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/

The Reality of TV

Most families have a television, or watch TV shows online. The U. S.  television industry employs over 85,000 people, has a yearly revenue of $36 billion, and influences billions of people worldwide. Let’s do more than watch TV; let’s look into it.

CONNECT:

• We know what’s in front of the TV; what’s behind it? Find out in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBjBG9Sen0w
• How are weather reports created? Find out from the Weather Dude at http://www.wxdude.com/perform.html
• A lot of people are involved in writing a TV script: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-you-write-a-tv-script/
• TV is the result of advancing technology; trace those technologies at http://transition.fcc.gov/omd/history/tv/
• Time magazine has covered TV from its early days. You can see the articles of the time at http://www.time.com/time/archive/collections/0,21428,c_television_history,00.shtml
• Explore the history of Sesame Street and Children’s Television Workshop (the parent company) at  http://www.sesameworkshop.org/about-us/40-years-and-counting/ and http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Sesame_Workshop

CREATE:

• Let’s make a TV show! This wiki gives step-by-step directions: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-TV-Show
• This site from educational TV productions provides filming and editing basics, and explains how to make a newscast, public service announcement, and an instructional video: http://home.utah.edu/~u0288525/videosite/formats/news.html
• You can make your own cartoons at home following these directions: http://www.ehow.com/how_7465832_can-make-cartoon-home_.html
• This BBC site tells beginning writers how to write a script, and what TV producers look for: http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/write-a-script

CARE:

• How do you choose what kind of TV to buy? This video offers some criteria: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/dtv.htm
• We know what’s in front of the TV; what’s behind it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBm9ZyIg3I0  This video shows the money behind television. You should care.
• This site is designed to be both a lesson plan/activity, and at the same time, a valuable resource for educators and parents who want their kids to become media literate when it comes to television and advertising. http://www.frankwbaker.com/toys.htm
• Want to get the word out about a cause you really believe in? This lesson explains how to make a video public service announcement: http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/activities-projects/mytube-make-video-public-30157.html

CAREER:
The script website gives you a bit of an idea of how many people are involved in creating a television show: writers, artists, costumers, make-up experts, hair stylists, lighting experts, set designers, props keepers, camera people, editors, reporters, accountants, sales persons, advertisers, technicians, as well as talent. Can you think of others? Explore these sources of career information:
http://www.nab.org/documents/television/NABTelevisionCareersSecondEdition.pdf
http://www.creativeskillset.org/tv/jobs/
http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/television/

The Circle Of Life

We’re all connected, not just in our families or communities, but with all living things. And they are also connected to water, air, and the rest of the earth. Find out how these elements work together in the great circle of life.

CONNECT:

• Different types of plants animals grow in different climates. Imagine a cactus in the Arctic or polar bears  in the jungle. To appreciate the differences, try some of the activities at http://www.nclark.net/CommunitiesBiomes
• Plants and other living things depend on each other; the system is called ecology.  Explore some ecology activities at http://www.biologyjunction.com/unit9_ecology.htm#POWERPOINTS
• What’s a food web? Think of it as an inter-related food chain.  Spin your food web in this simulation: http://www.nclark.net/CommunitiesBiomes (you might want to check out the whole ecolab set of activities as background information).
• The status of one animal impacts the status of another; see how moose and wolves reflect predator-prey dynamics at http://www.onlinelearningexchange.com/texas_demo/assets/bio_11b_interactive_art_moose/elab2.html
• How do diseases spread? See how populations impact the dynamics of diseases at Speed Sim (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speed-sim-spatial-population/id437545518?mt=8).

CREATE:

• The prairie is one of North America's great ecosystems, and a vital habitat for many plants and animals. Can you turn a bare dirt field into a thriving prairie? Take the restoration challenge in this interactive game! http://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/games/prairie/build/index.html
• Explore the amazing world of recycling for kids with a range of fun experiments, free games, crazy facts, cool projects, interesting videos, quizzes and more! http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/recycling.html
• Recycle these great ideas of crafts made from recycled materials: http://www.planetpals.com/recycle_crafts_kids.html
• Here are 20 toys you can make from trash: http://bigspringenvironmental.com/20-toys-to-make-from-trash/

CARE:

• The Greenhouse Effect is not the result you want when growing plants. Since out how greenhouse gases affect climate at http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/greenhouse
• Smog:  smoke and fog – and more. Try the simulation Smog City (http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/smogcity.html) and accompanying activity to find out what causes smog -- and the worst conditions for smog. What can your family to to help address the smog problem?
• Want to go green? Play these environment games to learn about some of the issues, and how to deal with them:  http://ecogamer.org/environmental-games
• Find out ways that your community can reduce waste by checking out the garbage scene at http://www.learner.org/interactives/garbage/intro.html

CAREER:

• Brainstorm all the careers that come to mind when you think about ecology. The list may be longer than you think: http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/ecology.shtml
• Here are some simple descriptions of ecologist careers, along with ecology projects: http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/ecology/careers.html
• Want to make some “green” while work in the the green work sector? Check out http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/green-jobs-in-ecology.html

Here, Here, for Hair!

