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Wildville – April 2020

Cape Sundew Kingdom: Plantae Angiosperms | Eudicots | Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales | Family: Droseraceae Genus: Drosera | Species: D. capensis The majority of plants get all of their nutrients through their roots, which are in soil. All they need is a little sunshine and water. Some plants grow in soil that does not provide all of the nutrients that they need. To stay alive and healthy, the plants have to get nourishment in other ways. For some, that means being carnivorous. They trap insects and then digest them to get nutrients like nitrogen. There are over 300 di erent kinds of carnivorous plants, and each one traps insects in a di erent way. One type is called the sundew. There are 188 species of Sundew, and they are found all over the world. • They are called sundews because they have glistening drops of goo on their thin red leaves. • This sweet-smelling goo is what traps insects. • The goo is called mucilage. • When an insect gets stuck, the sundew will wrap its stems around the insect and surround it in goo. • Its thin stems, also known as tentacles absorb the nutrients. • These stems also contain enzymes that digest the insects. • The sundew then absorbs the nitrogen and other nutrients. • The plants are small, usually only 5 inches tall. • The largest species of sundew, the climbing sundew, can be 30 feet tall. • Sundews will eat any insect that they catch, but ies and butter ies are the most common. • It will usually take 15 minutes for the prey to die. • After it has eaten the insect, the sundew will open its tentacles and drop the empty exoskeleton to the ground. There are several other types of carnivorous plants. Pitfall traps have a large chamber full of enzymes. The rim of the plant is covered in sweet nectar that will lure in insects that then fall into the pitcher and never escape. Flypaper traps are coated in sweet, sticky glue. Small insects will get trapped and digested by the leaves. Snap traps, like the Venus ytrap, will snap close when insects land in their special open leaves. These plants can be found everywhere except for Antarctica. They live in areas with harsh soil, like rocky outcroppings on mountains or bogs with acidic soil. They have developed to live in places where other plants cannot.

Where in the World

Where In The World -April 2020

Australia The first humans to live in Australia arrived there about 50,000 years ago. They are called the Aborigines. They settled along the coastal areas. Europeans did not make it to Australia until much later. The Dutch landed in 1606 but decided not to stay. Captain James Cook, the British Naval captain, discovered the continent Aug. 23, 1770, and the British started settling there in 1788. The British established small settlements in Australia and claimed the country as a colony. Many of the rst Europeans who came to make a life in Australia at rst were forced to move there. Australia was a penal colony, which means that most of the people sent there were prisoners. This practice ended around the 1860s. As more people moved to Australia, settlements expanded. Now the country has 22,507,617 people living in it. • The full name is the Commonwealth of Australia. • The capital is Canberra. • The o cial language is English. • It contains 2,969,906 square miles. • It is a country and a continent. • The Outback is the largest desert in Australia. • The Great Artesian Basin, which is in Australia, is the largest groundwater source in the world. • There are unique animals in Australia like the kangaroo, echidna, koala and platypus. • There are 36 types of poisonous funnel-web spiders and 20 types of venomous snakes in Australia. Australia is an incredibly unique place, different from anywhere else in the world. In the northeastare lush and dense rainforests full of incredible animals and plants. There are three types of rainforests in Australia: the tropical, subtropical and broadleaf. Most of the people live in the southeast and southwest. There is also the Outback, perhaps the region for which Australia is most famous. Very few people live in this area because the climate is so di cult and extreme. It is hot and there are not many plants or water sources. There is also a large mountain range called The Great Divide that is 2,300 miles long. Because of the many different environments in Australia, there are also many different types of animals, some of which are poisonous. The 516 national parks in Australia help to protect all these plants and animals. For more information, visit the following sites: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Australia-history.htm http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/australia/#koala-closeup-tree.jpg http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/australia-facts.html

