1. COLORADO’S MELTING GLACIERS

Glaciers are huge masses of ice that form when snow builds up over many years. Scientists in Colorado have discovered that several mountain glaciers are melting much faster than before. During 2026, Colorado had very little snowfall and unusually hot temperatures, causing some glaciers to lose more than 10 feet of ice in just one year. One popular snowy area, called St. Mary’s Glacier, melted completely in September. Glaciers are important because their melting ice provides water for rivers, plants, animals, and people. Scientists are worried that continued warming could cause many of Colorado’s remaining glaciers to disappear within the next 20 years. Similar changes are happening to glaciers around the world, showing how climate change is affecting the planet. Imagine you are a scientist studying a glacier in the Rocky Mountains. Create a two-part illustration showing what the glacier might have looked like 50 years ago and what it looks like today. Include at least three differences between the pictures. Then write a 3 to 5 sentences explaining why glaciers are melting and how their disappearance could affect people, animals, or plants that depend on them.

2. BOSTON’S SEARCH FOR A NEW AIRPORT VOICE

Boston’s Logan International Airport is holding a special contest to find a new voice for its recorded announcements. More than 5,000 people from Massachusetts entered the competition, hoping to welcome travelers with their famous Boston accents. People with Boston accents often pronounce certain words differently, such as saying “cah” instead of “car.” Eight finalists were chosen, and local residents are voting to decide the winner. The winning voice will be heard by millions of travelers each year. Some contestants said they used to feel embarrassed about their accents because other people laughed at the way they spoke. Now, they are excited to celebrate the way people from their hometown sound. Airport officials hope the new announcements will help visitors feel welcomed while giving them a taste of Boston’s unique culture. Every community has something special that makes it different from other places. Imagine your hometown is holding a contest to choose a new voice to welcome visitors. Write a short welcome announcement that someone could read at your local airport, train station, or town entrance. Include at least three things that make your community special, such as favorite foods, famous places, local traditions, or popular activities. Think about how you can make visitors feel excited and welcome!

3. FINLAND’S FAMOUS PUPPY LIVESTREAM

Millions of people are watching six adorable puppies grow up in Finland through an online program called “Puppy Live.” Cameras show the puppies and their mother, Hilkka, all day and night, allowing viewers to watch them sleep, play, eat, and explore their surroundings. The puppies are only a few weeks old and spend most of their time sleeping. The program began during the coronavirus pandemic to teach people about caring for dogs and provide something cheerful to watch. It became so popular that people in other countries are now watching, too! Many viewers say that seeing the puppies helps them feel calm and happy when they are worried or stressed. The puppies are carefully cared for by animal experts and will eventually move to permanent homes. Until then, fans can continue watching them grow and discover the world around them. Imagine you have been asked to create a new animal livestream for people around the world to enjoy. Choose an animal you would like to feature. Draw a picture of your livestream and give your program a creative name. Then write 4 to 6 sentences describing what viewers would see, what they could learn about the animals, and why watching your program might make people happy.

4. A MAN’S 28-YEAR WALK AROUND THE WORLD

A British adventurer named Karl Bushby is finally returning home after spending nearly 28 years traveling across the world! Bushby began his incredible journey in 1998 at the southern tip of South America. His goal was to travel all the way back to England without using cars, airplanes, or other transportation to help him move forward. Along the way, he walked through deserts, jungles, mountains, and freezing landscapes. He even crossed dangerous floating ice between Alaska and Russia and recently swam across the English Channel to reach England. Bushby has traveled about 31,000 miles and faced many challenges, including harsh weather, money problems, and long delays. However, he also met hundreds of kind strangers who offered him food, shelter, and encouragement. Now, at age 57, he is preparing to finish his journey at his mother’s house. Bushby hopes to teach young people about the importance of determination and the kindness found in different parts of the world. Karl Bushby traveled through many different environments during his journey, including deserts, jungles, and icy mountains. Choose one of these environments and imagine you are preparing for a long hiking adventure there. Create a packing list of six important items you would bring to help you stay safe and comfortable. Next to each item, explain why you would need it. Finally, write three sentences describing the biggest challenge you might face and how you would prepare for it.

5. A POSSIBLE NEW DWARF PLANET BEYOND PLUTO

Astronomers have discovered a mysterious object far beyond Pluto that might be a new dwarf planet! The object, temporarily named 2026 ED138, is about 4.3 billion miles from the sun. A dwarf planet is a space object that is large enough to be round but does not meet all the requirements to be considered a full planet. Pluto is one of the five officially recognized dwarf planets in our solar system. Scientists discovered the new object using pictures taken by a powerful telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. Special computer software noticed that a tiny dot of light was moving across the sky in pictures taken on different nights. Scientists believe the object could be hundreds of miles wide, but they still need more information to learn its exact size and shape. Astronomers hope that studying it will help them discover even more mysterious objects hiding in the distant parts of our solar system. Imagine you are part of a team of astronomers investigating this mysterious object. Create a fact sheet that includes three facts scientists already know about 2026 ED138 and three questions they still need to answer. Then draw a picture of what you think the object might look like, using your imagination to show its possible colors, surface, and surroundings.