Animation Student Wins Moon Art And Design Contest
By NASA/PIO
July 28, 2009
Zachary Madere could not believe his eyes when he read the e-mail announcing his first place win in NASA’s Life and Work on the Moon Art & Design Contest.
Zachary, a student majoring in Illustration and Two Dimensional Animation at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, had come home late after a long night of work, with a plan to go straight to bed. Before getting his much needed sleep, though, he decided to give his e-mail a quick check. What he saw dashed away any need for rest. He had been notified as the first place winner with “Best Overall Score” for his oil painting, “Crater Core Sample.”
“I was not expecting it at all,” the soft-spoken art student said, disbelief still in his voice. “I started jumping around and screaming, accidentally knocking down some furniture. Right away I shared the news with my roommate, an artist who’s like a brother to me. It was really exciting!”
Zachary learned of the contest, which is sponsored by NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., through his father, who is fascinated with space. He sent his son information about the competition as well as articles about the moon. One story in particular caught Zachary’s eye.
“I read an article about finding and using water on the moon, and I was really intrigued by it. Discovering water on the lunar surface and using it for something, like radiation shielding, seemed like an amazing idea.”
It was just the inspiration he needed.
Zachary started planning and sketching ideas. He did his research work, too. When he had questions about details, such as shadows on the moon or radiation shielding, he contacted a Denver University professor to ensure that he understood the concepts correctly.
The end result was “Crater Core Sample,” an oil painting featuring an astronaut holding an icy cylinder in a darkened crater, while two other astronauts look on. It is a compelling piece of art, evoking a sense of wonder and discovery.
Winners and winning entries took all forms this year, as evidenced by a former stay-at-home mom who submitted a sculpture entitled “Dark Side of the Moon.” Kristine Beam, who attends Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, placed first in the three-dimensional category. Kristine was encouraged to enter the contest by her professor, Leo Morissey. Much like Zachary, Kristine was astonished about her win, and also very humbled.
“I was quite taken aback,” she said. “I was satisfied with my work, but I wasn’t expecting recognition, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to win first place. Creating the sculpture and entering the contest was actually part of my class assignment; if my professor had not encouraged me, I may not have entered at all!”
Regarding her work, Kristine states that, “The sculpture is created in such a way that the viewer can be part of the artwork. A mirror is part of the sculpture’s design, and as you look into the mirror and see your reflection, you can contemplate working and living on the moon, as well as the enormity of the universe.”
In contrast to the visually appealing art entries, one first place winning work cannot be seen at all, but instead, must be heard.
Matthew Bruemmer, a 16-year-old student from Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, placed first in the high school digital category with his classical symphony entitled, “Back to the Moon.”
Matthew, who hopes to work for NASA as an aeronautical engineer, designed his symphony to represent an astronaut’s voyage to the moon. The beginning of his melody represents lift-off, the piano solo in the middle represents the ethereal feeling of floating in space and the ending represents landing on the moon.
“I’ve always been interested in everything NASA does,” Matthew said. “I learned about the contest on NASA’s web-site and started working on my symphony right away; I was really excited when I found out I had won first place!”
Zachary, Kristine and Matthew’s art entries were some of more than 90
imaginative and inventive submissions from both the college and high school level. Other students also deserve praise for their entries, which include two-dimensional artwork, sculpture, three-dimensional art, digital art and video.
Altogether, a total of 147 students from more than 70 institutions participated as teams or individually, with entries from 25 U.S. states, France, Poland, India and Romania. Judges rated the art based on originality, creativity, artistic elements, and if the concept was valid for harsh lunar conditions.
The first place winners will be recognized on July 20, at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as part of a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the first Apollo landing. Later, the winning art will be displayed at NASA facilities, public venues and elsewhere as requested.
The goal of NASA’s Life and Work on the Moon Art & Design Contest is to engage non-science and engineering students in NASA’s exploration mission. Next year’s contest will open in September and will be expanded to include a literature section.
