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Where in the World

Switzerland

Switzerland is a small land-locked nation famous for its mountains, watches and chocolate. It is about twice the size of New Jersey and is located between France, Italy and Germany. Switzerland is made up of 26 Cantons, which are like states because they have a lot of power to govern themselves. Originally, Switzerland was a union of two states, or Cantons, that were created in 1291. They didn’t become one country until 1815. The Internet is a huge part of society now. It’s hard to even imagine a world without it. It began as just a way to share files in universities and institutes. It was called the World Wide Web (that’s what the www in Internet addresses stands for) and was created by Tim Berners-Le, a British Scientist who worked at CERN. CERN is The European Organization for Nuclear Research. It has the largest particle physics lab in the world and focuses on discovering the tiniest building blocks of the universe. It is located in Switzerland but incredible scientists from all over the world have come here for years to study and work with the amazing instruments like the particle accelerators. Huge discoveries are often made at CERN, perhaps one of the biggest being the creation of the World Wide Web. Below are some interesting facts about Switzerland and the Swiss people. • They have been neutral in all conflicts for almost 200 years • The official name is The Swiss Confederation • The capital is Bern • The official languages are German, French, Italian and Romansch • German is the most commonly spoken language • The currency is the Swiss Franc • The biggest mountain is Dufourspitze or Monte Rosa (15,203 feet tall) • The most famous mountain is the Matterhorn • The largest city is Zürich • There are 1,500 lakes in Switzerland • The largest three lakes are Lake Geneva, Lake Constance and Lake Maggiore • The people of Switzerland eat more chocolate per capita than any other in the world • The tallest mountains in Europe — the Alps — run through Switzerland • The population of Switzerland is 7,800,000 • The mountains in Switzerland help to protect from invasion, but also isolate the country • The longest river in the country is the Rhine • The Red Cross, World Health Organization and International Olympic Committee all have their headquarters in Switzerland

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Weather

What is a drought?

Conserving water is always a good idea — but in California it’s mandatory. Cities and towns have been ordered to stop using too much water. They have to do this because California and much of the western United States is in a drought. Drought is caused by a lack of rain or snow over an extended period. It happens nearly everywhere and is a normal feature of our climate. A drought can develop quickly and end quickly. But there are cases where droughts last a very long time, such as years or even decades. In the last 100 years there have been four major drought events. Two of these, the 1930s Dust Bowl drought and the 1950s drought, each lasted five to seven years and covered large areas of the continental United States. Droughts are very hard on society. They can drive farmers out of business, making the fruits and vegetables you eat more expensive. Without adequate water, lakes and rivers can dry up — hurting places that depend on tourism and taking away your summer vacation spot. Even the electricity you use for your computer or TV can be more expensive — hydroelectric dams, like the Hoover Dam in Nevada, need water to operate. Our environment can be impacted negatively by drought. It can destroy wetlands, which are home to many important plants and animals. Drought can also cause increased stress on animals, forcing them to migrate in search of a new water source. Drought can be bad for your health, too. Without adequate rain, wildfires can develop in grasslands and forests. Wildfires are fires that burn out of control through woods and brush. Wildfires can destroy homes and produce smoke that can make it difficult to breathe, particularly for the very young and very old, like your younger brother or sister or your grandparents. Wind is more likely to pick up dirt and dust when the land is exceptionally dry. Breathing in certain types of airborne dust can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma. Too little water can even lead to arguments between farmers, who need water for their crops, and people who live in cities and suburbs. What can you do about drought? During a drought, it’s important to use less water. You can help by taking a five-minute shower instead of filling the tub for a bath. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and you can save up to four gallons a minute. Use a broom instead of a hose to help your parents clean sidewalks and driveways. Check around the house to make sure that faucets don’t drip. Simple steps like these will help conserve water. Droughts are natural but can have negative consequences for both the land and for the people living and working in the affected area.

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Letter From Truman

June 2015 – Letter from Truman

Hi, Kids! Have you ever wondered how the World Wide Web got started? I have. Here is a clue. It happened in Switzerland in a place called Cern. It’s an interesting story. You can read all about it in the “Connections” section. Alberto Giacometti was from Switzerland. He is known for his sculptures of human forms. They look a lot like stick people. He also loved to draw and paint. He lived from 1901 to 1966 and was influential as an artist. Just last month, on May 11, 2015, Giacometti’s sculpture “Pointing Man” sold for $114 million at auction. That’s right — $114 million! Read more about him in “Cultural Connections.” What kind of animals do you think live in Switzerland? Check out “Wildville” to learn about an animal called the chamois.

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Space Place

Where’s The Water?