Hair is something that most people deal with. It’s not only a part of healthy living but it can also be a fashion statement. There’s a lot more than what meets the eye. Find out here – about hair.

CONNECT:

• http://www.hairfinder.com/kids_hairstyles.htm is a good sourse of information about hairstyles and advice for children and teens.  And guys can also check out http://coolmenshair.com/ (includes boys).
• http://www.myhaircuts.com/ includes points about healthy hair.
• Hair has been part of fashion since prehistory, as shown in this multimedia presentation: http://thehistoryofthehairsworld.com/
• One of the most famous inventors of hair products was Madame C. J. Walker. Find out more about this amazing African American entrepreneur at  https://webfiles.uci.edu/mcbrown/display/walker.html  and http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/cjwalker.html
• Everything you wanted to know about the science of hair: http://www.hair-science.com/_int/_en/index.aspx

CREATE:

• Do a virtual hair makeover on http://www.hairfinder.com/hair_imaging.htm. No cutting required
• Learn braiding techniques at http://www.princesshairstyles.com/, http://www.wikihow.com/Braid-Hair, and  http://2good2lose.com/braidyourhair.shtml
• There are several patterns for making hair accessories: http://www.favecrafts.com/Hair-Accessories/How-to-Make-Hair-Accessories-16-Free-Patterns
• Want to make someone’s hair stand out on end? Try this electricity experiment: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/staticelectricity.html
• Try making your own shampoo and conditioner: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/

CARE:

• Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/) is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. There are several ways to help them.  
• The world is going green by using hair in unique ways: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,320571,00.html
• You might save family money by cutting hair at home (probably by teens and adults): http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Hair
• Teach children how to take care of their hair: http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/every-stage-of-life/children/teaching-healthy-hair-care. You might make a video or create a comic for them.

CAREER:

The first career that comes to mind is usually hair cutting and styling. (Cosmetology deals with the cosmetic condition of hair, not cosmology, which deals with astronomy.)  However, other careers deal with hair: chemistry, medicine, manufacturing and sales, photography, even weaving.  Check out some of these career  advice websites:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairdressers-and-cosmetologists.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com/3-fun-beauty-hair-careers-6845686.html?cat=69

http://beautyschools.org/careers-in-beauty/

And here are 10 jobs where you can have weird hair: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/11/24/cb.hair/    

FOR PARENTS:

http://www.parenting.com/article/easy-ways-care-for-your-childs-hair

What’s Cooking?

Cooking is a lifelong skill, and it can be fun and creative. Cooking also has cultural, scientific, and socio-political aspects. What’s cooking in your family?

CONNECT:

• There are lots of different ways to think about cooking: by ingredients, by culture, by holiday. http://www.spatulatta.com/ has hundreds of video recipes by these categories, and features fun recipes such as Teddy Bear Tea and Sea Turtle Taters.
• What is the science of cooking? Explore the science behind food and cooking at http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/
• Cooking reflects cultural perspectives. Compare these two sites, for instance: http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/Mexican-cooking.html, http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm
• Food’s been around long before cooking or recipes. But humans have been improving on food for centuries. Trace food and cooking over time at http://www.foodtimeline.org/
• Where does food come from? Trace one fruit at http://www.watermelon.org/FAQ/FAQ-FunFacts.aspx

 CREATE:

• Create a recipe; many youngsters sent PBS fun recipes, that you can try: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/cafe/
• Chemistry is related to cooking. Expand your ideas about recipes by trying slime recipes for kids: http://chemistry.about.com/od/letsmakeslime/Lets_Make_Slime.htm
• Create a nutritional plan as a family using http://www.letsmove.gov/plan-healthy-meal and http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
• Be creative about going meat-free; here is a good site for vegan cooking: http://vegweb.com/

CARE:

• Take care of your bones through good cooking and eating: http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/
• What is a sustainable diet in some countries? In some areas, it includes insects as a staple: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/bugfood1.asp
• Children's Hunger Relief Fund (http://www.chrf.org/) responds to children's immediate physical, emotional, and spiritual needs following drought, earthquake, hurricane, war, and other disasters.
• Wondering what you can do to help end world hunger? Visit  http://www.chrf.org/; the page sponsors donate money to the United Nations World Food Programme.

CAREER:

Cooking is a staple of life, so it’s no surprise that it is a staple in the arena of careers. And there are many jobs that contribute to cooking: agriculture, marketing, retail business, manufacturing, nutrition, home economics, restauranteur, and food services.

http://www.careeroverview.com/chef-careers.html

http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Careers%20Level%20A%20frame1.htm#top

http://www.usda.gov/documents/8-Careers.pdf

http://www.onetonline.org/find/career?c=1