Get Energized!

 

What makes the world go around?  Energy! Where does that energy come from? How does it work – get other things to work? Use your energy to discover the answers in with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• What kinds of energy can you name? Compare them with this video about several kinds of energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HdxQhBRDUI
• See the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w16-Uems2Qo
• How old is energy? It’s as old as the sun. It also comes from the fossils of dinosaurs. Watch the history at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JasIvS7oYw4

 

CREATE:

• goog_174713956Use your energy to play these energetic games: https://www.eia.gov/kids/games-and-activities/
• Energize your home with kid-friendly energy activities: https://alaskarenewableenergy.org/energy-activities-to-do-at-home/
• See the light with these light activities for preschoolers: https://carrotsareorange.com/light-energy/

 

CARE:

• Conserving energy is one way to help the environment: here are 10 ways for kids to conserve energy at home and school: https://tristate.coop/kids-conserve-energy-for-home-school
• Watch how to monitor electric use at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjpxIIgo7-8
• Sumer time can be a high energy use time, especially with are conditioning.  Try at least one of these 8 kid-friendly ways to conserve energy in the summer: https://blog.directenergy.com/8-ways-to-help-kids-conserve-energy-summer/

 

CAREERS:

Does an energy-related career energize you? Let these websites light up your life.

• https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/guide/energy/energy-career-clusters.html
• https://getintoenergy.org/
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-energy-careers

 

Plastic Lives!

 

Plastic is all around us. It is hard to imagine not using plastic in our daily lives: eating with, using items made of plastic, even wearing it. But what really is plastic? And how does it affect us? Explore the answers with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about plastic at https://kids.kiddle.co/Plastic
• Watch how plastic is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PgjA3HISmw
• What is plastic used for? Can you think of 100 uses? Jot down your ideas and compare them with https://allusesof.com/chemical/100-uses-of-plastic/

 

CREATE:

• What can you do with empty plastic bottles? Here are 25 kid-friendly craft ideas using them: https://www.playideas.com/plastic-bottle-crafts-for-kids/
• Try some of these tips for avoiding single-plastic: https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/single-use-plastic/
• Too much plastic is not good. Use National Geographic’s toolkit for tips on hosting a plastic-free party and give plastic-free gifts: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/kids-vs-plastic

 

CARE:

• See how plastic harms the environment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC5zUU1TSYg
• But what about saving trees? What is better to use: paper or plastic? Get the pros and cons at https://climatekids.nasa.gov/paper-or-plastic/ to decide.
• Britain has a Kids Against Plastic organization. See what they do – and consider how you could take action: at https://www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/

 

CONNECT:

You saw how plastic is used in so many ways. That means there are lots of jobs waiting for people who want to work with plastic. Discover some of those options here.

• https://www.plasticsindustry.org/careers
• https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Career/Plastic/What-Is-How-to-Become
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN8w22B-GZU

Starry-eyed about Constellations

 

Ever connect the dots? On a clear night you can see groups of stars in the sky.  People have connected the star “dots” to form constellations that represent images. Often these constellations are used to tell stories and share myths. Try these activities and see starry constellations in your eyes.

 

CONNECT:

• Learn about the types of constellations, their names, and how to find them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZ15SUeS9w
• Want to know more about the myths and science of constellations? Watch this 2-part crash course: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/what-is-a-constellation-crash-course-kids
• Watch how different cultures view constellations at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HejyXGQN-wk

 

CREATE:

• Explore NASA’s activities about constellations at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/constellations/
• Try some kid-friendly, hands-on constellation activities at https://www.howweelearn.com/constellation-activities-for-kids/
• Create a constellation telescope by following the directions at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/53541/constellation-activity-craft/
• AND connect the stars anyway to want to make your own constellations!

 

CARE:

• Get the facts about night vision and eye health at https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/night-vision
• Connect the family closer by star – and constellation – gazing at https://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/for-families/
• Be inspired by https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/activities/constellations/ to create a community space day for families.

 

CAREERS:

Do you get starry-eyed thinking about constellations? Do you see the stars in your future? If so, gaze at this constellation of astronomy careers.

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/astronomy-jobs
• https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy
• https://www.iau.org/public/themes/careers/

Milk it!

 

Mother’s milk. The milk of human kindness. Got milk? Milk is universal, and we never outgrow our need for it. Milk these activities for their goodness: food for thought!

 

CONNECT:

• See how milk travels from the farm to your fridge at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XSoTEcD_vQ
• All mammals produce milk; watch some extreme animal milk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbBgcs9NYLE
• Explore the history of cheese (and its relationship to milk) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzzEK4wZ6uI

 

CREATE:

• World Milk Day is September 30, but you can celebrate milk every day by doing these fun STEM activities: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/ten-top-stem-activities-to-celebrate-world-school-milk-day/
• Here is one time you can play with your food: https://milklife.com/articles/10-easy-diy-experiments-for-kids
• Make oat milk (for older kids and adults to drink) by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zXQufqSZC0

 

CARE:

• Should kids drink plant-based milk? Get the facts at https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/are-milk-alternatives-actually-unhealthy-for-kids/
• Here are tips for keeping milk fresh: https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/canadian-goodness/cooking-with-dairy/freeze-store-milk#:~:text=Store%20milk%20on%20refrigerator%20shelves,pitcher%20to%20the%20original%20container.
• Read what happens when you drink spoiled milk—and what to do if you DO drink it: https://missouripoisoncenter.org/is-this-a-poison/spoiled-milk/#:~:text=A%20small%20sip%20of%20spoiled,resolve%20within%2012%2D24%20hours.

