In the News

House Paint that Sweats

Can the paint on the outside of a house help keep the house cool in hot weather? Yes. Some types of paint have ingredients (materials used to make something) that reflect (to bounce back from … Read more

Remembering Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was a legendary American figure. She became famous as a country music singer. She also found success as an actress and a businesswoman. She had a very generous spirit and used her success to help others. Dolly Parton was born in 1946 in … Read more

Remembering September 11

September 11, 2001, is the date of one of the worst attacks on US soil in American history. This year, it will be the 25th anniversary of that terrible day known as 9/11. The Tribute in Light was first displayed on the six-month anniversary … Read more

National Lefthanders Day

When people do tasks like writing, drawing, brushing their teeth, eating, or throwing, they usually prefer to use one hand or the other. People who are right-handed prefer to use their right hand for these things. Those who are left-handed prefer to use their … Read more

Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum Opens June 18, 2026

President Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States. He was also the first African American president. On June 18, 2026, the Obama Presidential Center will open in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is a place people … Read more

Astronaut Aldrin is photographed by Astronaut Armstrong on the Moon during Apollo 11.

Going to the Moon—A Series of “Firsts”

When NASA astronauts went to the Moon during the Apollo missions five decades (a period of ten years) ago, they experienced a series of “firsts.” It was the first time a human walked on the … Read more

America Turns 250 in 2026!

It’s America’s semiquincentennial. That’s pronounced semi-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-uhl. It comes from the Latin words “semi” for half and “quincentennial” for five hundred. So, it means half of 500, or 250. A group called America250 has many plans to celebrate this milestone. Let’s look at a few. Photo Credit: gary718/Shutterstock America’s Time Capsule A time capsule will be buried during 4th of July celebrations here at Independence … Read more

A bird nest on a tree branch with five blue eggs inside.

What factors affect egg shape?

You may have seen some American robin eggs in a nest—light blue, oval-shaped, and about the size of a quarter. A brown hawk owl’s eggs are medium-sized, almost perfectly round, and light brown. Sandpiper eggs … Read more

Earth Day

On April 22, 2026, people will celebrate Earth Day. Over one billion people throughout the world are expected to participate. That’s five times the number of people that watched the Super Bowl! Photo Credit: Ekaterina Simonova/Shutterstock Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin recognized the … Read more

Woodpecker finch using stick as a tool for foraging.

How might a cow use a broom?

If you were going to make a birdhouse out of wood, would you use tools (something that helps do a task)? Probably. For example, you might use a saw to cut the wood into pieces, … Read more