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The Week Junior US|Issue 214China launches Moon missionChina has launched one of the most ambitious space missions in its history, sending an unmanned spacecraft to the far side of the Moon. The effort marks a new phase in what is being called a space race between China and the US. What happened? On May 3, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched an 8.3-ton spacecraft named Chang’e 6 from Hainan Island in the nation’s southernmost province. Chang’e 6 will attempt to land on the side of the Moon that is not visible from Earth. The European Space Agency, France, Italy, and Pakistan all contributed technology to the lander. On May 8, Chang’e 6 entered the Moon’s orbit. China is the only country that has landed on that side of the Moon, putting an uncrewed spacecraft there during…3 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214IT’S AN AMAZING WEEK FOR…HOPE FOR A SPECIES An endangered Grevy’s zebra was born at an animal park in Missouri. There are fewer than 2,500 of the zebras left in the wild. The birth of the foal, named Roxie, “is both a joyful and historic moment,” said the head of the zoo. RUNNING FOR A RECORD A 61-year-old UK man set a world record for running 1,000 marathons in the fastest total time. Steve Edwards ran his first 26.2-mile race in 1981, at age 18, and has averaged a marathon every 13 days since then. Hitting this goal was “an incredible 43-year journey,” he said. MAKING IT OFFICIAL Lawmakers in Hawaii passed a bill to make the shaka the official state gesture. Used to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and aloha (a Hawaiian word…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Presidential Medals of Freedom awardedPresident Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people in a White House ceremony on May 3. The medal, considered the highest US civilian honor, recognizes Americans who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation or the world. Several politicians or former politicians were among those honored. Former Senator and US Vice President Al Gore, former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry, and Elizabeth Dole, a former senator who started a foundation that supports military families, were awarded medals. Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as speaker (top leader) of the House of Representatives (one half of Congress, which makes laws), was also recognized. Several recipients were selected for their activism. Clarence B. Jones, who helped write Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Embracing creativityActor Dulé Hill has dedicated his life to the performing arts, appearing onstage and in movies and TV shows. In his latest endeavor, he hosts the new PBS documentary series The Express Way with Dulé Hill, traveling to different regions of the US to meet diverse artists who are making positive contributions to their communities. Hill, age 49, was first exposed to the arts through dance, at age 3. He focused on tap dancing at a school in East Orange, New Jersey, where his mother taught ballet. When he was 10, his passion for tap dancing helped him land the lead role in the national tour of the Broadway production of The Tap Dance Kid. Hill told The Week Junior he continues to tap dance at home in a studio…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Farms can support migrating birdsEvery year, many animals around the world go on long journeys called migrations. Some need to find food while others are looking for a place to find a mate, breed, and raise their young. Migrations can be challenging for animals, but new research has found that farmland along the way can help their progress. In spring, hundreds of thousands of birds living near Poyang Lake, in China, fly north to breed in Siberia, Russia. On the way, they find places to stop and eat to keep their energy levels up for the long flight. Some birds, such as geese, eat grass shoots that start to grow at the beginning of the season. This food source is available for only a few weeks, and rising temperatures caused by climate change can…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Good week / Bad weekGreece’s seas Greece has become the first European country to ban bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging heavy nets along the ocean floor. This can damage the ocean and harm marine life. The ban will take effect in 2026. Coral reefs For the fourth time, scientists have detected a global coral bleaching event. Bleaching happens when ocean temperatures rise too high. Coral gets stressed, releasing the algae (tiny living things) that give it color, and may die.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214A dazzling collection of treasuresThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City showcases a vast collection of art that dates back thousands of years. A brilliant idea In 1866, a group of Americans living in Paris, France—then the art capital of the world—were inspired to create a national institution and gallery of art in the US. One of them, attorney John Jay, worked with civic leaders, artists, art collectors, and philanthropists to bring the vision to life. On April 13, 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was officially incorporated (established) in New York City and opened in a modest building at 681 Fifth Avenue. Later that year, the museum acquired its first object, a Roman marble sarcophagus (coffin). The museum’s collections—from European and American paintings to items from ancient times—began to grow. Becoming…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Who was Mary Anning?Born in 1799 in England, Mary Anning earned fame for discovering many fossils. When she was 12, she and her brother Joseph discovered a 17-foot-long skeleton by the sea. It was later identified as an ichthyosaur. Anning became a fossil hunter and amateur anatomist (someone who studies the structure of bodies). She found several dinosaur specimens that helped with the early development of paleontology. Some scientists said Anning’s discoveries may have contributed to the theory of evolution. This theory explained how species change over time to adapt to their environments, a process called natural selection. It has been described as “the biggest single idea in the history of human thought.”