By Katie McKissick National Aeronautics and Space Administration Since NASA explores our solar system and other galaxies, you might think we don’t need to explore our own planet anymore. It’s not true, though. It’s easy to forget that there are lots of things about Earth we still don’t know. We’ve got a lot to learn. One area that deserves exploring is Earth’s supply of water, especially in the soil. A new NASA spacecraft called Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, is orbiting Earth right now. It will measure moisture in the top five centimeters (about two inches) of soil all over the world. This soil is very important, since it’s where most plants live. SMAP detects how much water is in the soil. It can also tell if the water is frozen or thawed. SMAP isn’t going to take soil moisture measurements just once. It’s going to gather information every two or three days for three whole years. That means we’ll be able to see changes over time. It also means that the effects of storms, droughts and seasons can be watched closely. Then we can see how they all affect soil moisture. Getting measurements of soil moisture every few days for years is going to produce a lot of information. What will scientists do with it? They’ll be able to observe and predict droughts, which can have big impacts on food supplies. SMAP will also help predict dangerous weather. Storm clouds form from evaporated water. Knowing how much water is in the soil means you can guess how much can evaporate and lead to storm clouds. Also, if the ground is so full of water that it can’t hold any more, with a big rainstorm on the way, there could be a flood. In the end, SMAP will help us better understand how the water cycle works. How water moves from the ground to the air can be traced through soil moisture. Gathering information about this can help us understand many things. It will lead to a deeper understanding of our planet, how things are connected, and how we can preserve our planet for the future.

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Kids

Paddington

Paddington is a British film based on the book A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond. This movie is about a young bear from Peru and his crazy adventures in London, England. The movie shows how one family learns to love and accept Paddington as their own. By Kamren W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 8. Video review: https://youtu.be/1kyHJMPeUSY This film stars Tim Downie as Montgomery Clyde, Ben Wishaw as Paddington, Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown, Nicole Kidman as Millicent (Montgomery’s daughter). All of the actors and actresses have British accents, even Nicole Kidman who is Australian. This to me, makes the film seem more authentic. This movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Paddington has so many good parts it is hard to choose just one. One of my favorite scenes is when Paddington is in the bathroom and he mistakenly floods it. This is my favorite because it shows how curious Paddington is. The part that I disliked is when the explorer’s daughter (Nicole Kidman) wants to do something mean to Paddington. The visual effects don’t look real but they are exciting. I like the realness of Paddington the bear. The visual effects team, Framestore does a fine job in making this bear warm and cuddly from his wet nose to his flowing fur. I love that Paul King (Director) stays true to Michael Bond’s original story. Paddington contains a hidden message about being caring and working together, without having too much drama. This movie is rated PG for mild language. I did not understand some of the British wording, so I recommend this film to kids ages 6 to 18. This is a great film for the whole family to enjoy together. Younger kids will enjoy the many adventures Paddington experiences and older kids and adults will appreciate the entire story. The film proves that a family feature does not have to be too silly or mean. This is a total feel-good movie. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The DVD/Blu-ray has a few bonus features which show how the movie was made, gives you insight into the characters and more.

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Kidsville Kitchen

Healthy Snack Ideas for Your Little Athletes

Kids may seem to have boundless energy, but running around the soccer field or baseball diamond takes effort — and burns lots of calories. As a parent or coach, it’s important to make sure kids are well fueled. They’ll play better on the field and feel better afterwards. Whether it’s a practice game or the championship, come prepared with these fuss-free, nutritious, on-the-go snacks: • Victory veggies: Bring veggies that are easy to eat, such as baby carrots, celery sticks and bell pepper slices. They provide valuable vitamins and nutrients, and they won’t weigh down young athletes. • First-place fruit: Oranges, tangerines, watermelon and other juicy fruits are chock full of vitamins. And their high water content will help keep kids hydrated. Make these tasty fruit snacks even easier to eat by pre-slicing, pre-peeling and packing them in single-serve bags. Fun fact: olives, avocados and tomatoes are fruits! • Winning flavor: Olives are central to the bold, heart-healthy flavors of the Mediterranean style diet. Often used in cooking or served at meals, they are also a terrific snack. An easy way to include olives in your kids’ pre- and post- game snack routine is with Pearls Olives to Go! These single-serve, liquid-free olives in a cup are available in America’s most popular variety: California-grown Black Pitted Olives. All kids need to do is peel the lid off the cup, which makes them an easy, mess-free addition to the usual snack line-up. They’re also gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, trans-fat-free, GMO-free and vegan. • Powerful protein: A boost of protein after vigorous physical activity helps repair muscles. A handful of almonds or a scoop of trail mix is easy to pack in a re-sealable plastic bag and delivers a nutritious dose of antioxidants and omega-3s. Cheese sticks are another portable protein option. • Replenish and rehydrate: While nourishment is important, don’t overlook the importance of replenishing fluids and electrolytes lost during intense activity. Kids should quench their thirst throughout the game, especially in warmer weather. Water is always the best choice for hydration. To resupply necessary sodium, offer your little athlete a salty snack, like olives, as a healthful, simple and natural alternative to the less healthful go-to snack, chips. Go easy on sports drinks, which can be loaded with calories and sugar and are generally unnecessary for the sports field except in the case of prolonged, vigorous exercise, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Whether you’re prepping for a big game or enjoying a casual scrimmage at the park, don’t forget snacks that will keep your athletic, on-the-go family healthy, hydrated and strong. Make your own after-sports snack pack with olives, veggies, cheese and fruit. (c) Sam Burbank