Weather

Weather – April 2020

Derecho Do you know what a derecho is? Derechos are widespread, long-lived windstorms with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. The phenomenon was discovered and named by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs, a German immigrant living in Iowa. Derecho (pronounced like “deh- REY-cho” in English) is a Spanish word which means “direct,” or “straight ahead.” This relates to the type of destruction that derechos can cause, as their damage patterns occur along generally straight lines. This is known as “straight-line wind damage.” Derechos often occur within storms that have a curved shape when viewed on radar. These are called “bow echoes” because their curved shape resembles an archer’s bow. Derechos come from either one strong bow echo or a series of bow echoes. If the bow echo (or a series of bow echoes) travels more than 250 miles or produces wind gusts of 58 mph or more, it is classi ed as a derecho. Several well-known derechos have occurred over the past few decades. On March 12, 1993, a strong low-pressure system dubbed the “Storm of the Century” formed in the Gulf of Mexico and produced a serial derecho that swept across Florida and Cuba. The “Right Turn” derecho a ected North Dakota July 12, 1995, with winds of 91 miles per hour that knocked down over 5 million trees and damaged many buildings. On May 8, 2009, the “Super Derecho” storm caused damage from Kansas to Kentucky, with winds measuring 90 miles per hour and widespread ooding. On June 29, 2012, there was a major derecho event which a ected Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, D.C., Maryland and New Jersey, causing widespread damage and millions of power outages. This storm helped popularize the term “derecho” with the public. So, what can you do to keep yourself safe? If a derecho is headed your way, the National Weather Service will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. You are most vulnerable to a derecho outdoors or in a vehicle. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, take shelter inside and stay away from windows. It’s a good idea to have a disaster supply kit ready as power outages are very likely with derechos. Your kit should include food and water, flashlights and batteries, a spare battery for your cellphone, a rst-aid kit, a list of emergency contacts and a battery-powered weather radio. If you’re planning to spend time outside, check the forecast before heading out to see if there are any storms on the way. In fact, it’s a good idea to check the forecast each day after waking up in the morning, so that you’ll always be prepared. Your forecast is always available on www.weather.gov, or you can check with your local NWS forecast o ce.

Letter From Truman

Truman’s Letter – April 2020

Hi, Kids! I planted some tomato seeds yesterday. I love tomatoes! I’ve been learning about plants and what they do. I had no idea how much one plant has to do to stay healthy every day. The “Connections” section talks about how plants work and why having plants around is important for people. Most plants use nutrients from the ground and sunlight to make food – but not all of them! Check out “Wildville” to learn more about carnivorous plants. Peter D’Amato makes a living growing carnivorous plants. Read more about that in the “What’s It Like to Be …” section. Plants make a lot of things easier for humans and provide us with many resources. It’s important to take care of them. What is something you can do to help nurture a plant today? Truman Subscribe “Free” online at www.kidsvillenews.com/

Kids

Space Place – April 2020

Dwarf Planets: What Are They? By the name, you might think that a dwarf planet is just a small planet. But that’s not quite true! Like planets, dwarf planets have a rounded shape and orbit our sun. They don’t orbit anything other than the sun, so they’re not moons. However, there is one major di erence between planets and dwarf planets: dwarf planets have not cleared other objects out of their orbits. This means they share their orbits with other things, such as asteroids. They don’t have enough mass to knock these objects out of the way. So far, there are ve known dwarf planets in our solar system: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris. The smallest and closest to Earth is Ceres. It’s the largest object in the asteroid belt, which lies between Mars and Jupiter. In 2015, NASA’s Dawn mission went into orbit around Ceres. It took many thousands of photos and mapped the dwarf planet’s surface. Ceres is made up of rock and ice and salt. It is the only known dwarf planet without a moon. Pluto is the largest dwarf planet and has five known moons. However, it is only about two-thirds the diameter of our moon. In 2015, NASA’s New Horizons mission traveled over three billion miles to reach Pluto. It took thousands of images of Pluto’s surface and studied its composition. We discovered that Pluto is a fascinating world, covered with mountains and craters. It also has ice and a huge glacier made of nitrogen. Far beyond Pluto lie the dwarf planets Haumea, Makemake and Eris. They are so far away and were discovered so recently that no spacecraft has visited them yet. Haumea is shaped like an egg and rotates very fast. It spins around once every four hours. Haumea has two known moons. Astronomers think it is made of rock with a covering of ice. It is about 60 percent the size of Pluto. Makemake is close to the size of Haumea, but round in shape. Recently NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope discovered a moon orbiting Makemake. Eris is just a tiny bit smaller than Pluto, but it is more massive. It’s the most massive and farthest of the known dwarf planets. Eris is 68 times as far from the sun as Earth is. It is so far away that it takes 556 Earth years to orbit the sun. Eris has one known moon. There is still very much to learn about these distant worlds. And there probably are many more yet to be discovered! Learn more about dwarf planet Pluto at the NASA Space Place.

