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Every year on April 8th we celebrate Zoo Lover's Day! People of all ages love a chance to take a trip to the zoo; it's fun for the whole family! Many of us have fond childhood memories of taking a trip to the local zoo and observing all the magnificent wildlife. It's truly amazing to see your favorite animals up close, and learn more about animals and their habitats. Zoos are more than just a place to view animals, however, they can also teach us about the conservation and preservation of all the wonderful wildlife around us! Zoo professionals work hard to share their knowledge and awareness about these beautiful animals. Conservation and Preservation Did you know that while you are enjoying your day looking at the animals that you are also learning about their conservation and preservation? Zoos may have started off as a place to show off exotic animals, but today many zoos are keen to educate their visitors about animal conservation and preservation and invest time and resources to help maintain animals' natural environment. Many zoos use conservation efforts in their exhibit designs to protect their animals and their habitats, especially for species that are severely endangered and are no longer living in the wild. Zoos across the world are working to help preserve all amazing creatures so they will one day have the chance to roam free in the wild once again. Zoo Professionals Every zoo is staffed with highly trained professionals that provide excellent care and for their animals everyday. From the very moment you walk through the gates of your local zoo, you and your child are immersed into a new world, and it's an amazing chance to learn more about animals and the natural world. The dedicated zoo staff is always ready to educate people on the amazing wildlife that they spend their lives protecting everyday. Many zoos also work directly with conservation workers to educate them or send zoo keepers abroad to contribute their knowledge and skills to help to improve conditions and habitats for animals all over the world! With spring in the air it is the perfect time to visit a zoo and take the opportunity to learn more about animals and how you can help with animal preservation! What are some of your favorite animals to see in the zoo? Let us know in the comments!

April 2nd is Children's Book Day! This special day is celebrated around the world to inspire a love a reading and call attention to the value children's books bring to everyone. A child’s reading skills help ensure success in school and everyday life. From a very young age children have the ability to interpret and process a lot of information. Books are not only a useful source of information but they also spark curiosity and imagination in your young one! First organized in 1967 by Jella Lepman, Children's Book Day is celebrated on Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday (April 2nd) to encourage parents, teachers, and children around the world to participate in reading events and show children all the amazing possibilities that come from reading. Children's Book Day brings STEM and reading together. By tying literacy and STEM together, you can enhance your child’s reading skills and expose them to the wonderful world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Children's Books About Life Science Babies Nurse inspires conversations about parenting, biology, habitats, survival, and more, This book is an engaging and educational choice for young children as well as elementary school readers. If My Mom Were a Platypus educates your little one about mammal mothers and how they feed, protect, and teach their young. The beautifully illustrated pages helps children observe the amazing world around them and educates on the habits and habitats of mammals! Cuddled and Carried's beautiful images introduce the reader to attachment in the natural world. Read about how mothers lend a paw, wing, flipper, or hand to care for their young fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion! Children's Books About Chemistry and Physics Chemistry and physics teach critical thinking and problem-solving. Reading about these subjects - even at a young age - encourages children to ask questions, investigate the world around them, and make observations to draw conclusions. We offer several books that delight and inform your child about the scientific world around them! Here are some examples: The My First Science Textbook series sparks scientific curiosity in kids of all ages! These colorful textbooks let your child's imagination roam while you and your child ponder what’s it like to live inside an atom! These books give your child the chance to learn about some of the most fundamental concepts in science BEFORE the social pressure and intimidation of formal schooling. Women in Chemistry helps your child discover the power of curiosity and resilience along with the women who have blazed a trail in the world of science! From ancient times to modern day, the exciting story of chemistry is sure to inspire the scientist in everyone. Our Science Wide Open Collection is a series of scientifically accurate children's books, with a mission to teach young kids about Chemistry, Biology, and Physics while highlighting many of the some of the mind blowing achievement of many of our Women of Science! What are some of your (or your child's) favorite books? Let us know in the comments!

