Author: Lisa Mungovan

Nanoplastics, are everywhere. The teeny-tiny bits of plastic are too small to pick up, blow through the air, and flow through nets in the ocean. Scientists in China, have developed a sponge made of starch and gelatin, that can trap the microscopic particles. The sponges could even trap nanoplastics from clothes, in washing machines.

Every fall, people in Polk County Oregon, get to see a huge smile from Mother Nature. The Hampton Lumber company helped a little, by planting larch trees in the shape of a giant smiley face. The larch trees are surrounded by evergreens, so when their leaves turn yellow, they really stand out!

October is a good month to see some meteors! The Draconid meteor showers are whizzing by this week, with a peak on Wednesday. The nearly-full moon will make it harder to spot them all. The Orionid meteor showers will be most plentiful on October 20th. Any clear night is good for stargazing!

Let’s talk oh-bout what’s for dinner. Have a taco dinner party, because it’s Taco Day! Do you prefer crunchy hard-shelled tacos, or soft tacos? It’s also Fruit At Work Day. Bring a crispy apple, a bunch of grapes, a juicy orange, or a firm banana to school, for the perfect snack.

Have you ever seen a badger? American badgers, European badgers, and honey badgers, are several species that look quite different from each other. Badgers can be found in many parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Today is Badger Day, so look up some pictures, and see which type looks the friendliest!

This year’s theme for the United Nations World Habitat Day, is “Urban crisis response.” How can we fix crises like climate change and conflicts in cities all over the world, to make them better places to live? The United Nations urges cities to be inclusive and provide safety for all.

Today is World Architecture Day. Look closely at buildings, noticing the different styles. Now, you be the architect. Design your own house on paper, then build it with blocks or Legos. It’s also Coaches Day. Many people volunteer their time to coach kids’ sports. Give them a special fist-bump thank you!

Today is Mad Hatter Day, so wear a crazy hat, and have fun acting silly! Maybe your hat should have spaghetti on it, because it’s also Noodle Day! From angel hair pasta to ziti, with ramen, yakisoba, wonton, dragon beard, canton, and dozens of other noodles in between, it’s hard to pick a favorite!

Today is Stop Bullying Day. Think really hard about yourself. Are you ever a bully? Bullying is more than beating someone up, or taking their lunch money. It can look like making fun of people, purposely leaving someone out, or saying things about someone online. Stick up for others, and don’t be a bully.