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Cultural Connections

Alberto Giacometti

Alberto Giacometti is a famous Swiss artist who worked in several mediums. He is famous for his sculptures of human forms. They look a lot like stick people. He was born in Borgonovo, Switzerland on October 10, 1901. Giacometti’s dad was a painter and because of this Giacometti knew how to paint by the time he was 11. When he was 12, he sculpted a bust of his brother. Later, he went to Geneva, Switzerland, where he studied sculpture at the School of Arts and Crafts and took lessons in drawing at the School for Fine Arts. At the age of 20, Giacometti went to Italy for nine months. While he was there, he studied baroque, early Christian and Egyptian art. It was on this trip that he decided to become an artist. Living through both World War I and World War II, he changed with the world around him and so did his art. By 1955, Giacometti’s work was in the Guggenheim. In 1962, he won the grand prize for sculpture at the Venice Bieniale. Three years later, he won the French Government’s Grand Prix National des Arts. Giacometti died of heart and respiratory problems on January 11, 1966, in Switzerland. Here are some interesting facts about Alberto Giacometti: • He started his first studio with his brother in Paris in 1925. • He found inspiration in plastic art of primitive people. • As a Surrealist in the 1930s, he devised innovative sculptural forms, sometimes reminiscent of toys and games. (Surrealism uses visual imagery from the subconscious mind to create art without the intention of it being logical or easy to understand.) • In the second half of the 1930s, Giacometti worked a lot on studies of heads. His figures got smaller and smaller in size, sometimes being no larger than just a few centimeters, but painting was still an important means of artistic expression for him, too. • In the 1930s, Giacometti and his brother, Diego, earned a living by working for the Parisian interior architect Jean-Michel Frank. They made designs for lamps and furniture. • After World War II, he returned to Paris and started sculpting thin, elongated bronze figures. This is the sculpting style for which he is well known. • His face and some of his works appear on the 100 franc (Swiss currency.) Giacometti’s sculptures are quite distinctive. Because his style is unlike other famous sculptors, he has had a big impact on the art world. Other artists and art enthusiasts learned from the way he used the emptiness around an object to highlight the forms he created. His sculptures of the human form reduce the body to its essential elements, something no other artist had done before him. It had a big influence on the minimalist movement. Minimalist art is known for its simplicity in both form and content.

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Cool Kind Kid

Upstanders are cool! Bystanders are uncool!

