Picking Brains

The brain can do so much, but we still don’t know everything about them – even though it’s inside every animal. Stretch your brain with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Who is you boss of your body? It’s your brain. Look inside that control center at http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=307&id=1528
• See fun facts about the brain --  and watch a video about how your brain works: http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-your-amazing-brain/
• Watch this video to see how human brains compare to other animals’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXSZQSWwdM
• The brain versus the computer: which wins? See the differences at https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bvc.html

CREATE:

• Pump up your brain with these brainteasers: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/brainteasers/index.htm
• Can illusions fool your brain? Test it with these optical illusions: http://www.sandlotscience.com/
• Eat smart for a healthier brain by eating these food: http://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/better-brain Try creating recipes with their ingredients, such as adding blueberries to whole grain cereals.
• Make spooky party foods such as Rice Krispy Treat brains and more at http://leftbraincraftbrain.com/rice-krispy-treat-brains/

CARE:

• Do you know the number one cause of death and disability among people between the ages of 1 and 44? It’s head trauma. Get the facts at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/coma/
• Watch your brain on football: http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,64253995001_1957921,00.html
• Learn how to build a healthy brain at http://www.foodforthebrain.org/smart-kids/how-to-build-a-healthy-brain.aspx
• Try some of these fun ways to grow a better brain: http://fit.webmd.com/kids/move/article/better-brain

CAREERS:

Use your brain and make a good living: not only as a brain surgeon but also as a neuroscientists, cognitive psychologist, sports therapist, or even head protection manufacturer.

http://www.youramazingbrain.org/teachers/careers.htm

https://www.utdallas.edu/~kilgard/neuroscience_careers.htm

http://www.apa.org/action/science/brain-science/education-training.aspx

https://concussionfoundation.org/

And fireworks bursting in air

Several countries have “birthdays” in summer, and they frequently celebrate with fireworks. These websites and activities can spark your interest in fireworks.

CONNECT:

• ·        Fireworks are over 1500 years old; shone some light on their history at https://antiquitynow.org/2013/07/03/boom-pow-whizzz-the-history-of-fireworks/
• ·        Guy Fawkes was the inspiration for the graphic novel and movie “V for Vendetta.” Discover about his Gunpowder plot and resultant English Bonfire Night at http://www.bonfirenight.net/
• ·        See the anatomy of a firework at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kaboom/anatomy.html#bottom
• ·        Watch how fireworks are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88TVh1O5P1o

CREATE:

• ·        Try these family-fun alternatives to fireworks: http://www.parenting.com/family-time/holidays/10-fun-alternatives-to-fireworks
• ·        Make your own holiday crackers: http://www.instructables.com/id/Party-Crackers/
• ·        Create fireworks in a jar: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/diy-fireworks-jar/
• ·        Try your hand at these firework art activities: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/fireworks
• ·        Play some fireworks games at http://www.gamesxl.com/fireworks

CARE:

• ·        Fireworks can be fun – and dangerous. Go to this guide to safe and age-appropriate fireworks fun: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/06/fireworks_for_kids_a_guide_to.html
• ·        Fireworks scare pets, so help them survive by following this advice: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/06/fireworks_for_kids_a_guide_to.html
• ·        Leave fireworks to the professionals; see why at http://www.mysafela.org/leave-fireworks-to-the-professionals/

CAREERS:

Get a bang out of life by working with fireworks. Here some of the possibilities.

http://pyroinnovations.com/pyro-fireworks-career.html

http://www.jobmonkey.com/pyrotechnicjobs/

Here Come the Bride – and Groom

June is considered the month for weddings (only now the most popular month is Octoer). It may seem a little early to think about marriage, but many weddings are family events; sometimes the whole community celebrates. The following activities reveal fun facts about this important tradition.

CONNECT:        

• Explore wedding ceremonies around the world via these National Geographic photos: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/125/photos/explore-weddings/
• Did you know wedding veils are over 2000 years old? Here are more fun trivia about wedding rituals: https://www.factmonster.com/cool-stuff/dating-and-marriage/wedding-rituals
• And here are 10 interesting facts about traditional Chinese weddings: http://www.chinesecultureshop.com/10-interesting-facts-about-chinese-wedding/
• The BBD shares traditions associated with Jewish weddings: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/rites/weddings_1.shtml
• And here is more history about Jewish weddings: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ancient-jewish-marriage/
• Can numbers be romantic? Here are statistics related to weddings and honeymoons: https://www.tripsavvy.com/wedding-statistics-and-honeymoon-facts-1860546

CREATE:

• Create a guessing game using these wedding custom facts from different cultures: http://www.beau-coup.com/cultural-traditions-weddings.htm#chinese
• Mehndi or mehendi is a form at body art, which is usually applied henna on women’s hands and feet, especially for Hindi and Muslim weddings. Try creating your own henna hands by following the directions at http://kidworldcitizen.org/2012/06/07/henna-hands-a-simple-craft/

