Over (and Under) the Ocean Blue

How much do you know about the majority of planet earth: its oceans? It’s a lively topic, and one you can really plunge into. Try some of these activities below, and make waves!

CONNECT:

• Did you know that the ocean forms currents? What causes currents? Why is the sea salty? Find out the answers to these questions at http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/david-s.-and-ruth-l.-gottesman-hall-of-planet-earth/what-causes-climate-and-climate-change/the-world-ocean
• Discover marine creatures from the tiny zooxanthellae that make the coral reefs home to the giant mammals of the vast seas: at http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/index.htm
• Virtually visit the Smithsonian Ocean Planet exhibit at http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/ocean_planet_overview.html
• Explore marine life “down under” at http://portphillipmarinelife.net.au/
• Discover planet ocean at http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/planetocean/ocean.html
• Look at the history of ocean life through NOAA’s photo library: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/

CREATE:

• This site allows you to do several activities related to sea life: https://www.fi.edu/sites/default/files/SummerCampDiscovery_Week8_Dangers_of_the_Deep_Newsletter.08.14.pdf
• Explore the splendors of the sea at http://www.seasky.org/sea.html
• Watch a kelp forest “live” at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-experiences/live-web-cams/kelp-forest-cam. You might even see a wolf eel!
• Become a Junior Oceanographer! Take the quiz and earn a certificate. Join at http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/education/stuffforkids/junioroceanographer/

CARE:

• How much oil is usually lost to an oil spill and who cleans it up? Find out on this site from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills
• Want to help oceans and the living things therein? http://www.vanaqua.org/act/direct-action has a list of conservation projects that you can participate in.
• Make waves at this interactive website:  http://waves.marine.usf.edu/news_menu/news_menu.htm
• Imagine living underwater to study and preserve marine ecosystems. You can get involved without even getting wet, at http://aquarius.fiu.edu/
• You don’t have to be a scientist to help save coral reefs. Try one of the following ten steps to help: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/coralreefs/ways-to-help-coral-reefs/index.htm

CAREER:

You can make waves in a career related to oceans. Here are few starters:

http://www.oceancareers.com/2.0/index.php

http://www.marinecareers.net/

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/welcome.html

http://www.cosee.net/about/careers/

http://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-list-of-unique-and-interesting-marine-careers/

https://marine-conservation.org/who-we-are/jobs/career-resources/

Germany Uber Alles

Germany has been in the news lately, but you might not know about other aspects of Germany – so “Viel Spass” (have fun) with these activities about this historic European country.

CONNECT:

• Read about the daily life of German youth at http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/05/__Kids__Teens.html
• ·Anne Frank was a German Jewish teenager who experienced the traumas of World War II. Experience her life at http://www.annefrank.org/
• ·Did you know that blue jeans were invented by a German? Find out about him and other German inventors at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/germany.shtml
• Visit Munich’s museum virtually: http://www.deutsches-museum.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
• Werewolves feature in several German legends. Read some of them at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/werewolf.html

CREATE:

• Use these fun facts about Germany (http://www.journey-to-germany.com/german-fun-facts.html)  to create a fact-based “Trivia” game.
• Find out about typical German cuisine, and try making your own versions, by following the directions at http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/germany/#axzz1Kp7evGgR
•  You can learn German words by doing some of the activities at http://www.hello-world.com/languages.php/?language=German
• http://www.52composers.com/german-composers.html has stories and sample music about several German composers.
•  What are some common German first names, and what do they mean? Generate a list at https://www.germany101.com/german-baby-boys-names

CARE:

• Germany has taken in more refugees than any other country in the world.  Read some ways that people help these refugees: http://www.thelocal.de/20150903/five-ways-you-can-help-refugees-in-germany
• If you are taking care of younger children, you might entertain them by playing traditional German games: http://www.globalawareness.com/for-kids/games-from-around-the-world/games-from-germany/
• The Berlin Wall separated West and East Germany for 28 years. Read President Kennedy’s speech at the Berlin Wall, and his call for peace: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/kennedy.html

CAREERS:

Are you interested in Germany? Can you speak German? Many international schools and companies have branches in Germany. Governments also have offices in Germany.  Here are some tips:

http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/guide/looking-for-a-job

https://www.csbsju.edu/languages-and-cultures/german-studies/careers-in-german

Take Flight with Angels

Angels aren’t just tree toppings. They have existed in the minds of people around the world. And many other things are named “angel.” Let your imagination take flight with these angel-related activities.

CONNECT:

• Angels are mentioned in several cultures and religions, as outlined at http://english-magazine.org/english-reading/english-for-culture/1166-culture-article340
• Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world; find the facts at http://primaryfacts.com/1322/angel-falls-facts-about-the-highest-waterfall-in-the-world/
• Explore the history of Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, from the Miworks to the Spaniards to immigrants and tourists: http://angelisland.org/history/
• Read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Angel” as an expression of kindness this season: http://hca.gilead.org.il/angel.html
• Can you play baseball like an Angel? Follow the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana

CREATE:

• Angel hair can refer to a type of thin noodle. See the various shapes of pasta, and how their shapes are used for different kinds of dishes: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pasta.asp
• Make fun angel cookies, with pretzel wings and almond hands: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/almond-angel-cookies/009d2865-e138-40e3-aefa-558ca2dc7d4f
• Here’s lots of angel crafts to make around the year: http://www.freekidscrafts.com/holidays/christmas-crafts/angel-crafts/
• Here are some angel costumes and wings to make: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtomakeangelcostumeshalloweencraftskids.html

