovered in the past were not well-preserved enough to identify the turtle species.

"This is actually the first time that [fossil] turtle eggs or a nest really could be attributed to a particular turtle," study co-author and University of Calgary paleontologist Professor Darla Zelenitsky told CBC.

A CT image of the embryonic bones inside the turtle egg (Credit: Ke.et.al. 2021)

The scientists believe the newly-found turtle egg managed to remain unscathed for 90 million years due to its large size and sturdy shell. Measuring 2.1 by 2.3 inches (5.4 by 5.9 centimeters), it is just a tad smaller than the eggs laid by the massive Galápagos tortoises. Its 0.07- inch-thick (1.8 millimeters), shell - about four times thicker than that of Galápagos tortoise eggs - was able to withstand outside forces and help retain much-needed water. Since part of the shell is broken, Zelenitsky wonders if the turtle failed in its attempt to hatch.

Based on the size of the egg, the researchers estimate that the parents' carapace was a staggering 5.3-feet (1.6 meters) in length. Add in the neck or head length, and the massive animal was probably as tall as an average human!

A nanhsiungchelyid turtle fossil found in Alberta, Canada (Credit: Royal Tyrell Museum)

The team, who published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B on August 18, 2021, theorize that the species went extinct when the weather changed. Zelenitsky says, "While these turtles' unique terrestrial lifestyle, thick eggs, and underground nesting strategy may have served them well during the Cretaceous, it's possible that these specialized turtles couldn't adapt to the cooler climatic and environmental changes following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction."

Resources: Livescience.com, Nationalgeographic.com

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Rare Embryo Found Inside Prehistoric Turtle Egg

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Henan Province in central China is a treasure trove of dinosaur eggs. However, the odd-looking black orb with a blue tint, presented to Fenglu Han and Haishui Jiang by a farmer in 2018, was unlike any dinosaur egg the experts had encountered before.

# data[].attributes.body
Linden.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The microfibers shed by synthetic clothing during a laundry cycle are a big contributor to plastic pollution (Credit: Retviews.com)

Clothing made from synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, has many positive attributes. It is cheap to produce, lasts for a long time, and is comfortable to wear. However, the fabric, made from petroleum, has one major downside. The tiny polymer strands - or what we call lint - that shed from the textiles during each laundry cycle are big contributors to plastic pollution. Now, some scientists from Lithuania have found a way to recycle the textile waste into clean energy.

Dr. Samy Yousef, a senior researcher at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), who led the study, says, "Lint-microfibers are classified as microplastics. Whereas large plastic items can be sorted out and recycled relatively easily, this is not the case with microplastic - tiny plastic pieces, less than 5 mm in diameter. Large quantities of microplastics are being washed down our drains and enter our seas, threatening the environment."

About a third of the ocean's microplastics are believed to come from washing synthetic garments (Credit: www.solanacenter.org)

The researchers began by collecting lint from dryers across KTU's dormitories. The international student population enabled them to obtain a wide diversity of materials. They then used a technique called pyrolysis to transform the textile waste into useful energy. The process entails heating the lint without oxygen. This causes the microfibers to decompose into combustible gases and charcoal.

The team, who published their findings in the journal Science of the Total Environment on March 25,2021, revealed that they were able to extract three energy products - oil, gas, and charcoal - from the lint. More importantly, about 70 percent of the waste was converted into energy. Mathematical models done by the researchers indicate that converting 45 tons of microfibers - the amount generated by just one million people annually - could yield 13.8 tons of oil, 21.5 tons of gas, and 9.7 tons of charcoal, and result in an overall profit of about $120,000.

Simple actions can help reduce your impact on the environment (Credit: www.solanacenter.org)

Dr. Yousef has even thought of an innovative way to gather the household waste. The researcher says, "I believe that the collection system, similar to deposit-return for drink containers, could be developed based on our research. A household would bring the lint-microfiber from their drying machine filters to a collection point and receive some kind of compensation for it."

Though the technology is encouraging, it will take time to perfect and deploy on a large scale. Also, while it recycles the lint in the dryer, it does nothing to prevent the millions of tons of microfibers that get released with the water during the washing cycle. While we cannot stop doing laundry, there are some easy ways to reduce our environmental impact. Washing synthetic clothes less frequently, doing full loads, and line drying them all help reduce the number of microfibers shed.