To view the gallery of entries and learn more about the contest, visit: For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Hubble Space Telescope Captures Rare Jupiter Collision
By NASA/PIO
July 27, 2009
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has taken the sharpest visible-light picture yet of atmospheric debris from an object that collided with Jupiter on July 19. NASA scientists decided to interrupt the recently refurbished observatory’s checkout and calibration to take the image of a new, expanding spot on the giant planet on July 23.
Discovered by Australian amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley, the spot was created when a small comet or asteroid plunged into Jupiter’s atmosphere and disintegrated. The only other time such a feature has been seen on Jupiter was 15 years ago after the collision of fragments from comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.
“Because we believe this magnitude of impact is rare, we are very fortunate to see it with Hubble,” said Amy Simon-Miller of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. “Details seen in the Hubble view shows a lumpiness to the debris plume caused by turbulence in Jupiter’s atmosphere.”
The new Hubble images also confirm that a May servicing visit by space shuttle astronauts was a big success.
“This image of the impact on Jupiter is fantastic,” said U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. “It tells us that our astronauts and the ground crew at the Goddard Space Flight Center successfully repaired the Hubble telescope. I’m so proud of them and I can’t wait to see what’s next from Hubble.”
For the past several days, Earth-based telescopes have been trained on Jupiter. To capture the unfolding drama 360 million miles away, Matt Mountain, director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, gave observation time to a team of astronomers led by Heidi Hammel of the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo.
“Hubble’s truly exquisite imaging capability has revealed an astonishing wealth of detail in the impact site,” Hammel said. “By combining these images with our ground-based data at other wavelengths, our Hubble data will allow a comprehensive understanding of exactly what is happening to the impact debris.”
Simon-Miller estimated the diameter of the impacting object was the size of several football fields. The force of the explosion on Jupiter was thousands of times more powerful than the suspected comet or asteroid that exploded over the Siberian Tunguska River Valley in June 1908.
The image was taken with the Wide Field Camera 3. The new camera, installed by the astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis in May, is not yet fully calibrated. While it is possible to obtain celestial images, the camera’s full power has yet to be seen.
“This is just one example of what Hubble’s new, state-of-the-art camera can do, thanks to the STS-125 astronauts and the entire Hubble team,” said Ed Weiler, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “However, the best is yet to come.”
Editor’s Note: picture, taken on July 23, by the new Wide Field Camera 3, is the sharpest visible-light picture taken of thes Hubble’s first science observation following its repair and upgrade in May. The size of the impactor is estimated to be as large as several football fields.ESA, and H. Hammel (Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo.), and the Jupiter Impact Team
Image Credit: NASA,
The Following links can help educate your child about NASA and have fun at the same time: Space Your Face NASA’s Kids Club
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: NASA
Fit for Kid Cheese-and-Spinach Turnovers
July 26, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Kids in the Kitchen
By Marla Bazar
Parents
July 26, 2009
Making the same lunch every day is almost as boring as eating it. But before you throw cuation to the wind (and your child throws a “gourmet” lunch in the trash), consider changing the look of his lunch without changing its well-loved ingredients. Here we present creative ways to slice, roll, stack, and pack meals no child could resist.
These flaky pastries are so mild tasting that your kids won’t mind the green stuff.
Prep time: 25 minutes.
Bake time: 20 minutes.
Yield: 6 turnovers.
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup chopped cooked spinach, squeezed dry
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian-her seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 package (15 oz.) refrigerated piecrusts
1 egg, beaten
- Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, Italian-herb seasoning and salt.
- Lightly roll out piecrust on floured surface (reserve second crust for another recipe). Cut out four 4 1/2″ circles. Reroll scraps and cut out two more circles. Place 2 rounded tablespoons of filling on one half of each circle, leaving a 3/4″ border. Brush edges with egg and fold over to make a half-moon shape. Crimp edges with tines of a fork to seal.
- Brush tops of pastries with egg, then make 3 vents for steam. Transfer to baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Nutrition per turnover: 216 cal.; 6 g pro.; 13 g fat; 19 g carb.; 348 mg sod.; 52 mg chol.
Source: Parents
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Cooking With Kids — Safely!
July 26, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Safety Tips
By Parents
July 26, 2009
These ultra-cool, supersafe cooking gadgets will get little ones pouring, blending, and spreading in no time.
