Climb Every Mountain

Mountains are an essential part of our earth: the goal of many adventurers, the source of rivers, an inspiration for creativity. Explore the activities below to climb mountain heights. (By the way, a mountain must be at least 1000 feet high; lower than that is a hill.)

CONNECT:

•  Read these fun mountain facts: http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-mountains/
• How are mountains formed? See some processes at https://owlcation.com/stem/Types-and-Formation-of-Mountains-For-kids
• Discover how to climb one of Africa’s tallest mountains at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/07/climb-africas-tallest-mountain/
•  Did you know that mountains have life cycles? See that cycle at https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/the-life-cycle-of-mountains

CREATE:

• Try some of these mountain crafts for kids: https://www.ehow.com/list_6100689_mountain-crafts-kids.html
•  Map or create a trivia game about the highest mountains in the world: https://list25.com/25-highest-mountains-in-the-world/
•  Test your knowledge about world mountains with this map quiz: https://online.seterra.com/en/vgp/3131
• What food should you pack if you go mountain climbing or other hiking? Find out at https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/snack-and-meal-ideas/food-tips-for-camping-and-hiking

CARE:

• Do you think you have a hard time walking to school? Look at these dangerous journeys to school, several involving mountains: https://www.boredpanda.com/dangerous-journey-to-school/
•   Follow these safety tips when hiking with the family: https://www.parentmap.com/article/keeping-kids-safe-outdoors-top-tips
•  Why should you care about conservation of mountains and other aspects of nature? Find out what kids can do at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conservationeducation/about/education-themes/kids-in-woods
• Even mountains move and can be sites of hazards. Read about come of those hazards in Rocky Mount National Park: https://www.nps.gov/romo/hicountry_hazards.htm

CAREERS:

Are you looking to the heights for a career? Mountains might be in your sights. Sports – such ask skiing and hiking, geology, tourism, forestry. There are a mountain of opportunities.

https://www.skimag.com/ski-performance/10-best-jobs-ski-industry

http://www.personal.kent.edu/~cschweit/Stark/whygeologymajor.htm

https://www.climbing.com/people/the-balancing-act-of-climbing-and-career/

https://www.jobmonkey.com/parks/mountaineering_jobs/

Fantastic! Beasts!

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you have probably of its fantastic beasts. However, fantastic beasts have existed for thousands of years. Experience these imaginative creatures in the activities below.

CONNECT:

• Watch the myth and truth about mythical creatures from around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgLzwPQB0_4
• Learn how science explains about mythical creatures at https://theportalist.com/7-mythological-creatures-explained-by-science
• OK, let’s recognize the obvious: Rowling’s fantastic beasts. And where do you find them besides in a book? Here at https://www.pottermore.com/features/care-of-magical-creatures-illustrations-introducing-new-fantastic-beasts
• Can animals fantasize? Find out the answer at http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130207-can-animals-imagine

CREATE:

• Little ones will enjoy these playful games about mythical creatures: https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/mythical-creatures
• Watch this video to see how to draw your own fantasy animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYTR9f6Xl9E
• Enjoy these kid-friendly mythical creature crafts: http://learncreatelove.com/crafts/character-mythical-crafts/
• Want to play unicorn? Try these DIY costumes: https://www.seventeen.com/fashion/g2907/diy-unicorn-costumes/

CARE:

• Want to cheer up a friend or relative? Try reading them fantasy poems: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/other/fantasy
• Write a fantasy animal tale for a friend using these story starters: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/fantasy-writing-prompts/
• To help you further with storytelling, use this fantasy animal name generator: http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/fantasy-animal-names.php
• Share your happiness with a unicorn party: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290721/magical-unicorn-birthday-party-ideas-for-kids/

CAREERS:

Do you fantasize about your career? It may merge with fantastic creatures: as a writer, illustrator, film-maker, or designer. Imagine the possibilities here:

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/writing-fantasy-how-to-write-fresh-when-following-a-recipe

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/05/fantasy-illustrations-alexandra-khitrova/

https://www.filmconnection.com/movie-genres/scifi/

https://www.disd.edu/careers-interior-design.php

sfd

Feeling antsy?

Ants are hearty little animals. They are found around the world. They predate us – and will probably outlast us.  Discover more about out little neighbors.

CONNECT:

• There are more than 12,000 species of ants. Explore five species at https://pestworldforkids.org/pest-guide/ants/
• Watch the life cycle of ants in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-OnJCn1gg
• Have questions about ants? Check out these questions and answers about ants at http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Formicidae/
• Watch 20 facts about ants on video at http://antark.net/ant-facts/
• Extra: Imagine a whole encyclopedia about ants! That’s a reality at http://ant.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/INTRODUCTION/Gakken79E/Page_02.html

CREATE:

• Get crafty about ants at https://3boysandadog.com/ant-activities-for-kids/
• Have fun with these ant activities: https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/animal-crafts/ant-activities.htm
• Do you eat ants? Many people do. See this video that gives a case for eating bugs: http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/the-case-for-eating-bugs-gross-science
• Create a trivia game using these cool facts about ants: https://www.coolkidfacts.com/ant-facts-for-kids/

CARE:

• Ants can bite and sting. Learn how to treat those hurts at https://www.std-gov.org/blog/ant-bites/
• Ants can be a problem inside the home. Here are 13 simple solutions to take your family’s ant problem: https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/13-common-items-for-getting-rid-of-ants/
• Do you have a sandbox? It’s not a good idea to share that sand with ants. Who wants ants in their pants? Here’s how to vacate them: https://www.earthkind.com/blog/ants-in-sandbox/
• Ants as pets? Want to start an art colony? It involves more than scooping up some wayward ants. Get details at http://antfarmsforkids.com/

CAREERS:

Do you go bugs about ants? You might want to become an entomologist: http://www.aboutbioscience.org/careers/entomologist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/entomologist

https://www1.cfnc.org/Plan/For_A_Career/Career_Profile/Career_Profile.aspx?id=pcBcU66mNl0F4Sa39hJ17gXAP3DPAXXAP3DPAX

Here’s an interview with an entomologist: http://blog.hmns.org/2010/03/for-all-the-future-entomologists-out-there/

Or how about wrangling insects for a living? https://www.careermatch.com/job-prep/career-insights/profiles/insect-wrangler/