Resources: en.ktu.edu, www.techexplorist.com

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Eco-Friendly Technology Transforms Dryer Lint Into Energy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Clothing made from synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, has many positive attributes. It is cheap to produce, lasts for a long time, and is comfortable to wear. However, the fabric, made from petroleum, has one major downside.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An illustration of the prehistoric nanhsiungchelyid turtle hatching from its egg (Credit: Masato Hattori)

The Henan Province in central China is a treasure trove of dinosaur eggs. However, the odd-looking black orb with a blue tint, presented to Fenglu Han and Haishui Jiang by a farmer in 2018, was unlike any dinosaur egg the experts had encountered before. The paleontologists from the China University of Geosciences initially thought the egg might belong to a new species of the prehistoric giants.

However, a closer examination revealed that the tennis-ball-sized fossil housed a well-preserved embryo of an extinct prehistoric turtle called the nanhsiungchelyid. The massive land-dwelling animals roamed North America and Asia during the Cretaceous period - from 145 to 66 million years ago.

This is the first time researchers have been able to identify the turtle species from an embryo (Credit: Yuzheng Ke)

The discovery is extremely exciting given that intact turtle eggs from the Cretaceous period are hard to find. They are usually too small and too fragile to survive. The few fossil embryos discovered in the past were not well-preserved enough to identify the turtle species.

"This is actually the first time that [fossil] turtle eggs or a nest really could be attributed to a particular turtle," study co-author and University of Calgary paleontologist Professor Darla Zelenitsky told CBC.

A CT image of the embryonic bones inside the turtle egg (Credit: Ke.et.al. 2021)

The scientists believe the newly-found turtle egg managed to remain unscathed for 90 million years due to its large size and sturdy shell. Measuring 2.1 by 2.3 inches (5.4 by 5.9 centimeters), it is just a tad smaller than the eggs laid by the massive Galápagos tortoises. Its 0.07- inch-thick (1.8 millimeters), shell - about four times thicker than that of Galápagos tortoise eggs - was able to withstand outside forces and help retain much-needed water. Since part of the shell is broken, Zelenitsky wonders if the turtle failed in its attempt to hatch.

Based on the size of the egg, the researchers estimate that the parents' carapace was a staggering 5.3-feet (1.6 meters) in length. Add in the neck or head length, and the massive animal was probably as tall as an average human!

A nanhsiungchelyid turtle fossil found in Alberta, Canada (Credit: Royal Tyrell Museum)

The team, who published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B on August 18, 2021, theorize that the species went extinct when the weather changed. Zelenitsky says, "While these turtles' unique terrestrial lifestyle, thick eggs, and underground nesting strategy may have served them well during the Cretaceous, it's possible that these specialized turtles couldn't adapt to the cooler climatic and environmental changes following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction."

Resources: Livescience.com, Nationalgeographic.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rare Embryo Found Inside Prehistoric Turtle Egg

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Henan Province in central China is a treasure trove of dinosaur eggs. However, the odd-looking black orb with a blue tint, presented to Fenglu Han and Haishui Jiang by a farmer in 2018, was unlike any dinosaur egg the experts had encountered before.

# data[].attributes.body
This mini origami robot self-folds, performs tasks, & can be dissolved.

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Researchers from MIT and TU Munich have debuted an insect-like, miniature, self-assembling origami robot at ICRA 2015. The tiny bot is 1.7cm by 1.7cm and is made of a neodymium magnet, PVC, and polystyrene or paper. When placed on a heating element, the PVC contracts, folding the bot at its pre-defined creases.

It moves thanks to a magnetic field that turns on and off quickly, making the robot oscillate in a forward direction to walk. From IEEE Spectrum:

...from a flat sheet with a magnet on it, their robot folds itself up in just a few seconds, is immediately ready to zip around on land or water driven by magnetic fields, and then when you've run out of things to do with it, drive it into a tank of acetone and it'll dissolve. This is the first time that a robot has been able to demonstrate a complete life cycle like this...

Imagine having a fleet of tiny bots that can perform tasks and then can disappear almost without a trace. Read more (and see diagrams) of the mini origami robot at spectrum.ieee.org.

Next: Self-Folding Crawler - Harvard's Transformer-style Origami Robot.

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This mini origami robot self-folds, performs tasks, & can be dissolved | The Kid Should See This

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Researchers from MIT and TU Munich have debuted an insect-like, miniature, self-assembling origami robot at ICRA 2015. The tiny bot is 1.7cm by 1.7cm and is made of a neodymium magnet, PVC, and polystyrene or paper. When placed on a heating element, the PVC contracts, folding the bot at its pre-defined creases.