Book Harvest is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “provide an abundance of books and ongoing literacy support to families and their children from birth and serve as a model for communities committed to ensuring that children are lifelong readers and learners.” For over 8 years Book Harvest has been striving to give every child access to reading and learning through their four programs: Book Babies, Books on Break, Books to Go, and Community Book Bank. About Book Harvest Ginger Young founded Book Harvest in 2011 with the mission to help every child gain access to books and reading skills. In the first month after opening, Ginger and Book Harvest collected 10,000 books that she kept in her garage in Chapel Hill, NC. Ginger is the Executive Director of Book Harvest today. Book Harvest places a particular emphasis on building home libraries for children from low-income families, as there is a link between poverty and poor academic outcomes. Their mission is to level the playing field when it comes to academics and socio-economic status. Reading is essential to fight this problem as it builds confidence, expands horizons, and helps create future readers Book Harvest provides a variety of popular (and bilingual) books (approximately 1.053,369 to date) to children from birth to the end of high school. They achieve their mission through four main programs: Book Babies (263 Families) From the very start of an infant’s life Book Harvest is there for your little one. Two or three times a year a home visitor with a background in education or social work will come and bring up to 10 brand new books to your house. Each family gets to keep these books. The goal is to have a home library for your child of 100 books by the time that they are in Kindergarten. The focus of this program is to build relationships with the families over the first 5 years of your child’s life. They love to stay in touch with the families and offer other programs like a parent book club and library celebrations to promote library card sign-ups. Books on Break (45 Schools) The time to focus on summer reading for children starts with elementary school. Book Harvest partners with schools in April/May to have a free book fair for the kids, with schools hosting this annually. They supply hundreds to thousands of books to schools each year, the amount depending on each school's need. Books to Go (87 Educators and 43 Schools/Organizations) Several times each year, Book Harvest opens their warehouse to allow teachers to come and find books that they know their kids would love to read. Each book is given to the kids to keep. All books in the warehouse are free and there is no limit to the number of books that can be taken. Afterwards, the teachers are free to come up with many unique and creative ways to give away the books to their students in the school. Community Book Bank (84 Organizations) Book Harvest’s largest program today is their Community Book Bank. Through this program they donate books to community members and organizations serving children from low-income families. Organizations range from doctors’ offices and day cares to laundromats and barbershops. The Community Book Bank partners with organizations and offers free bookshelves in lobbies and waiting areas, book tables at community events, and other mechanisms to share books. They make sure that children and families who are taking advantage of services offered by these partner organizations also have access to free books anytime they visit that partner organization. Book Harvest refills the books as needed, with no questions asked and no charge to the host organization. They also host giveaways at events like family literacy night or parent teacher conferences. About Daniele Berman Daniele Berman is one of the amazing staff members at Book Harvest. Daniele’s strong and kind demeanor makes her the perfect Communications and Events Manager! She is responsible for managing all of the communications and a robust calendar of special events. Daniele’s children follow in their mom's footsteps by volunteering, and by being ambassadors for Book Harvest. Daniele not only influences her own children, but also the lives of anyone she meets! “It is a particular kind of pride as a mother and a staff member to see your own child’s life changed alongside the lives of the children your organization serves.” Science, Naturally!, and Book Harvest We are honored that some our books are among the many that Book Harvest uses in its programming, including Babies Nurse (bilingual), Cuddled and Carried (bilingual), and the books in our Science and Math Mysteries Book Set (bilingual). How You Can Help If you have new or gently used children’s books you’d like to donate, please drop them in the Book Harvest bins at any of these locations. You can also buy books from their Amazon wishlist and have them shipped directly to their office!

Since the domestication of the dog, people have been drawn to these selfless, loving animals. National Puppy Day falls on March 23rd every year and it is only fitting that we take this time get to know a little bit more about the animals that love us unconditionally everyday! Mother and Puppy Bond Puppies and their mothers have a bond straight from birth, just like humans! As each little puppy comes into the world, its mother carefully tends to its first needs including licking and cleaning her newborn to stimulate breathing and encourage nursing. The care and protectiveness that a mother shows for her pups is strong. She whines to alert her humans if she’s separated from her puppies, and will will put herself between her puppies and danger if sensed. Puppies grow up quickly. At 3 to 4 weeks of age they start to transition from their mother's milk onto solid foods, a process known as weaning. Nursing is an important part of a puppy's health and development. Mother's milk provides the nutrition and antibodies to help a puppy grow up to be big and strong! A mother dog nuzzles her pups, placing her face close by or lying very still when one of her little ones wiggles into the crook of her neck for a nap. As her offspring grow, she will still seek out their company, and it isn’t unusual to find a mother dog and her weaned puppies still snuggling together. Human and Canine Bonding The evolution of the dog can be traced back millions of years. The transition of some wolves into dogs probably began upwards of 100,000 years ago, but the domesticated dog likely dates back anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 years. The human-canine bond has blossomed and strengthened over time, and only continues to grow stronger and stronger everyday! The bond that we share with these four legged animals can be as strong as the connection we share with other humans, sometimes even stronger. There are also service dogs who are trained to help humans in specific ways. For example, seeing-eye dogs are trained to help visually impaired people find their way around and alert them to danger. Did you know dogs can also be trained to alert humans to certain medical conditions, like asthma, heart conditions, strokes, diabetes, epilepsy, and seizures? These dogs are specifically trained to alert their owner about an impending medical condition that the person may not even be aware is happening! In this way, dogs can even save our lives. There are also dogs who are trained to help people with anxiety and other mental health conditions (known as Emotional Support Dogs), and Therapy Dogs who bring comfort and joy to those who are ill or living under poor conditions, such as those who have been affected by a natural disaster. Playful Puppy Points Here are some fun facts you may not know about puppies! Puppies are born blind and deaf: Puppies actually can’t see or hear until they’re almost two weeks old — they don’t even open their eyes before then! They spend 15–20 hours a day sleeping: We all know that dogs spend a majority of the day sleeping and that has not changed ever since they were puppies. Puppies are born without teeth: Even though puppies are known to chew everything in their wake, they are toothless until they are 4 weeks old. The word "Puppy" has French roots: The word puppy comes from poupeé, a French word meaning doll or toy. The litter size depends on the breed: smaller breeds tend to have smaller litters, while bigger dogs give birth to more puppies. Dalmatians puppies are born WITHOUT spots: You may remember this from 101 Dalmatians, but Dalmatians puppies are born white and spot-less. The markings usually begin to show up after four weeks. For dog owners: what are some of the ways your dog helps you? Let us know in the comments!

