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Kidsville Connections | George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver When you’re eating a bagel smothered with peanut butter, what are you thinking? You’re probably not thinking about a man who died in 1943, but maybe you should be. For many, the name George Washington Carver makes them think of peanuts. The truth is, Carver was up to much more than the great peanut accomplishments he is known for. But thank goodness the plain old peanut has become a simple, small symbol that reminds us of a great American dreamer, teacher and agricultural chemist. Because George Washington Carver was born a slave, it’s difficult to know exactly when his birthday was. All he knew was that he was born some time around 1861. Can you imagine not knowing when to celebrate your birthday? Carver didn’t let this unknown fact about his life define who he became. In 1865, the United States declared slavery to be an extinct practice, and Carver was no longer owned by a slave master. He was about 4, maybe 5 years old at the time, so he remained on his former master’s land until he left to start school around the same age that most of us are already attending middle school. He grew up to be a great entrepreneur and professor at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, which we now know as Tuskegee University in Alabama. During his life, he made amazing scientific advances that led to a better agricultural economy for the Southern states. A few of the plants he experimented with were peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans. He talked Southern farmers into planting these foods instead of cotton after the cotton plant depleted certain nutrients from the ground. This gave the land a chance to recover. And it’s true that he found 300 uses for the peanut, but that’s not the whole picture. He also discovered 118 uses for sweet potatoes. If you’ve ever licked a stamp to send a letter, placed a sandwich in a plastic bag or patted on makeup for a dance recital, then you’ve probably used stamp adhesive, plastic or cosmetics that George Washington Carver’s scientific discoveries made possible.

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Letter From Truman

Truman’s Letter November 2020

Hi, Kids! History is filled with such interesting people! George Washington Carver is just one of them. Carver was an environmentalist, a botanist — a scientist who studies plants — and an inventor. Many people associate him with peanuts, but there were other crops he worked with, too. You can find out more about that in the “Connections” section. America is not the only country that grows peanuts. China grows them, too. “Wildville” takes us to China to investigate the giant salamander. Can you guess how big it is? Find out in the article! Do you like to paint? I do. Chinese brush painting is a specific kind of art. It is typically made on scrolls — not paper or canvas like other paintings. You can find out more about it in the “Cultural Connections” section. What is your favorite thing to paint? Truman

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Around The World

Around The World October 2020

Every year in India, people celebrate Diwali. It is a Hindu celebration of lights that takes place each fall. It’s the nation’s biggest festival, and it celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival includes putting lights on housetops, in windows, in doorways and other parts of buildings. Festival preparations usually take about five days. To get ready, people clean and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people put on their best clothes, light lamps and candles and conduct family prayers. After the prayers are fireworks, and people exchange gifts and have a big meal. Diwali is also celebrated in other countries, including Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Oct. 31 is Halloween. People young and old dress up in costumes and share scary stories. Children go trick-or-treating and have fun together. No one is sure how trick-or-treating started as a tradition. Some people think it dates back to pre-Christian Celtic festivals about 2,000 years ago. Others say it has its roots in a British custom called Guy Fawkes Night, where children wear masks and beg for pennies. It’s likely that some colonists celebrated Guy Fawkes Night and the tradition continued here. Americans spend about $6 billion on Halloween every year. It’s the second-largest commercial holiday in the U.S.

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What’s It Like To be

WILTB October 2020

Ari Sarsalari Digital On-Camera Meteorologist at The Weather Channel What does a meteorologist do? A meteorologist forecasts the weather and tells people what to expect. Weather affects people’s lives every day, and it’s different every day, so that keeps it fun. I love my job because it’s not easy to communicate to people about how the weather is going to affect them. It’s fun to come up with unique ways of talking to people so they can understand the forecast. How did you become interested in this work? I’ve always been very interested in math and science. I was never good at English. I knew I was going to go into a science-related field of work, and I was always interested in the weather. When I was a kid, I used to be scared of thunderstorms. So, when I was in college, I started off in engineering, but after my first year, I was bored of that major, so I studied something I have always been interested in — weather. What training does it take to be a meteorologist? There are two routes you can take to become a broadcast meteorologist. Many people go to school for broadcasting and then take weather courses on the side. Or, there are others (like me) who went to school for a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, and ended up as a broadcast meteorologist. I prefer the latter path because you’re forced to be yourself, rather than a broadcaster. Either way, be prepared for A LOT of math and physics. Have you ever had a scary weather experience? If so, can you share it with our readers? I’ve chased tornadoes, been in hurricanes, snowstorms, etc., but by far the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced was a few years ago, when lightning hit a tree in the front yard of my house. The entire house flashed orange, and it was the loudest explosion you could imagine. I’m not scared of tornadoes or any kind of severe weather because you can predict those things and you know where they’re going, but lightning terrifies me. it’s completely unpredictable and deadly. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about the weather? There’s no such thing as heat lightning! Thunderstorms are always the thing that produces lightning. Whenever you see what someone calls “heat lightning,” it’s usually a thunderstorm that’s far enough away that you can’t hear the thunder. Don’t believe me? Check the radar next time you see “heat lightning.” I guarantee there will be a thunderstorm within 150 miles of you.