When Tanner, Rudy, Carmen, Nicole, Stephen and Truman the Dragon came into class they were excited to continue their talk from the last time. Ms. Gilmour greeted each and asked, “Who wants to start telling us about what you found on the Web about being Upstanders versus being bystanders?” Truman the Dragon answered and said, “I found a site called BullyBust.org. They say that it’s everyone’s responsibility to put a stop to bullying. They encourage being Upstanders instead of bystanders. They have 10 ways to be an Upstander. ‘1. Learn more about mean, cruel and bullying behavior.’” Ms. Gilmour asked the class, “Why do you think that is important?” Tanner said, “So we know what bullying really looks like.” Nicole added, “So we know when a friend is being bullied and can help them.” Stephen spoke next, “So we can learn ways to prevent the bullying.” “All good reasons,” Ms. Gilmour responded. Truman continued, “#2. Help others who are being bullied.” Carmen raised her hand and said, “We should do that so someone might do the same for us.” Tanner added, “That’s The Golden Rule in action.” Everyone agreed The Golden Rule would help in bullying situations. Nicole shared, “We might make a new friend if we are the only one who can help the person being bullied. We might be the only one who sees it happen.” Rudy added, “I don’t think I’d feel good about myself if I was the only one who saw bullying and did nothing to stop it.” Next, Truman shared “#3. Stop untrue or harmful messages from spreading.” Everyone started talking about how cyberbullying is getting bigger and bigger, and how they know more and more kids who are being hurt by it. Ms. Gilmour then asked, “What are some ways to stop this kind of bullying?” “Don’t send an unkind message on to anyone else,” said Nicole. Tanner added, “If you know who started a rumor or gossip, tell them that it isn’t cool, or funny.” Rudy said, “We need The Golden Rule here, too; stop and think how you would feel if there was a rumor spreading about you.” Ms. Gilmour summed up by saying, “Don’t say, post or text anything you wouldn’t want someone to say to or about you.” Truman continued with “#4. Get friends involved.” Rudy looked at the other kids and said, “I see a challenge here. We’ve talked a lot about getting our friends to be Cool Kind Kid Challengers. I think we can get more kids to be Upstanders if we make it a Cool Kind Kid Challenge. Nicole said, “I like that idea.” Carmen added, “We can ask kids to spread the word that ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers are tough enough to be Upstanders.’” Stephen continued, “Cool Kind Kid Challengers are too cool to be bystanders’” Truman ended with, “Cool Kind Kid Challengers are tough enough to defend a friend who is being bullied.” Ms. Gilmour said, “Challenge your friends and we’ll learn more next time.” Special thanks to bullybust.org. Note to Parents From Ms. Gilmour: Bullying is the #2 epidemic in the U.S. In addition to these Cool Kind Kid articles, we endeavor to provide up-to-date research, articles and other news on this topic on our Facebook page. For your kids, we post Anti-Bullying and Social Skills Tips from Barbara on Mondays, Tanner’s Tuesday Tips on Tuesdays, Cool Kind Kid Challenger Tips on Thursdays and our newest contributor, Oliver’s Tips on Fridays. We also post Shocking Sunday Stats to keep this issue in the forefront of people’s minds. We’d love to post stories and photos of your kids being Cool Kind Kids, and how you have successfully dealt with bullying. Go to http://www.facebook.com/coolkindkid To send photos and stories, and give your permission to post, go to info@coolkindkid.com

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Conservation Corner

Tips For Saving Energy This Summer

Summer is here and the temperature is heating up! Did you know that there are ways to work smart and save not only energy but money, too, during the summer months? Most people spend several hundred dollars a year on energy to run their homes. Here are some ways to painlessly save money this summer: Be a speedy chef • Microwaves use two-thirds less energy than a stove. Save time and energy making quick meals. Wash your dishes • Dishwashers use less water than hand-washing. Only run the dishwasher when it is full. Run the wash cycle and let the dishes air-dry to save even more. Fill up the fridge • Having a full refrigerator keeps it from getting warm too fast when the door is open — so the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to stay cool. Turn up the thermostat • When you are at home set the thermostat to 78 degrees. When you are not home set it to 85 degrees or turn it off. Use ceiling or room fans. The air movement helps cool the room. Use appliances wisely • Don’t run appliances during peak hours. This helps prevent electricity outages. • Use the warm or cold water setting for laundry. Use cold water for the rinse cycle.

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Kids

CERN and the World Wide Web

CERN stands for “Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire” which is French for the European Organization for Nuclear Research. It is located in Switzerland on the border of France, but it is a collaboration between 21 different nations. Scientists from all over the world have come to work on important scientific projects at CERN since it was founded in 1954. It started as a place for nuclear research because when it was founded scientists were still focusing on understanding the atom. Now, they focus on even smaller things. Scientists and engineers at CERN focus on a very simple question with surprisingly complicated answers. What is the universe made of? They are trying to discover the smallest building blocks of the universe, such as quarks and electrons. They do this with very special and very large equipment. Perhaps the most important is the particle accelerator. The Large Hadron Collider is the largest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world. It took decades of the thousands of scientists and engineers planning and building it to create it. Planning began in 1984 and was first started in 2008. It is a 27-kilometer ring of magnets. The larger it is, the more energy can be produced. Inside the ring two particle beams collide. They travel at almost the speed of light, but the magnets guide them around the ring at nearly the speed of light (they can’t go faster than the speed of light) and push them close together. The superconducting magnets are kept at -271.3 Celsius with liquid helium; this is colder than outer space. Making these incredibly tiny particles collide is very difficult, but the information that they provide tells scientists a lot about the smallest bits of the universe. To detect these collisions there are four particle detectors all along the Large Hadron Collider. They each collect different data when the two beams collide and then scientists use this in experiments and theories. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web while he was working at CERN. He was looking for a way to make it easier for nuclear physics researchers to share information. He made it easier for the entire world to share all kinds of information! The www in internet addresses stands for World Wide Web.

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