Kidsville Kitchen

Kidsville Kitchen – April 2020

The start of spring is the perfect time for new beginnings, including a fresh start on eating healthy. The trick is introducing smart eating habits so tasty and easy that your eating plan becomes more a way of life than a short-lived commitment. One easy way to achieve that habit is by adding watermelon to your daily diet, giving your body a low-calorie option to curb an appetite for unhealthy snacks. Set reasonable goals. A deprivation diet is destined to fail because eventually your body will rebel. Instead, aim for well-rounded meals with moderate portions. If weight loss is your ultimate goal, know that losing two pounds a week is generally considered the maximum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Satisfy your sweet tooth. Everyone, even the most dedicated health food fans, experience cravings from time to time. Most experts agree that it’s OK to answer your sweet tooth — in moderation of course. Before you take the plunge, think about whether there are other options that could be a good substitute. For example, instead of a sugary candy bar, consider a naturally sweet slice of watermelon for a cholesterol-free, fat-free way to satisfy cravings at only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon contains ber and water, and packs a wealth of health bene ts, including strong levels of vitamins A, C and B6. Stay well hydrated. During the warmer spring and summer months, it’s easy to let water consumption slide because you’re focused on entertaining and outdoor activities. However, the warm air can be hard on your body, so it’s important to keep that water owing year round. Most adults should aim for eight glasses of water each day, but you can also boost your water intake with foods that have a high water content, such as watermelon, which is 92 percent water and contains protein and ber so you are satis ed on fewer calories while boosting your overall hydration. Island Fruit Salad Servings: 2 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons coconut sugar 1/2 lime (1 tablespoon), juiced teaspoons rum extract 2 kiwis, peeled and diced 1 orange, sectioned and halved 2 cups seedless watermelon, chopped 2 teaspoons flaked, sweetened coconut In small bowl, combine water and coconut sugar; microwave 20 seconds. Stir to completely dissolve sugar. Let cool. Once cool, add lime juice and rum extract. In medium bowl, add kiwi, orange and watermelon. Pour rum juice over top and thoroughly toss. Let sit 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Divide fruit salad into two bowls and sprinkle with coconut. Find more inspiration for health-conscious habits at watermelon.org.

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections – April 2020

Didgeridoo The didgeridoo is a musical instrument that originates from the northeast region of Australia. The aboriginal people who live there have been playing it for thousands of years. Some researchers think this could be the oldest musical instrument in the world. They have even found pictures of the instrument in cave and rock paintings dating back 2,000 years, but some researchers think that people were playing the instrument up to 40,000 years ago. For many years, that particular region of Australia was the only place to find a didgeridoo. It was only in the past 30 years that the didgeridoo has made its way to the West. • The instrument is essentially a natural wooden trumpet. • The official classification is a brass aerophone. • Didgeridoos are hollow wooden cylinders. • They can be between 3 and 10 feet long, but most are around 4 feet long. • The longer the instrument, the lower the pitch. • Flared instruments have a higher pitch. • There are many local names for the instrument like the Mago of the djibolu. • Didgeridoo is the western name for the instrument. • The name depends on the region and the clan. • Traditional didgeridoos were made from trees like the “Stringybark” or “Woolybutt” that are native to that region of Australia. • The instrument is also an important part of ceremonies for many clans. • In some places, it is traditional for only men to play the instrument during ceremonies. • A special breathing technique is an important aspect of playing the instrument; it is called circular breathing. Traditionally, the didgeridoo is made from tree trunks that have already been hollowed out by termites while the trees are still living. Eucalyptus and bamboo were common materials for the instrument. The tree would be cut down, the bark removed, cleaned out, carved and decorated with traditional patterns and symbols. Beeswax would be placed around the mouthpiece to make it easier for the player to make a better seal on the instrument. Today, they can be made out of all kinds of materials like glass, hemp, ceramics, plastic, timber, cactus stems and metals.

Conservation Corner

Did You Know? Outdoor exercise can benefit both the planet and the people doing the exercising. By exercising outdoors instead of at home or at indoor fitness centers, men and women can reduce their carbon footprints. Exercising in the great outdoors does not require the use of energy-consuming fitness machines. In addition, when exercising outdoors during daylight hours, nature provides all the light men and women will need for their workouts, further reducing the average person’s energy consumption. And it’s not just adults who can benefit from spending more time outdoors. According to the Harvard Medical School, children are likely to get more exercise if they spend time outdoors than they are if they spend time indoors. A study from researchers in England used GPS devices and accelerometers to track the activity of 1,000 children. The children were more than twice as active when they were outside than they were when they were inside. When children spend ample time outdoors, that, too, can benefit the environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average youngster spends three hours per day watching television and gets as much as seven hours of screen time each day. When kids are outdoors, they are less likely to be staring at energy-consuming screens and devices than they are when they’re indoors.