…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214A drone that saves lives on waterA new drone can quickly reach struggling swimmers and keep them afloat until human help arrives. The TY-3R Flying Lifebuoy has an onboard camera and is controlled by an operator on shore. It touches down on the water and serves as a life preserver for up to two adults. The TY-3R can travel up to 29 mph and work for 10 minutes on a single battery charge. It shuts off its waterproof motors when it lands on water. When the swimmers no longer need it, the drone restarts its motors, takes off from the surface of the water, and returns to shore.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Lacrosse player breaks scoring recordOn May 12, Northwestern University lacrosse star Izzy Scane broke the women’s NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division 1 record for career goals. She scored her historic 359th career goal in a second-round NCAA championship tournament game against the University of Denver, which was the 81st game of her career. By the end of the game, which Northwestern won, 17–4, Scane had extended the record to 363 goals. The previous career goal record was held by Charlotte North, who scored 358 goals in 87 games while playing for Boston College and Duke University. Scane tied her record on May 4. Northwestern is the number one seeded (ranked) team in the tournament and also the defending champions. Scane played a major role in her team’s success last season, scoring 99 goals…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Film about being yourselfAfunny new film based on books by Aaron Blabey, author of The Bad Guys, is now on Netflix. Thelma the Unicorn is about a brown pony who wants to be a music star but can’t attract attention. Her life changes after she accidentally gets covered in glitter and pink paint and is mistaken for a unicorn. At the start of the film, Thelma lives on a farm and performs music with her donkey friends. Although she has a powerful voice, “she often feels overlooked because people have told her she is just a plain farm pony,” Lynn Wang, one of the directors, told The Week Junior. Once people think she’s a unicorn, she becomes famous, hides her true identity, and drops her friends. “Thelma wrongly believes she has to change…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix)“If you haven’t watched this, do! It is a dark and funny TV series based on the books of the same name by Lemony Snicket (the pen name for Daniel Handler). The show is about three children who are orphaned in a fire: Violet, Sunny, and Klaus. At first, they are put in the care of their evil uncle, Count Olaf, who longs for their considerable money. He then tails them as they move around to live with different guardians. If something can possibly go wrong, it does in this humorous, daring, and addicting journey of three once-normal children.” Sylvie, 10, Oregon Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Fortune TellersIt’s the summer before seventh grade, and Millie, Nora, and Bea, who used to be best friends, are missing one another. But they’re each too upset to reconnect after having a huge argument about attending the birthday party of a popular girl. That was more than a year ago. Now they’re secretly concerned that they’ll never see one another again because all three have moved away from where they lived. One day, Millie, Nora, and Bea each discover a paper fortune teller that they had made together when they were younger. They’re all surprised to find one, since they had ripped up most of the fortune tellers they’d made on the day of their fight. Then more paper fortune tellers appear. When Nora flips through one, she reads the message,…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Grow a vegetable gardenThe warm-weather months are a great time to try gardening. There are many benefits to growing your own fruits and vegetables, including having fresh produce to eat all summer long. Growing your own food also benefits the environment by helping to keep some of the trucks that transport fruits and vegetables off the road. Here is how you can get started. Choose a space for your garden With an adult’s help, decide where you want to plant. If you have space in a yard, select a spot where the sun shines directly for several hours a day. It should also be an area that drains well. (A good sign is when there are no puddles a few hours after a big rain.) You could also plant a garden in containers.…3 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214PuzzlesWord search Can you find all these things associated with butterflies in the grid? They are hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and can be forward or backward. When you’re done, read the remaining letters to get a bonus message. BROOD CATERPILLAR CHRYSALIS COLOR EGGS FLIT GARDEN HEAD INSECT LARVA LEAVES METAMORPHOSIS MIGRATION MONARCH NECTAR PATTERN PERCH PUPA SWALLOWTAIL SWARM THORAX VEINS VICEROY WINGS FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with words that are anagrams of each other, like BOWL and BLOW. 1. If I had been leaning forward even half an———— further, the door would have hit me in the———— when it opened. 