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This is sooo adrorable! Baby elephant gets a helping hand! -Corduroy

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An adult elephant came to the rescue of a baby elephant stuck on a steep riverbank in Botswana (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.

Wolhuter says that while the Majale River only flows for a few months of the year, there is plenty of water to be found under the ground. Aware of this, the area's pachyderms frequently visit the dry riverbed to dig up the water and quench their thirst. They also maintain the steep paths along the riverbanks.

The distressed calf scampers off to safety after getting to the top of the riverbank (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

In late August, Wolhuter was searching the area in the hopes of seeing the elephants in action. She had just driven a few kilometers along the riverbank when she noticed an elephant making its way up. Things went smoothly at first. Two team members effortlessly scaled the hill and disappeared. The rest of the family, led by a female elephant, followed closely behind. They were doing well until the baby elephant got stuck on the slope's steepest part. Unaware of its distress, the mother continued to forge ahead. Fortunately, the herd's leader had stayed behind to ensure everyone made it up safely. She was able to gently nudge the helpless baby elephant up the tricky terrain.

Wolhuter told The Latest Sightings, "We all know that elephants are caring and help each other and the matriarch of the herd came to the rescue, making sure no one was left behind!"

Resources: Latestsightings.com

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Stranded Baby Elephant Gets A Helping Hand From The Herd's Matriarch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.

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https://www.dogonews.com/2021/5/12/ancient-stone-structures-found-in-saudi-arabia-may-be-the-worlds-oldest-monuments
- carley

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Ancient Stone Structures Found In Saudi Arabia May Be The World’s Oldest Monuments

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A collection of 1,000 prehistoric structures dubbed mustatils — the plural form of the Arabic term for rectangles — scattered across 124,274 miles (200,000 kilometers) in northwest Saudi Arabia may be the world’s oldest monuments. A team of archeologists from the University of Western Australia (…

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The microfibers shed by synthetic clothing during a laundry cycle are a big contributor to plastic pollution (Credit: Retviews.com)

Clothing made from synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, has many positive attributes. It is cheap to produce, lasts for a long time, and is comfortable to wear. However, the fabric, made from petroleum, has one major downside. The tiny polymer strands - or what we call lint - that shed from the textiles during each laundry cycle are big contributors to plastic pollution. Now, some scientists from Lithuania have found a way to recycle the textile waste into clean energy.

Dr. Samy Yousef, a senior researcher at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), who led the study, says, "Lint-microfibers are classified as microplastics. Whereas large plastic items can be sorted out and recycled relatively easily, this is not the case with microplastic - tiny plastic pieces, less than 5 mm in diameter. Large quantities of microplastics are being washed down our drains and enter our seas, threatening the environment."

About a third of the ocean's microplastics are believed to come from washing synthetic garments (Credit: www.solanacenter.org)

The researchers began by collecting lint from dryers across KTU's dormitories. The international student population enabled them to obtain a wide diversity of materials. They then used a technique called pyrolysis to transform the textile waste into useful energy. The process entails heating the lint without oxygen. This causes the microfibers to decompose into combustible gases and charcoal.

The team, who published their findings in the journal Science of the Total Environment on March 25,2021, revealed that they were able to extract three energy products - oil, gas, and charcoal - from the lint. More importantly, about 70 percent of the waste was converted into energy. Mathematical models done by the researchers indicate that converting 45 tons of microfibers - the amount generated by just one million people annually - could yield 13.8 tons of oil, 21.5 tons of gas, and 9.7 tons of charcoal, and result in an overall profit of about $120,000.

Simple actions can help reduce your impact on the environment (Credit: www.solanacenter.org)

Dr. Yousef has even thought of an innovative way to gather the household waste. The researcher says, "I believe that the collection system, similar to deposit-return for drink containers, could be developed based on our research. A household would bring the lint-microfiber from their drying machine filters to a collection point and receive some kind of compensation for it."

Though the technology is encouraging, it will take time to perfect and deploy on a large scale. Also, while it recycles the lint in the dryer, it does nothing to prevent the millions of tons of microfibers that get released with the water during the washing cycle. While we cannot stop doing laundry, there are some easy ways to reduce our environmental impact. Washing synthetic clothes less frequently, doing full loads, and line drying them all help reduce the number of microfibers shed.

