I’ve Got a Secret

Cryptology has nothing to do with crypts or coffins: it is the science of secret communication.  SHH! Uncover the secrets here.

CONNECT:

• Find out how cryptology has been used throughout history at http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/education/k-12/teaching_resources/lessons_presentations/cryptology.html
• Want to read hieroglyphs, see invisible ink, decode DNA? There are lots of fun code-related activities to try at

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/cracking-maya-code.html

• Improve your math skills by immersing yourself in the Crypto Club: http://www.cryptoclub.org/
• Did you know that spies existed in Elizabethan times? Relive history at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/tudors/launch_gms_spying.shtml

CREATE:

• http://www.nsa.gov/kids/home.shtml: games and activities about codes and ciphers.
• Want to send messages secretly? Try these secret codes: http://youthonline.ca/spykids/.  Create your OWN secret code – but know that you need to share it with at least one other person.
• Want to try your hand as a computer programmer? Explore http://www.crunchzilla.com/code-monster
• Create and use a cypher wheel: http://www.topspysecrets.com/secret-codes-for-kids.html

CARE:

• October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but you should be tech-savvy trhoughout the year. Explore http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=346333 to learn about ways to keep your cyber presence private, and technology safer from hackers.
• Plan a Code Breaking Day by following the tips at http://www.mathsweek.ie/2012/puzzles/code-breaking-for-young-secret-agents
• Meet the female code-breakers of World War II at: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/11/world/europe/lifting-the-veil-of-secrecy-codebreakers/
• One reason that the U.S. won World War II was the unbreakable code of the Navajos. Uncover the secret of the code talkers at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm

CAREERS:

So do you like puzzles, codes, secrets? You might want a career in cryptology and related themes. And don’t forget that computer programming is basically coding.

• Watch this CNN piece on coding careers: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/12/opinion/rushkoff-write-code
• Spy on careers at the National Security Agency: http://www.nsa.gov/kids/home.shtml
• What about the CIA? https://www.cia.gov/careers

Get the Lay of the Land

Even if you never leave your neighborhood, you can explore: be it your back yard, your grocery store, or a toy. AND you can explore the world through books and technology. The Internet opens lots of opportunities for exploring, especially this November during Geography Awareness Week.

CONNECT:

• Here’s a great starting point: 10 online activities and resources for Geography Awareness Week: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/11/10-online-activities-and-resources-for.html#.Uo
• If you want to explore a huge treasure trove of geography activities, dig into http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/topics/geography-awareness-week-archive/?ar_a=1&audiences=1
• Every day is Pirate Day with the Real Pirates of the Caribbean: http://mediamaps.esri.com/real-pirates-of-the-caribbean/
• Mission US is a revolutionary way to learn history; play a character  at http://www.mission-us.org/

CREATE:

• Create your own treasure map using Mission Map Quest: http://www.classtools.net/mapgame/game.php
• Create tours with Google Earth Tour Builder: https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/
• Publish your own story map using one of the templates found at http://storymaps.esri.com/templategallery/
• Plan a virtual trip using one of the websites listed on http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/09/08/the-best-sites-where-students-can-plan-virtual-trips/

CARE:

• The mission of National Geographic Education is to teach people how to care for the planet, its resources, and its inhabitants. Check out their explorer activities at http://www.missionexplore.net/challenger/geographyawarenessweek
• Looking for ways to help and land round you? Try out one of the following ideas from National Geographic: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/idea/volunteering/?ar_a=1
• Be a part of the land; learn how to grow things at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gardening_for_children
• The US Forest Service tries to instill kids with an awareness of the value of public lands; Explore the possibilities at http://www.fs.fed.us/kids/

CAREER:

The land is full of careers. Dig it at:

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/spring/art01.pdf

http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/undergrad/beyond-coursework/careers-in-geography/

http://www.nccu.edu/academics/sc/artsandsciences/geospatialscience/careers-in-geography-earth-and-environmental-science.cfm

It’s a Shoe-In

Barefoot can be fun, but for the long haul, it’s usually more comfortable wearing shoes to get around. There’s a lot of history and care when it comes to shoes. Time to step up and learn about them!

CONNECT:
·    http://www.shoeshistoryfacts.com/ provides lots of historical facts about shoes – and even heels. 
·    Another site about the shoe history is http://www.footwearhistory.com/ (Do you know what a winkle-picker is??)
The history of running shoes are detailed at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/athletics/features/newsid_3935000/3935703.stm
·    The Quicktime movie “Soutmate” offers a decade-by-decade look at Twentieth century shoe styles: http://www.centuryinshoes.com/

CREATE:

·    Ever want to experience being a Viking? You can make a Viking-like shoe by following the directions at http://earthandliving.blogspot.com/2008/08/viking-shoes-tutorial-sort-of.html
·    Play this shoe design game at http://www.games2girls.com/p/shoedesign/
·    What’s involved in making a shoe? Watch the video that demonstrates the process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CItl38HGUJ0. Make a flowchart of the process.
·    Make a “trivia” game based on the following footwear facts website: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0767796.html