2. You’re totally————— if you think that I won’t enjoy watching silly cartoon shows after I have————— up. 3. When our two…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214No place like a gnome’s homeA rock off the coast of Inchcolm Island in Scotland is home to a group of gnomes. According to legend, the gnomes escaped from a garden center nearby to live on the rock, which is now known as “Inchgnome Island.” “They made a bid for freedom,” said local boat captain Scott Aston, “and they’ve established their own colony out there.” Another story suggests that the gnomes appeared on the island after they were shipwrecked. Locals report that the gnomes have been there since 2010 and their population mysteriously grows every winter.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Solving light pollution“When I found out that Loudoun County, where I live, has one of the highest levels of light pollution in Virginia, I decided I wanted to find a solution as a school project. I put in months of research and conducted many interviews to understand the problem. When man-made light brightens the night sky, it has negative effects on the environment, such as disrupting the sleep of wildlife. One simple step we can take is to set a timer to turn off the lights in our homes at night. I went to a local elementary school and spoke to third-grade students about how we can all help reduce light pollution. The students were excited to discuss it with their parents. I hope to educate many more people in the future…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214YOUR PHOTOS“I brought The Week Junior to read during my breaks at my swim meet.”Ivy, 9, Colorado “I love The Week Junior and got inspired to write my first poem after reading an article on the topic on the How To page.”Riana, 7, New Jersey “I made the banana bread muffins for the student-led market at my homeschool co-op. They were a big hit!”Sam, 12, Ohio…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214How much of this week’s news can you remember?1The movie Thelma the Unicorn is based on books by which of these authors? a) Aaron Blabey b) Jeff Kinney c) Lincoln Peirce a ◻️ b ◻️ c ◻️ 2 In what year did the Supreme Court issue its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education? a) 1914 b) 1934 c) 1954 a ◻️ b ◻️ c ◻️ 3 Arisa Trew is the first female skateboarder to successfully complete what trick? 4 True or false? China is the only country that has landed on the far side of the Moon. True ◻️ False ◻️ 5 Sounds from the environment are now available on music streaming platforms, with the artist’s name listed as what? 6 True or false? This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Creative Growth Art Center. True…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Major donation to museum in BrazilThe National Museum of Brazil announced on May 7 that it had received a donation of more than 1,100 fossils. The gift will help the museum rebuild after it was severely damaged in a fire in 2018. The donor, Burkhard Pohl, has the world’s largest private fossil collection. The 200-year-old museum is the oldest scientific institution in Brazil. On September 2, 2018, an electrical problem caused a fire that destroyed about 85% of its 20 million artifacts, including mummies, dinosaur fossils, and an entire collection of insects and spiders. Restoration began in 2021, and the museum is set to reopen in 2026. Since the fire, about 8,500 objects have been donated. Pohl’s gift, the largest donation, is made up entirely of fossils that were originally found in Brazil, including plants,…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Anniversary of landmark court decisionThe nation is observing the 70th anniversary of one of the most important decisions in the history of the Supreme Court (highest US court of law). The verdict in Brown v. Board of Education, handed down on May 17, 1954, was a major step toward ending racial discrimination in the US. What was the court case? Oliver Brown of Topeka, Kansas, was a Black man whose 8-year-old daughter had been denied admission to an all-white public school a few blocks from their home. Instead she had to endure a long commute to a school designated for Black students. In 1951, Brown filed a lawsuit on his daughter’s behalf that was later joined by other Black families. Brown’s attorneys, which included Thurgood Marshall (see box above), argued that separating Black people…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Around the worldHellisheiði, Iceland Climate pollution vacuum opens The world’s largest vacuum designed to pull carbon from the air began operating in Iceland on May 8. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere and causes the planet to warm up. The vacuum, called Mammoth, sucks in air and removes the carbon, which is then stored deep underground or recycled into other products. Critics of the project say it uses too much energy. Zimbabwe New money introduced The world’s newest currency (type of money) has been introduced in Zimbabwe. Called “Zimbabwe gold,” or ZiG for short, it is the sixth currency to be used in the country in the past 15 years. Some people are unhappy with the change. Although online purchases have been smooth, there is a…3 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Young athlete’s honorSkateboarder Arisa Trew, age 14, of Australia, has become the first female to win the Laureus Award’s Action Sportsperson of the Year. Trew received the award, which honors top athletes who promote social change, at a ceremony in Spain. Last year, Trew made history when she became the first female skater in a competition to land a 720 trick (completing two full spins in mid-air). Trew—who will compete for Australia at the Olympics in Paris, France, this summer—arrived at the award ceremony with her skateboard.