Let It Snow!

Snow is cool! Both literally and figuratively. Don’t be a flake – have fun discovering the uniqueness of snow with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Some animals love the snow, such as the snowshoe hare: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/mammal/hare.htm
• What does it take to become an Olympic skier? Read all about them at http://usskiteam.com/
• Who built the first Snowboard? When was the first Snowboard competition? Find answers to this and more questions at http://www.sbhistory.de/
• Yeti means “magical creature” in Tibetan, but many know this scary creature as the Abominable Snowman. Read about the legend at http://www.scaryforkids.com/yeti/
• You may have heard that “No two snowflakes are alike.” You can thank Snowflake Bentely and his scientific photography for that fact. His discoveries are revealed at http://www.snowflakebentley.com/

CREATE:

• Create your own unique snowflake by following the directions at http://www.papersnowflakes.com/papersnowflakes
• Make your own snow globe. PBS shows you how: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-snow-globes/
• Here are 101 fun activities to do in the snow: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3931/101-snow-games-and-activities-for-kids/
• Try your hand at these snowman crafts, activities and recipes: http://happyhooligans.ca/25-snowman-crafts-activities-treats/

CARE:

• Read Severe Weather 101 to keep safe in winter storms: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/winter/
• See how to treat frostbite at http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Frostbite
• Learn about the International Snow Leopard Trust, which is dedicated to the conservation of the endangered snow leopard and its mountain ecosystem. You can also donate or adopt one. See https://www.snowleopard.org
• Keep the fun in snowboarding by keeping safe. Check out these safety tips: http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/safety-snowboarding.html
• You don’t need snow to get snow blindness. See the facts at http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/snowblind.htm

CAREERS:

Love snow and the seasons in general? Think about these climate careers:

http://www.wmo.int/youth/careers

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

Or think about careers in snow sports: manufacturing, sales, clothing, touristing, or athletics:

http://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/snowsportsrindustry-resources.asp

http://www.snowsports.org/research-surveys/snow-sports-fact-sheet/

or even be a ski bum:

http://www.5280.com/magazine/2013/11/ultimate-guide-modern-day-ski-bum?page=full

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/83041/doing-a-ski-season--the-highs-and-lows

Amuse Yourself with Theme Parks

Theme parks offer lots of fun: with attractions, rides and games. Enjoy theme virtually here.

CONNECT:

• Theme parks began to appear as early as 1550 in Europe. Trace this theme park timeline: http://www.napha.org/LIBRARYRESOURCES/FactsFigures/GreatMoments/tabid/69/Default.aspx  This website has other resources about historic aspects of amusement parks.
• Disney parks have changed over the years, but this website http://www.yesterland.com/ has preserved information about discontinued Disney attractions.
• Europe helps preserve their traditional buildings and ways of life through open air folk museums; see some of them virtually at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/europes-folk-museums
• Europe also has fascinating sculpture parks: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/sep/05/10-best-sculpture-parks-europe
• Did you know that the word “carousel” originally meant “little war”? Find out the reason for that connotation, and how carousels have developed over the centuries: at http://www.carouselmuseum.com/history.html

CREATE:

• What are are the forces behind theme park fun? Explore at http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/
• Want to design your own thrilling coaster? Use this simulator to create one: http://www.funderstanding.com/educators/coaster/
• Enjoy “My Fantastic Park” virtually: http://www.myfantasticpark.com/
• Want to create your own amusement park? Here’s how: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-an-Amusement-Park
• Create a “trivia” game using these little known factors about theme parks: http://www.iaapa.org/resources/by-park-type/amusement-parks-and-attractions/trivia

CARE:

• It’s not fun when you have an accident, even in a theme park. The following website http://www.rideaccidents.com/ lists amusement ride accidents so you can be aware of the risks associated with amusement rides – and are more willing to follow warning and procedures.
• Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe when you visit amusement parks and carnivals: see http://www.saferparks.org/
• Want to get more active in theme parks, especially roller coasters? Join an enthusiast club: http://www.themeparkcity.com/itps/L_enthusiast.htm
• Theme parks also give back to their communities, such as Disney Voluntears: https://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/voluntears/. Some theme parks also support community volunteers – check out the local opportunities.

CAREERS:

Like people? Art? Construction? Food? Finance? Architecture? Engineering? Acting? Music? Like working outside – or inside? There’s a job for you in the theme/amusement part industry sector.

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/hospitality-theme-park-careers/

http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/somebody-does-theme-entertainment-design/

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2010/04/want-to-be-a-theme-park-designer-disney-imagineer-and-universal-creative-experts-offer-advice/

Let There Be Light

We live in the light, and live because of light. We also make light. From caveman fire to LEDs, humans have created artificial light. The following websites shed light on these technologies.

