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Cool Kind Kid

I’m a Cool Kind Kid… so I’m PATRIOTIC

When the kids came in for class, Ms. Gilmour handed each of them a small flag. Tanner, Nicole, Rudy, Carmen, Stephen and Truman the Dragon greeted her and took a flag. Tanner asked her, “What are we doing with the flags?” Ms. Gilmour then asked, “What do we celebrate in the month of June?” “I know,” yelled Stephen, “School is over!” The kids all laughed, cheered and high-fived Stephen. “Yes, that is true,” she replied. “But what day in June is a special day for our country?” “I know! June 14 is Flag Day,” said Nicole. Ms. Gilmour then asked, “Why do you think we celebrate Flag Day?” Tanner jumped in with, “It’s the symbol of our country.” Carmen added, “It shows others that we are Americans.” “Flying the flag shows that we are patriotic and love our country,” Rudy said. Ms. Gilmour looked at Truman the Dragon and asked, “Truman, what does the flag mean to you?” He stood up to his full height and said, “The American flag is a symbol of freedom and acceptance. It shows that everyone is accepted here — even dragons.” Everyone cheered for Truman and gave him pats on his arm, because they couldn’t reach his shoulder. They then all marched around the room parade style, laughing all the way. After everyone was quiet again, Ms. Gilmour continued. “Rules help you learn how to play your favorite sport, right?” The kids all said, “Yes!” “Well, did you know that there are rules for how to treat and display our flag? These rules can be found in the U.S. Flag Code. If you Google U.S. Flag Code, you will see all the rules.” Rudy jumped up and acted scared as he said, “If we don’t follow the rules, will the flag police come and get us?” Ms. Gilmour laughed then asked, “Who knows a flag code rule?” Tanner explained one rule, “At my house our flag goes up in the morning, and we take it in at night.” Stephen added, “You can leave it out if it is lighted.” Nicole added, “But shouldn’t we take it in when the weather is bad?” “Good point, Nicole. Yes, that is right,” answered Ms. Gilmour. Carmen shared, “I heard that when a flag is old or worn out it should be burned, not thrown away.” “Yes, that’s true. The American Legion proudly performs that service for us,” added Ms. Gilmour. She continued, “And it should never touch the ground, be in water or be stepped on.” “When I go to parades with my family, I see people stand when the flag goes by. Others put their hand over their heart. It would be cool if everyone did that,” said Nicole. “Wow!” said Truman. “All these things show respect for our flag. I want to check out the U.S. Flag Code to learn more of the rules.” The kids said, “We are Cool Kind Kids, so we are patriotic!”

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Conservation Corner

Greenhouse Gases and Where They Come From

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the Earth’s atmosphere as part of its carbon cycle, but human activity is altering that cycle by adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In addition to adding more carbon dioxide to that natural cycle, human activity is influencing the ability of natural sinks, such as oceans, forests and plants, to remove carbon from the atmosphere. The combustion of fossil fuels for energy and transportation is the primary carbon dioxide-emitting human activity. In fact, the EPA notes that electricity, transportation and industry are the three main sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Electricity accounted for roughly 37 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions and 31 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States in 2013. Transportation, which involves the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel to transport people and goods, was the second largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in 2013, accounting for 31 percent. In addition to automobiles, transportation-related sources of carbon dioxide emissions include airplanes, marine transportation and trains. Though much of the world has grown increasingly eco-conscious over the last decade or so, carbon dioxide emissions remain high, as such emissions in the United States increased by 7 percent between 1990 and 2013. However, the 2014 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, which tracked total annual U.S. emissions and removals dating back to 1990, indicated a 9 percent decline in greenhouse gas emissions between 2005 and 2013, suggesting that efforts to reduce emissions were beginning to bear fruit.

