When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, strong winds knocked down trees and power lines all over the island. Many people lost electricity—but not everyone! Homeowners with rooftop solar panels, like Jennifer Hue, still had power the next morning. Neighbors came to her house to charge phones, store food, and stay cool. Across Jamaica, more people are choosing solar energy because it’s clean, reliable, and helps them recover faster after storms. The country hopes to make half of its electricity come from renewable energy by 2030. Imagine your town had a big storm that knocked out the power. Write 4–5 sentences describing how you would help your neighbors if your home had solar panels and still had electricity. What could you share? How would it make you feel to help others? Draw a small picture of your neighborhood in the sunshine after the storm.

Scientists have discovered that a fossil once thought to be a teenage T. rex actually belonged to a whole new species! The “Dueling Dinosaurs” fossil, showing a triceratops and a tyrannosaur locked in battle, was found in Montana. Experts used special tools and 3-D models to study the bones. They learned that the smaller dinosaur wasn’t a young T. rex—it was a full-grown Nanotyrannus, a faster, lighter predator that lived alongside T. rex. This find helps scientists understand that more kinds of dinosaurs existed before the asteroid hit Earth. Pretend you are a paleontologist who just found a new dinosaur fossil. In 4–5 sentences, describe what it looks like, what you will name it, and what clues tell you what kind of dinosaur it was. End by explaining how your discovery could change what scientists know about dinosaurs.

Long ago, ancient Rome built thousands of stone roads across its empire. A new digital map shows that the Roman road network was even bigger than anyone knew—almost 186,000 miles long! Archaeologists used old writings, aerial photos, and satellite images to find hidden road paths stretching from Spain to Syria. These roads helped soldiers, traders, and travelers move goods and ideas across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Many modern roads still follow the same routes the Romans made 2,000 years ago! On a sheet of paper, draw your own “mini empire” with at least three cities, towns, or landmarks. Then, draw roads connecting them, and write 3 sentences explaining why you built your roads where you did. What makes travel easier? How do your roads help people share things and stay connected?

Scientists exploring a cave between Albania and Greece found something amazing—a spider web as big as a small house! The web stretches over 1,100 square feet and holds about 111,000 spiders. Even more surprising, two kinds of spiders that usually fight each other were living together peacefully. Experts think the dark cave and plenty of food helped them cooperate instead of fight. The web looks shiny and bouncy, like layers of white silk sparkling under a light. Imagine you are a scientist exploring that dark cave. Write 5 sentences describing what you see, hear, and smell when you find the giant spider web. How would you feel seeing thousands of spiders working together? Finish with one sentence about what lesson people could learn from the spiders’ teamwork.

Colorful northern lights might soon glow across the northern United States! These lights, called auroras, happen when energy from the sun hits Earth’s atmosphere and makes the sky shine green, pink, or purple. People in states like Michigan, Maine, and North Dakota could see them if the weather stays clear and dark. Scientists say more of these light shows will appear this year because the sun is extra active. The best way to see them is away from city lights, looking up at the night sky. Pretend you’re watching the northern lights for the first time. Write 4–5 sentences describing what the sky looks like and how it makes you feel. Use words that show color and motion, like “glowing,” “shimmering,” or “dancing.” Then, draw or color what you imagine the aurora looks like above your town.