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214PLACE OF THE WEEKBlock Island is 10 square miles of beaches and grasslands off the southern coast of the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island. The island, which can be reached only by ferry, is a habitat for more than 40 rare or endangered species. They include the American burying beetle, a black insect with orange-red markings, and the Northern harrier, a raptor with a flat, owl-like face. Block Island also has rocky cliffs called Mohegan Bluffs, which rise 200 feet over a beach. Nearly half of the island is protected from land development to conserve the natural, rural landscape.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Clay robber frogScientists have discovered that the clay robber frog has an ultrasonic scream. Ultrasonic sound has a very high frequency that humans cannot hear. It is thought that the frogs use their scream to warn off predators, such as bats and rodents. ● LIFE SPAN: Unknown● HABITAT: The forest floor in southern Brazil● SIZE: Up to 2.5 inches● DIET: Insects, spiders, and isopods like woodlice● FUN FACT: These tiny frogs open their mouths and throw back their heads when they scream.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Amazing art at the MetSphinx of Hatshepsut Dating back to ancient Egypt, around 1479–1458 BCE, this sculpture depicts a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a female pharaoh. Young Mother Sewing American artist Mary Cassatt studied art in Paris, France. She became known for her paintings that captured tender moments between mothers and children, The Thinker There are numerous versions of this bronze sculpture by Auguste Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies Claude Monet found inspiration for his oil…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Scientists clone black-footed ferretsTwo black-footed ferret clones were recently born, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced. Clones are copies of an existing living thing that has the exact same genes (short sections of DNA, the chemical that carries all the information about a living thing). The ferrets, named Noreen and Antonia, are the second and third such clones in existence. The first, Elizabeth Ann, was born in December 2020. Scientists hope the clones will one day help save black-footed ferrets, which are endangered, from extinction. Noreen and Antonia were made from biological samples stored at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Frozen Zoo. Those samples were taken from a black-footed ferret named Willa in 1988. By cloning Willa, scientists hope to introduce more genes into the existing population of black-footed ferrets. Aside…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Big debut and exciting wins in MLBThe 2024 MLB (Major League Baseball) regular season is off to a thrilling start. One team is on an impressive streak, a star rookie made his debut, and several teams recently pulled off exciting late-game victories. When The Week Junior went to press, the Philadelphia Phillies had the best record across all teams. They were in first place in the National League (NL), while the Atlanta Braves had the second best win percentage. In the American League (AL), the top teams were the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. On May 7, the Orioles kicked off a two-game series against the Washington Nationals. They lost the first game, 3–0, but won the next day, 7–6, in 12 innings. With the victory, the Orioles kept up a streak of not…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214COACH OF THE WEEKCoach’s Name: Illia Song Club: SF Aftershocks (soccer) “Illia runs an all-girls, competitive soccer club that started 28 years ago. He makes practices fun and challenging. He helps us with our footwork and we do fun games like ‘Twos and Threes,’ where we run around and end up piggy-backing each other. It makes us laugh but also makes us stronger! He also makes sure we’re stretching and eating healthy. Illia knows we also need to focus on schoolwork and grades. He’s the best soccer coach ever!” Emma, 10, California To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to hello@theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 2143 books about unicornsSkandar and the Unicorn Thief This novel follows a 13-year-old boy who is training to become a unicorn rider. He ends up on a secretive island where unicorns are in danger. Unicorn in New York: Louie Lets Loose! When Louie the unicorn moves from Story Land to New York City to attend a performing arts school, he makes new friends, faces competition from another unicorn, and uses his talent for good. Pick Your Own Quest: Dragon vs. Unicorn Would you rather play the role of a unicorn or a dragon? That’s the first choice you make in this book about two fantasy beasts competing in more than 30 challenges. The book has 25 possible endings.