On the second Sunday of each March we recognize Daylights Saving Time (DST) by setting our clocks ahead by one hour! DST is a seasonal time change measure when clocks are set ahead of standard time during part of the year, usually by 1 hour. This means that on March 10th this year, you actually had a 25-hour day! In the spring, when DST starts, clocks are set forward 1 hour and time “Springs Forward”. In the fall, when DST stops, clocks are set backward 1 hour and time “Falls Backward.” History Of Daylight Saving Time Daylight Saving Time was first introduced in 1895 by New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson and British builder William Willett. Hudson presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society, proposing a 2-hour shift forward in October and a 2-hour shift back in March. But did you know DST didn’t become recognized in the United States until the end of World War I? In the United States, DST was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin as he noticed that by setting the clocks forward in summer there would be more productive time after normal work hours. In the winter, when the days become shorter and the growing season is over, the clocks would shift backward and daylight saving time would end for the year. The House of Representatives voted to pass a law "to save daylight," with the official first DST taking place on March 15, 1918. Each state in the US has the option to decide to observe daylight saving time, and Hawaii and Arizona are the only two states that do not acknowledge DST. Originally, clocks were sprung forward on the last Sunday in April, and turned back on the last Sunday in October, but the Energy Policy Act of 2005 shifted the start of Daylight Saving Time to the second Sunday in March and the end to the first Sunday in November. The Science Behind Daylight Saving Time When the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing winter the Southern Hemisphere is leaning toward the sun, so the sun is not up in the Northern sky as long as in the summer. During the winter months, the South Pole gets full sunlight while the North Pole gets full darkness! The sun is actually centered north of the equator four more days than it is centered south of the equator! For this reason, the Northern Hemisphere gets a few more minutes of sunlight per year than the Southern Hemisphere. How Daylight Saving Time Impacts Behavior New research published in the journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity reports that Daylight Saving Time actually increases activity and health in children. The study found that the kids had 15-20% greater activity in a day when the sun sets after 9 p.m. compared to a sunset of 5 p.m. Another study followed several hundred kids and observed their behavior right before and right after the time changes, and found that their activity level changed immediately after the time changed. DST can affect our mental and physical health. Studies report that falling back to gain one hour of daylight in the autumn months causes reductions in sleep and increases rates of cardiac issues and stroke! One of the most notable findings regarding DST is the negative effect it can have on mood, particularly in the northern latitudes of the earth. For those of us who live with depression, this time of year requires us to practice self-care to offset the lack of feel-good sunlight. Activities to Educate Kids about Daylight Saving Time Clocks and Counting Daylight Saving Time is a great opportunity to educate your little ones on time and counting! Take advantage of that extra hour of sunlight and get creative! Design your own Clock What better time to teach your child how to tell time then Daylight Saving Time? Creating your own crafty clock is a fun and easy learning activity for you and your little learner. All you need is some paper plates, scissors, and pipe cleaners to create your clocks. Your little one can decorate their new clocks, all while improving their counting and time telling skills! Wrist Watch Children love to imitate their parents, which makes this next activity perfect for your curious young copy-cat. A super stylish wrist watch is the perfect way to teach your little one how to tell time. All you need is a toilet roll tube or other paper tube, a split pin, scissors, a pen, and plenty of things to decorate your watch with like glitter, gems, or paint. Daylight Saving Time Board Game Teach your child about clocks, seasons, numbers, and counting in this fun game for the whole family! For free downloadable instructions and game pieces (including the board game, playing instructions and two paper cubes), click here! Daylight Saving Time in the Classroom For teachers DST is a good time to educate kids on the history of Daylight Saving Time, and engage them in some fun learning activities! If you're looking for some ideas for the classroom, here are two articles with some fun suggestions.