Resources: en.ktu.edu, www.techexplorist.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eco-Friendly Technology Transforms Dryer Lint Into Energy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Clothing made from synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, has many positive attributes. It is cheap to produce, lasts for a long time, and is comfortable to wear. However, the fabric, made from petroleum, has one major downside.

# data[].attributes.body
Sorry! Didn't see the date! Still a cute article though! -Corduroy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
An adult elephant came to the rescue of a baby elephant stuck on a steep riverbank in Botswana (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.

Wolhuter says that while the Majale River only flows for a few months of the year, there is plenty of water to be found under the ground. Aware of this, the area's pachyderms frequently visit the dry riverbed to dig up the water and quench their thirst. They also maintain the steep paths along the riverbanks.

The distressed calf scampers off to safety after getting to the top of the riverbank (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

In late August, Wolhuter was searching the area in the hopes of seeing the elephants in action. She had just driven a few kilometers along the riverbank when she noticed an elephant making its way up. Things went smoothly at first. Two team members effortlessly scaled the hill and disappeared. The rest of the family, led by a female elephant, followed closely behind. They were doing well until the baby elephant got stuck on the slope's steepest part. Unaware of its distress, the mother continued to forge ahead. Fortunately, the herd's leader had stayed behind to ensure everyone made it up safely. She was able to gently nudge the helpless baby elephant up the tricky terrain.

Wolhuter told The Latest Sightings, "We all know that elephants are caring and help each other and the matriarch of the herd came to the rescue, making sure no one was left behind!"

Resources: Latestsightings.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Stranded Baby Elephant Gets A Helping Hand From The Herd's Matriarch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.

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Skip to main content

After slamming the South, Ida crossed the northeastern U.S. on September 1 as a tropical storm. Record rainfall caused flooding in the region. At least 18 people were killed.

The nearly 8.5 million residents of New York City were told to shelter at home. "We're enduring an historic weather event tonight, with record-breaking rain . . . flooding, and dangerous conditions on our roads," Bill de Blasio said. He's the city's mayor.

Tornadoes struck New Jersey. The storm caused hundreds of flights to be canceled at Newark Liberty International Airport. In Pennsylvania, highways were underwater.

Scientists say that powerful storms like Ida have become much more common as the planet has continued to warm.

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After slamming the South, Ida crossed the northeastern U.S. on September 1 as a tropical storm. Record rainfall caused flooding in the region. At least 18 people were killed. The nearly 8.5 million residents of New York City were told...

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Many organizations are working on relief efforts in Mississippi and Louisiana. They're looking for help.

The city of New Orleans says it is unable to accept donations or volunteers. It recommends donating money to groups like United Way of Southeast Louisiana. People can also donate to the Greater New Orleans Foundation. It supports communities after natural disasters. The nonprofit group World Central Kitchen is feed-ing people in need in New Orleans.

Some groups are also accepting supplies. One is called the Another Gulf is Possible Collaborative. It's collecting water, toys, games, clothing, sleeping bags, pillows, toothpaste, and nonperishable food.

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Many organizations are working on relief efforts in Mississippi and Louisiana. They're looking for help. The city of New Orleans says it is unable to accept donations or volunteers. It recommends donating money to groups like United Way of Southeast...

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it is all about people returning to there homes and the damage ida is responsible for.

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Emergency response crews have been hard at work in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Ida tore through the region. Ida barreled into Louisiana's coast on August 29, as a Category 4 hurricane. It was one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States.

Winds reached 150 miles per hour, and rain brought major flooding. At press time, four people had died and many more were injured.

More than a million homes and businesses lost electricity. Damage to the power system was so bad that electricity may not be back on for weeks, officials say. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, and no one is under the illusion that this is going to be a short process," John Bel Edwards says. He's Louisiana's governor.

Some 440,000 people in Louisiana were without water after treatment plants flooded or lost power. When the storm was over, temperatures topped 85°F. High humidity made the heat feel worse.

Those who returned after evacuating have faced challenges. Stephanie Blaise lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her power was still out, so she hoped to stay for a short time only. "I'm going to have to convince him to leave," she said of her father, who came with her. "Can't stay in this heat."
Stop and Think! Who are the people quoted in this article? What makes them reliable sources? Who else could the author have quoted, and why?

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Emergency response crews have been hard at work in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Ida tore through the region. Ida barreled into Louisiana's coast on August 29, as a Category 4 hurricane. It was one of the most powerful storms...