CARE:
·    Ever have pinched toes or other foot pains because of bad-fitting shoes? It’s important to take care of your feet by choosing well-fitting shoes. http://www.epodiatry.com/children-footwear.htm provides some good tips.
·    Help save the planet: care for and repair your shoes: http://www.ssia.info/consumers/index.asp
·    Here are companies that make shoes from recycled materials: http://recycledreused.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/top-5-recycled-shoe-companies/
·    Donate shoes through https://soles4souls.org/donate or http://donateyouroldshoes.org/
·    Shoes are especially design for the disabled; compare them at http://www.podartis.com/orthopedic-shoes.html

CAREER:
If you follow the creation of a shoe, you’ll see several associated careers:
The beginning: Shoe design: http://www.theartcareerproject.com/shoe-design/
The end: Shoe repair: http://www.ssia.info/careers/index.asp
There are also manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and sales jobs.

Hurray for Halloween!

Whether you believe in ghosts or goblins, you probably have experienced Halloween. What’s it all about, and why do we celebrate it? Hopefully, the answers won’t spook you!

CONNECT:

• Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins: http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/
• The History Channel  has several videos about Halloween around the world: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween-around-the-world
• Did you know that candy corn is over a 100 years old – and that it wasn’t always associated with Halloween? Find out about its history at http://www.hauntedbay.com/history/candycorn.shtml
• Los Dias de los Muertos, or the Mexican Days of the Dead Festival, shares some of its origins with Halloween. Find out about this event and other festivals of the dead at http://edsitement.neh.gov/not-just-halloween-festivals-dead-around-world
• R. L. Stine is a scream for lots of middle school readers. Here’s his online nightmare room [enter at your own risk]: http://www.thenightmareroom.com/

CREATE:

• What does ice cream have to do with Halloween? This website by Ben & Jerry’s has fun Halloween activities and crafts: http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/
• Are you batty about bats? You can make some fun bat crafts at http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/bat_crafts.html
• Learn the history of pumpkin carving, and how to carve your own at http://www.pumpkin-carving.com/.  (Make sure you do this as a family so everyone is safe.)
• Be creative with do-it-yourself costuming; get some good ideas at http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm
• Try cooking up some yummy Halloween snacks by checking out http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/halloween-recipes-kids-treats-party-food/ and http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-entertaining/holidays/halloween/kids-party-menu.aspx

CARE:

• Halloween can be scary and even unsafe. Get some safety tips at http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/play2.html
• Want to make a child happy? Help them plan a Halloween party. Here are some fun ideas: http://www.marthastewart.com/274488/halloween-games/@center/1006806/halloween-parties
• Do you have a college-age relative or friend? They would probably like a Halloween care package; check out http://www.parade.com/211055/nancyberk/halloween-in-a-box-sending-seasonal-college-care-packages/ for ways to help the collegiate be in high spirits.
• Show you care by making a homemade Halloween card: for the hospitalized, day care centers, or the elderly: http://www.making-handmade-cards.com/card-making/category/card-ideas-by-occasion/halloween-card-making-idea/
• Here are some good ideas for Halloween service projects: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2012/10/ideas-for-halloween-service-projects/

CAREER:

Think of all the people associated with Halloween: pumpkin (and sugar cane and chocolate and… ) farmers and growers, transportation workers, nutritionists, artists, costumers, manufacturers, packagers, sales people, writers, party planners, film makers, entertainers, clergy.  You might trace a Halloween product from its raw materials to your doorstep.

• Here are a few Halloween-inspired careers: http://myfootpath.com/mypathfinder/job-seekers-find-a-halloween-inspired-career/
• Here’s a fun take on careers: 10 scary jobs: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/10/31/the-10-spookiest-jobs/ 
• You can find out 10 ways that Halloween is like a career at http://careersoutthere.com/10-ways-halloween-is-like-your-career/

And Away We Go!

Think about all the ways we get around: foot, tricycle, car, airplane, horseback. Trying brainstorming all the possible means of transportation alphabetically, or by use according to age from infancy to old age.  What gets transported? Almost everything! Learning about transportation can be a moving experience.

CONNECT:

• You may ride in a car almost every day, but do you know how the average car engine works? Look under the hood at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
• Enjoy a variety of online activities exploring the principles of aviation and spaceflight at NASA: http://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/online.cfm
• Sometimes a boat carries airplanes. Find out about aircraft carriers: http://www.newtonsapple.tv/TeacherGuides_techInvention.php
• Have you ever wondered what the fight deck controls of aircraft like the777, 767, 747, 340, 320, and the F-16 do? For future pilots, pilots upgrading to new equipment, cockpit engineers, hobbyist, or just the curious looking for some information, the Flightdeck Simulations here has these details at your finger tips: http://meriweather.com/flight-decks/
• Going down under with this web site about the history of New York City's subway system and other transportation systems: http://www.nycsubway.org/
• If you read “Peanuts,” you’ll have heard about Zambonis:  a brand of ice resurfacer. Learn how the Zamboni works, read about its inventor and the famous machine's history, and keep up to date on Zamboni news and trivia: http://www.zamboni.com/
• Learn about the fastest car ever, and read how others are trying to break the record for speed  at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fastcars/

