Crystal Clear

 

Wintertime is a good time to see crystals. But they are around us all the time. Get clear about crystals by doing these fun activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the surprising science of snow crystals at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6zr2eLpduI
• Watch about the super crystal, diamond, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tgnkoygbD0
• Crystals can be liquids – and can be used in many ways: see the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuWDwVHVLio
• It's time for time crystals. It’s a new kind of matter. See the reality at https://youtu.be/TjVi5L7cYLQ

 

CREATE:

• Try these cool crystal science projects: https://www.kiwico.com/diy/lists/6-cool-crystal-science-projects-for-kids
• Create your own crystals without freezing by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqjrFzR0HE
• Grow rock candy by following the directions at https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-grow-sugar-crystals-607659

 

CARE:

• Some people think that crystals can heal.  Is that fake or fact? Find out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn4BcFKQoGc
• Does your family have any crystals? Here is how to take care of them: https://www.unearthedstore.com/blogs/guides/crystal-care-101-how-to-take-care-of-your-crystals

 

CAREERS:

There are lots of facets to crystal-related careers: scientist, teacher,  manufacturer, jeweler. Get crystal clear about the possibilities here:

• https://work.chron.com/jobs-use-crystals-20275.html
• https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences/fields/crystallography.html
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/jeweler/

Light Up the Stars!

• What’s a lot older than the movie stars? The star  every day: the Sun! Depending on where you live, you may few or many stars, some of them billions of years old.  Gaze at the following activities as you gaze at the sky of stars.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the life cycle of different kinds of stars at https://youtu.be/PeNuj2GH8xg
• Connect the star “dots” into constellations by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3cnBr6KwA
• The sun is earth’s most important star; see why at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkW54j82e9U
• Have you heard of the Northern Lights? They are started by the sun. See how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MI3YDGgtN4

 

CREATE:

• Start stargazing with this kid’s guide: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/astronomy/a-kids-guide-to-stargazing
• Maker a star finder by following the directions at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfinder/en/
• Set your eyes on the hands-on star activities at https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/stars/index.php
• Have fun with the sun-ny activities at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/sun/

 

CARE:

• Discover how the sun star affects the earth at https://youtu.be/i_jiQzoQF5M
• Enjoy This picture book, which tells how to safe from the sun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ghJsZug60&t=67s
• It can be hard to see many stars. Why? Because of Light pollution! See its basis at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gYIeT6GrkA. And see the difference at https://youtu.be/HHLnnXgDUgc
• Are we made of stardust? Explore the possibilities at https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/are-we-really-made-of-stardust.html

 

CAREERS:

Do you get stars in your eyes thinking about stars? Your future career may lie in the stars: as an astronomer or other kind of scientist, teacher, photographer, or planetarium director. See the possibilities that follow:

1. How do you become an astronomer? Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ZW3nVfe5A
2. https://www.iau.org/public/themes/careers/
3. https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy
4. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/astronomy-jobs

 

Are Fairies Flighty?

 Fairies are fantasy creatures, and come in several varieties.  Over the centuries and across cultures, people have believed in them. Explore the following activities,  and you may find a fairy garden or two.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the world of fairies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQh1MLGyMW4
• Discover the who’s who of fairies at https://www.factmonster.com/culture-entertainment/mythology-folklore/fairies
• Read about the origin of some famous fairies at https://teetot.com/blogs/teetotblog/5-facts-about-the-history-and-origins-of-fairies

 

CREATE:

• Fairy bread is a popular Australian snack – and easy to make! Here’s how: https://www.playpartyplan.com/fairy-bread/
• Get creative with fairs with these whimsical crafts to do: https://www.parentmap.com/article/creative-diy-fairy-crafts-kids
• Create a fairy-themed trivia game based on 36 facts about fairies at https://www.griproom.com/fun/36-facts-about-faeries

 

CARE:

• wing the directions at https://laughingkidslearn.com/fairy-mud-for-outdoor-and-sensory-play/
• Sometimes you can’t believe your eyes, even about fairies. Individuals have tried to trick others into believing in fairies by producing faked photographs. Here’s the most popular true story about this deception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fki-ELK3G5g  The moral of this story is to take care when looking at photos to examine them closely to see if they are real.
• Generative AI makes discernment even more challenging and important, so use these tips to be careful at images: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEhogS_yayY

 

CAREERS:

Do you have flights of fancy and fairies? There’s a job for you: as a storyteller, writer, anthropologist, costumer, party planner, actor, artist, jeweler and more. Sprinkle some dairy dust on your career.

• Interview a fantasy children’s author at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyFaunEL2SU
• https://cfs.osu.edu/about/resources/careers
• See how a fantasy artist works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9gJyyLqrAE
• Even photographer! https://enchanted-fairies.com/?location=mission_viejo-ca

And here jobs that fairies do: https://theirishfairydoorcompany.com/faqs/what-jobs-do-fairies-do/

 

Let the Feathers Fly!