CARE:

• Know someone who is having a wedding? Kids can help by making these wedding crafts: https://www.hodgepodgecraft.com/top-10-wedding-craft-ideas-which-are-simple-enough-even-for-kids-to-do/
• Here are some ways for children to feel part of a wedding ceremony: https://www.thespruce.com/children-and-weddings-3490185

CAREERS:

There’s a movie titled The Wedding Planner. If you watch it, you will see how it is not just one person’s job; it entails many people in several industries: fashion, food, flowers, interior design, lodging, business, media and publication, transportation as well as religion. And since there are over 2 million weddings per year, just in the United States, it is a stable career choice. Would you belive a $50 billion annual industry? A wedding-related career might be a match made in heaven.

http://www.jobmonkey.com/jobs-in-wedding-industry/

https://www.thebalance.com/here-comes-the-wedding-planner-525966

Wedding industry insider interview: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-break-into-the-wedding-industry

It’s Time to Clean Up

Cleaning is an ongoing process, and sometimes it seems overrated. But don’t take it for granted. Try these activities to see why – and smarter ways to clean.

CONNECT:

• Explore the history and science of soaps and detergents at: http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/soaps__detergents.aspx
• How are soaps and detergents manufactured? Find out at http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/soaps__detergents_manufacturing.aspx
• In the past, some people thought bathing was unhealthy. Read about the history of bathing at http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=289&id=2146
• What is dry cleaning? Find out at http://www.dlionline.org/What-Is-Drycleaning and watch how it is done: http://www.dlionline.org/What-Is-Drycleaning
• What happens after a game at a stadium? How is the stadium cleaned? See the process – and how youth pitch in – at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlgB_RwlvZs

CREATE:

• Enjoy these games and other activities to keep waste in place: http://www.wasteinplace.org/
• Make your own handmade soap following these directions: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/handmade-soaps/
• Experiment with soap at http://lemonlimeadventures.com/soap-experiments-for-kids/
• Keep clean and help the environment by recycling soap. Here are kid-friendly directions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Reuse-Your-Old-Soap/

CARE:

• Here are some helpful tips for keeping your body clean and healthy: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=289&id=2146
• Is your house a mess? It’s a family responsibility. This site will help you learn how to organize your house and do various other cleaning tips: http://www.housecleaning-tips.com/
• Here are tips for washing your dog:  http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/simple-tricks-to-make-dogs-bath-time-easier-faster-and-neater.  The site gives additional cares for keepring your pet healthy.
• What is hazardous waste, and how do we clean it up? Find out at https://www.epa.gov/Superfund
• http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/soaps__detergents_manufacturing.aspx

CAREERS:

Will you job dream take you to the cleaners? Going into the cleaning business insures you a steady job. And you might really clean up! Here are some clean ideas about careers in such sectors as manufcturing, science, and services.

A janitor’s story: http://www.cleanlink.com/cleanlinkminute/details/Proud-To-Be-The-Janitor--51666

Many cleaning occupations are found at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes370000.htm

Say Cheese!

Talk about old cheese: there is evidence that cheese was made 7500 years ago! Cheese is great to eat by itself and in combination with so many other foods. No wonder we smile when we say “cheese.”

CONNECT:

Discover over a thousand kinds of cheese – by country, texture, and color – at http://www.cheese.com/

Find the facts about cheese at http://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Cheese

Read about the history of cheese: http://www.gourmetcheesedetective.com/History-of-Cheese.html

How is cheese made? Watch the video to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVVpjVk4Gy8

The science of cheese is weirder than you think: https://www.wired.com/2014/03/everythingyoudidntknowyouwantedtoknow-about-the-science-of-cheese/

CREATE:

It’s time for kids to cook; start with baked mac and cheese, and get good tips for cooking with kids: https://www.babble.com/best-recipes/kid-made-recipes-baked-mac-and-cheese/

Make your own cheese by viewing the photos and directions at http://whileshenaps.com/2015/06/summer-activity-with-kids-making-cheese-at-home.html

Play Cheese Quest at http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-cheese-quest

Play the Cheese Touch game, form the Wimpy Kid Club: https://www.wimpykidclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cheese_touch_game.pdf

CARE:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. See why – and see how cheese can be part of that meal: http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/breakfast.html

Learn how to read food labels at https://www.choosemyplate.gov/budget-food-label and https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm274593.htm. Then compare cheese food, processed cheese and natural cheese.

How do you keep cheese from molding? Find out at http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-cheese-what-to-do-100285

CAREERS:

Do cheese-related careers make you smile? You can make money manufacturing cheese, selling it, cooking with it – as well as raising animals whose milk can be made into cheese.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/finding-buying-milking-and-living-with-the-family-milk-cow/

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7/Cheese-Industry-Worker.html

https://www.thebalance.com/culinary-careers-525994