How Do You Measure Up?

 When you think of measurement, do you think of a ruler? Or maybe a kitchen measuring cup? Or the bathroom scales? How do those measurements connect with each other? Even a ruler may have two different scales. Measurement is more complex than you think – it can even be political (such as measuring votes). Measure your learning by exploring the following activities.

 CONNECT:

• Why is it important to measure? How do we do it, and what are the units? Find out the answers at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsv7bYSrzMU
• Watch how your body and other concrete items led to metric and standard measurement systems at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQPQ_q59xyw
• What are some different ways to measure things? Watch the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCmqVAYujv4
• Watch the Measurement League use their incredible powers of measure to perform amazing feats of science and engineering at https://www.nist.gov/kids

CREATE:

• Solve this video mystery using measurement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7omxmCDpW7U
• Play these measurement games online: https://pbskids.org/games/measurement
• Your house is filled with things to measure. Discover the fun at https://kidadl.com/articles/measurement-activities-for-kids
• Measurement can be delicious! See how with these cooking activities at https://www.landolakes.com/expert-advice/kids-in-the-kitchen-measuring-techniques/

 

CARE:

• Find out more about your body by measuring it with string: https://igamemom.com/fun-body-measurement-activities-with-a-piece-of-string/
• Learn how to read food labels, which measure nutritional information, at https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/read-label-youth-outreach-materials
• Watch how water quality is measured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94YcjbYBchc
• Discover how measurement helps to level the sports playing field at https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/metric-sports

 

CAREERS:

Think of a job that doesn’t include measurement. It’s hard, isn’t it. Sciences, service, education, business, construction, arts, entertainment, politics, sports all use measurement. There’s even an Instrument Society of America that focuses on careers based on measurement: https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/careers-instrumentation-measurement.

https://vpm.org/articles/3788/math-and-measurement-fair-prepares-students-for-future-careers

 

Swimming in Information

People have been swimming even since they needed to cross water, and animals have been swimming for millions of years before then. Swimming isn’t just a matter of necessity; it is also a sport. Plunge into this life skill and recreation in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Swimming has been enjoyed as early as by the ancient Egyptians in the Nile. How did it become an Olympic sport? Dip into the facts at https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/news/detail/the-history-of-olympic-swimming/
• Speaking of history, how did swimming strokes originate? You can look at cave paintings, but this website is more convenient to find out: https://www.livestrong.com/article/347359-history-of-swimming-strokes/
• Swimming is applied physics as you can see at https://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-swimming.html
• Can all mammals swim? No. Which can – and can’t? Read about the strange experiments to find out: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170320-the-cruel-experiments-that-revealed-most-mammals-can-swim

CREATE:

• Enjoy the last days of summer with the fun pool games for kids: https://www.activekids.com/parenting-and-family/articles/10-fun-pool-games-for-kids
• Sink or swim? Find out with this hands-on water activity: https://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/sink-or-swim-water-activity
• Make your own pool / water toys by following the directions at https://www.craftfoxes.com/blog/6-great-diy-pool-toys-for-kids-and-adults
• Here are 31 ideas to help you throw an epic pool party (even if you just have sprinklers): http://redtri.com/summer-splash-pool-party-ideas/

CARE:

• Watch the minions show you swim safety at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNO18rEMR1o
• Pools are fun but they can be dangerous too. Feel safe around pools by following these rules: https://www.swimmingpool.com/pool-living/pool-safety/safety-for-kids
• What about outdoor water safety? Here are some times based on the type of water: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/water-safety-outdoors.html
• Don’t toy with water toys; know their risks and what to do at https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/families/at-home/home-pool-safety/pool-toys-safety

CONNECT:

Yes, you can be a professional swimmer, but there are lots of other swimming-related jobs to choose from: lifeguard, swimming coach, camp counselor, marine biologist, physical therapist, sports doctor, pool manager or manufacturer, photographer, reporter. Hopefully, you are swimming with career ideas now.

https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/blog/2016/august/swimming-for-a-living-9-careers-for-kids-who-lov/

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/swimming-find-a-job/

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/11-career-lessons-learned-from-competitive-swimming-career

Chill Out!

Summertime and the living is easy. Have a hot time this summer – and keep healthy be doing these activities.

CONNECT:

• Where are the hottest places on earth? See the list at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFN6mN6rHiM
• What is global warming? What are its signs? Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdLu7wiZOE
• How does air conditioning work? Watch the chemistry behind A/C at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT38gaGciP4

CREATE:

• Play these awesome water games for backyard fun on hot days: https://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/156164/8_awesome_water_games_for
• How cool is it to make these summer snacks: https://fun-a-day.com/10-summer-snacks-for-kids-to-make/
• Be crafty this summer with these fun activities: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3344/summer-crafts-for-kids/

CARE:

• Swimming is a lot of fun, but drowning is a real danger. Even kids who know how to swim can drown, so let the minions show you how to stay safe in the water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNO18rEMR1o
• Everyone needs sun protection; Here’s advice for using sunscreen: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sunscreen.html
• Heat waves can be dangerous, so here are tips to take care of you and your family: https://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/extreme-heat

CAREER:

Your career can heat up with these hot fields:

https://careertrend.com/list-7610494-top-10-global-warming-jobs.html

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/installation-repair-heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-refrigeration-technicians

https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/education-careers/career-guides-tools/all-about-careers-in-meteorology/

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Life's a Beach!

Beaches are found around the world as land and water meet. Take some time to meet beaches by surfing these websites.

CONNECT:

•  Watch the changing nature of shorelines and beaches at http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/characteristics-of-shorelines-beaches.html#lesson
•   Where does beach sand come from? Find out at http://www.livescience.com/38163-where-beach-sand-comes-from.html
•   Explore beach marine life at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/beach/animals.shtml
•   Hey, Dude! Check out this awesome International Surfing Museum: http://www.surfingmuseum.org/
• What was it like to land on the beach in Normandy on D-Day? Listen and watch hundreds of veterans recount their experiences at http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/onthebeach.html

CREATE:

•  Here are some fun sand activities, even if the beach is far away: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/20-sand-activities-kids
•  Try some of these beach crafts for kids: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/beach-crafts/
•  Make a creative sand castle: http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/tips/index.html provides useful tips.
• Have fun playing beach volleyball, even if you’re not at the beach: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/teamsports/article3.html
• Experiment making waves by following the directions at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-beach-erosion/

CARE:

•  Learn to stay healthy at the beach, AND protect the beach: http://www2.epa.gov/beaches/plan-trip-beach
• How clean is your local beach water? Check out its quality at http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/default.asp
• Find out how to take a stand to protect oceans and beaches by participating in a local campaign: http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns
•  How do you save a beached whale? Follow these steps: http://www.ehow.com/how_2157535_save-beached-whale.html

CAREERS:

Think of all the people associated with beaches: scientists, lifeguards, sailing crews, maintenance people, retailers, athletes and coaches, artists, resort staff, travel agents, and realtors.

•  One large industry sector that takes advantage of beaches is hospitality: http://discoverhospitality.com/career-paths/
•   Environmental careers are discussed at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
• Explore marine careers at http://www.marinecareers.net/field_relatedfields.php