 Have you heard about fine feathered friends? Find out what makes feathers so fine by exploring the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about feathers at https://www.treehugger.com/amazing-facts-about-feathers-4863989
• Why do birds have feathers? Watch the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGg-CSLBD9c
• Watch how feathers can tell you secrets at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TNv-WLHBkU
• Watch how you can identify feather by their shapes: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvlyVsIdFIM
• Feathers predate birds – did you know that dinosaurs had feathers? Check it out at https://www.kids-dinosaurs.com/feathered-dinosaurs.html

 

CREATE:

• Try ways to paint with feathers using the ideas at https://earlylearningideas.com/paint-with-feathers/
• Experiment with feathers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqKjsAG6tps
• Play a ninja feather game by following the directions at https://earlylearningideas.com/paint-with-feathers/ 

CARE:

• Watch how birds clean themselves, including their feathers, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etGz3e7TyD8
• Find out if it is safe to collect feathers at https://www.gigglemagazine.com/super-bowl-recipes-kids-will-love/
• For parents: find out about kids’ possible allergies to down pillows at https://www.unitedpharmacies.md/blog/can-a-child-be-allergic-to-down-pillows/

 

CONNECT:

Do feathers give your heart wing? Fly some of these ideas for career opportunities:  scientist, fashion maker, artist, pet expert, manufacturer, even history. Read about feather experts here.

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-roxie-laybourne-feather-detective-who-changed-aviation-180971803/
• https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/family-tradition-of-feather-work/
• https://theartssociety.org/arts-news-features/become-instant-expert-snowy-egret-feather

 

 

Let there be Light - Festivals!

India just finished celebrating Diwali, and several more light-centric festivals are scheduled soon.

Explore these activities to see the light about these important events.

CONNECT:

• Get the facts (and history) of light festivals at https://facts.net/events/17-facts-about-light-festival/
• See pictures of light festivals from around the world at https://communityoflights.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1117:spectacular-festivals-of-lights-from-around-the-world&catid=68&Itemid=239
• Experience the Hanukkah story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tws_uMAEOs&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&start_radio=1
• Enjoy the story of Ramaya: the origins of Diwali, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp59n0So-XE&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&index=4
• Discover the origin of Kwanzaa at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIdFiOMX5k

CREATE:

• Try these ideas to celebrate light in dark times: https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2020/12/02/ideas-for-at-home-celebrations-of-light-in-dark-times-from-the-washington-waldorf-school/
• Reinact lantern festivals with these activities: https://lanternfestival.uk/lantern-festival-games-and-activities/
• Light up a party with these light festival ideas: https://theimaginationtree.com/light-party-crafts-and-games-for-kids/
• Make your own advent wreath by following the directions at https://happyhooligans.ca/cardboard-roll-advent-wreath-craft/

CARE:

• Get smart candle safety tips at https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Make luminaries and candle holders as a holiday gift by trying some of the ideas at https://www.redtedart.com/diy-luminaries-and-candle-holders/
• Be a point of light by engaging in service projects for kids: https://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/12-service-project-ideas-kids/

CAREERS:

Do you like to celebrate with light? There's light at the end of the career tunnel for you: as a party planner, an anthropologist, a scientist, a historian, an artist, a cook, or a religious leader. Light the way for others. Light up some ideas with these resources:

• Festival planners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlPhaLxV28
• Careers in religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woCgbVWFRIg
• https://www.mashed.com/885179/what-its-really-like-being-a-disney-chef/

Do glaciers move you?

 

CONNECT:

• Get 10 brilliant glacier facts at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/glaciers/
• See how glaciers change the world at https://www.pbs.org/video/glaciers-glacier-encounter-d6m3hm/
• Find out what are ice sheets at https://kids.kiddle.co/Ice_sheet

 

CREATE:

• Make your own glacier by following the directions at https://www.habitot.org/hands-on-learning/habitot-at-home/stem-activities/make-a-glacier/
• Make glacier gak at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9uVA1DcgbY
• Experiment how glaciers impact earth at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAx_UBHwjM

 

CARE:

• What would if all glaciers melted? Find out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnRPHmrPQjU
• Take the following steps to help prevent glaciers from melting: https://www.earthreminder.com/how-to-prevent-glaciers-from-melting/
• Want to explore glaciers? Here are some safety tips: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/safety.htm#:~:text=Snow%20and%20Ice&text=very%20steep%20slopes.-,Stay%20on%20designated%20trails%20and%20don't%20go%20beyond%20protective,children%20closely%20in%20such%20areas.

 

CAREERS:

Do glaciers move you? Here are some careers that leverage glaciers.

• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-careers-ice
• https://www.onlinedegree.com/careers/life-physical-science/glaciologist/
• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-hunting-surprises-thinning-glaciers
• https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/students-3/careers/

Picture Picture Books

 Picture books are fun to enjoy -- and a great way to learn how to read. Learn more about picture boks with these activities. 

CONNECT:

• Here’s a starting point for learning about picture books: https://kids.kiddle.co/Picture_book
• Think you know about children’s authors? Discover fun book trivia facts about them at https://brokebybooks.com/book-trivia-for-kids/
• Watch the golden age of children’s book illustration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPiZqPVY53c

 

CREATE:

• Here’s a dozen activities to do with any picture book: https://entertainyourtoddler.com/activities-picture-book/
• Try these book activities, including crafts, sensory and learning ideas, at https://abcsofliteracy.com/book-activities/
• Make our own book by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiVqbQm6d20

 

CARE:

• See how to take care of books at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9AFDxdDpGY
• There are lots of ways to store and display picture books; see some examples at https://www.homedit.com/kids-book-storage/
• Read a picture book about giving to others: https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-to-teach-children-about-giving/
• What can you do with old or unwanted picture books? Here are some good ideas: https://luandbeanread.com/what-to-do-with-old-childrens-books/

 

CAREERS:

Picture books are  not just for children. Some picture books are read by all ages. Do you picture yourself having a career with picture books? Get a clear picture of job options with these videos.

• See how picture books are made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00w-a6yKQMI
• Watch how books are assembled at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYRIh04_zY
• Watch a day in the life of a bookstore owner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHR6hcGoR8Q
• Watch a day in the life of a children’s librarian at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy-vERPOqdU