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214THIS WEEK’S WATCH LISTA Kind of Spark(BYUtv App) (BYUtv.org) This series is based on an award-winning novel of the same name. It centers on Addie, a neurodivergent (having brain differences) teen. One thing that makes the show special is that many of the actors in it are neurodivergent in real life. Season two recently premiered. Chip ’n’ Dale: Park Life (Disney+) Chip and Dale are beloved Disney characters and chipmunk best friends. In the new second season of this series, they head off on silly adventures as they navigate life in a big city park. Along the way, they are joined by other famous characters, including Pluto and Donald Duck. The Farthest(PBS App) (PBS.org) The space probe Voyager 1 was launched in 1977, and it’s been exploring the solar system ever since. Last…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Lisa GreenwaldWhat inspired this story? I loved making paper fortune tellers as a child, and my daughter went through a phase when she was obsessed with them. Friendship is also my favorite topic to write about, so I brought those ideas together. Is this book a fantasy? While the story has hints of magic, the heart of it is about the girls and their friendship and how they figure out what’s valuable to them. What makes having friendships so vital? Having friends who look out for you and who “get” you is so important. It makes you realize you’re not alone. How do you like to spend your free time? I love taking long walks in New York City, especially in Central Park. Would you rather travel into the past or…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Make candy flower cupcakesWhat you’ll need ● Kitchen shears or a clean pair of scissors● Pastel and/or white marshmallows● Frosted cupcakes, storebought or homemade● Spice drops or gumdrops● Optional: green sour belt candy or strips (for leaves)● Optional: green sour laces, straws, sticks, or spaghetti and a toothpick (for stems)● Cup of warm water and paper towels for cleaning candy from scissors Instructions Here’s how to make the candy flowers in the photo above (from left to right). Yellow chrysanthemum To make the petals, snip triangular petals off both ends of a marshmallow. Place a ring of these petals, with the pointed sides facing out and cut sides face up, along the edge of the cupcake. Add another row inside that row. Repeat until the cupcake is covered with petals. (You can make…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Ex–rodeo clown rounds up lost zebrasFour zebras were on their way to a new home when they broke out of their trailer on a Washington highway and ran through traffic. People sprang into action, trying to catch them. Fortunately, David Danton happened to be driving by. Danton used to work as a rodeo clown, so he knew what to do. Using rope, a garden hose, and metal panels, he safely ushered the animals into a pen on a nearby horse farm. “Nobody trains you for wrangling zebras,” Danton said, but “it worked out as well as it possibly could have.”…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Diamonds for the price of a pizzaIt was Rogelio Villarreal’s lucky day. The man from Mexico was browsing the website of luxury jeweler Cartier when he saw a pair of diamond-studded gold earrings for the shockingly low price of 237 Mexican pesos (about $14). Villarreal bought two pairs—one for himself and one for his mother—before the company noticed its error: The price should have been 237,000 pesos, or about $14,000. After a long battle over the mistake, he received the earrings for one-thousandth of their usual cost. Is this a true story, or are we selling you a sparkling lie?* *Real! Cartier tried to cancel the order and offer him other gifts instead, but Rogelio Villarreal brought the case to Mexico’s consumer protection agency and the company gave in. “I’m excited,” he told The New York…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214EARTH HELPERSCece Kate, who is 9 years old and from Texas, told us she will visit a lake with her cousin and pick up trash because she wants to help animals. Her hope is that there will be no trash on the ground in the future. If you’d like to share your ideas for protecting the Earth, go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to print out a form like the one shown at right. After you fill it out with your ideas and a drawing, have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas considered for…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Teacher OF THE WEEKTeacher’s Name: Ms. Diehl School: Brentwood School “Ms. Diehl is so nice and caring. She’s always there when you need someone to talk to, and she is very supportive when you’re having trouble with your work. Peanut, the guinea pig class pet that Ms. Diehl got, is really nice. Ms. Diehl is also really funny. She is the best teacher!” Isla, 8, California Nominate your teacher for Teacher of the Week! Send your reason for the nomination, a photo of your teacher, and your school’s name and address to hello@theweekjunior.com.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Keep kids reading all summer long!Give a gift of The Week Junior for a smart start on summer reading fun! Our Summer of Reading program includes book lists, author interviews, and an exclusive three-book reading challenge with a chance to win an amazing bundle of books! It’s a wonderful way to support a child’s literacy over the summer and to continue to develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Perfect for birthdays, graduation, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. To order, SCAN HERE: SUBSCRIBE BY MAY 29 TO JOIN THE FUN. To order a 25 weekly issue subscription of The Week Junior and save 66%, visit theweekjunior.com/smartfun…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Pulitzer Prizes announcedThe 2024 Pulitzer Prizes, the major US awards for excellence in journalism, books, drama, and