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Kidsville Connections

Fossil Fuel

Fossil Fuel: noun – a fuel (as coal, oil or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from plant or animal remains. Fossil fuels are an important part of everyday life. These resources — coal, oil and natural gas — are currently the main sources of the world’s energy, although wind, nuclear, hydro and solar power are also significant energy sources. We use fossil fuels to power our homes, our vehicles, businesses and more, yet they are a nonrenewable resource, which means they will eventually run out. That is why it is important to continue exploring alternative sources of energy and not waste the resources we have. Let’s take a look at the different fossil fuels and the ways we use them. Oil Oil is the world’s primary source of fuel for transportation. Most cars, trucks, trains, planes and boats run on gasoline or some other petroleum product that comes from oil. Most oil is pumped out of the ground, although there are new technologies that make it possible to extract oil from shale and tar sands. Once oil is out of the ground, it is refined to create fuel oil, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas and other nonfuel products such as pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and plastics. Coal Coal is used to generate electricity. In the United States in 2014, almost 40 percent of electric power in the came from coal. Coal is mined from the earth. Coal mining releases a lot of pollutants into the air, including acid rain-inducing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury, which can also destroy vegetation and pollute rivers and streams with waste. The coal industry is looking for new ways to mine this resource without hurting the environment including a process called carbon capture and storage. Natural Gas In 2014, 27 percent of the energy used in the U.S. came from natural gas. This resource is mostly used to produce heat and electricity for buildings or for industrial processes. It is also used to make fertilizer, paints and plastics. One thing that many people like about natural gas is that it burns cleaner than coal so it does not cause as much pollution.

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Come Out and Play

Soviet Games

From 1922 to 1991, Russia was called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, or the U.S.S.R. For many of the nation’s citizens this was a very difficult time. There were strict rules to follow and few goods to purchase. It was difficult for families to get food, let alone toys for the children. Even though the children who lived in the U.S.S.R. didn’t really have many toys, this did not stop them from playing and having fun with their friends. Here are a few games that were popular in the U.S.S.R. Inedible • To play, you need at least three people (you can have more) and one ball. • One player is It. • The rest of the players should stand in a line facing the player that is It. • The It player passes the ball to the other players while saying either edible (apple, corn, orange, potato) or inedible (rocks, iron, plastic) things. • The participants should catch the ball if the leader says an edible thing or knock the ball away if it is inedible. • The game gets harder as the It player throws the ball \ quicker and randomly mixes up the words. • If the players accidentally catch a ball on an inedible \ word, they become the It player. Ring-Ring • To play you need at least three players and one small object like a ring, small rock or button. • To play, the It player holds the ring in cupped hands. • The other players sit in a row with open cupped hands and close their eyes. • The It player goes to each player and says “I wear the ring, and then give it to someone. • While saying this, the It player should secretly give the object to one player. • Then the It player says “Ring-Ring, come out to the Porch!” • The player given the object should jump up and try to run to the designated safe zone. • All the other players should try to tag the player with the object. • If they make it to the safe zone, the player with the object is It. • If they are caught, then the player that caught them is It.

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Kids

Around the World – June 2016

Father’s Day is a special day to celebrate dads and father figures everywhere. It’s a day to say thanks to the men who have played an important role in your life. Of course that includes dads, grandfathers and uncles and can even include coaches and other mentors. The first Father’s Day was officially observed in 1908 in Fairmont West Virginia. Grace Golden Clayton was mourning the loss of her father at the time and a nearby town had recently lost 361 men in a mining accident. This tragedy left about 1,000 local kids fatherless. This inspired Clayton to talk with her pastor, Robert Thomas Webb, about honoring all those fathers. There were Father’s Day celebrations in many place across the country each year, but it was not until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. This year, Father’s Day falls on June 19. The summer solstice is on June 20 this year in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere celebrates the winter solstice on this day. On this day, Earth’s North Pole will tilt directly toward the sun. Solstices were commonly celebrated in the past (and still are in some places). Stonehenge in England is designed to mark the exact moment of the summer solstice and is believed to have played a big part in the ancient cultures that used to reside there. Although the Russian population is made up of ethnicities, on June 12, the entire population celebrates Russia Day. The holiday was officially introduced in 1994 when the country’s leaders agreed to dissolve the Soviet Union and embrace a different and more democratic form of government. The holiday was originally named the Day of Signing the Declaration of State Sovereignty. It was renamed in 2002. On Russia Day, the president recognizes and awards prominent writers, scientists and humanitarian workers.