Salad Spinner
Why kids love it: By pushing down on the pump, they can make it whir and watch it go very fast.
Ages: 3 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: Kids will beg for salad or spinach just so they can use the spinner.
Try this: Skip the lettuce and make your own spin art: Cut out circles of drawing paper that will fit in the bottom of the spinner. Pour a few drops of food coloring (choose several colors) on the paper. Put top on, and pump. The air will spin colors into a cool design.
We like: Zyliss salad spinner, $24.99, at amazon.com.
Cheese Spreader
Why kids love it: The small, short handle fits well in little hands. Cutting and spreading “by myself” strengthens confidence and independence.
Ages: 3 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: The blade is dull enough to be safe, but it’s still effective for cutting bananas, avocados, and other soft foods.
Try this: Give your toddler a peeled banana on a cutting board. Show her how to gently press the knife through the fruit to cut off bite-size pieces.
We like: Wine and cheese spreader, $2.49, available at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Plastic Measuring Cup
Why kids love it: “Reading” numbers on the cup is a big accomplishment, and pouring is fun.
Ages: 5 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: A great way to teach math concepts including more than, less than, and fractions.
Try this: Rice or dried beans are good for practice measuring. Can your child call out “Stop!” when you get to 1/4 cup? To 3/4 cup?
We like: Oxo Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, $5 for a 1-cup size, from cooking.com.
Funnels
Why kids love them: Pouring liquids or solids from one place to another gives them a sense of mastery.
Ages: 3 and up.
Why grown-ups love them: They spark curiosity and experimentation–the foundations of early science learning.
Try this: Set up your child at the kitchen sink with a variety of funnels and some plastic cups and bowls. Add water. Don’t be surprised if he’s content for an hour.
We like: All colors and sizes; you can buy funnels for 50 cents to $7 at housewares stores.
Soft-Handle Spatula
Why kids love it: The ergonomic design makes batter-gathering easy. He’ll feel as if he’s really helping.
Ages: 2 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: A nonslip handle makes for a comfortable grip–and there’s a hole at the end for hanging.
Try this: Set him up with a tall-sided bowl (less mess!), a spatula, and pancake batter–and let him stir!
We like: Chef’N Kitchzen Small Spatula, $5.99, from chefsresource.com.
Nonstick Baking Mat
Why kids love it: When they press out a shape with a cookie cutter, the dough transfers cleanly to the cookie sheet.
Ages: 2 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: The mat creates a foolproof, nonstick surface to roll out dough.
Try this: Roll out refrigerated cookie dough, and give your child cookie cutters in a variety of shapes. It’s a great way to learn circles, stars, and triangles. Alphabet and number cutters can teach the ABCs and counting.
We like: Silpat mat, $14.99, from thegadgetsource.com.Plastic Nesting Bowls
Why kids love them: They can sort bowls from largest to smallest, nest them, put things in them, turn them over, and hide things under them.
Ages: One and up.
Why grown-ups love them: They’re dishwasher-safe and easy to store.
Try this: You and your child can get ingredients ready for homemade tacos: cooked, chopped meat; shredded cheese; shredded lettuce; cubed tomatoes; and sliced olives. Put one ingredient in each bowl and serve with taco shells.
We like: Zak Designs Just Life Colored Bowl Set, $39.95, available at crateandbarrel.com.
Rubber-Handle Pastry Blender
Why kids love it: They can “cut” butter together with dry ingredients and watch it combine to make dough. Kids love pounding away.
Ages: 4 and up.
Why grown-ups love it: The blade isn’t sharp, and the soft, rubber handle makes for an easy grip.
Try this: Piecrust recipes usually call for flour and shortening to be combined until dough resembles “little peas,” a challenge kids over 4 will enjoy mastering.
We like: Oxo Good Grips Dough Blender, $7, from oxo.com.
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Parents
Children and Fire
By Sparky
July 26, 2009
Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them.
Facts & figures
- In 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and $328 million in direct property damage.
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by playing are children 5 years old and younger.
- Nearly two out of every three child-playing fires — and four out of five associated deaths and injuries — involve matches or lighters.
- The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses, bedding or clothing.
