1. N.A.S.A. RETURNS TO THE MOON

NASA is getting ready to send astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Long ago, the Apollo missions helped humans reach the moon and even land on it. Now NASA’s Artemis program is beginning a new chapter, but it will work differently. Artemis II will send four astronauts on a trip around the moon and back without landing, helping NASA test new spacecraft and prepare for future missions. The new program also includes a more diverse crew and bigger plans, including longer stays on the moon and someday traveling to Mars. Pretend your class has been asked to welcome the Artemis astronauts before their trip. Write a short message of 4–5 sentences telling them what makes this mission important, what you hope they learn, and why space exploration still matters today. Try to include one detail that shows how Artemis is different from Apollo.

NASA says it wants to move faster in space and build a real base on the moon over the next several years. The agency shared a plan with different stages, starting with robots and equipment, then building places astronauts can visit, and finally creating a more permanent outpost. NASA also wants to test a nuclear-powered spacecraft that could help with future Mars missions. Leaders hope these plans will inspire people and help the United States stay ahead in the new space race, especially as China works toward landing astronauts on the moon, too. Imagine you are designing one part of a future moon base for astronauts to use. In 3 to 5 sentences, explain what your part of the base would do, why astronauts would need it, and how it would help people live or work on the moon more safely. Give your invention or building a name that sounds futuristic.

Nestlé says a huge shipment of KitKat candy bars disappeared while traveling from Italy to Poland. The missing load included more than 400,000 candy bars, and the company says the truck and its cargo still have not been found. Nestlé warned that the stolen candy could show up in unofficial places for sale, but each bar has a special code that can help track it. The company also said cargo theft is becoming a bigger problem for businesses. A mystery like this sounds almost like the start of a funny detective story. Write 4 sentences describing what might happen if you were the investigator on the case. Explain what clues you would look for, who you might interview, and how the batch codes could help solve the mystery.

Aquifers are underground places where water is stored, kind of like savings accounts for communities. When rain or melted snow soaks into the ground, it helps fill them back up. In many parts of the world, people have used groundwater faster than nature can replace it, causing water levels to drop. But scientists say this problem can be improved. In places like Beijing and Green Bay, leaders found ways to bring in water from other sources, use reclaimed water, and reduce too much pumping. These efforts helped damaged aquifers begin to recover, showing that groundwater shortages do not always have to last forever. Imagine your town learned that its groundwater supply was getting too low. Write at least 5 sentences explaining one idea your community could try to help protect or refill its aquifer. Be sure to describe how the plan would work and why it could make a difference over time.

The cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C., have reached peak bloom, which means most of the flowers are open and showing their soft pink color. Every spring, these trees attract many visitors, and their blooming also marks the start of the city’s busy tourist season. The blossoms do not last long, though, because wind, rain, or sudden weather changes can make the petals fall quickly. The trees have a long history, too: they were first given as a gift from Japan in 1912 and are still celebrated each year with a festival. Close your eyes and picture walking beside the cherry trees at peak bloom. Then write 5 descriptive sentences that capture what the scene might look, feel, and sound like. Use strong detail so a reader can imagine the petals, the crowds, and the feeling of spring arriving all at once.