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What’s It Like To be

Cartographer

Why is this work important/how does it apply to every day life for most people? Maps surround us. We use them daily to get to a meeting across town, to understand results of political races, what the weather will be. In recent years, we see them all over the news and social media. As a map reader it’s important that we understand that a map is authored. This means that someone makes decisions about what and how data are shown on a map. We should be aware of all of these decisions, so we can fully evaluate the veracity of a map. When/how did you know you wanted to be a cartographer? I love converting complex data to an easy-to-read graphic. I’ve always been drawn to this, and at it’s heart this is what cartography is. Cartography adds the extra complexity of where things happen. What is the coolest thing about your job? I get to (virtually) visit any place in the world with each map that I make. Not only do I get to go anywhere, I also get to explore any range of topics. One day I might be working on the trade of hazardous waste, the next day, I might be exploring demographic information, and even the next day, I might be looking at historic pollen records that show how species have changed over time. Another day, I might be in Asia examining farming practices, or indigenous people of New Zealand. I might not know what topic or region I will be studying when my day begins. What is your favorite thing about maps? Only one thing? When it comes to the process of making maps, I enjoy the design process of making a map, experimenting with different representations. When it comes to working with clients, I enjoy the “a-ha” moment when a researcher has been studying a subject for many years, and they see the map, and suddenly they say, “Oh, now it makes so much more sense.” The map can bring a topic to life in a way that words can’t always achieve. How have maps and the way people use them changed in the past 20 years? Are maps still important and why? Wow, maps have changed so much. In the last decade maps have changed from mostly printed maps to a combination of printed maps and maps available on the computer — many of them interactive. Interactive maps allow the readers of the map to “dig” into the data further, or represent it differently. Often the reader of the map can look at more data below the surface of an interactive map. Additionally, more tools are available for people to use maps to do their own analysis. That is, software and technology have made it more accessible for more people to explore spatial data. There has been a move in cartography and geographic information sciences to open data, open technology and to offer documentation that allows more people to work with spatial information. What is a typical day like for you? It is different everyday. Many cartographers work at a computer for the majority of the day, working with data in some way. This might include more of what you would expect from a graphic designer. Or, it might be more of what you would think of for someone working with statistics. Additionally, a lot of cartography requires research, both through internet searching and using the library. Readers of maps put a lot of faith in maps, so we need to be sure that everything is absolutely as correct as possible. This requires very careful editing, often with a colleague who is responsible for that task. What kind of training does it take to do your job? You can major in geography and cartography or geographic information systems in college. This training prepares you to think spatially, to understand the importance that place plays in how or why things happen. You can go on to earn advanced degrees in our field, too. Some people receive training in computer science, or design. What are some challenges you face in your work? I train students to become cartographers. Some of the biggest challenges are keeping up with the changes in staff, because there is a constant turnover of students who need to be brought up to speed in order to take on new projects with the speed and accuracy required for our field. What do you like to do when you are not working? I am an avid reader, I especially like to read books about leadership and creativity. I am a full-time graduate student, working on a degree in industrial and organizational psychology. I am the Executive Director of the North American Cartographic Information Society. I like to spend time on the weekends getting outside with my family and our Bernese Mountain Dog.

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Wildville

Beavers

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Castoridae Genus: Castor Species: Canadensis Beavers are incredible creatures. Unlike most animals, they have the ability to shape their environment to ensure their comfort. Using their strong teeth and powerful jaws, beavers cut down nearby trees. They take these new logs and branches and bind them together with mud to create dams and lodges. Dams are piles of logs and sticks that change the flow of water in rivers and streams. This change can turn entire forests and meadows into ponds. In the middle of these ponds, beavers build their homes, called lodges. Made of sticks, logs and mud, these dome-shaped lodges have underwater entrances to keep the small beaver families safe. • Beavers are rodents. • They are clumsy on land but very fast and graceful in the water. • They have webbed rear feet. • They can stay under water for 15 minutes. • They have a set of clear eyelids that act like goggles while they swim underwater. • Beavers eat wood and plants that grow in ponds. • Adult beavers are around 3 feet long. • On average they live 24 years in the wild. • Beavers are the national animal of Canada. • They have poor eyesight, but their other senses are very sensitive. Another feature of the beaver is its fur. It is naturally water resistant, soft, tough and very warm. For early American settlers it was incredibly valuable, and in Europe the fur was popular to use as clothing. A common use for beaver pelts was to have it made into hats. Selling the valuable and plentiful beaver pelts became an important part of the early colonies’ economy. The North American beavers were caught in the colonies and then sold overseas. They often ended up in France and Europe.

