President Trump has announced that the government will release secret files about Amelia Earhart, a famous pilot who disappeared nearly 90 years ago. Earhart was trying to become the first woman to fly all the way around the world when her plane vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Most experts believe she ran out of gas and crashed into the sea, but people have wondered for decades if something else happened. The government spent $4 million searching for her, the most ever at that time, but no one ever found her or her plane. Historians are excited that new documents might tell us more about Earhart’s final flight and remind us of her brave accomplishments in aviation. Using resources in your classroom or the internet, look up Amelia Earhart’s accomplishments and disappearance. Write 3–4 sentences comparing Amelia Earhart to another explorer or adventurer you’ve learned about (like astronauts, mountain climbers, or sea explorers). How were their journeys similar? How were they different?

Many people in the United States love milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, but experts say there are a lot of myths about dairy. Some people think milk is the only way to get strong bones, but you can get calcium and other nutrients from foods like fish and leafy greens too. Others believe low-fat dairy is always better, but scientists say either low-fat or whole milk can be healthy depending on your needs. Plant milks, like almond or oat milk, aren’t always more nutritious than cow’s milk because they can have less protein or added sugar. People with lactose intolerance don’t always have to avoid dairy — they can choose lactose-free products or eat foods like hard cheese or yogurt that are easier to digest. Finally, raw milk may sound healthy, but it can carry dangerous germs, so pasteurized milk is much safer. Create a colorful poster for your school cafeteria that busts one of the dairy myths you read about. In one sentence, write the myth at the top. Underneath, write one or two sentences showing the real truth. Add a drawing of a food that matches your myth.

Three new satellites blasted off from Florida to study the sun and its powerful storms. Solar storms can cause beautiful lights in the sky, called auroras, but they can also interfere with radios, satellites, and even put astronauts in danger. NASA and NOAA worked together to launch the satellites on the same rocket, which saved money like a “cosmic carpool.” One satellite will study the edge of our solar system, another will watch Earth’s glowing outer atmosphere, and a third will keep track of the sun’s solar wind. These new tools will help scientists give warnings before dangerous solar storms, which will help protect astronauts and people on Earth. Pretend you are a weather reporter giving a forecast, but instead of Earth’s weather, you’re reporting on the sun. Write 3–4 sentences about what your satellites are watching and why it matters for people and astronauts.

In Vermont, people gathered recently to take part in the Northeast Open Atlatl Championship. An atlatl is an ancient tool humans invented thousands of years ago to throw spears farther and faster. Long ago, hunters used atlatls to hunt giant animals like woolly mammoths. Today, fans of history and archaeology use them for fun and to learn what life was like in the past. At the competition, people of all ages practiced throwing darts with atlatls, aiming for targets and testing their distance. Some throws can reach more than 800 feet! For many, the event is both a sport and a way to connect with history. Write 3–4 sentences making a timeline of how the atlatl was used: first by ancient hunters, then rediscovered by archaeologists, and now used in fun competitions. Draw a picture of what an atlatl might look like in each stage of history.

Every year, people in New Zealand vote for their favorite native bird in a special contest called Bird of the Year. This year’s winner was the k?rearea, or New Zealand falcon, a fast and powerful bird that can swoop at over 120 miles per hour! The falcon is special but also threatened because it can lose its forest home or get hurt on power lines. The contest is fun, with people making posters, costumes, and even silly jokes to support their favorite birds. But it also has a serious purpose — to remind people that many of New Zealand’s birds are in danger and need protection. Choose one of New Zealand’s birds (it could be the falcon or another bird you like). Write 2–3 sentences explaining why people should vote for your bird in the contest. Then, draw a colorful campaign poster to go with your message.