On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for “transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically.” This invention became what we call the telephone today. On March 10, 1876, Bell said his famous line: "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you", and one of the most influential and important inventions of modern times arrived on the scene. Every year on March 7th, Alexander Graham Bell Day is celebrated, and we want to honor the life of this amazing man! Who is Alexander Graham Bell Born March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Alexander Graham Bell was an inspiring scientist who new discoveries and making a difference. His mother and wife were both deaf, and they influenced his motivation and interest in the science of sound. From a young age, he was always a good problem solver. When he was only 12 years old he invented a farming device for his friend’s father that quickly and efficiently removed the husks from wheat grain! Bell maintained his scientific curiosity throughout his childhood and adolescence, but it wasn't until he was a teacher and met 15-year-old Mabel Hubbard - his future wife - that he was inspired to perfect the harmonic telegraph, which was the first building block of what would become the telephone. On March 7, 1876 Alexander received a patent for his new device. Bell died peacefully at his vacation home in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, on August 2, 1922. As a quiet but powerful tribute to Bell, people all over Canada and the United States refrained from using their telephones during his funeral. Did you know the telephone wasn't Bell's only invention? Here are some of his other important inventions! Alexander Graham Bell's Inventions Wheat Husker Bell developed his first invention at age 12. This simple agricultural device removed wheat husks and involved a nail brush and paddle connected to a rotary-brushing wheel. This important invention greatly reduced the time and labor required to husk wheat! Metal Detector Bell developed a rudimentary precursor to the modern metal detector in 1881. He originally invented the device in order to find the bullet that assassinated President James Garfield! The invention gained wider use for many years, before being replaced by modern X-ray technology. Look Mom, No Wires! Bell invented the photophone in 1880. It transmitted the human voice over wavelengths of light, thus serving as the world’s first wireless communication device. Telephone Bell, believing strongly that the human voice could be carried over a wire, worked with Thomas Watson to prove his theory correct. Their first major breakthrough came on June 2, 1875, when the pair managed to produce an audible “twang” noise that carried from the transmitting room to the receiving room. Their efforts eventually led to the filing of a patent for the telephone on March 7, 1876. Hydrofoil Boat Bell and the engineer Casey Baldwin designed a hydrofoil boat in 1919. It broke the speed records at the time by moving at speeds of 60 knots (about 70 miles per hour)! Alexander Graham Bell's Legacy Throughout his life Bell was accredited for many inventions and discoveries. His inspiration and love for science, and making a difference, paved the way for significant change. He was credited for many honors, degrees, and monuments that were bestowed to him for the impact he made on the society. Some of the most notable are: The Bell Telephone Memorial in honor of his most famous invention. It can be found in the Alexander Graham Bell Gardens in Branfort, Ontario. (1917) Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Alexander Graham Bell Memorial Park, honoring the ability to connect the globe through telecommunication. (1917) Voltage Prize worth 50,000 francs (US $250,000) from the Académie Française, for invention of the telephone. (1880) The Albert Medal was awarded to Bell by the Royal Society of Arts in London. (1902) Commemorative Stamp: The US Patent Office declared Bell the country's greatest inventor in 1936, which lead to the US Post Office granting a commemorative stamp honoring his life and work. (1940) Government of Canada honored him with a silver dollar coin for the 100th anniversary of flight in Canada. Bell was named one of the 10 Greatest Scottish scientists after he entered the National Library of Scotland’s ‘Scottish Science Hall of Fame.’ (2006) [1]

International Polar Bear Day falls on February 27th each year! Polar Bears are one of the most important mammals in the world and have been around for over 150,000 years. In honor of these spectacular animals we would like to explore some of their unique habits and adaptions! Polar Bear Mamas and Babies A mama polar bear and her babies, which are called cubs, are some of the closest mammal pairings. Polar bear mothers stay with their cubs for over 30 months. They can have up to four cubs at one time, but twins are most common. Feeding their young is sometimes hard due to the harsh arctic conditions they live in, but these strong mothers always find a way to feed their cubs. Polar bear moms have three sets of nipples (6 nipples in total): two sets higher up on the chest and one set down below their belly button. This bottom set of nipples produces the colostrum that newborns need, but shuts off after a few days or weeks, forcing the young to nurse from the set closer to the mother’s head. Each cub feeds for about 18 months, some even longer! Polar bears don’t