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Hurricane Ida seen from the International Space Station (Credit: NASA)

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began with a bang for the residents of Louisiana. On August 29, 2021, the Gulf Coast state was battered by Hurricane Ida, a powerful Category 4 storm that officials believe was the strongest to hit the area in 165 years. To make matters worse, Ida arrived on the sixteenth anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina and made landfall twice.

The powerful storm, which packed 150mph winds, first blew ashore at Port Fourchon, a major oil hub less than 100 miles from New Orleans. The area, which had been evacuated before the hurricane hit, is a docking site for multi-million-dollar ships that supply and support about 90% of the Gulf's platforms and rigs. They produce about 15% of the nation's crude oil and 5% of its natural gas. Two hours later, Ida ripped through Lafourche Parish, a county with about 100,000 residents.

Ida, which is heading towards southwestern Mississippi, has now been downgraded to a tropical depression. However, it has caused extensive flooding and damage across southern Louisiana. On Monday, officials sent out rescue boats, high water vehicles, and helicopters to rescue the thousands of residents stranded in their attics or rooftops by the high water levels. Over a million residents are currently without power.

In New Orleans, the storm ripped off awnings, caused buildings to sway, and flooded many streets. It also damaged the eight transmission lines that deliver the city's power, leaving residents in the dark. The power outage is also impacting the operation of sewer pumping stations. The local utility company says it will take a few days to determine the extent of the damage to the electricity grid and probably a few weeks to restore service to all.

The levee system protected New Orleans from extensive flooding (Credit: Army Corp of Engineers)

Extensive as the damage is, things would have been even worse without the protection of Louisiana's new $14 billion levee system. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies, the 133-mile protection perimeter around the New Orleans metro area prevented the extensive flooding experienced during Hurricane Katrina.

In a press conference on Monday, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said, "The one good news here, the good news this morning anyway, all of our levee systems performed extremely well, especially the hurricane risk reduction system around New Orleans and even non-federal levees in Lafourche, Terrebonne parish performed extremely well."

The news is particularly encouraging given that Ida was much more powerful than Katrina. At landfall, the storm's winds were just shy of the 157 mph required for a Category 5 hurricane. This is the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which rates storms from 1 to 5 based on maximum sustained wind speed. Only four Category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the continental US in the last century: the Labor Day Hurricane in 1935, Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992, and Michael in 2018.

#Stay Strong Louisiana!

Sources: CNN.com, wdsu.com, wikipedia.org, foxnews.com

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Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall In Louisiana As A Powerful Category 4 Storm

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The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season began with a bang for the residents of Louisiana. On August 29, 2021, the Gulf Coast state was battered by Hurricane Ida, a powerful Category 4 storm that officials believe was the strongest to hit the area in 165 years.

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A terrorist attack in New York City killed 2,977 innocent people on 9/11/2001 (Credit: clermontcountyohio.gov)

The longest war in American history has ended. On August 31, 2021, a US aircraft carrying the remaining US officials in Afghanistan lifted off from Kabul, ending the nation's almost 20-year presence in the country. The chain of events leading to the long, drawn-out war began early on September 11, 2001.

Nineteen terrorists split into four groups, each with a trained pilot, hijacked four commercial flights: United Flight 93 from New Jersey, American Flight 77 from Washington, DC, and United Flight 175 and American Flight 11 from Boston. The airplanes were flying cross country, either to Los Angeles or San Francisco. They, therefore, had enough fuel to cause the maximum possible damage.

The Twin towers collapsed within hours after the airplanes crashed into them (Credit: NOAA/Public Domain)

The passengers aboard the airplanes knew they had been hijacked shortly after takeoff. However, the rest of the world remained unaware of the situation until 8:46 AM (EST). That's when American Flight 11 was seen heading towards New York City's tallest buildings - the World Trade Center's (WTC) Twin Towers. Before anyone could react, the aircraft crashed into the North Tower, creating a massive impact hole from the 93rd to the 99th floor.

Experts initially thought the crash was caused by a pilot error or an airplane malfunction. However, that theory changed when United Flight 175 rammed into the South Tower at 9:03 AM EST. About half an hour later, at 9:37 AM EST, American Flight 77 hit the Pentagon in Virginia. Shortly after, United Flight 93 crash-landed in an empty field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. By then, it was evident that America had experienced a well-planned terrorist attack.

