1. KEEPING VOTES SECRET IN GEORGIA

When people vote in an election, their choices are supposed to be private. In Georgia, researchers found a problem with voting technology that could possibly allow someone to figure out how certain people voted by connecting different computer records. New artificial intelligence tools can make sorting through these records much easier. The problem does not change people’s votes or mean that the vote totals are wrong, but it could threaten voters’ privacy. Georgia election officials are taking steps to make the records harder to connect, while other experts want changes to the voting system itself. A secret ballot is important because people should be able to choose who they support without someone watching or pressuring them. Design a “Keep My Vote Private” voting booth for a school election. Draw your booth and add at least three features that would keep each student’s choice secret. Label each feature and explain how it protects privacy. At the bottom, write two sentences explaining why people should be able to vote without having to tell anyone which choice they made.

2. DO MONKEYS AND APES HAVE “PETS” TOO?

Humans may not be the only animals that enjoy caring for creatures of other species. Scientists studied hundreds of examples of monkeys and apes interacting with animals such as dogs, birds, squirrels, deer and lizards. Some primates played with or groomed the other animals, while a few even cared for them for long periods. In one case, capuchin monkeys adopted a baby marmoset and cared for it for months. Scientists do not think these relationships are exactly the same as humans keeping pets, but they may contain some of the same ingredients, such as curiosity, friendship and caregiving. Studying these surprising animal friendships could help scientists better understand why humans became so interested in having animal companions. Become an animal behavior detective. Choose one unusual animal pair from the story and draw what a scientist might see while observing them. Around your picture, add three observation notes describing behaviors such as playing, grooming, carrying or caring for the other animal. Then write what you think the behavior might tell scientists about the relationship between the two animals.

3. JIMOTHY THE RACCOON BECOMES A SEATTLE CELEBRITY

A raccoon in Seattle named Jimothy became an internet star because of his unusual appearance. Jimothy seems to have almost no neck and moves differently from other raccoons, but people quickly became fond of him. His fame inspired artwork, special events and even a charity auction that raised thousands of dollars for a food bank. Jimothy’s story also shows a problem that can happen when wild animals become famous. Crowds of people trying to photograph or approach a wild animal can frighten it or put it in danger. Jimothy has helped bring people together, but his story is also a reminder that one way to show kindness to wildlife is to admire animals from a safe distance. Jimothy’s fame helped people raise money for others. Plan your own “Wildlife Helps the Community” event inspired by a local animal. Give your event a name, draw a poster for it and choose a good cause that it would support, such as a food bank, animal shelter or park. Include one rule on your poster that reminds visitors how to respect wild animals.

4. RE-CREATING THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN 250 YEARS LATER

About 300 people dressed as soldiers from the Revolutionary War to re-create the Battle of Brooklyn, which happened in 1776. The real battle was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War and took place soon after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The modern re-enactors worked hard to make their clothing and equipment look like items used 250 years ago. Some slept on blankets, wore uncomfortable old-fashioned shoes and carried reproduction muskets. However, they could not copy everything exactly: They traveled by buses, worked around a modern race in the park and made other changes to keep the event manageable. Re-enactments like this one are sometimes called “living history” because they allow people to experience parts of history instead of only reading about them. Fold a piece of paper in half and title one side “1776” and the other “2026 Re-enactment.” Draw a Revolutionary War soldier on one side and a modern re-enactor on the other. Add at least four labels showing what was similar and what was different about their clothing, travel, food, sleeping arrangements or experience. Circle the detail that surprised you most.

5. TURNING OFF LIGHTS CAN HELP MIGRATING BIRDS

Nearly half a billion birds may fly across the United States during the fall migration as they travel toward warmer places with more food. Many birds make their journeys at night, but bright lights from buildings can confuse them and pull them toward cities. Birds can also have trouble seeing glass windows and may crash into them. Experts estimate that more than a billion birds die from building collisions each year. People can help by turning off unnecessary lights at night and putting special patterns on windows so birds can see the glass. Scientists even use weather radar to follow huge groups of migrating birds and predict when especially large numbers will be flying overhead. Design a building that would be safe for migrating birds. Draw a house, school or tall building at night. Add at least three changes that could make your building safer for migrating birds, such as turning off unnecessary lights, using motion sensors or adding visible patterns to windows. Use arrows and labels to explain each change, and add a short slogan encouraging other people to help birds travel safely.