1. WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE BEGINS

A new professional baseball league for women played its first game in Springfield, Illinois. More than 4,000 fans came to watch, even though rain made the field wet and windy. The Los Angeles Queens came from behind to defeat the New York Heights 10-8. Players and fans said the game was important because girls can now see women competing in professional baseball. Before the game, 99-year-old Maybelle Blair threw a special first pitch. She once played in an earlier women’s baseball league and helped inspire future generations of players. Create a poster welcoming fans to the new women’s baseball league. Include the name of a team, a picture of a player in action, and a slogan that encourages girls to follow their athletic dreams. Then write three or four sentences explaining why seeing women play professional sports can inspire young people.

2. A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will pass over parts of Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon moves directly between Earth and the sun and blocks the sun’s light for a short time. Some places will become dark for more than two minutes, while people in other regions will see only part of the sun covered. Scientists will use telescopes, airplanes, satellites, and high-flying balloons to study the eclipse and changes in Earth’s atmosphere. People must wear special eclipse glasses whenever any part of the sun is visible. The same day may also include a meteor shower and several planets appearing in the sky. Make a three-part eclipse safety card. In the first section, draw how the sun, moon, and Earth line up during an eclipse. In the second section, write two rules for watching safely. In the final section, describe one thing a scientist might learn by studying the sky during the eclipse.

3. ICE AGE CLOTHING

Olga Soffer died last week at the age of 83. Soffer began her career working in fashion, but she later became an archaeologist who studied people from the Ice Age. Archaeologists learn about the past by examining objects and remains left behind by earlier people. Soffer studied tiny marks on pieces of clay that were more than 26,000 years old. She discovered that some marks had been made by woven cloth and plant fibers. Her research showed that prehistoric people made cloth, baskets, nets, hats, belts, and skirts much earlier than scientists once believed. Her work also helped show that women played important roles as makers, workers, and hunters in ancient communities. Choose one Ice Age object mentioned in the story, such as a basket, net, cap, belt, or skirt. Draw what you think it might have looked like and label the materials that could have been used to make it. Under your drawing, explain how that object may have helped people survive or complete an everyday task.

4. CRASH LANDING

A used section of a SpaceX rocket is expected to crash into the moon after drifting through space for more than a year. It will strike the moon at about 5,400 miles per hour and may create a crater nearly 90 feet wide. Scientists hope to observe the dust and rocks thrown up by the crash. Spacecraft orbiting the moon will take pictures before and after the impact so researchers can study the changes. The crash is not expected to cause a major problem, but it reminds scientists that more rockets and spacecraft are creating space junk. Better tracking may be needed to protect future robots, astronauts, and moon bases. Design a “space traffic control” system that could help people keep track of old rockets and other space junk. Draw a control screen, satellite, warning signal, or tracking map. Add labels showing how your system would find dangerous objects and warn astronauts before a crash happens.

5. DOGS COMPETE IN A SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

Dogs of many sizes competed in the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California. The dogs wore colorful life jackets and rode surfboards toward the beach while their human helpers chose safe waves. Judges scored the dogs on how long they stayed on the board, the size of the wave, and how confident they appeared. Some events included two dogs or a dog and a person sharing the same board. Hundreds of spectators cheered for the animals from the beach. The event also raised money for animal charities and helped pets find new homes. Create an award certificate for a surfing dog. Give the dog a name and invent a special prize, such as “Best Balance,” “Bravest Rider,” or “Most Colorful Life Jacket.” Decorate the certificate, and write a short announcement explaining what the dog did to earn the award.