Kidsville Connections

Connections

Can You Imagine A World With No Plants Sure, it would look weird, but think about all the useful things plants do. They produce oxygen. They are a food source for people and animals. They provide materials that we use to make clothes, medicines, houses, paper and more. They reduce erosion and water runoff. They provide shelter for animals. They clean the air and the water. The world would be a very different place without plants. For something that has such a big impact on the world, plants sometimes seem like a mystery. Have you ever wondered how plants work? Of course, there are many different parts that make up a plant, but here are the basics. The six main parts of a plant are the roots, stem, leaves, owers, fruits and seeds. The roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Often there are root hairs on the root. Their job it to help absorb whatever the plant needs from the soil. Roots have another job, too. They help to keep the plant from falling over. Think about big trees during a strong windstorm. Sometimes the trees sway, but they don’t fall over. That is because their roots are holding them in place. Once the roots absorb water and nutrients, the stem carries these to the leaves. Once the nutrients are turned into glucose (by the leaves), the stem helps carry them to the rest of the plant. Depending on the type of plant, stems are woody (like a tree) or herbaceous (soft, like a dandelion). The stem also supports the plant while it grows, holding the leaves up so they can face the sun and absorb sunlight. Leaves take the water and nutrients that the plant gets from the ground and uses sunlight to make a sugar called glucose. Glucose is the food that keeps plants alive. This process of making glucose is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the leaves take in carbon dioxide and release water and oxygen. Once the glucose is made, the stem helps transport it throughout the rest of the plant. Flowers on a plant, while they often look pretty, have a very important job; to make more plants so the species can survive. The process that plants use to reproduce is called pollination. Bees, butter ies and other pollinators carry pollen from one plant to another. Sometimes the wind will also carry pollen from one place to another. Plants that have been pollinated can make seeds. Once that happens, the plant will make fruit to protect the seed while it develops. Eventually, the fruit is either eaten and the seed is carried away by whatever ate it and deposited somewhere else, or it falls off the plant and potentially germinates and grows nearby.

Kids

Come Out and Play – April 2020

KOKAN Kokan is a traditional aboriginal sport similar to the game of hockey. The game originates from the area around the Torres Strait. A strait is a narrow passage of water that connects two larger areas of water. This strait connects the Coral Sea with the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. This strait also separates two countries. On the south side is Australia. To the north is Papua New Guinea. Kokan is extremely popular on both sides of the strait in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The game was originally played along a stretch of beach with sticks made of bamboo. • There should be two teams of four or ve players. • The field should be an open space about the size of a tennis court. • A tennis court would work. • Every player needs a hockey stick. • The Kokan is a ball. • A softball-sized perforated ball is perfect; it should be the size of a tennis ball (or larger) and lightweight. • There should be a goal on either side of the field, and no player is allowed inside the goal area. • The game starts in the center of the eld. • Players must use the sticks to hit the Kokan into the goal areas. • Players are only allowed to touch the ball twice. • Players must have two hands on the stick at all times. • Players are not allowed to touch the ball or other players with their bodies. • The ball shouldn’t go above knee height. • Players can have a extra touch to shoot a goal if they are over halfway to the goal. • Each goal is one point. • The game is over after a set period of time, like 30 minutes. There are some variations to how the game is played. All of the players should agree on the rules before the game starts, but here are some other options. The Keep-away variation gets rid of the goals. Instead, points are scored when a team passes a set number of passes, like 10, between players of the same team without the ball being touched by the other team. Other versions allow for a goalkeeper to enter the goal area and attempt to keep the ball out. Another option is to restrict where players can move. Some players may be con ned to the rst or second half of the court. For more information, visit the following sites: Australian Sports | Kokan

Category - Kids

Wildville – April 2020

Where In The World -April 2020

Weather – April 2020

Truman’s Letter – April 2020

Space Place – April 2020

Kidsville Kitchen – April 2020

Cultural Connections – April 2020

Conservation Corner

Connections

Come Out and Play – April 2020

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