Safety tips
- Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.
- Teach young children and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
- If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school, or community counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts.
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Know About Drugs and Alcohol
By McGruff and Scruff
July 26, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Drugs and Alcohol
What do drugs look like?
Drugs may look like pills or medicine or candy. Other drugs may look like cigarettes or little rocks. You may not know what they are. If you see something and you are not sure what it is, do not touch it. Tell someone you trust — like your mom or dad, a teacher, or a police officer.
Are drugs bad? What if someone makes me use drugs?
Drugs can hurt people so you should stay away from them. If someone asks you to take something and you don’t know what it is, what should you do? The best thing to do is to say “no” and tell an adult who can help you.
My father and uncle drink beer. I heard someone say that it’s a drug. I’m confused!
Beer does contain alcohol, which is a drug. Some adults, like your father and uncle, may choose to drink beer. It’s okay for most adults to drink beer or have a glass of wine once in a while, but drinking too much can hurt them. And alcohol can hurt kids. You and your friends should stay away from beer, cigarettes, and wine coolers. Your body is still growing, and drugs and alcohol can really hurt it. Drugs are dangerous and against the law for all kids.
My mother smokes cigarettes. My teacher says that’s bad. I want my mom to stop. What should I do?
Cigarettes are bad for people. Smoking can hurt the lungs and heart. But your mother is an adult who may choose to smoke. She may have started a long time ago when she didn’t know that cigarettes could hurt her. Cigarettes contain a drug called nicotine that makes it very hard for people to stop smoking.
You can tell your mother that you hope she will stop. Her choice to smoke has nothing to do with you, but it may help her to stop if she knows that you care about her health.
Some older kids in high school use drugs. Nothing bad happens, they say. Is this true?
Most older kids do not use drugs. That’s because drugs are illegal and dangerous, and most kids know it. Those kids who do use drugs are being hurt. Sometimes we cannot see the pain of these kids, but it is there. It’s like when you get a paper cut: the cut may be very small and others may have trouble seeing it, but it hurts you. Using drugs is 100 times worse. Drugs hurt your body and make you sick. They also make you unable to think straight.
Hang with those kids who don’t use drugs, and don’t let older kids tell you that drugs won’t hurt you.
I see a lot of TV commercials that show older people drinking beer and wine coolers and having fun. What if I tried it?
Beer and wine coolers contain alcohol. They are very dangerous for kids. They are also illegal for you to use. TV commercials make things look nice becuase they want you to buy the products. They don’t show that alcohol can make people sick, cause car crashes, get them into problems with the law, and lead to all sorts of trouble for drinkers and their families.
There are lots of fun and good things you can do. Don’t use harmful things. Instead, you can go for a walk, take a bike ride, play a game with a friend, or help your parents around the house.
Want to see how Scruff deals with tough situations involving alcohol, tobacco and other drugs? Read these!
Mud Puddle
Hoops
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
What Kids say about Parents
By D’Arcy Lyness, PhD
July 24, 2009
Oh, parents! They’ve known you since you were in diapers and someday your kids will call them Grandma and Grandpa. But what about now? KidsHealth wanted to know how kids felt about mom and dad, so we asked a big group of boys and girls a bunch of questions.
Here’s what 855 kids, ages 9 to 13, had to say:
Most kids said their parents love them — big time. Nearly 90% of kids said their mom loves them a lot.
Far fewer kids — only 8% — said their mom only loved them some and 4% said their mom loved them a little or not at all.
When it came to dads, nearly 90% of kids said their dad loved them a lot.
Again, fewer kids (8%) said their dads loved them only some and another 8% said their dads loved them a little or not at all.
Too Many Questions?
So most kids feel the love from mom and dad. But here’s the not-so-good news: More than half of the kids said their parents ask too many questions about what’s going on in their lives. As in, “How was your day at school?” or “Did you do well at practice today?” or “Do you have a boyfriend (or girlfriend), sweetie?”
About one-third of kids said their parents ask them just the right number of questions and 17% said they wish their parents would ask them more about what’s going on in their lives.
