Me Gustan Los Latinos

Mid-September to Mid-October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. And their contributions continue all year. Now’s a good time to learn about their heritage and leadership.

CONNECT:

• Check out these facts about National Hispanic Heritage Month: http://www.softschools.com/facts/holidays/hispanic_heritage_month_facts/786/
• It’s about Time to read about leading Latinos in the United States: http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2008201,00.html
• Watch these PBS specials about Latino heritage and culture: http://www.pbs.org/specials/hispanic-heritage-month/
• Explore Smithsonian’s Latino Center Kids Corner: http://latino.si.edu/kidscorner/
• Learn how to read a Mayan calendar at https://www.dkfindout.com/us/history/mayans/mayan-calendar/

CREATE:

• Create Ecudorian migajon miniatures following these directions: https://kidworldcitizen.org/2011/11/29/make-miniature-figures-out-of-ecuadorian-migajon-clay/
• Try making some of these Mexican recipes: http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/mexico/recipes.htm
• Play a traditional Mexican game such as toma todo:  http://www.spanishplayground.net/traditional-game-top-printable/
• Come party! Make your own Ponce carnival mask: http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/pdf/puerto/carnival_mask.pdf
• Calculate using Mayan numerals: http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/rr/database/rr.09.00/hubbard1/MayanNumerals.html

CARE:

• Add a festive touch to your home with traditional Mexican punched papers called papeles picados: https://happythought.co.uk/day-of-the-dead/how-to-make-papel-picado
• It’s family time for movies that feature Latinos: http://quemas.mamaslatinas.com/parenting/117211/18_latino_movies_your_kids
• Adopt a Latino sister city at http://www.sistercities.org/
• Grow a salsa garden: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/growing_salsa_garden
• Read the stories of these kid reporters about Hispanic Heritage Month, from celebrating Quinciañera to an interview with Selena Gomez: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=695. You too can interview a Latino whom you admire.

CAREERS:

More than even, it’s important to communicate in two or more languages – and it’s a good career move: from translator to service provider, from teaching to business.

http://louisville.edu/spanish/what-can-i-do-with-a-major-in-spanish.html

http://study.com/articles/Career_Options_for_Spanish_Majors_Job_Information_and_Requirements.html

http://work.chron.com/careers-spanish-majors-bachelors-degree-8621.html

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Shine Some Light on the Sun

Do you like to bask in the sun? The sun is more than fun – it is necessary fo you to live! So shine some light on our nearest star by exploring these activities.

CONNECT:

• Read this introduction to our nearest star at http://www.michielb.nl/sun/
• How have people regarded the sun throughout history? Find out at https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/sun_history.html
• See the live coverage of the recent full solar eclipse at https://www.exploratorium.edu/video/live-coverage-eclipse
• The sun isn’t really all yellow; it has dark spots, some as large as 50,000 miles in diameter. Find out about sunspots at http://www.exploratorium.edu/sunspots/index.html
• Watch how sunflowers follow the sun at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mr0R3ibPU

CREATE:

• Here are six sundial projects for you to make: http://www.sundials.co.uk/projects.htm
• Let the sun help you create art by making sun prints: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/sun-prints/
• Try some of these 16 brilliant sun crafts for kids: http://aboutfamilycrafts.com/16-sun-crafts-for-kids/
• Read solar folklore at http://solar-center.stanford.edu/folklore/

CARE:

• Become Sunwise with these Environmental Protection Agency handouts: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/sun-safety-fact-sheets-and-handouts
• Brush up on suncreeen and sun protection for kids at http://www.webmd.com/children/features/summer-sun-protection-for-kids#1
• Watch how minions keep sun safe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UWvqNeqX6E
• Want to make your own sunscreen? Read this first: https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/homemade-sunscreen-is-a-definite-dont/

CAREERS:

A sun-related career can be in your stars. See how:

http://www.astronomynotes.com/careers.htm

http://www.jobsforastronomers.com/careers

If you work outdoors, you need protection from the heat and scorching sun: https://www.concentra.com/resource-center/articles/keeping-employees-who-work-outdoors-safe-in-the-sun/

Up into the Air

Leaving the ground for the air is exhilarating – and can be hard to do. Take off on these airborne activities about flight.