hibernate, but mother bears live in dens while they raise their cubs. Mama bears dig a cave in the snow when they are nearly ready to give birth. The cubs are born in the den and the family stays there for four to five months. Their body heat inside the small cave helps keep everyone warm. During this time, the cubs are growing quickly on mom’s fat-rich breast milk, but mom doesn’t eat, drink or defecate. Polar bears have evolved one of the longest fasting periods of any animal! The months spent with mom are the most important for a cub’s survival. Cubs will spend these years learning how to hunt from mom - and packing on the pounds! - to eventually reach the weight of a full-grown polar bear, between 300 and 800kg. Polar Bears and Adaption Polar bears are well adapted to survive in one of the harshest environments on our planet. As well as their thick fur, they have a layer of fat, called blubber, that insulates their bodies from the frosty air and near-freezing water. While polar bears look white, their skin is actually black, which helps them absorb the sun’s rays to keep warm. Their “white” fur is actually translucent (clear), which also helps absorb sunlight and its warmth. Climate change has had a dangerous effect on polar bears’ habitats. Their arctic environment is slowly melting away, making it harder for polar bears to find food and care for their young. As our planet gets warmer ice breaks up sooner and this shortens their hunting season. With a shorter hunting season females have a tougher time building up the stored fat that they need to survive. Unique Polar Bear Facts Here are some facts you may not know about polar bears: They have built-in socks! Stiff fur on the sole of each foot keeps the polar bear from slipping on ice, and also muffles the sound of the bear’s approach when sneaking up on a meal. Polar bears are the largest and longest species of bear. They are the largest carnivore (meat eater) that lives on land. Male polar bears can measure up to 10 feet (3 meters) when standing on their hind legs and can weigh up to 1500 lb) (680 kg). Scientists believe that the polar bear evolved from a common brown bear ancestor thousands of years ago. Polar Bears clean themselves by rolling around in the snow, and they cool off by rolling in the snow or taking a dip in chilly waters. Polar bears are found in countries that ring the Arctic Circle — Canada, the US, Greenland, Russia, and Norway.

February 12th was a special day in science that we want to celebrate! Darwin Day acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of Charles Darwin. This world-wide celebration encourages curiosity, scientific exploration, and a hunger for science just like Charles Darwin had for the world around him. Who is Charles Darwin? Born February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, Charles Darwin was a Naturalist whose scientific theory of evolution by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. Darwin shocked religious Victorian society by suggesting that animals and humans shared a common ancestry. After voyaging around the world in the HMS Beagle, which included his famous research of the Galapagos Islands, Darwin kept his theory a secret for over two decades. On this voyage Darwin studied hundreds of animals and the their environments. By the time he returned, Darwin had finished a 770-page diary filled with notes about his life-changing theory of natural selection and evolution. Twenty years after his voyage, he finally published On the Origin of Species, which forever changed evolutionary science and the study of animals. What is Darwin Day? Darwin Day commemorates scientific curiosity, and reflects on amazing scientific accomplishments. Dr. Robert Stephens, Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, and Amanda Chesworth, who are all scientists and Darwin enthusiasts, are the founders of the annual International Darwin Day Celebration. They wanted to inspire the world with Darwin’s scientific accomplishments by encouraging the celebration of science and humanity throughout the global community. Darwin Day's overall mission is to inspire a love for science and highlight Charles Darwin's legacy. Early Education: Evolution by Natural Selection Science frequently challenges our understanding of the world, and Evolution by Natural Selection can be a challenging concept to grasp, especially for young children. Introducing children early to a concept like evolution can help them develop a greater facility for applying analytical thinking. Science is so important for your child to learn at a young age, as it will help them gain life-long skills that helps them explore their world just like Charles Darwin. Science Explorations Book Set Your child can become a scientific explorer with our Science Explorations Book Set! These books are jam-packed with scientific adventures that are sure to bring out the curious nature of your little explorer. Young learners can help Leonardo da Vinci adapt to the 21st Century, or join the League of Scientists as they unravel mysteries in their community. Our creative nonfiction books are filled with fun science brainteasers and short mysteries that take just one minute to read. Your budding scientist will love this engaging and well-rounded exploration of the ways science influences every aspect of our lives. These books spark scientific curiosity and exploration between the real world and the classroom, and most importantly are fun to read!

Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow around 7:30 a.m. ET on February 2, 2019, and did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring for us all. The History of Groundhog Day As the legend goes, if Phil sees his shadow it is a prediction of six more weeks of bad weather and he heads back into his hole. If it's overcast and he doesn't see his shadow, it is supposed to mean spring will arrive early. But why do groundhogs emerge in February, when winter isn't over yet? The answer lies in their social structure. Most of the year, male and female groundhogs are solitary and antagonistic against each other. They aggressively maintain a feeding territory around their burrows and rarely have any contact with each other. February is used to reestablish the bonds necessary for mating and ensures that mating can then proceed without delay in early March. So, essentially, Groundhog Day is like a Valentine's Day for groundhogs! Groundhog Day appears to have European roots. Early February is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and throughout history this seasonal crossroad has been celebrated by different cultures in a variety of ways. The ancient Greeks and Romans observed a mid-season festival on February 5th in anticipation of spring. In the Celtic tradition, this period was celebrated as the festival of Imbolog to mark the beginning of spring. Early Christians in Europe embraced this tradition and celebrated Candlemas Day on February 2nd, to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary. Customarily on this day, clergy would bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of winter in anticipation of spring. In 1887, an editor of a Punxsutawney newspaper declared Phil America's official weather-predicting groundhog. Newspapers across the country picked up the story, and the tradition caught on, bringing us to the tradition we have today. How Accurate are Punxsutawney Phil's Predictions? In the past ten years, Phil has predicted a longer winter seven times and an early spring three times. He was only right about 40% of the time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which says the groundhog shows "no predictive skill." However, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, only the President of this organization can interpret Phil's message: "Phil is the one deciding whether or not he's seen the shadow. It's not up to us. All we do is deliver his message." ~A.J. Dereume, President, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club While Phil's predictions may not be supported by science, the tradition itself brings joy to many people! Animal Behavior as a Predictor of Weather Animal behaviors have been observed for a very long time. We watch animals for signs of a change of seasons such as geese flying south for the winter, the first robins appearing in spring, or animals like badgers, hedgehogs, and bears emerging from their hibernation dens. Animals and birds react to weather in many different ways and their reactions can predict significant changes in the weather. Science is yet to determine exactly how animals know what’s to come.  Is it a rise or fall in atmospheric pressure, a reaction to electromagnetic forces, or even changes in the levels of humidity?  Or perhaps some undetermined combination of all three of these? A longtime study done by Ken Armitage, a professor at the University of Kansas, states that rodents are now emerging about a month earlier in the spring than they did 30 or 40 years ago. Ken says, “understanding how individual groundhogs respond to environmental change is essential if we want to predict how animals will react to global warming and other human-driven habitat shifts.” According to oral tradition, potential signs of bad weather include: Expect rain when dogs eat grass, cats purr and wash, sheep turn into the wind, oxen sniff the air, and swine are restless. Horses or cows lying down is a sign of rain. Bats flying late in the evening indicates fair weather. When pigs gather extra leaves and straw, expect a cold winter. If sheep climb up hills and scatter, expect clear weather. Do you notice any strange behavior in your animals or pets when the weather is changing? What are they? Let us know in the comments!

From the first African American female mathematician to a pioneer in the science of food preservation, Black scientists and inventors have contributed to our nation’s greatest successes for decades. In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting the contributions of some successful scientists who have changed our world. Euphemia Lofton Haynes Born in 1890, Euphemia Lofton Haynes became the first African American woman to earn her P.h.D in Mathematics. Growing up in Washington D.C., Haynes was the daughter of Dr. William S. Lofton, a prominent Black dentist and financier, and Lavinia Day Lofton, an active Catholic church member. Dr. Haynes worked in Washington public schools as a Mathematics and English teacher for 47 years. During her career she also served as the Chair of the Mathematics Department at Dunbar High School, and Division Head of Mathematics and Business Education for the District of Columbia Teachers College. She was also head of the Washington, D.C.'s Board of Education. Haynes was integral to changing the education system all throughout Washington, D.C. by establishing the mathematics departments at both Miners Teacher's College and the District of Columbia Teachers College. Haynes is honored for her hard work and dedication in the education field throughout her career through a scholarship fund and an education department chair named in honor of her at The Catholic University. Herman Branson Herman Branson, born in 1914, was an African American physicist who received his B. S. from Virginia State College in 1936. He also earned a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 1993. Branson's main interests were mathematical biology and protein structure. He had many successful breakthroughs throughout his career as a physicist. He co-discovered the alpha helix, an integral equation of biological systems, and authored the electron impact studies on small organic molecules. Branson was a member of the National Research Council where he wrote extensively about physical-chemical studies of sickled anemic red blood cells, work he continued throughout his retirement as well. He died in 1995 after a long and illustrious career. Mae C. Jemison Mae C. Jemison is the first African American female astronaut. Born in 1956, Jemison is the youngest daughter of Charlie Jemison, a roofer and carpenter, and Dorothy Jemison, an elementary school teacher. Jemison grew up in Chicago, where she attended Morgan Park High School and soon earned a National Achievement Scholarship to attend Stanford University. Jemison was involved in many extracurricular activities throughout high school and college. She served as head of the Black Student Union in high school and worked at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand during college. Jemison even served as a Peace Corps medical officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia, where she also taught and performed medical research after receiving her M.D in 1981. After returning home from the Peace Corps, Jemison had a change of heart for her career choice. In 1987 she became the first Black woman to be admitted into the NASA astronaut training program where she soon became the first Black female astronaut, earning the title of Science Mission Specialist. This position made her responsible for conducting crew-related scientific experiments on the space shuttle. She finally made it to space on September 12, 1992, with six other astronauts aboard the Endeavour on mission STS47, becoming the first Black woman in space. “Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” -- Mae Jemison Lloyd Hall Born in 1894, Lloyd Hall was son of a Baptist minister, and his grandfather was one of the first Black preachers at the church where his father was minister. Hall attended high school in Aurora, IL and then went on to study at Northwestern University where he received his Masters in 1916, followed by his Doctorate of Science from Virginia State College in 1944. From 1946-1959, Hall served as Technical Director and Assistant Chief Inspector of High Explosives and Research for the United States government in World War I. Hall worked for many years as Director and Chief of Griffith's Laboratories in Chicago and Chemical Products Corporation in Chicago. After his retirement he became a consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations where he pioneered most of the complex chemicals in food preservation. Hall's research inspired Griffith Laboratories to open a large manufacturing facility devoted to protein hydrolysats. The contributions made by Hall made him one of America's top food chemists. These are just a few of the amazing Black scientists and inventors throughout history. Their contributions have blazed the way for today's young scientists and left meaningful and everlasting impacts on our culture and society! What Black scientists and inventors are you remembering this Black History Month?

January is International Brainteaser Month and what better way to celebrate than with some mind boggling riddles and puzzles! The brain is a very powerful muscle and - like all other muscles in the body - it needs to be exercised to keep up its strength. Brainteasers are a fun and creative way to exercise the brain and learn important skills along the way! At Science Naturally we love to challenge people of all ages to improve their brains. A healthy brain functions better (and longer) and improves memory and problems solving skills. Brainteasers and puzzles come in many forms. Traditional jigsaw puzzles and other physical assembly puzzles, word puzzles, math puzzles, and logic puzzles have been enjoyed for generations, and exist all over the world. Regardless of what form they come in, puzzles and other thinking games offer extensive cognitive benefits while keeping kids of all ages active, engaged, and motivated to learn. Developmental Benefits of Brainteasers and Puzzles Our brains are stimulated by the unique challenges and problems that puzzles and brainteasers offer. Keeping your brain active with brain exercises helps build new brain cells and strengthens their connections! There are many benefits that come with brainteasers, including: Increased brain activity Emotional satisfaction and sense of accomplishment Enhanced memory and information processing speed Improved concentration Educational Benefits of Brainteasers and Puzzles Kathleen Donahue, a homeschool parent and owner of Labyrinth Games and Puzzles in Washington, D.C., facilitates after-school strategic game classes in 13 elementary schools, and knows firsthand the power of puzzles in children’s education. Donahue says that puzzles are “less intimidating than a lot of other educational instruments,” so kids have more confidence when practicing their skills. “With games, puzzles, and boardgames, there is an attainable solution. And if it is attainable, kids don’t give up.” Educators like Donahue know that solving puzzles isn’t just fun. It actually exercises skills that make it easier for kids to understand and retain difficult lessons. These include critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, creativity, visualization, and memory. The benefits of puzzle solving don’t end with helping kids learn. Working on puzzles can also build social skills and promote positive thinking. Working together with other individuals demonstrates patience, teamwork, and listening skills. Furthermore, “Overcoming the challenges involved in solving a puzzle really gives [kids] a sense of achievement and pride within themselves,” says Janice Davis, Early Childhood Teacher and Learning 4 Kids Founder. “It provides a boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem.” Building Math and Science Skills: One Minute Mysteries Number-oriented games like chess, checkers, or the card game “ninety-nine” are great ways to exercise math skills. Logic puzzles and story problems are even better. Fun story problems can be found in our One Minute Mysteries series, which offer brief, one-page “mysteries” that can only be solved using math and logic skills. These brainteasers can be worked on individually or discussed together before revealing the answer on the next page. “Math often gets a bad rap for being hard and unpleasant. Mysteries, on the other hand, are fun and exciting…. Readers get to use their logic and reasoning skills while playing Sherlock Holmes!” ~ Ryan McAllister, Ph.D., a biophysicist at Georgetown University Our One Minute Mysteries provide a great opportunity for you and your little one to be super sleuths, tap into your science and/or math knowledge, and hone your critical thinking skills! Each story takes just one minute to read, and challenges your child's knowledge in a variety of science disciplines. These brainteasers keep you engaged and eager to learn more! Written by a father-daughter team, these entertaining and educational books are great for kids, grown-ups, educators, and anyone who loves good mysteries! Blending Math and Science Skills with Brainteasers and Puzzles Incorporating brainteasers and puzzles into educational lessons can be tricky, but fortunately the One Minute Mysteries series has done this for you! The brainteasers format found in these mysteries requires kids to think critically and utilize their science knowledge to find a solution. Even without specific math or science content, any puzzle can be used to introduce the scientific method. To solve a puzzle, students must observe, hypothesize, test their solution, and make conclusions. Every month Science Naturally has a new Mystery of the Month that you and your child can use to put those brain muscles to the test. You can sign also up to get monthly emails with one of the mysteries from the books in our One Minute Mysteries series!