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Kids

Space Place October 2020

On Aug. 21, the sky darkened, the temperature dropped and all 50 United States were able to see the moon pass — at least partially — in front of the sun. It’s a solar eclipse! A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, casting its shadow on Earth. Sometimes the moon only covers up part of the sun. That is called a partial solar eclipse. When the moon covers up the sun completely, it’s called a total solar eclipse. As our planet rotates, the moon’s shadow moves across Earth’s surface. The path of the inner part of this shadow, where the moon totally covers the Sun, is called the path of totality. NASA scientists used this eclipse to study our sun. During a total solar eclipse, we can see the sun’s atmosphere, called the corona. Usually the sun is so bright that we can’t see the corona. However, when the moon blocks out most of the sun’s light, we can get a glimpse of the corona. The surface of the sun is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, but the corona is much hotter. It’s about 2 million degrees Fahrenheit. The eclipse gives NASA researchers the chance to learn more about why the corona is so hot. In fact, while the eclipse only lasted about two to three minutes in one place, scientists have found a way to have more time to study it. NASA used two research jets to chase the eclipse as it crossed the country. The jets flew very high and spent seven minutes in the shadow of the moon. Researchers used jets to help look for small explosions called nanoflares on the sun. These nanoflares may help to explain the corona’s extreme heat. The eclipse was a fun reminder of our place in the solar system, and how much we still have to learn. This article is provided by NASA Space Place. With articles, activities, crafts, games and lesson plans, NASA Space Place encourages everyone to get excited about science and technology. Visit spaceplace.nasa.gov to explore space and Earth science!

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Weather

Weather October 2020

To get to a place on land, you use a road or highway. But did you know that there are highways for the sea, too? One of them is the Alaska Marine Highway System, which ships use to transport people and vehicles to coastal communities on a year-round basis. It covers about 3,500 miles from Bellingham, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. How long is that? Well, from Miami to Seattle is a little more than 3,000 miles. To complete this route safely, ship captains rely on accurate weather predictions from the National Weather Service. Marine forecasters focus on wind (both speed and direction) and waves, as well as hazardous weather and reductions to visibility, since these are most dangerous to ships. Forecasters use data collected by floating weather sensors together with satellite imagery and computer models to produce a forecast. Ship captains receive these vital forecasts instantly by satellite, helping to keep them out of danger. And if they have questions about a forecast, they can call the National Weather Service office that issued the forecast to get additional information to keep them safe. The job of marine forecasters is to “protect life and property” from the ravages of the sea. Captains appreciate being able to call a forecaster, for powerful storms can develop over waters like the Gulf of Alaska at any time of year. Imagine trying to stay afloat in hurricane-force winds with waves 20 feet high. Caught in a storm without a name, you’re helpless as your ship plunges into troughs and is threatened by towering black waves. And if your ship capsizes, you won’t survive long in the freezing waters. With storms this dangerous, you’d want all the weather information that you could get, which is why the job of marine forecasters is so vital. They help keep travelers safe on the Alaska Marine Highway System and other waters. Weather on the open ocean can be unforgiving and capable of sinking any ship. Next time you’re on a highway, be thankful that it’s made of land and not water!

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Come Out and Play

Come Out & Play October 2020

Children play many traditional games in India. Most are team games with simple rules that don’t require a lot of equipment. These are the perfect games to play with friends outside on a sunny day. One game is called Satoliya. It is not known where this game originated, but it is very popular in a lot of urban areas. This game is also called Pithoo or Lagori. There is no limit to the number of people that can play this game, but you need at least two players per team. The only equipment necessary is seven small, flat stones and a soft ball, like a tennis ball or a cloth ball. If you don’t have stones, other small, flat, durable items can be used. The first team should stack the stones — this is the defending team. The second team then tries to use the ball to knock over the pile of rocks. This is the attacking team. The players of the attacking team throw the ball one at a time. If an attacking player can’t hit the stack in three tries, he or she is out. The defending team can try to catch the ball. If the defender can catch the ball and the stones are not knocked over, the attacking player who threw the ball is out. If the pile of stones is knocked over, the defending team should take the ball and try to get the attacking players out by hitting them with the ball below the knees. Players cannot hold the ball and run at the same time, but they can pass to other team members. Whichever team completes their task first gets one point, and the roles switch. The first team to get seven points wins. To make the game more difficult, players can throw the ball from farther away or increase the number of stacked stones.

