Whip up these delicious recipes, as the festive season arrives!
A visit to the mithai-wala is sure to leave you confused. So, here’s a solution. Step into the kitchen and whip up some delicacies. While you do so, make sure an adult is around so that you don’t hurt yourself.
This weekend, make it special with this game to play with your friends and family
Throwing a frisbee is more than just a fun beach activity. It’s a globally competitive sport!
What is the big deal about a simple flying disc? A lot, apparently!
Competitive disc throwing is a serious global sport and with several variations to boot.
Competitive Freestyle combines aspects of gymnastics and dance with the basic game of throw and catch. Teams of two or three players perform choreographed routines consisting of throws, catches and moves with one or more discs.
Photo: Marco Consani/CC BY 3.0
Like a traditional golf game but instead of a ball and clubs, players throw a disc from a teepad to a hole, target or basket). The aim is to complete each hole in as few throws as possible.
Photo: Max Pixel
It is a non-contact, self-refereed team discipline played with a flying disc. The official disc is the 175 g Discraft Ultrastar.
Photo: Ed Yourdon/CC BY-SA 2.0
Some rules of the game:
Source: World flying Disc Federation
This Deepavali, let’s act responsibly. Say ‘no’ to fireworks that pollute and choose the greener options.
The festival season is well on its way, and what better time to burst crackers, right?
Wrong. There’s everything wrong with firecrackers. Why? Primarily, it causes extensive air pollution and fills the air with metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke. Some of the toxins never fully decompose or disintegrate, poisoning everything they come in contact with.
So, how can we celebrate Deepavali without crackers, you ask? Here’s the solution. Green crackers. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed crackers that are kind to the environment and to you.
In today’s climate, where health is a primary concern for all, it is best to say no to firecrackers or burning waste, especially dry leaves. Carbon particles from the fumes, and chemical vapours from firecrackers can aggravate pre-existing allergic conditions.
Here are some tips to ensure that you and your friends are safe:
History is full of brave kings and queens and their achievements. How many of these rulers do you know about?
Remember the stories of Akbar and Birbal? Or about Rani Abbakka fighting off the Portuguese? This activity is based on many such vignettes from history. Use the clues to identify the king or queen we’re talking about. How many do you know?
Deepavali is a time to revel in the victory of good over evil, and the birth of all things auspicious.
The festival of lights is here. Don your new clothes, enjoy the delicacies, and burst some crackers… but set aside some time to get familiar with some fascinating legends that surround Deepavali.
Add to the festive cheer with this handmade gift box that’s perfect for the season!
Deepavali is not just about the sweets and fireworks, it’s also about exchanging love and gifts! How about packing your gift in this box that resembles a firecracker?
Part #14: May your Diwali turn out to be as exciting as Hanuman’s day … with loads of tasty snacks and the rockets he is able to make at home, thanks to Nala.
Nala and Hanuman are playing in the garden, while Hanuman’s mother Anjana prepares snacks, including Hanuman’s favourite vada and puttu (steamed rice cake), for them. Hanuman gets excited when he hears the cooker whistle.
Hanuman: Hey, Nala! Did you hear that yummy sound?
Nala: Ha ha! Yes. Did you know that’s the world’s first rocket?
Hanuman: The cooker is world’s first rocket?
Nala: Not exactly; but, technically, yes.
Hanuman: Let me get some snacks and then you can tell me in detail…
Hanuman brings back a plate full of dishes and the cooker as well.
Hanuman: Is this really the world’s first rocket?
Nala: Something similar to this. It’s called the wooden pigeon and was invented by Archytas in 400 BC.
Hanuman: Tell me more!
Nala: It is based on Newton’s Third Law of Motion: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The pressure that builds up inside the cooker pushes against the top and moves it up.
Hanuman: Just like how it pushes the cooker’s pressure regulator, or what mom calls the ‘weight’!
Nala: That’s right.
Hanuman: Can we try building one? But mom may not allow it as it involves fire.
Nala: Don’t worry. We can build similar rockets using the principle of air pressure without fire.
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Step 1: Cut the balloon’s neck using scissors so that it will be easy to tape
Step 2: Insert 1 or 2 straws inside the balloon
Step 3: Tape the inserted straws and make sure air doesn’t leak in the taped part.
Step 4: The balloon rocket is ready for launch. Blow into the straw and let it go. You will see the balloon moving high up like a rocket.
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Hanuman: What will happen to the rocket’s movement if we bend the straw?
Nala: That will give you the world’s second rocket technology called “Aeolipile” or Hero’s Engine.
Hanuman: Really? Can you tell me more?
Nala: It was invented by a scientist called Heron of Alexandria. People started calling it as Hero’s engine. Did you know it is also the basic technology behind steam engines?
Hanuman: Wow! I am going to replace regular straws with bendable straws.
Hanuman bends the ends and blows into the balloon. When he releases it, it spins instead of travelling straight!
Nala: The principle behind this is the Newton’s Third Law again. The balloon produces an action by squeezing the air inside causing it to rush out of the straw. The air travelling around the bend in the straw, exerts a reaction force at a right angle to the straw. This force causes the balloon rocket to spin.
Hanuman: Amazing!
Hanuman plays with it for a few times
Hanuman: Nala, is there a way to build a super fast rocket without mom worrying about our safety?
Nala: How about we use some ingredients from the kitchen to power our rocket then?
Hanuman: Really? We can do that?
Nala: Yes. But first please ask your mother’s permission and also ask her to supervise. Then, let’s move to an open space because this experiment will be messy and the rocket will shoot up.
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Materials required:
Plastic bottle (500 ml)
Vinegar or lemon juice
Baking soda 1 tbsp
Cork that fits into the bottle’s mouth
Cardboard sheet
The author is the founder and CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, an IIT-Madras incubated ed-tech startup that offers Air Science workshops for children between five and 14 years.
I am a symbol of peace and progress in a complex and challenging world. What else do you know about me? Watch this video and find out.
Time to up your GK quotient with this quiz.
How many of these questions you can answer. Get, set, go!