 

CAREERS:

Cow-abunga! You can milk your job. Here are some moo-ving ways to do that.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zi5znuMpE8
• https://www.ans.iastate.edu/undergraduate/careers/dairy-careers
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/dairy-industry-careers

Roger That, Rocket!

 

The US anthem includes the phrase “the rockets’ red glare.” We continue to be awed by rockets. Have a blast exploring the world of rockets with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these rocket facts at https://www.factsjustforkids.com/technology-facts/rocket-facts-for-kids/
• Watch how rockets work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBwWLunlOM
• Rockets are not new; they have been around for more than 2000 years! Discover their history at https://www.space.com/29295-rocket-history.html

 

CREATE:

• Even little ones can do cool rocket activites at https://toddlerapproved.com/2015/05/10-cool-rocket-activities-for-kids.html
• Explore rockets at NASA space place: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/Rockets/
• Create your own rocket and other high fliers at https://www.parentmap.com/article/launching-imaginations-diy-action-toy-contraptions

 

CARE:

• Safety goes to a new level in space; find out how to stay healthy in space at https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/activities/healthInSpace/aboutHealthInSpace.pdf
• rockets are fun to watch but they can be dangerous if you get too clase, so follow this model rocket safety code at https://www.nar.org/safety-information/model-rocket-safety-code/
• Watch this video about rocket safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ1V1si2mC0

 

CAREERS:

Blast into space with these rocket-based jobs. The sky's the limit!

• https://www.myrocketcareer.com/
• https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/rocketry/careercorner/index.html

 

 

Graduation Time

 

It is time for schools in the US to celebrate graduation. It is an important rite of passage and symbol of achievement. Explore these websites to gradually achieve more knowledge about graduation.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the history of graduation traditions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq6wodqji8U
• Watch these graduation traditions and rituals from around the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Je5TxmNr0  
• Watch how Finnish students celebrate graduation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoxSiIb5690
• Decode the meaning of graduation caps and gowns at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbTcUnh2tR4

 

CREATE:

• Try up to 24 ways to celebrate preschool graduation at https://www.pre-kpages.com/end-school-year-activities/
• Listen to this playlist of graduation songs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i66p0_wZ9F0&list=PLwMMslZU--j7UiQJYDwRcQ1QzrSM-FkrY
• Taste these kid-friendly graduation party snack ideas: https://www.alphabetu.com/blog/2014/03/kindergarten-and-preschool-graduation-party-snack-ideas/

 

CARE:

• Know someone who is graduating? Get inspired with the following ideas for creating a memorable graduation gift: http://twigglemagazine.com/June-activities/graduation-teacher-gift-ideas.html
• Plan a fun graduation party with these ideas from preschool to high school: https://www.parenting.com/activities/family-time/15-graduation-party-ideas-preschool-to-high-school/
• Sometimes youth may party too much graduation time; use these tips to stay safe: https://cadyinc.org/resources/get-the-facts/keeping-your-child-safe-around-prom-and-graduation-time/

 

CAREERS:

Imagine graduating again and again. There are the obvious careers in education, but there are supporting careers as well: event planning, catering, manufacturing, yearbook publishing, photographing – and career advising. It can take a village to graduate.  

• https://www.science.org/content/article/research-your-career-options-well-graduation
• https://www.zippia.com/yearbook-editor-jobs/
• http://becomeaneventplanner.org/event-planning-careers.html
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/caterer/

 

Animal Mothers

 Every animal has a mother. How are they alike – and different? Try these activities to find out. And hug your mom…

 CONNECT:

• Watch 10 caring and devoted animal moms in the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS4JCfzJwz8
• Follow this read-aloud book about how animal babies travel with their mothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4TIYk5QMbo
• Read about hard-working animal moms at https://www.doi.gov/blog/celebrating-hard-working-animal-moms

 

CREATE:

• Learn about the science of animal babies and their mothers at https://kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/baby-animals-science-lesson/
• With your mom, act out your inner animal child with these activities:  https://mothernatured.com/children/
• Match animals with their baby names with this game at https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.com/baby-animal-names/ or create this animal baby name game at https://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/are-you-my-mother-animal-memory-game/

CARE:

• Learn about animal mothers care for their young at https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ilwnet17-sci-life-young/how-animals-care-for-their-young/
• Learn from animal mothers how to care for children at https://www.inverse.com/science/7-lessons-moms-can-learn-from-animals
• Create animal-based Mother’s Days cards with the templates at https://www.petakids.com/activities/mothers-day-cards/

 

CAREERS:

You can make a career from learning about animal mothers: veterinarian, zoo staff, biologist, wildlife specialist. Your mom would be proud. Read about some possibilities here.

• https://mothernatured.com/parenting/wildlife-and-animal-career-information-for-children-and-teenagers/
• https://brevardzoo.org/the-truth-about-the-best-job-in-the-world/
• https://www.uvisor.com/55-great-careers-working-animals/