What’s in a spacesuit that makes it crucial for a safe spacewalk? What’s a spacewalk in the first place? Come, let’s find out.
Did you know some astronauts spend days and even months in the International Space Station, a research laboratory that orbits the Earth? Besides conducting experiments in space, they may need to do spacewalks to work outside the station in their spacesuit.
On the one side, a spacewalk could be exciting — it offers a spectacular view of the Earth and the infinite universe, but on the other, it has its own share of risks.
Recently, NASA, an independent space agency in the U.S., conducted two spacewalks to replace batteries in the international Space Station. One of them was supposed to be an all-female foray — a historic moment — but it was scrapped due to lack of adequate spacesuits. NASA had to send out a male-female crew instead. One more is scheduled to take place on April 8. In the meantime, let us give you a walkthrough of the extravehicular activity. Scroll through these slides to read.
Click on the hotspots to know what’s in a spacesuit
Movies are entertaining, but one thing that adds zing to them is the special effects! These illusions or visual tricks take cinema to another level.
In the movies, nothing is impossible. Dinosaurs roam the Earth, humans rocket to distant galaxies and combat alien races, monsters rise from the sea and destroy cities, staircases move…
This cinematic magic is made possible by special effects artists. Here are some movies that bear testimony to their brilliance.
Click on ‘turn’ to read more about each movie. Click on the arrow to move to the next movie.
Fifteen-year-old Greta Thunberg is raising awareness of climate issues at the Swedish parliament.
Greta Thunberg is protesting — every Friday, she is on the steps of the Riksdag, the country’s parliament building, in Stockholm. She is demanding that the government undertake a radical response to climate change. Many members of parliament have expressed support for her position, and every one of them has said that she should really be at school. Her parents think so too. She too believes that she should really go to school, but, she is right to protest.
She hands out leaflets that say:
“I am doing this because you adults are shitting on my future.”
“I am doing this because nobody else is doing anything. It is my moral responsibility to do what I can.”
“I want the politicians to prioritise the climate question, focus on the climate and treat it like a crisis.”
Greta Thunberg’s lone school strike which began last September became the catalyst for a global movement. She was applauded by the audience of political, business and civil society leaders, despite her uncompromising message that the older generation was failing those of the future.
Find out more about Greta with the help of these dialog cards.
Catch a glimpse of the worldwide movement she sparked.
What better to way to make the seemingly boring arithmetic problems interesting, than by giving them a sporty twist? Have a ball solving them.
What are sports without numbers, points, scores, statistics, and probability? Sports and math have a natural connection.
Coaches use mathematical tools to help predict the outcome of a game and analyse the performance of a team or and individual athlete. For instance, math can help a team decide the best batting order, to maximise the number of runs it can score.
Using data derived through mathematical calculations, like speed, the angle of throw or serve, velocity, and so on, an athlete’s performance can be improved upon.
Here are a few simple arithmetic problems presented with a sporting twist, to make them enjoyable.
Winners in yellow, life saving tech, a missile launch…a lot has happened over the week across the country. Find out…
The IPL season is on, a species of fish is at risk, and so much more. Click on the hotspots to read about the latest from states around the country.
It’s time for another quick spelling quiz! Try guessing the right spelling of these commonly misspelt words. Take the challenge now.
Are you a spelling bee master? Try identify the correct spelling of these words. From the below options, click on the correct spelling.
We have the power to choose our leaders through the process of voting. How do elections work? Watch this video to find out.
Are you in the mood to create something that’s quick and will brighten up your study desk? Try this craft.
What better way to to organise your pencils than with a handmade pencil holder? Try this simple craft that requires very few materials and is a good destresser.
Water is the driving force of all nature. And, it is fast disappearing. This World Water Day let us see if there are ways to manage this precious resource.
What will happen if we ran out of clean water? Did you know that there are people around the world who do not enjoy the basic privilege of safe water at home? March 22 is World Water Day — a day about tackling the global water crisis in households, schools, workplaces and farms.
What is ‘safe water’? It refers to water that is free from contamination, and available whenever needed. The world cannot grow and prosper if there are people without access to safe water. When they are forced to use unsafe or contaminated water, they risk contracting deadly diseases.
The theme, this year, is ‘Leaving no one behind’. Women, children, refugees, and disabled people sometimes face discrimination when they try to access water. This is against the basic human right to water — which entitles everyone to water for drinking, personal sanitation, washing clothes, food preparation, and household hygiene. This year’s World Water Day will focus on the reasons why so many people are being left behind.
Water woes
2.1 billion people live without safe water at home
More than 700 children under five years of age die every day from diarrhoea linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
Globally, 80% of the people who have to use unsafe and unprotected water sources live in rural areas.
Around four billion people — that is, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population — experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year.
700 million people worldwide could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.
For the 68.5 million people who have been forced to flee their homes, accessing safe water services is highly problematic.
(Source: www.worldwaterday.org)
Here are some ways in which you can save water:
We use our teeth every day to eat and to speak. But how much do you know about them? Find out with this interactive game.
Did you know that your teeth are one of the strongest parts of your body? They’re made from proteins such as collagen, and minerals such as calcium. Not only do they help you chew through even the toughest foods, they also help you speak clearly.
Most adults have 32 teeth, 16 on the upper jaw and 16 below. Children have only 20 at first, also known as milk teeth, 10 on the top and 10 below. As children grow, some of the milk teeth fall out and more teeth grow in their place!
There are different type of teeth — incisors, canines, pre-molars and molars. Here’s a game to help you find out which is which…
Now that you know the types of teeth, use the above image to count how many an adult has and fill in the blanks.
Children on the other hand only have:
– 4 incisors
– 2 canines
– 4 molars
Teeth are important to us. Imagine not being able to bite into your favourite food! While your teeth are really strong, they won’t last a lifetime unless you take good care of them. To keep your teeth in good shape, floss and brush regularly, and follow up with professional dental cleanings every six months.