Fooling Around With Optical Illusions

Things are not always what they appear to be. Whether it’s a mirage on the pavement or a movie “trick,” your eyes can fool you! Get a clear picture about optical illusions by exploring the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here’s the background about optical illusions: https://kidskonnect.com/fun/optical-illusions/
• Find out how optical illusions occur, and try looking at illusions to see how tricky it can be for your brain to interpret images at https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions
• See how the brain gets fooled by optical illusions at http://fatherly.com/play/activities/best-optical-illusions-teach-kids/

CREATE:

• Make your own optical illusions following the directions at https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/optical-illusions-eye-tricks-crafts.htmlhttps://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• You can change a color by changing its background by doing this colorful experiment: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• Check out these different kinds of optical illusions: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/illusions/index.htm  and https://designpress.com/inspiration/optical-illusions-for-kids/ and http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

CARE:

• Can optical illusions damage your eyes? Explore the issues at https://www.ameritasinsight.com/wellness/vision/can-optical-illusions-damage-your-eyes
• Driving can encounter optical illusions such as mirages and motion-induced blindness. Discover how to address these possible dangers at https://usinsuranceagents.com/car-driving-safety-optics/
• On the other hand, Iceland is improving road safety through optical illusions: https://www.guajardomarks.com/2018/08/30/road-safety-optical-illusions/

CAREERS:

Optical illusions can lead to a clear career, such as physicists, artists, film makers,

https://www.optics4kids.org/careers eye doctors. No fooling!

https://careertrend.com/info-8190042-kinds-jobs-there-optical-field.html

https://www.visiononline.org/blog-article.cfm/A-Career-in-Optics/39

https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/optics-and-lasers-careers

https://learn.org/articles/Careers_in_Special_Effects_Your_Questions_Answered.html

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

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/