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Where in the World

Where In The World October 2020

Mawsynram (pronounced maw-sin-rum) is a city in the East Khasi Hills district in northeastern India. It is known as the wettest city in the world. India has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. During the dry season, there is very little rain. During the rainy season, the country is slammed by huge rainstorms. This seasonal change is due to monsoons, or the seasonal change in winds. From October to April, the wind blows from the northeast, and it is dry. From May to September, the wind blows from the southwest, and it brings torrential rain. This yearly change is important for agriculture all over India. Mawsynram received 1,000 inches of rain in 1985, which is a world record. In an average year, the town receives around 467 inches of rain. Most of this rain comes during the wet season. This area has a short dry season — from December to February. During the dry season, India may still receive 1.2 inches of rain a month. This huge amount of rain is due in part to the location of the city where the mountains and hills make many strong winds converge in one area. The dry season is difficult because it can be hard to find enough water to drink and complete daily chores. In 1995, five feet of rain fell in 24 hours. June and July are the two rainiest months and bring an average of 275 inches of rain. New York City gets 60 inches of rain a year. Because rain is such a huge part of daily life, work can’t stop just because there is a storm. Instead, the residents of Mawsynram have learned to live with the weather. They have special umbrellas called knups. They look almost like shells, but they are woven from bamboo and banana leaf. Workers wear them on their heads and they curve over to cover most of the body. When people wear them they are protected by the rain and can still work using both their hands. For more information visit the following sites: theatlantic.com indiatimes.com huffingtonpost.com

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Wildville

Wildville October 2020

Aside from humans, macaques are the most common primates in the world. The name macaque refers to a large group of monkeys. There are at least 21 species around the world, and at least nine species of macaques live just in India. These monkeys are specifically referred to as “Old World Monkeys.” There are 78 species in this group. It includes baboons, mangabeys, mandrills, guenons, patas monkeys and macaques. The macaques are the most successful of these monkeys. They live all over the world in a wide range of environments like grasslands, forests and mountains. In India, there are Rhesus macaques, bonnet macaques, Assam macaques, Arunachal macaques, stump-tailed macaques, lion-tailed macaques, pig-tailed macaques and the white-cheeked macaque. The white-cheeked macaque is a newly discovered species in India. It has distinct white whiskers. Many species of macaques are omnivores. They eat fruits, nuts, leaves, roots, bark, seeds, flowers and small invertebrates. Their diet depends on what is available in their habitat. The Rhesus monkey is one of the most famous and widespread species of macaques. They have light brown fur and pink faces. They have cheek pouches to store food. They live around 25 years. These are very social monkeys. They live in large groups. Most groups have around 20 members, but they can be as large as 120. A group of monkeys is called a troop. They are found in Asia, Africa and Europe. Most are the size of a medium to large dog.   Rhesus Monkeys are unique because they are known for living in urban areas. These monkeys have learned how to live alongside humans. They rely on handouts and garbage to survive in many cities. In India, these large troops of monkeys in cities or temples have become tourist attractions. Although taking a picture with a monkey on your shoulder is fun, the monkeys are known for being mischievous. They often bite and steal from tourists. For more information, visit the following sites: bbc.co.uk animalcorner.co.uk pin.primate.wisc.edu

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Kids

Cultural Connections October 2020

Silk has been an important part of India’s culture and economy for centuries. The first Indian silk was spun in 1725 BCE. The beautiful cloth was and still is considered a symbol of royalty and prestige. It is used in important rituals and ceremonies. Making silk is a long process that the Chinese guarded for many years. First, special silk worms are fed mulberry leaves. After eating for several days, the worms make cocoons around themselves. The cocoons are placed in almost boiling water to separate all the individual strands. These incredibly thin strands are spun together to create raw silk. The filaments are washed, dried and dyed beautiful colors. Then the silk filaments are spun together to make thicker, sturdier strands. Then, the silk can be used to weave cloth. 36,000 silk worms can eat one ton of leaves in their lifetime. Each cocoon can produce 700 yards of filament. India is the second-largest producer of silk. Ninety percent of India’s silk is produced on handlooms. South India produces most of the silk in India. Sarees, traditional Indian dresses, are usually made from colorful silk. India produces five types of silk. Indian weavers are known for their ability to create unique and complicated patterns while weaving. Different areas are known for weaving different complex patterns. Varanasi is the area famous for having the finest silks. Sometimes gold and silver strands will be woven in with the silk. There is the classic silk made from mulberry silk worms. Tussah is made by extracting silk strands from the cocoon of the Antheraea mylitta moth after it has completed its transformation. Oak Tussah is made from the Antheraea pernyi moth’s cocoon. This moth is native to China. Eri is produced by a moth that is native to India: It’s the Philosamia ricini. The Antheraea assama produces Muga silk. It is unique because it has a shimmery golden color. For more information, visit the following sites: naturalfibres2009.org anitasilk.com csb.gov

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