We’re pretty sure that all kids like the fact that their parents love them and are interested in their lives. So why did so many kids say they don’t like the questions? One reason is that kids between ages 9 and 13 start to share this kind of stuff with friends, so they sometimes don’t feel as much like talking to their parents about it.
Parents often say their kids give them one-word answers. (The parent asks, “What happened at school, today?” and the kid says, “Nothing.”) Do you ever do that?
Spending Time Together
On the bright side for parents, just about all kids did say they enjoy doing stuff with their mom and dad. About 73% said they like doing stuff with both parents, while 12% preferred to spend time with mom only and 9% liked being only with dad.
If your mom or dad is looking for more chances to spend time with you, here are two good ways to do it:
family meals
events at your school
About half of kids said they have meals with their parents at least once a day. The rest of the kids said they have family meals a few days a week (28%) or hardly ever or never (19%).
Not only are family meals a good way to share healthy food, but they’re a chance for parents and kids to talk. While you’re passing the celery sticks, it might remind you of a funny story your friend told you about a baseball game, where a dancing celery stick came out every time the team scored a home run. Maybe it will remind someone else of a good dancing vegetable story.
School is another good place for parents and kids to get together. It’s kind of fun having your mom or dad show up at school (as long as you’re not in the principal’s office).
Forty percent of kids said they’d like their parents to be more involved at their school. That could include chaperoning field trips, coaching a sport, volunteering for class events, or being a lunch mom or dad (a parent who helps supervise kids during lunchtime).
When parents come to school, it give them a chance to see what’s going on with you. And then they might not need to ask so many basic questions. They’ll have seen it for themselves when you score a basket or will know why you like your math teacher. So the next time mom or dad wants to know how things are going for you, tell them to come find out — by visiting you at school!
What’s a KidsPoll?
The group that took this KidsPoll included an equal number of boys and girls. They answered the questions on handheld data devices while visiting these health education centers and children’s museums:
Children’s Health Education Center — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Health World Children’s Museum — Barrington, Illinois
Kansas Learning Center for Health — Halstead, Kansas
McMillen Center for Health Education — Fort Wayne, Indiana
Poe Health Education Center — Indianapolis, Indiana
Ruth Lilly Health Education Center — Indianapolis, Indiana
Saint Joseph Mercy Health Exploration Station — Canton, Michigan
A poll, like the KidsPoll, asks people a list of questions. Then researchers compile all the answers and look at the way the group answered. They calculate how many — or what percentage — answered “yes” to this question and “no” to that one. Polls give us clues about how most people — not just the ones who answered the poll questions — feel about certain issues.
We’ll be conducting more KidsPolls in the future to find out what kids say — maybe you’ll be part of one!
Source: Kids Health
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
What is DNA?
July 26, 2009 by Dan
Filed under FBI Website
By Special Agent Bobby Bureau
July 24, 2009
Editor’s Note: We are always looking for ways to inform parents of programs that will help them raise their children. Well we found one it is called “Special Agent Bobby Bureau”. We will be joining him to give you tips for kids of all ages. The best way to tell you about this agent is to let him tell you himself.
The Kids’ Page is designed for children and their parents to learn more about the FBI through age-appropriate games, tips, stories and inter actives. We also introduce you to our working dogs and show how FBI special agents and analysts investigate cases. First, can you help Special Agent Bobby Bureau get in disguise for his undercover assignment? He’s depending on you. You have to visit the sight to sign up as a special agent.
Today’s we talk “DNA”
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
We strongly recommend that you visit this sight with your child. This sight we rate a 10.
There are other ways of telling people apart besides fingerprints. Did you know that each of us is made up of millions of cells and inside those cells are particles called DNA? It is everywhere in our bodies, including in our hair, blood, saliva, skin, and bones. These particles make up a code that is used to tell people apart. Identical twins share DNA coding, but they are the only people who do. This makes DNA an excellent way of telling people apart. It has become a very important tool in solving crimes when no fingerprints can be found.
Next Week: We will talk about: Polygraph
Source: FBI Kids
Older brother
by Alexander
July 24, 2009
Dear Alexander,
My older brother doesn’t have any allergies, but I am allergic to milk. He is usually pretty good about it, but sometimes when his friends come over, they make jokes about it. How can I deal with this?