music, were announced on May 6. The annual awards were created in 1917 by Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper editor. Winners in 23 categories, chosen by experts in their field, receive $15,000 each. The prize for Public Service went to the journalism organization ProPublica. The Pulitzer board praised the journalists’ “groundbreaking and ambitious” stories about billionaires who tried to influence the US Supreme Court. The stories led the court to adopt its first code of conduct. The Washington Post won two awards. David E. Hoffman won in the Editorial Writing category for a series on dictators using technology to silence opposition. Vladimir Kara-Murza won the Commentary prize for his columns on democracy, which he wrote from…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Boy Scouts to change nameThe Boy Scouts of America said it will change its name to Scouting America in an effort to become more inclusive. The change will take effect in February 2025, timed to the group’s 115th anniversary. The organization opened its membership to gay youth in 2013, gay adult leaders in 2015, and girls in 2018. Since then, more than 6,000 girls have become Eagle Scouts, the highest possible rank. The Boy Scouts has more than one million members.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Have emojis gone too far?In 1999, a Japanese artist created a set of 176 symbols that could communicate information in a simple way, and emojis were born. The original collection included useful objects, like clouds and a car, as well as a heart, which let users express emotions in a text for the first time. By 2010, hundreds more emojis had been added and they were popular around the world. Today, people of all ages send emojis to friends, family, and co-workers. But as emojis become common, some people have expressed concern that they’re replacing words. They think the symbols will diminish our ability to write clearly. What do you think? Have emojis gone too far? Yes—they put writing at risk Using symbols instead of words is taking the easy way out. If emoji…3 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Career win for refereeAshley Moyer-Gleich has become the second woman, and the first in a decade, to referee playoff games for the NBA (National Basketball Association). In college, Moyer-Gleich played basketball for Millersville University in her home state of Pennsylvania. She joined the NBA in 2018 as a full-time referee, a job that involves enforcing rules and order on the court. Since then, she has officiated more than 200 regular-season NBA games. Moyer-Gleich said that being one of 36 referees selected to be a first-round official felt “surreal.”…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Nature earns rewards for its soundsMany people like to listen to natural sounds such as rain falling or birds chirping, and musicians often use these noises in their songs. Now the Earth can benefit from its cultural contributions. The Museum for the United Nations organized a project called Sounds Right, which has made NATURE an official artist on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Natural sounds are available as individual tracks, and artists from around the world have worked with Sounds Right to create songs that sample NATURE’s sounds. For example, a 29-year-old song by Brian Eno and David Bowie was remixed to include the sound of wild animals. Being named as an artist means that NATURE can now earn royalties (portions of the profit) from these recordings. The money earned by streaming…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214“Why do some dogs have tails while other dogs don’t?” Aanshi, 8, CaliforniaAdam Boyko Professor, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Most dogs have long tails unless they are surgically shortened (“docked”). But dozens of breeds, including corgis and sheepdogs, carry an inherited trait for short tails (“bobtails”). Naturally short tails also pop up in other breeds, like rottweilers, and scientists are still investigating why. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the College of Veterinary Medicine at vet.cornell.edu.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Girl finds rare reptile fossilOne day in 2020, when Ruby Reynolds was 11 years old, she and her father, Justin, went hunting for fossils. They often did this together along the Severn River, near their UK home. On that day, they found two pieces of fossilized bone, one of which was about eight inches long—among the largest they had ever uncovered. Ruby and her dad didn’t realize then that they had found the remains of the largest marine reptile ever discovered. Back home, after their outing, Ruby and Justin searched the internet and found that fossil hunters in a nearby town had found similar fragments. Paleontologists (scientists who study the past through fossils) thought they could be part of the jawbone of an enormous ichthyosaur (“fish lizard”). These extinct dolphin-shaped reptiles lived in water…2 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Goodbye to a famed robotTechnology company Boston Dynamics is retiring its star robot, Atlas, nearly 11 years after it made its debut. In its place, the company will introduce an all-electric version of the robot with improved capabilities. Atlas became famous as the first humanoid hydraulic (operated by water or other liquid pressure) robot. It was originally designed for a US Defense Department competition and could dance, do backflips, and complete obstacle courses effortlessly. Videos of Atlas have been watched by millions of people. The new electric robot