Curious Kids

How do airplanes fly? An aerospace engineer explains the physics of flight

U.S. airlines carry more than 800 million passengers per year. Lasha Kilasonia/iStock via Getty Images Plus Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If …

Why do trees need sunlight? An environmental scientist explains photosynthesis

Trees need sunlight for the same reason you need food. The energy from the Sun’s rays is a crucial ingredient in how plants make their own food that helps them power all their cells.

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Begin planning kids' summer recreation now
Due in part to high demand, parents who want to place their kids in summer rec programs or summer camps should being vetting such programs and camps well in advance of summer. The following are a …
Mark Rivard of Do Rad Things
Hear from Mark Rivard, creator of Do Rad Things, at 'Let's Connect' event in February
Every artist has an interesting origin story. But nothing compares with how Mark Rivard got started. Rivard began illustrating skateboards with Sharpie markers in the early 2000s. That led to an …
Southwest Connector launches 'Let's Connect,' a new community speaker series
Minneapolis is filled with great local people doing great things in the world. The Southwest Connector will showcase them with "Let's Connect," a new community speakers series. Every month, the …
Nature play
“At Lake Harriet Lower Elementary, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom walls,” said Lake Harriet Lower Elementary Principal Angie Ness. “Our new outdoor learning …
Young students work with restorative practices leader Manu Lewis during a team building exercise at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Community Solutions With Youth workshop at Walker Library in Uptown.
How we can help young people be happier
We have a crisis. Mental health issues for young people are skyrocketing, and the need for mental health treatment is not being met. According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 20 percent …
Kids & Family

Discover 5 affordable ways to make the most of summer

(BPT) - Summer is just around the corner! With the kids out of school, it's the perfect time to plan a trip or two and spend quality time together as a family. However, family vacations can get …

Create a Quiet Luxury Capsule Wardrobe for Your Child

(BPT) - While minimalist dressing isn’t an entirely new trend, the term “quiet luxury” was popularized in 2023 and inspired by a timelessly chic approach to fashion. This timeless …

Help Toys for Tots Turn the Page on Poverty for Children in Need

Help Toys for Tots Turn the Page on Poverty for Children in Need

(NewsUSA) - Literacy is the foundation for success in life, but many children across the United States lack access to age-appropriate books. That is why the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program is …

Safeguarding your finances: A guide to protecting yourself from fraud

(BPT) - In today's digital age, the growing portion of our lives taking place online has led to an increased risk of fraud. Cybercriminals are getting smarter and constantly finding new ways to …

Three teaching tips from a top pre-K educator

The Hechinger Report spoke with Berol Dewdney, Maryland's 2023 teacher of the year, about how she spends time building routines and connections.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Youth and elders brainstorm ideas during a community solutions workshop at Walker Library on Feb. 3.
A solution for school disengagement
T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. …
(Left to right) Seventh grader Kaia Bursell, Yinghua Academy Director Dr. Luyi Lien, and sixth grader Sage Houdek hold their certificates and awards from Chinese Bridge.
‘We were celebrities’
In the fall of 2023, two students from Yinghua Academy Chinese immersion school in northeast Minneapolis went on the trip of a lifetime. Keewaydin resident and sixth grader Sage Houdek and seventh …
Sydney Johnson and Eli Anleu demonstrate their dance skills. (Photo submitted)
Fifth graders show off moves
Sure, you’ve seen fifth graders do the “griddy” dance, but have you seen them tango, waltz, rumba and foxtrot? More than 70 students at Barton Elementary School, 4237 Colfax Ave. …
County Recycling Grants
Hennepin county is offering grants for preschools, K-12 schools and colleges in Hennepin County to start or improve waste reduction programs. The money can be spent on staff time, equipment and …
Change in school board leadership
At its first meeting of the year, on Jan. 2, the Minneapolis Public School Board unanimously elected Collin Beachy for the position of board chair for the year. Last year he was vice chair. Kim …
More news about your kids and family

Overscheduling kids' lives is directly associated with depression and anxiety, a new study finds

The Hechinger Report looks at a recently published data analysis that finds a link between the overscheduling of children and the onset of anxiety and depression.

The most common mental health diagnoses among teens in the US

Sandstone Care analyzed data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to examine mental health disorders in U.S. teens.
What to Buy During Gerber Childrenswear’s Biggest Sale of the Year
(BPT) - Gerber Childrenswear’s biggest sale of the year is back — and bigger than ever. The spring Semi-Annual Sale of 2024 is well loved by parents for deep discounts and includes some …
Secrets to getting a good night's rest
(BPT) - Did you know nearly 8 in 10 Americans are trying to improve their sleep this year? In a recent survey, nearly half ranked this goal as their number one priority. If getting better sleep is at …
Money Matters: Key Insights into Tax Refunds and Financial Priorities
(BPT) - Tax season can be a stressful and challenging time for many Americans. In fact, according to the second-annual “Straight Talk Wireless™ Tax Stress Index,” 1 in 5 people want …
Why do bees have queens? 2 biologists explain this insect’s social structure – and why some bees don’t have a queen at all
When you think “bee,” you likely picture one species that lives all over the world: the honey bee. And honey bees have queens, a female who lays essentially all of the eggs for the colony. …
5 reasons for students to explore new subjects in an online summer course
(BPT) - Summer means school’s out, but that doesn’t mean your student has to stop learning. High school students can make the most of their summer by applying to an online summer program. …
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