CONNECT:

• Have you ever dreamt you were flying? Since the beginning of history, people have dreamed of flying, as you’ll see here: https://www.fi.edu/topics/flight
• The Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. Browse current exhibits virtually at http://www.museumofflight.org/
• What’s the story behind the Wright brothers, who made the first successful flight of a motor-powered airplane? It’s at http://www.wright-house.com/wright-brothers/Wrights.html
• If you've ever been interested in taking a ride in a hot air balloon, this is the site for you: http://www.hotairballooning.com/

CREATE:

• Enjoy a variety of online activities exploring the principles of aviation and spaceflight: https://airandspace.si.edu/learn
• Connect with NASA’s interactive website for students: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html
• Have you ever wondered what the controls of a aircraft do? you have come to the right place! http://meriweather.com/flight-decks/
• Learn how to make paper airplanes with these easy instructions: https://www.origamiway.com/paper-airplanes.shtml
• Make your own model air balloon by following the directions at https://www.homesciencetools.com/a/make-a-hot-air-balloon

CARE:

• What safe is flying? Here are some comforting facts: http://www.gogetterjetsetter.com/how-safe-is-flying.php
• A commercial pilot answers questions about flying and its safety: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/how-to-fly-commercial-pilot-flying-questions
• Follow these top ten child air travel safety trips: http://www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/kid_tips.htm
• Have fun watching this flight safety demo by little kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y17u5o5HVeo

CAREERS:

Even if you are afraid of flying, you can have a career related to flight: as a chef, travel agent, mechanic, engineer, and communicator. Let your imaginatin take flight with some of these aeronautic careers:

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/FS-2001-09-68-LaRC.html

http://www.nctaviationcareers.com/

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-education-and-resources/eaa-youth-education/work-in-aviation-and-start-your-aviation-career

http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/science-technology-careers/aviation/

https://www.faa.gov/jobs/

http://www.payscale.com/career-news/2011/08/jobs-in-aviation

Picking Brains

The brain can do so much, but we still don’t know everything about them – even though it’s inside every animal. Stretch your brain with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Who is you boss of your body? It’s your brain. Look inside that control center at http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=307&id=1528
• See fun facts about the brain --  and watch a video about how your brain works: http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-your-amazing-brain/
• Watch this video to see how human brains compare to other animals’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXSZQSWwdM
• The brain versus the computer: which wins? See the differences at https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bvc.html

CREATE:

• Pump up your brain with these brainteasers: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/brainteasers/index.htm
• Can illusions fool your brain? Test it with these optical illusions: http://www.sandlotscience.com/
• Eat smart for a healthier brain by eating these food: http://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/better-brain Try creating recipes with their ingredients, such as adding blueberries to whole grain cereals.
• Make spooky party foods such as Rice Krispy Treat brains and more at http://leftbraincraftbrain.com/rice-krispy-treat-brains/

CARE:

• Do you know the number one cause of death and disability among people between the ages of 1 and 44? It’s head trauma. Get the facts at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/coma/
• Watch your brain on football: http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,64253995001_1957921,00.html
• Learn how to build a healthy brain at http://www.foodforthebrain.org/smart-kids/how-to-build-a-healthy-brain.aspx
• Try some of these fun ways to grow a better brain: http://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/better-brain

CAREERS:

Use your brain and make a good living: not only as a brain surgeon but also as a neuroscientists, cognitive psychologist, sports therapist, or even head protection manufacturer.

http://www.youramazingbrain.org/teachers/careers.htm

https://www.utdallas.edu/~kilgard/neuroscience_careers.htm

http://www.apa.org/action/science/brain-science/education-training.aspx

https://concussionfoundation.org/