is still designed to look like a human, but it is sleeker and more streamlined. It can turn its head 180°, bend its legs backward, and more. It is also stronger and can lift different objects. In a first, the new Atlas can get back up…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214THIS WEEK’S WINNERS…SOCCER On May 11, Sophia Smith—who plays for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League)—became the youngest player in the league’s history to score 40 regular-season goals. Smith, age 23, set the record during her team’s 4–0 win over the Seattle Reign. She had one goal and three assists in the game, which was the Thorns’ fifth straight win. The team enters its May 17 match in fourth place. COLLEGE WATER POLO UCLA beat California, 7–4, to win the National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo championship on May 12. This is UCLA’s eighth women’s water polo national title and the first since 2009. WHEELCHAIR TENNIS On May 12, US Juniors Sabina Czauz, Charlie Cooper, Tomas Majetic, and Max Wong won the World Team Cup with a 2–0 victory…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214SPOTLIGHT ON…Karli Spaid AGE: 21 SPORT: SOFTBALL TEAM: MIAMI UNIVERSITY OF OHIO Batterup I started playing T-ball when I was about 4 or 5. I liked softball because it was a team sport and I could be around a lot of people and make a lot of friends. I don’t think I could play tennis and just be by myself the whole time. Work ethic It’s difficult to balance school and softball, especially when there’s a big road trip. You have to learn that you may be at your desk for a couple of more hours than you’d like, but when you’re not worried about homework on the road, you have a better mindset when you’re playing. Top tunes If we’re at an away game, my roommate and I will listen…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Exhibit honors disabled artistsA new exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in California features 70 works created by 11 artists with disabilities. Creative Growth: The House That Art Built is part of a collaboration between the museum and the Creative Growth Art Center, the country’s first organization dedicated to supporting artists with developmental disabilities. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Creative Growth Art Center. It provides studio and exhibition space for 140 artists. Creative Growth’s executive director, Tom di Maria, told PBS that the studio is a place where disabled people have the chance to be creative, experiment, and tell their stories. A goal of the SFMOMA show is to honor the growing art and disability movement in San Francisco and beyond. The museum recently bought more…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Explore the undersea worldEndless Ocean Luminous is a new ocean exploration game. It is out now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. This is the third Endless Ocean game, but it has been 15 years since there has been a new one. The game’s concept is straightforward. Gamers play as a scuba diver who is tasked with carrying out important research in the fictional Veiled Sea. It is filled with more than 500 species of marine life, including real ocean creatures, long-extinct animals, and mythical beasts invented for the game. Thankfully sharks and other giant predators are very friendly, so divers can enjoy exploring without worrying about being eaten. Instead, your goal is to seek out exotic creatures among the coral reefs, caves, rock outcroppings, and the darkest parts of the sea. The diver…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214CREATE A PLANT OR SEED LIBRARYA plant or seed library is a way to exchange plants or seeds for free. It’s also a great way to help support the local ecosystem. For example, growing more wildflowers helps feed more pollinators, like bees and butterflies. With an adult’s help, you can set up your own plant or seed library. Invite friends to participate. You will need a bench or stand for everyone to put their plants. You can use a binder with plastic pockets to collect seeds for sharing. Make a sign with basic rules, such as “Leave a plant, take a plant.” You can keep your library open through the warm gardening months, then put it away until gardening season next year.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214People leave the strangest thingsThe rideshare service Uber has released a list of items left in its cars across the US. These forgotten belongings include a cardboard cutout panda, a Harry Potter wand engraved with someone’s name, a tray of meat pie, a ceramic cat, a robot, and a live turtle. For the past eight years, Uber has been publishing the index of lost and found items to remind customers to take their things with them when they leave the car. “I’m always surprised by the wild and unique items reported lost each year,” an Uber manager said.…1 min
The Week Junior US|Issue 214Editor’s noteIn one of our most important stories this week, we highlight the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that ended racial segregation in US public schools (p4). Before that case was decided in 1954, it was legal to segregate people in public places because of a principle known as “separate but equal.” This principle, decided in an 1896 case called Plessy v. Ferguson, meant that it was acceptable to separate people by race in schools, on trains, and in many other areas of society as long as the facilities were equal. In reality, however, the facilities weren’t equal—they were inferior for people of color. It took more than 50 years for that idea to be struck down in the Brown case. You can…1 min
