Youth Corner Weekly Newsletter

Intro

July 1, 2020

Today we have three sweet, inspirational, and crazy stories. Meet Eugenio Ampudia, the man who came up with the idea to have a concert for plants. Learn about how NASA is remembering their first female black engineer, and read about a smelly package that caused a lot of trouble. Then, we have part 3 of Quick Gifts, where we learn how to make a bubble magnet. Next, we have some fun facts about the Fourth Of July. Lastly, we have some writing tips, for all the authors out there. Enjoy!

Concert For Plants

On June 22, for the first time since mid-March, Barcelona’s Liceu opera house opened. A piece called Chrysanthemums (by Giacomo Puccini)  was played by a string quartet, to a full house.

But the audience was a little uncommon. All 2,292 seats were filled by potted plants. If you were a human, and you wanted to watch the concert, you had to stream it over the internet.

Eugenio Ampudia, an artist, came up with the idea. Mr. Ampudia stated that during the lockdown, he felt closer to nature. He appreciated the fact that plants were going back into the places where humans had taken over.

The event was supposed to let people think about that idea, and get them to wonder about their link to nature.

The concert was also a way to thank Spain’s healthcare workers, for all they had done for the country during the pandemic. Local garden centers donated the plants. After the concert, the plants will be gifted to Barcelona’s healthcare workers, to thank them for their work during Spain’s struggle with the coronavirus.

Never forget to show people that you appreciate them and are thankful for what they are doing, whether they’re working in a hospital during a pandemic or if they made you lunch that day. You never know how happy it could make them feel.

NASA Renames Headquarters

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as NASA, is famous for getting a man to the moon. But what most people don’t know is that there were hundreds of people involved behind the scenes in that important mission.

A book (and movie) called Hidden Figures explained the story of a black woman named Mary Jackson and two other incredibly talented black women.

Ms. Jackson became NASA’s first female black engineer in 1958, at a time when very few black people and very few females were given jobs with such a high amount of responsibility.

Now, NASA has renamed its headquarters in Washington, DC. The name of the headquarters is now Jackson NASA Headquarters, in remembrance of Mary Jackson.

NASA is also making sure that their other pioneering scientists and engineers are remembered as well. Last year, the street in front of NASA headquarters was named “Hidden Figures Way.”

Even if you don’t achieve your goal the first time, don’t give up. Do you think Mary Jackson was given an engineering position at NASA the moment she asked for it? No! She had to try and try and try again to get a job there. She worked hard, and now, that hard work has paid off, and NASA has renamed their headquarters in remembrance of her. Try and try again, and then, and only then, you will reach your goal.

Smelly Package

In a post office in Schweinfurt, Germany, a pungent odor coming from a package was causing big problems. Emergency services (police and firefighters) were called in, and sixty people were cleared from the building. Twelve post office workers were treated for illness, and six were sent to the hospital.

The police were expecting a harmful chemical or a dangerous gas inside the package. But when they finally opened it, all they found was four durians – fruits that some people think are tasty and others find disgusting.

Durians are so well-liked in Asia that people occasionally call them “King of Fruits.” Those who enjoy eating durians love the taste – creamy and nutty and very unique.

But lots of people think that durians smell horrible. Many think that durians smell like vomit or skunks. Because of its strong smell, it is against the law to bring durians into public places like hotels, subways, and airports in some countries in Southeast Asia.

The post office has reported that they have now delivered the package.

Things are not always as they seem. The police were expecting to find something dangerous in that stinky box, but all they found was some fruits! Looks (or smells) can be deceiving!

Five Fast July Fourth Facts

Picture Credit: clipart-library.com

  1. Three presidents died on July 4th: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe.

  2. Each year on July 4th, American light about 200 million pounds of fireworks!

  3. The term “Sign Your John Hancock ” (meaning “write your signature”) comes from a man named John Hancock. He signed the Declaration of Independence, and had the biggest and fanciest signature.

  4. President Calvin Coolidge (“Silent Cal”) was born on July 4th.

  5. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird, but he lost the vote to others who wanted the bald eagle.