I’ve Got a Secret

Cryptology has nothing to do with crypts or coffins: it is the science of secret communication.  SHH! Uncover the secrets here.

CONNECT:

• Find out how cryptology has been used throughout history at http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/education/k-12/teaching_resources/lessons_presentations/cryptology.html
• Want to read hieroglyphs, see invisible ink, decode DNA? There are lots of fun code-related activities to try at

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/cracking-maya-code.html

• Improve your math skills by immersing yourself in the Crypto Club: http://www.cryptoclub.org/
• Did you know that spies existed in Elizabethan times? Relive history at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/tudors/launch_gms_spying.shtml

CREATE:

• http://www.nsa.gov/kids/home.shtml: games and activities about codes and ciphers.
• Want to send messages secretly? Try these secret codes: http://youthonline.ca/spykids/.  Create your OWN secret code – but know that you need to share it with at least one other person.
• Want to try your hand as a computer programmer? Explore http://www.crunchzilla.com/code-monster
• Create and use a cypher wheel: http://www.topspysecrets.com/secret-codes-for-kids.html

CARE:

• October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but you should be tech-savvy trhoughout the year. Explore http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=346333 to learn about ways to keep your cyber presence private, and technology safer from hackers.
• Plan a Code Breaking Day by following the tips at http://www.mathsweek.ie/2012/puzzles/code-breaking-for-young-secret-agents
• Meet the female code-breakers of World War II at: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/11/world/europe/lifting-the-veil-of-secrecy-codebreakers/
• One reason that the U.S. won World War II was the unbreakable code of the Navajos. Uncover the secret of the code talkers at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm

CAREERS:

So do you like puzzles, codes, secrets? You might want a career in cryptology and related themes. And don’t forget that computer programming is basically coding.

• Watch this CNN piece on coding careers: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/12/opinion/rushkoff-write-code
• Spy on careers at the National Security Agency: http://www.nsa.gov/kids/home.shtml
• What about the CIA? https://www.cia.gov/careers

Get the Lay of the Land

Even if you never leave your neighborhood, you can explore: be it your back yard, your grocery store, or a toy. AND you can explore the world through books and technology. The Internet opens lots of opportunities for exploring, especially this November during Geography Awareness Week.

CONNECT:

• Here’s a great starting point: 10 online activities and resources for Geography Awareness Week: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/11/10-online-activities-and-resources-for.html#.Uo
• If you want to explore a huge treasure trove of geography activities, dig into http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/topics/geography-awareness-week-archive/?ar_a=1&audiences=1
• Every day is Pirate Day with the Real Pirates of the Caribbean: http://mediamaps.esri.com/real-pirates-of-the-caribbean/
• Mission US is a revolutionary way to learn history; play a character  at http://www.mission-us.org/

CREATE:

• Create your own treasure map using Mission Map Quest: http://www.classtools.net/mapgame/game.php
• Create tours with Google Earth Tour Builder: https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/
• Publish your own story map using one of the templates found at http://storymaps.esri.com/templategallery/
• Plan a virtual trip using one of the websites listed on http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/09/08/the-best-sites-where-students-can-plan-virtual-trips/

CARE:

• The mission of National Geographic Education is to teach people how to care for the planet, its resources, and its inhabitants. Check out their explorer activities at http://www.missionexplore.net/challenger/geographyawarenessweek
• Looking for ways to help and land round you? Try out one of the following ideas from National Geographic: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/idea/volunteering/?ar_a=1
• Be a part of the land; learn how to grow things at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gardening_for_children
• The US Forest Service tries to instill kids with an awareness of the value of public lands; Explore the possibilities at http://www.fs.fed.us/kids/

CAREER:

The land is full of careers. Dig it at:

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/spring/art01.pdf

http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/undergrad/beyond-coursework/careers-in-geography/

http://www.nccu.edu/academics/sc/artsandsciences/geospatialscience/careers-in-geography-earth-and-environmental-science.cfm

It’s a Shoe-In

Barefoot can be fun, but for the long haul, it’s usually more comfortable wearing shoes to get around. There’s a lot of history and care when it comes to shoes. Time to step up and learn about them!

CONNECT:
·    http://www.shoeshistoryfacts.com/ provides lots of historical facts about shoes – and even heels. 
·    Another site about the shoe history is http://www.footwearhistory.com/ (Do you know what a winkle-picker is??)
The history of running shoes are detailed at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/athletics/features/newsid_3935000/3935703.stm
·    The Quicktime movie “Soutmate” offers a decade-by-decade look at Twentieth century shoe styles: http://www.centuryinshoes.com/

CREATE:

·    Ever want to experience being a Viking? You can make a Viking-like shoe by following the directions at http://earthandliving.blogspot.com/2008/08/viking-shoes-tutorial-sort-of.html
·    Play this shoe design game at http://www.games2girls.com/p/shoedesign/
·    What’s involved in making a shoe? Watch the video that demonstrates the process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CItl38HGUJ0. Make a flowchart of the process.
·    Make a “trivia” game based on the following footwear facts website: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0767796.html

CARE:
·    Ever have pinched toes or other foot pains because of bad-fitting shoes? It’s important to take care of your feet by choosing well-fitting shoes. http://www.epodiatry.com/children-footwear.htm provides some good tips.
·    Help save the planet: care for and repair your shoes: http://www.ssia.info/consumers/index.asp
·    Here are companies that make shoes from recycled materials: http://recycledreused.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/top-5-recycled-shoe-companies/
·    Donate shoes through https://soles4souls.org/donate or http://donateyouroldshoes.org/
·    Shoes are especially design for the disabled; compare them at http://www.podartis.com/orthopedic-shoes.html

CAREER:
If you follow the creation of a shoe, you’ll see several associated careers:
The beginning: Shoe design: http://www.theartcareerproject.com/shoe-design/
The end: Shoe repair: http://www.ssia.info/careers/index.asp
There are also manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and sales jobs.