Despite what you may think becoming an inventor is not just an adult job. Throughout history there are many innovative little learners who created some of the most well-known inventions today. January 17th is Kid Inventors' Day (did you notice it spells K.I.D?), and we want to celebrate by sharing some of their amazing stories. These incredible stories are sure to inspire any child who dreams of creating something scientifically amazing! We also address ways to spark young kids' imaginations, foster creativity, and teach them to always “try, try, try again!” Some Well Known Kid Inventors George Nissen At the young age of 16, George invented one of the most entertaining outdoor activities known today: the trampoline. George invented the trampoline way back in 1930 after watching a trapeze artist drop into the safety nets beneath him. Trampolines help kids get more exercise, and develop their balance and agility as well, but most of all they are tons of fun! Thank you, George! Chester Greenwood Back in 1877 15-year-old Chester Greenwood was cold, but instead of simply complaining he did something about it and invented ear muffs! He took a wire frame, had his grandmother sew a piece of beaver of skin to the ends, and ear muffs were born. This ingenious invention even helped World War I soldiers avoid frostbite! The ear muff evolved into the kinds of hearing protection we wear today to keep us safe from loud noises, and modern ear muffs not only keep you warm but they are an important fashion statement as well! Frank Epperson Who doesn't love a delicious popsicle? I bet you didn't know, though, that this sugary treat was created in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson! Frank's discovery of the popsicle happened by accident when he left a cup filled with a soda powder, water, and a stirring stick on his porch overnight where it froze. It took Frank a while to turn this happy accident into today's modern popsicle - he didn't start selling his yummy invention until 20 years later! We are all grateful Frank didn't keep this ingenius idea to himself! Sarah Buckel 14 year old Sarah Buckel invented magnetic locker wallpaper back in 2006. Sarah was tired of the tedious task of scraping her locker to clean at the end of the year, so she invented an easier solution! We love it when kids take a problem they have and turn it into an invention! Now, thanks to Sarah, young students can bring out their own creativity with customized locker spaces at school. Abbey Fleck In 1993 eight-year-old Abbey Fleck invented one of the simplest ways to make bacon. Abbey's family didn't have enough paper towels to soak up bacon grease, so Abbey figured a better way to cook her bacon. After a little trial and error and a good deal of perseverance, Abbey invented 'Makin Bacon'. Thanks to Abbey we have a safer, healthier way to cook one of our favorite foods! Alissa Chavez In 2014, 14-year-old Alissa Chavez invented the 'Hot Seat'. Alissa was distraught after hearing stories about children who died after being left in hot cars, so she decided to do something about it. She created a small sensor that is placed in a car seat along with a child, and this sensor is connected to the parents' smart phone. If the cushion senses that the cell phone has moved more than 20 feet from the car with the baby still in the seat, it sounds an alarm to alert the parents. Alissa's ingenuity and desire to make babies safer has literally saved lives! Louis Braille We all know what Braille is, but did you know that is was invented in 1854 by its 15-year-old namesake, Louis Braille? Louis suffered an eye injury when he was three years old which rendered him blind. Over the years Louis taught himself the silent method of communication that we know as Braille today. The ground-breaking invention has improved the lives of visually impaired worldwide! Your Child Can Be an Inventor Too! There are many ways to bring out the inventor in your child. Their curious minds love to explore and analyze the world around them. It's important to create an environment that will foster creativity and innovation in your child's mind. Encourage your child to focus on their strengths instead of their weaknesses, and build resilience by helping them learn from mistakes instead of losing themselves to disappointment. Perseverance and motivation are key! When they come across obstacles or challenges in their life, ask them to think of solutions and innovative new ways to solve problems! Science Wide Open We love to encourage little scientists every day! Help bring out the inner inventor in your child with our Science Wide Open collection. This series teaches young children about chemistry, biology, and physics, while highlighting many of the mind-blowing achievements of women in science! While reading through this inspiring book you will follow a young protagonist who asks questions about the world around her, and a scientifically astute narrator whose answers are crafted to be both accurate and understandable for your little one's mind. These books will help create a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and physics and gives them a great starting point for their innovative future!