Wow, this can be a tough situation. Sometimes older brothers or sisters act differently around their friends. When your brother is not around his friends, talk to him and let him know how this makes you feel. Older brothers usually like to help out and protect their younger brothers and sisters. Ask your brother to tell his friends that food allergies are nothing to laugh about. Some kids tease because they don’t understand food allergies and what it’s like to have one. He can teach his friends a lot, and that helps you to stay safe.
If they are still being mean, then go to a different room, and then they won’t bother you any more. Make sure to let your parents know about the jokes.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you Think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Make Musical Instruments
July 25, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Arts and Crafts
by Emily Miranda
July 25, 2009
Have fun assembling and decorating instruments, then see what beautiful music you can make together.
For Toddlers and Preschoolers:
MARACAS
Make your own maracas to shake and dance to!
Materials:
- 2 empty yogurt cups, plastic cups, or Styrofoam cups
- Dried beans or dried peas
- Duct tape
- Wrapping paper
- Clear tape
- Decorations: paint, stickers, glitter, ribbons, and more
Instructions:
- Put a small handful of beans in one cup.
- Place the second cup on top, upside down, so the two openings meet.
- Use duct tape to firmly secure the seam where the two cups meet.
- Have fun decorating! Toddlers can choose colorful paper to wrap around their maracas; secure the paper with clear tape. For more fun, they can add stickers, paint polka-dots, tie ribbons around it, spread with glue and sprinkle with glitter, or do anything they wish.
- Shake, shake, shake! Dance, dance, dance!
For Grade-Schoolers:
DRUM SET
Create a complete drum set with drumsticks out of everyday household items!
Materials:
- An assortment of empty containers of different sizes: dry oatmeal containers, tin cans with rough edges smoothed, Tupperware containers, large-size clean cottage cheese or deli salad containers, clean paint cans, etc.
- 2 pencils, chopsticks or other wooden sticks or dowels, 8 to 10 inches long
- Wine-bottle cork
- Small, sharp kitchen or utility knife
- Yarn or colorful string
- Glue
- Paint, colorful paper, and other decorations
Instructions:
For the drums
- Put lids on the containers, and stand them lid side up. Place containers without lids (like tin cans) with the open side down.
- Decorate! Paint the containers, wrap them in colorful paper, or use whatever decorations you have. Be sure to leave the tops clear for drumming!
For the drumsticks
- Use the sharp knife to cut the cork in half. Then cut a tiny hole in each half, large enough for the chopstick or wooden dowel to stick into the cork less than 1/4 inch.
- Put a drop of glue in the hole, and insert the chopstick or dowel firmly. Let it dry.
- When the glue has dried, and the cork is snug on the stick, tie one end of the yarn below the cork. Wind the yarn around and around the cork, always at a different angle, so you create a ball of yarn, and can no longer see the cork.
- When you are finished winding, cut the yarn and tie it off below the ball, where you tied it at the beginning.
- Group the drums together, and discover the different sound each container makes when the drumsticks strike it.
For Older Grandchildren:
WATER GLASS XYLOPHONE
A new twist on an old favorite!
Materials:
- 6 to 8 water glasses, preferably the same type and size (pint glasses or those in a similar size because they are large and sturdy)
- Food coloring
- Tap water and water pitcher
- Light wooden or plastic kitchen spoon (Not metal: It might break the glass.)
Instructions:
- Set the glasses in a straight line.
- Fill the pitcher with tap water.
- Pour water into each glass. The first glass should be almost empty and the last glass should be almost full. The middle glasses should be filled with increasing amounts.
- Add drops of food coloring to each glass. Choose different colors, or select one color and have it progress from dark to light (as in the photo). Add about 12 drops to make a very dark color and just 2 drops for a very light one. Don’t be afraid to mix colors. Remember, blue and red make purple, red and yellow make orange, and yellow and blue make green.
- Now play the xylophone. When you gently tap the glasses, each one will produce a different musical note. Tap each at once to play a song, or glide over the tops for a lovely harp-like sound!
Source: Grand Parents
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com