Showing results by author "Amy Tao Tao" in All Categories

Surviving in the desert heat can be dangerous–from deadly shifting sands to a lack of food and water, learn how animals like the Dromedary camel uses its eyelids to shield it from swirling sand, how Sandgrouse chicks soak up water from feathers on their fathers belly, and how the kangaroo rat never takes a drink!

Reusing your trash to make toys can be lots of fun–and decrease pollution and waste! Things we use around the house get old and we throw them away. What if you use them to make toys or gadgets that make life better? Experts think reusing things may be better than recycling! Learn how to make a piggy bank from a plastic can or a train with egg cartons. What things can you create by reusing?

Have you ever had an idea for a new product or service? That is the first step towards becoming an inventor! Learn the process of inventing something new to solve an everyday problem. Brainstorm! Draw! Make a model! Test! Does it solve the problem? Become an inventor today!

Animals have different-looking ears, yet, help them to hear! Some animals have large floppy ears like the bunny, who points each ear in different directions–hearing two sounds at once! The harbor seal that has no ears, yet hears through holes that close when it dives! Whether floppy or unnoticed–these animals have ears perfect for hearing!

Do you think you are a good climber? You probably can't beat a mountain goat! Known as Kings of the Mountain, they can climb the steepest of mountains, even as babies! Learn the special anatomical features of their bodies that allows goats to seemingly climb straight up mountains and even jump nearly 12 feet in the air. Do you think you can go toe-to-toe with the goats?

Some animals have skin that will shock you! Well, they may not actually shock you but the skin has unique abilities that might surprise you. Learn how certain animals are able to change their appearance by changing skin color or texture, how others can make you sick with their poison, or animals whose skins peel off. Just imagine what it would be like to live in these skins!

Learn what bird has the ability to sleep while flying through the sky–the albatross! With a wingspan of 10 feet, this sea bird glides over the warm Southern waters looking for squid and fish to eat! They spend most of their time flying except when eating or feeding babies. Parent duty is shared by these loyal birds who stay with their mate for life. Guess where the albatross flies to lay its egg?

Firefighter Greg has a physical job to do so he stays strong and fit. He gets up early in the morning and sleeps where he works. Did you know that Firefighter Greg practices putting on his safety gear–in less than one minute? Or that his gear–helmet, facemask, air pack, boots and jacket–weighs 75 pounds? Find out how firefighters practice putting out fires in a training tower!

Cats are fascinating creatures! They have different traits that make the way they see, hear, smell, and even move very different from humans. Some might say that they can do all these things better than you can! Do you know the differences between cat and human senses?

Did you know your eyelids close and open 10 to 20 times a minute! Your eyes have parts that work together. The pupil lets light into your eyes. The iris controls how much light gets in. The cornea, a bowl-shaped layer, covers and protects your eyeballs. Discover how hairs on your eyelashes protect your eyes from germs and dirt, and other ways your eyes help you see and keep you safe!

Do you know how your ears can hear? Did you know they’re responsible for other things, too? For one thing, they keep you balanced on your feet! Learn about the anatomy of your ear and how its structure allows you to hear all the different noises you experience every day.

Have you ever wondered how your senses work? Learn about the interesting ways your senses allow you to perceive the world around you by doing the fun tests with some friends! Learn about how your sense of smell and taste are affected by completing these fun activities!

The nose helps your body do more than just sniff and smell yummy foods! Without your nose, your favorite foods won't taste as good, your lungs won't have the warm air needed to stay healthy, and germs from outside your body will have an easier route in! Did you know your body makes mucus to wash away germs that find their way in your body? Discover how fabulous your nose really is!

Germs are everywhere and make your body sick. Never fear–the body is a germ-fighting machine designed to fight these intruders and keep you healthy. If you get a cut, blood clumps together to stop bleeding. Mucus, the sticky goo in your nose, catches germs to help you sneeze them out. Eyelashes and eyelids form tears that block some germs! Discover ways the body fights to keep germs out.

Tiny creatures called microbes live in, and on your body that can be helpful. But some are bad like bacteria and viruses–in fact, they can make you sick! Your body needs medicine called antibiotics to fight and kill these germs so you can feel better. You must get a different medicine called a vaccine to keep from catching a virus.

Imagine if the sunlight could not reach where you lived–the weather would be cold and slippery! The sun does not shine directly on the Arctic and Antarctica, causing the surrounding waters to freeze solid. The earth is tilted as it rotates around the sun, preventing the polar regions from getting enough sunlight. Can you guess how long it takes the earth to orbit the sun?

Have you ever wondered what lifts a big, heavy airplane up in the sky without falling down? This article explains how their wings and air keeps planes—and birds, too—flying high! Learn how wings work just by blowing on a piece of paper in a fun experiment.

Go on an adventure with Polly as she learns how to use special names to categorize shapes! Any closed, flat shape with at least three straight sides is called a polygon. Did you know a quadrilateral—or a shape with four straight sides—can have several names? You can call one a parallelogram, a rhombus, a trapezoid, or even a square! What shapes can you recognize?

Slither into the scaly world of the mighty python! Learn about all the parts that make the python such a strange and misunderstood creature. See how its anatomy allows it to be more than just a limbless tube-like animal! Gain knowledge about this reptile’s habits and senses.

Have you ever heard of a bug hotel? There are some insects that help plants by spreading pollen and improving the soil, but they don’t always show up in every garden. To help encourage them to move in, some gardeners build little houses for them!