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Where in the World

The Louisiana Territory

When President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory from France in 1803, there was no Google Earth technology to peer down and take pictures of the land from space. There was no Mapquest or WAZE app to tell people how to get there. There was no TripAdvisor or Yelp app to tell anyone what to expect once they got there, either. They had to go find out for themselves. The travelled by foot and by boat, because there were no airplanes, trains or cars to take them. The president needed someone to travel to this newly purchased land and check it out and then report back with their findings. In the end it was the president’s personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark who rose to the occasion. Maybe you’ve heard of them. They led the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which took them from St. Louis to Oregon, a total of about 8,000 miles, in just two-and-a-half years. They left St. Louis in May of 1804. That year the expedition celebrated the first Independence Day west of the Mississippi. River. In August of 1804 the group met several Native American tribes. By October, the party had made it to what is now North Dakota. In November, Lewis and Clark hire a French/Canadian fur trader named Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife, a Shoshone named Sacagawea, as interpreters. On Christmas Eve 1804, the expedition settled in for the winter at Fort Mandan, in what is now North Dakota. By April of 1805, the group was on the move again and killed its first grizzly bear near Yellowstone River in Montana. By September, they made it to the Rocky Mountains. The expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in November of 1805 and wintered there. On March 23, 1806 they started the journey back east. They returned to St. Charles, Missouri, on Sept. 23, 1806. This trip was more than a great adventure for the men and their crew — it helped shape the country as we know it today. Some of the things that Lewis and Clark accomplished on their expedition include: • Establishing control of the Pacific Northwest. • Inspiring explorers, trappers, traders, hunters, adventurers, prospectors, homesteaders, ranchers, soldiers, businessman and missionaries to move west. • Determining the course of the Upper Missouri River. • Proving that it was possible to travel to the west coast by land. • Surveying the life and culture of the Native American tribes they met in Missouri, the Rocky Mountains and the northwest coast. • Discovering, meticulously documenting and describing at least 120 mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, as well as almost 200 plant specimens.

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Weather

Seasons change – but why?

Seasons change. But what does that mean? While spring usually signals warmer weather, the change toward spring is the result of how the earth is tilted. On the first day of spring the earth’s axis is not tilted away from or toward the sun. This tilt gives us a nearly equal amount of daylight and darkness across the earth and the sun is directly overhead at noon on the equator. The first day of spring can occur anywhere between March 20 and March 23. As the days transition from spring toward summer, our earth is beginning to tilt toward the sun more each day. On this first day of summer, the sun is at its highest point in the sky, and we have our longest day of the year. The first day of summer can occur anywhere between June 20 and June 23. Slowly through the summer, the tilt of the earth begins to change again, with the earth tilting less and less toward the sun each day. Pay careful attention to the shadows from the sun around your house from trees and buildings. You will notice the shadows getting longer as the sun gets lower in the sky with each passing day. What is the opposite of spring? If you answered fall you are correct! The sun is now lower in the sky than it was over the summer, but at the same height it was on the first day of spring. The first day of fall can occur anywhere between Sept. 20 and Sept. 23. Through late fall the earth begins to tilt away from the sun more each day. On the first day of winter the sun is at its lowest point in the sky and we have our shortest day of the year. The first day of winter can occur anywhere between Dec. 20 and Dec. 23. Now you know how and why the seasons change. It’s due to the tilt of the earth — not the calendar. Watch the sun and the shadows throughout the year to see the passage of the seasons.

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Kids

May 2016 – Letter from Truman

Hi, Kids! I love adventures! Do you? Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were two very lucky adventurers who lived in the 1800s. They got to explore a big part of North America in 1804-1806. They and their expedition party traveled about 8,000 miles on foot. When Lewis and Clark explored western North America, there were no maps or GPS to show them where to go or how to get somewhere. It must have been a challenge to navigate their trip! In “What’s it like to be…” I talk with cartographer (mapmaker) Tanya Buckingham about how to make maps and why they are important. If you go on an adventure, where would you go?

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