CONNECT:

• 2015 was the International Year of Light; explore aspects of that focus at http://www.light2015.org/Home/HandsOnInvolvement/Kids-and-Optics.html
• Get the facts about traffic lights: http://mocomi.com/facts-about-traffic-lights/
• Light bulbs are not created equally. What are the different types of light bulbs – and how are they used? Find out at http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/light-bulbs-know-the-different-types
• Explore the science of visual illusions at https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chvision.html

CREATE:

• These experiments help you understand the physics of light; impress your friends with your new ability to manipulate light and color using nothing but a few gumballs and a shoebox: http://www.optics4kids.org/home/content/classroom-activities/
• Turn on the lights and discover the science subject of light for kids with our cool range of experiments, free games, science fair projects, fun facts, interesting quizzes, videos and more! http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/light.html
• Try these light science “snacks” at https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/subject/light
• Build your own light bulb at http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/19783357736

CARE:

• Watch this video to see ways to conserve light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OEU1oAEIIE
• Play these light saving games: http://kidsenergyzone.com/games/activitiesdetail63.cfm?activityid=8
• See how soda bottles bring light to developing countries: Li https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fpsw_yYPg&context=C471073aADvjVQa1PpcFPuD_FyHIflhu3QwP3_77YHLeST6AK4VS8=
• Can lights be intelligent? Find out the answer at http://futurecity.glasgow.gov.uk/intelligent-street-lighting/

CAREERS:

Time to shine a light on possible careers: science, manufacturing, construction, interior designing, theater, technician.  Here are some options:

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2004/10/seeing-light

http://freshome.com/2014/10/13/10-things-you-should-know-about-becoming-an-interior-designer/

http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/lighting-technician-broadcasting-film

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm

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The Mail Must Go Through

Even in the digital age, people around the world send and receive mail. Find out its history and current activities.

CONNECT:

• See the first postage stamp in the world (issued in 1840) and other expensive stamps at http://www.2-clicks-stamps.com/article/rare-postage-stamps.html
• Scented postage stamps? Stamps made from fabric? Glow in the dark stamps? Look at these unusual stamps from around the world: http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2010/05/peculiar-postage-unusual-stamps-from.html
• See the US postal service at work: http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/united-states-postal-service-systems-at-work
• This site tells the story of Miss Clara Breed, a librarian who used the mail to keep in close contact with the Japanese American students who were taken to the internment camps. Includes transcripts of 17 letters, photos, and information on post offices in the camps: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/japanese_internment/stamps
• How are stamps designed? Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETwb4MLKVI
• Explore 10 interesting facts about the short-lived pony express mail service that helped transform the American West: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-pony-express

CREATE:

• Explore these education kits from the US Postal Service: https://about.usps.com/corporate-social-responsibility/education-kits.htm
• Stamp collecting helps instruct the collector in geography, biography, history, culture and art. Stamps are miniature gateways to the world. See that world at http://arago.si.edu/category_2027477.html
• The Postal Service welcomes written suggestions for stamp subjects that help portray the diversity of the American experience for a worldwide audience. Submit your idea following the directions at https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/csac/process.htm

CARE:

• Send free online greetings and gifts that support wildlife and the environment: http://www.e-cards.com/
• In the past, children could be mailed. Read about some of these real-life deliveries: http://postalmuseumblog.si.edu/2013/02/very-special-deliveries.html
• Join the National Postal Museum in creating a comprehensive history of America’s post and people: http://memorybook.si.edu/

CAREERS:

Mail service is an important communications career. Here are some details.

http://www.federaljobs.net/psclerks.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/postal-service-workers.htm

Print, Print, Print, Print, Print....

Even in this digital age, lots of printing is done. Think of packaged foods, books, calendars, newspapers; what are some more examples? Printing has been around for literally thousands of years, and new methods continue to be invented. Maybe you will find a new way to print.

CONNECT:

• Printing is almost 2000 years old, invented by the Chinese. See the timeline at http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=1951&HistoryID=ab78&gtrack=pthc
• Find fascinating facts about Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the Printing Press in 1440: http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/gutenberg.htm
• Often the first thing you think of in terms of printing is the book. Watch how they are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKsW-oVcHg
• How is money made? Watch the experts at http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/howmoneyismade.html
• Not all printmaking is the same. Look at nine basic types of printmaking: https://www.artsy.net/article/editorial-nine-types-of-printmaking-you-need-to
• What do stones, grease and water together make? Lithography. Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHw5_1Hopsc
• Usually we think of printing as a 2D process, but now there’s 3D printing. Look at this new dimension at https://www.kidscodecs.com/what-is-3d-printing/

CREATE:

• Usually we think of printing as a repetitive process, but you can make a unique print: a monoprint. Here are the directions: http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/mono.shtml
• There are lots of things at home that you can print with. Try some of these projects (http://artfulparent.com/printmaking-ideas-kids) and invent your own printer tools.
• Use the sun as a printer; see how at http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2014/06/diy-sun-prints-with-construction-paper.html

CARE:

• Fingerprints can help solve crimes. Investigate from fingerprints to biometrics at https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-from-fingerprints-to-a-new-era-of-biometrics-1/view
• Printing counterfeit money is a crime. Why can’t you technically print money on your own color laser printer? Find out at http://www.pcworld.com/article/229647/counterfeit_money_on_color_laser_printers.html
• Here are 175 amazing ways that 3D printing is changing the world: https://3dforged.com/3d-printing/

CAREERS:

Is print big? See the evidence that it IS: http://www.printisbig.com/

See the range of careers in the printing industry at https://collegegrad.com/industries/printing