CARE:

• Dogs can be angels; canine angels help children with special needs be more independent. Learn about this service at http://www.canine-angels.org/
• The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. Watch a 360-degree video demonstration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6SsB3JYqQg
• Los Angeles is called The City of Angels. That city owns a zoo and botanical gardens. Read about their conservation efforts at http://www.lazoo.org/conservation/. You can support those efforts too.
• Project Angle Food cooks thousands of meals every week to people who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves (http://www.angelfood.org). Perhaps there is a similar service in your area where you can help.
• You can have your own angel: an angelfish. Reel in facts about caring for them at http://small-pets.lovetoknow.com/fish/10-facts-about-angelfish.
• Can coins save a life? Read about the myth of the French Angel coin at http://www.gainesvillecoins.com/tips/25/the-extraordinary-legend-of-the-french-angel-coin.aspx

CAREERS:

You can be a guardian angel for someone by helping to care for them. Healthcare positions offer many opportunities: http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/health-care-careers.html

Religion can lead to many careers: http://www.studyreligion.org/where/skills.html

R U A Robot?

Robotics started as 19^th century science fiction, and is now a growing field of science. Explore our newest relative.

CONNECT:

• Explore the different tasks that robots do: at http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/
• What can robots do – or not do? Check the facts at http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/robots/facts.cfm
• Visit a whole museum about robots at http://www.the-robotman.com/
• The first time the word “robot” was used was in the play R.U.R.. Read about it at http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/sf/r.u.r.html
• Read 20 great books about robotics: http://robohub.org/20-great-books-to-hook-kids-and-teens-on-robotics/

CREATE:

• Design and build a robotic rover with cardboard and a balloon; follow the directions at http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/summer/education_resources/engineering_grades7-9/E_nanorover.html#.VldOj793EZw
• You can also build your own virtual robot, and use it for gaming – at http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/R/robots/constructor.html
• Consider visiting – and participating – in a robot competition, listed at http://www.robofest.net/ and http://robots.net/rcfaq.html
• Dance like a robot at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggadhy--yLs

CARE:

• Support the US, NASA, AND Robots by joining the Robotics Alliance as a family: http://robotics.arc.nasa.gov/email/subscribe.php
• Robots can protect people -- by finding and defusing bombs, and taking on other hazardous duties. Watch how they work at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/robots/
• Here are 9 more awesome ways that robots help people: http://mic.com/articles/118712/9-awesome-robots-that-are-helping-to-save-the-world#.j1QERWk9o
• See how driverless cars work: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/trends-innovations/driverless-car.htm  Consider: should a driverless car kill the passenger to save a child outside? http://qz.com/245142/should-your-driverless-car-kill-you-to-save-a-child/

CAREERS:

Interested in robots? Or robotics? Don’t just sit there; get moving!

• You could become a robotics engineer: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers/engineering/robotics-engineer
• Read about other robotics career paths at http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/careercorner/#.VldeD793EZw.
• Watch NASA’s video to get career advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyE6l7Ewko8&feature=youtu.be&list=PL9TFrgFq7557J_fG5s4TsNmSqwFuEjaFU
• It’s not only a science career. Think about manufacturing and selling, health, writing, clothing, illustration, even food preparation.

Are You Awake?

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. Here are facts and fun about sleep that will keep you awake.

CONNECT:

What are you sleepy? Can’t sleep? Get the answers and more about kids and sleep at http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/JustForKids/Life/OnePagers/Pages/OnePagerSleep.aspx

What causes snoring? Find out all the facts at http://www.medicinenet.com/snoring/article.htm

How do astronauts sleep in space? Read how at https://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMAIP6TLPG_LifeinSpace_0.html

And watch the NASA sleep station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICCuD4M9nIs

Did you know snails can sleep for years, and that giraffes sleep about 20 minutes a day? http://mentalfloss.com/article/66194/15-amazing-sleeping-habits-animals has amazing facts about animal sleeping habits.

What are dreams? Why do we dream? Why do nightmares occur? Here’s the science about dreams: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/dreaming-overview

Have you ever been asked, “Are you asleep?” You can see what sleep looks like in the brain by watching http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/sleep.html

Find out about the universal language of lullabies at http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21035103

CREATE:

Learn how to sing lullabies to babies by following the pictures at http://www.wikihow.com/Sing-Lullabies-to-Babies.

Here are 12 ways to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly: http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/sleep/12-ways-to-make-your-bedroom-more-sleep-friendly

Have fun with sleep-related games and puzzles – and more—at http://www.sleepforkids.org/

Here is a collection of calming activities for kids: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/11110/go-to-sleep-go-to-sleep

CARE:

Do you owe your body a debt – of sleep? This video explains how much sleep do you need: https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

Do you sleep walk, or know someone who does? What accommodations should you make? Find out at http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/sleepwalking.html

When you’re sick, rest and sleep is usually recommended. http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=304&id=1717#5 gives good advice about child sickness and their body needs.

Know somewith with a baby? Create a lullaby playlist for them by following the directions at http://www.mommasociety.com/momma-society/how-to-create-a-lullaby-playlist-and-giveaway

CAREERS:

Want to sleep for a living? It can be more than mattress testing. The field of sleep medicine, for instance, offers several career options: http://school.sleepeducation.com/sleepcareers.aspx