ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015 A11

Did you know some of today’s inventions, such as potato chips, were a popular “mistake?” Other inventions, such as the stoplight, were designed to solve a problem. Inventors are curious and patient, with a high tolerance for trial and error. It also helps to have a strong background in math and science. Many inventors are young, just like you. Frank Epperson was only 11 years old when he developed the popsicle. Louis Braille was just 15 when he designed the Braille system of reading for the blind.

If you are interested in becoming an inventor, develop your critical thinking skills. Take apart old machines and put them back together to see how things fit together. Think about your daily life. Are there any processes that need to be improved? Interview your family members and teachers. What invention would they like to see created? Start sketching

ideas and designs to solve these problems.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction articles for main idea and supporting details.

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Inferences: Read part of an editorial and make an inference about the author’s opinion. Write your inference at the top of a t-chart (labeled fact and opinion), listing facts and opinions from the editorial to support your inference.

Activity Two — Goal Setting: Find a story in the newspaper about people who have achieved a goal (e.g., a new business that just opened, a sports team that won a game, etc.) Cut out the story and write the steps you

think the people had to take to achieve that goal.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can make inferences and describe the necessary steps for goal setting.

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTOR & ARCHITECT:Earl S. Bell

Earl S. Bell was born in Brooklyn in 1977. He developed a passion for inventing at a young age. At just nine years old, he presented his first design. His family offered a lot of support, especially his Uncle Virgil. Bell was a student of Pratt Institute’s Architecture Program and began to formally submit his designs in 1998. He holds 3 US patents and 1 international patent

and has several patents pending approval. He invented Sasu Technology (liquid hydraulic electrical display for showing information), Slide Skin Technology: (an ergonomic chair system), and Qet Ambit Technology (internal electrical mechanical mechanism). Bell has been classified as an inventor, building designer, architectural theorist, and hip hop architect.

For more information, visit: http://www.earlsbell.com or http://projectblackman.com/GreatBlackMenInHistory.aspx?notablePersonId=211 (this site also features videos).

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has

made contributions in the fields of science, math, and technology.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE CORNER

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS

DID YOU KNOW?

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Background Information: In this experiment, you will “invent” a xylophone using glasses filled with water. It will take a lot of trial and error to get everything just right, so remember to be patient. You will use your xylophone to play “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Materials Needed: • 8 Drinking Glasses of the Same Size and Shape. • Pitcher of Water • Metal Spoon • Table

Procedure:q Place the 8

glasses on the table near each other without touching.

w Fill each glass with a different amount of water.

e Tap each glass with the metal spoon. What sound does it make? Do the glasses with more water make a higher pitched sound or a lower pitched sound? Try tapping the glass in different places. How does that affect the sound?

r Continue to experiment with the sounds until you have all the notes to play “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

MATH CONNECTION

Josephine Cochrane invented the first dishwasher in 1886.

Leo Fender, inventor of the Stratocaster, could not play guitar.

MAP CORNER

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible, and delivered to classrooms, through The St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

Ashland Elementary School 5th grade student, Donald Byes-Manning, of Ms. Eason’s 5th grade class, uses the newspaper to findmain idea in nonfiction text. Ashland Elementary is in the St. Louis Public School District.

Slide Skin Technnology Chair

Inventors have strong problem solving skills. Give these problems a try!

z Mrs. Bailey learned that $1,348 worth of tickets were sold at the carnival. If tickets cost 3 for $1, how many tickets were sold? __________

x Mrs. Hilt sold 125 pencils for $0.40 each. If half of the cost is profit, how much profit did she make on the pencils? __________

“Invent” The Xylophone!

How to Become an Inventor!

The first mobile phone call was made in 1973 by Martin Cooper, a former Motorola inventor.

Adeline D.T. Whitney patented wooden blocks in 1882 to help children learn their ABCs.

c Emmy Noether, the Mother of Modern Algebra, was born in 1882. In what year did she celebrate her 25th birthday? __________

v Many families serve each person in the family one 6-ounce glass of orange juice each morning. If they buy orange juice by the gallon, how many whole servings of juice will they get out of one gallon of juice? __________

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve problems.

Sasu Clock and Wifi Router

Charge Ring

Problem Solving Skills!

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JANUARY 8 - 14, 2015A10

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Exercise

Nutrition

Healthy KidsHealthy KidsNEWSPAPER INEDUCATIONPlanting the Seeds for Success!

PRESENT:

Healthcare Careers

And...

The weekly Healthy Kids page provides health tips on nutrition, exercise and more.

Veggies & DipIngredients: ½ Cp low-fat milk, 1/3 Cp low-fat mayo, 1 tsp mustard, ½ tsp garlic, pinch salt, mixed, cut-up fresh veggies

Directions: Mix all of the dip ingredients, cover and refrigerate. Lay the veggies in a circle around a plate and put a bowl of the dip in the middle. Enjoy! (This makes enough dip to share with friends and family.)

Where do you work? I work at BJC Corporate Health Services.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Berkeley High School and received my medical assistant certificate from Al- Med Academy.

What does a medical assistant do? Each day I am able to help patients who have been in a trauma or accident. They may need stitches or a splint for a broken bone. I will also draw blood, take vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate, and assist the doctors and nurses any way necessary.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because when I was younger, my cousin and I took care of my grandmother who was disabled. Working with the home health nurse allowed me to see that this was a way I can give back to people.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy taking care of people. It’s a joy to see people happy and smiling, knowing that someone cares about them and that someone is there to listen and help.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Chrystal Norfleet, Medical Assistant

Healthy Snacks

Nutrition Challenge: This time of year many people make New Year’s resolutions. A resolution is simply a promise you make to yourself of ways that you would like to improve your life in the new year. So for 2015, why not make a resolution to eat healthier? Try adding a healthy new habit every few weeks or so. Here are a few ideas (from past Healthy Kids features) to get you started.

What are some other tips you’ve learned?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Another healthy change you can make for yourself with the new year is to be more active. Staying active not only helps keep your heart healthy, but it burns calories, improves your brain functioning and helps you feel better — the more you do!

Some reminders:New Year,

New You!

The new year brings a fresh start. Plan on making 2015 your best year yet! Try letting go of the problems you may have faced last year and look forward to a new year with excitement and hope. Here are a few ways to stay positive.

> Make a list of all of the good things that happened for you in 2014.

> What are some goals you’d like to achieve in 2015?

> Select one or two of those goals and make a list of specific steps you can take to accomplish your new year goals.

> Always remember — you can’t change others, you can only change yourself and how you react. So focus on yourself and how you can have a happy 2015!

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Resolve to Eat Right!

F r es h Sta rt !

> Try to have at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day that increases your heart rate (60 minutes is even better).

> Warm up, stretch and cool down before and after exercising.

> Start off slowly and increase time, distance, and speed as you feel stronger.

> Check with your doctor before starting a brand new exercise program.

> Drink lots of water when you’re working out.

Discuss some of the ways you can keep active during the cold winter months.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

New Year’s Resolutions1. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.2. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less fried foods and sweet snacks.3. Eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full.

2015