A 9/11 memorial and museum was built in the area where the Twin towers once stood (Credit: 911memorial.org)

The aftermath of the attacks was heartbreaking, especially for those inside the majestic Twin Towers. The intense fires, caused by the fully-fueled airplanes, weakened the steel support trusses that attached each of the 110 floors to the building's exterior. This, together with the aircraft's initial impact, caused both towers evacuated a majority of the estimated 18,000 people in the WTC complex, they themselves were not as lucky. Most did not make it out alive. The Pentagon building withstood the crash, but the aircraft's initial impact killed 184 people. to crumble into a giant heap of cement and steel in less than two hours. While the quick-thinking firefighters and police officers had

The senseless act of violence, planned by Islamic extremist organization Al-Qaeda, killed 2,977 innocent people. The death toll would have been even higher if United Flight 93's crew and passengers had not taken control of the airplane. They managed to divert the aircraft - believed to be heading to the US Capitol in Washington, DC - to an empty field in Shanksville. Though none of the 40 survived the crash landing, their courage saved the country from an even bigger catastrophe.

S oon after, the US and its allies declared a "Global War on Terror" in Afghanistan. They wanted to retaliate against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban - the fundamentalist Islamic militia - who provided them safe haven. The two-decades-long conflict spanned four US presidencies, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, and cost about $2 trillion. Unfortunately, it did little to change the state of affairs.

The 20-year war in Afghanistan was America's longest foreign conflict (Credit: Statista/CC-By-SA-2.0)

While Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was assassinated in 2011, the terrorist group remains active. It has spawned several offshoots, including the deadly ISIS. The United Nations estimates that 5 million Afghanis have been displaced by the war since 2012. To make matters worse, the Taliban returned to power shortly after the departure of the allied forces. In just ten days, from August 6 - 15, 2021, they took over the provincial capitals Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, and, finally, Kabul. As the Taliban militants gained ground, the country's president, Ashraf Ghani, fled to the UAE, and the US Embassy rapidly evacuated thousands of citizens from the country.

President Joe Biden has drawn criticism for the unfortunate turn of events. However, the US leader defended his decision, saying, "I was the fourth president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan-two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war on to a fifth."

September 11, 2001, was a tragedy of epic proportions - one that will never be forgotten. However, it has also made Americans more resilient and determined to continue living without fear. On September 11 - or Patriot Day, as it is now called - take a few minutes to remember the thousands of innocent lives lost on that fateful day and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to try to stop global terrorism.

#NeverForget

Resources: History.com, Wikipeida.com, www.aljazeera.com

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America's 20-Year War In Afghanistan Has Ended

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The longest war in American history has ended. On August 31, 2021, a US aircraft carrying the remaining US officials in Afghanistan lifted off from Kabul, ending the nation's almost 20-year presence in the country. The chain of events leading to the long, drawn-out war began early on September 11, 2001.

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type a summary of the news article you read

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An adult elephant came to the rescue of a baby elephant stuck on a steep riverbank in Botswana (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.

Wolhuter says that while the Majale River only flows for a few months of the year, there is plenty of water to be found under the ground. Aware of this, the area's pachyderms frequently visit the dry riverbed to dig up the water and quench their thirst. They also maintain the steep paths along the riverbanks.

The distressed calf scampers off to safety after getting to the top of the riverbank (Credit: Kim Wolhuter /Latest Sightings.com)

In late August, Wolhuter was searching the area in the hopes of seeing the elephants in action. She had just driven a few kilometers along the riverbank when she noticed an elephant making its way up. Things went smoothly at first. Two team members effortlessly scaled the hill and disappeared. The rest of the family, led by a female elephant, followed closely behind. They were doing well until the baby elephant got stuck on the slope's steepest part. Unaware of its distress, the mother continued to forge ahead. Fortunately, the herd's leader had stayed behind to ensure everyone made it up safely. She was able to gently nudge the helpless baby elephant up the tricky terrain.

Wolhuter told The Latest Sightings, "We all know that elephants are caring and help each other and the matriarch of the herd came to the rescue, making sure no one was left behind!"

Resources: Latestsightings.com

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Stranded Baby Elephant Gets A Helping Hand From The Herd's Matriarch

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Wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter was just hoping for some authentic footage of an elephant herd climbing a steep path out of the Majale riverbed in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. Instead, she was able to capture a heartwarming video of a stranded baby elephant being helped up a cliff by the herd's matriarch.