CREATE:

• Have fun with car licenses, and make your own! Check out plates from around the world at http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/
• Design helps make the car run better and look better. Concept cars are the start on the way to production. Take a look at fun concept cars at http://www.conceptcarz.com/, and try your own hand to designing one.
• There are lots of fun ways to create airborn transportation. Here are some good websites to inspire creators: http://www.zurqui.com/crinfocus/paper/airplane.html, http://www.funpaperairplanes.com/, http://www.origami-instructions.com/paper-airplanes.html, http://www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/Simple.html
• Let young Leonardo da Vinci guide you through this website which is a history of flight. Designed by sixth graders, this site has a timeline beginning in 1000 AD, biographies of some famous aviators, external links, experiments you can try, and photos of numerous planes: http://library.thinkquest.org/3785/
• Take a virtual road time on Route 6 (http://www.paroute6.com/), and then create your own road trip using http://maps.google.com or http://maps.yahoo.com

CARE:

• It’s not enough to be transported; you need to stay safe. Boat Safe Kids (http://boatsafe.com/kids/index.htm) gives good safety tips and provides fun facts.
• Otto’s Playland (http://www.ottoclub.org/) is an interactive site with many fun games and activities about being safe with automobiles.
• Many teens enjoy dirtbikes. Dirtbike School (http://www.dirtbikeschool.org/) offers safety tips, an image gallery, and more.
• Use this bicycle safety activity kit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/bskitboth/3152bskit/pages/section1/section1toc.html
• Remember to keep your head when you use bikes. Here are good tips: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/safety-wellness/bike-helmet-safety/
• Get back to basics: foot transportation. http://www.foothealthcare.com/shop/walking_sport_and_outdoor_activities provides tips for the family.
• Not only people but most products are transported. http://food-hub.org/files/resources/Food%20Miles.pdf discusses how food is transported, and health issues associated with these processes.

CAREER:

Transportation is a moving career…. From creating and manufacturing to driving and maintaining transportation, as well as supervising transportation, there’s hardly any job that doesn’t involve transportation. Here are some starting websites about such jobs.

• http://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/home.htm
• http://www.khake.com/page44.html
• http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/516
• http://wings.avkids.com/  a guide to careers in aeronautics.

Robots R Us

People of all ages have been intrigued by robots for centuries, reading about them and trying to develop them. Think about the movies that have featured robots. You can experience robots and robotics first hand in the following activities. You may find out that robotics can make us more human!

CONNECT:
•    Tech Museum - Robotics (http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/robotics/index.html)
features an introduction to the history of, and issues raised by, robots and robotics.
•    The Field Robotics Center (http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/) introduces various types of machines that helped scientific research, especially in the field of astronomy, geography, and environment.
•    How have people felt about the ever-changing technology, particularly robots, around them. Find out at http://www.the-robotman.com/
•    Read the 1920 play that defined robots: R.U.R. by the Czech author Karel Capek: http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/capek/karel/rur/ Has the author’s future arrived?
•    What are the best robots of the year? Find out “who” 17,000 people voted into the Robert Hall of Fame: http://www.robothalloffame.org/

CREATE:
•    Use a computer drawing / painting program to visualize your ideal robot. Then watch a robot draw a person: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbdQbyff_Sk. You can also go to Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com) and compare robot images.
•    Not only can people collaborate, but robots can too. You can even control one of those robots at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~Xavier/
•    Make your own Nonorover, and use a 3D simulation to build and run your own robot, and many other activities: http://a2zhomeschooling.com/explore/physics_kids/robotics_kids/
•    Build your own robot, step by step. There’s also a helpful section for parents: http://www.mos.org/drop-in-activities/design-challenges
•    Experiment and do robotics projects at Science Kids: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/robots.html
•    Choose from over 20 robotic projects to choose from at Science Buddies: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/search.shtml?v=ia&ia=Robotics
•    Does your family have a budding programmer? Try ColoBot simulations: http://www.ceebot.com/colobot/edu-e.php

CARE:
•    Save a life with robotic surgery: http://www.childrenshospital.org/views/aug10/demystifying_robotic_surgery.html
•    See how GoodRobots can help older people: http://www.goodrobot.com/en/
•    Watch how robots can help youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: http://www.today.com/video/today/50007872
•    Robots are used increasingly in health care, as these videos illustrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzCnnKxd_a8
http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/09/19/t_in_irobot_ava.cnnmoney/
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/c-angle-what-role-can-robots-play-in-healthcare.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFexeUheZOk


CAREER:
•    As you have seen, robots and robotics play important roles in a range of industries. NASA showcases several of these at http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp  and http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/home/
•    Science News for Kids shows cool robotic jobs: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/wide-world-of-robots/
•    Razor Robotics discusses careers and education at http://www.razorrobotics.com/careers-and-education/