Innholdsfortegnelse for 508 i The Week Junior

It’s September, which means “meteorological” autumn is here. What is your favourite thing about the start of autumn? You can read more about what the season means for people and animals on page 14. Going back to school means getting into a routine. What helps you to wake up and feel ready for the day? Get some inspiration for creating a smooth morning routine on page 27. A new video game called Is This Seat Taken? has just been launched. Which everyday activity would you turn into a video game? Learn how seating can be a brain teaser on page 26. The big debate Should good grades get rewards? Page 10.…

Afghanistan’s government has called for help from other countries and international aid organisations after an earthquake struck the east of the country on 31 August. Where is Afghanistan? Afghanistan is a country in central Asia. It shares a border with several countries, including Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. It has been heavily affected by issues such as climate change and conflict, and is one of the poorest countries in the world. Since 2021, it has been ruled by the Taliban, a military and political group with extreme views. While in power, the Taliban government has restricted the rights of people living in the country. Taliban rules particularly affect women, who are banned from working in most jobs, from public spaces such as parks, and from going…

After Covid-19, an infectious disease, started in China in 2019, scientists around the world worked together to create a vaccine. Several were made and the first was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Tens of millions of people in the UK have received it since then. A report published in 2021 said the vaccines had prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England. The Covid-19 vaccine is no longer offered to everyone in the UK, People aged over 75, living in a care home or with a weak immune system can have it every winter.…

Even when you know it will be worth it in the end, finding the motivation to study for exams and school work can be difficult. There are lots of distractions out there that can pull your attention away, so it is sometimes hard to stay disciplined and stick to your studies. What about if someone had promised you a reward, like money or a present, if you achieved good grades, though – would that help you concentrate harder on revision or coursework? Some people think it’s fine to give children a bit of extra motivation to make them work harder, but others think giving gifts for good grades sends out the wrong message – that you should only do things in life if you get a reward. So what’s your…

Birds in cities stay awake longer, according to a new study. It found that birds in light-polluted areas are active for longer each day than birds in the countryside, where there is less artificial light. Light pollution is when there is a lot of artificial light from sources including street lamps, buildings and vehicles. This brightens the natural darkness and can trick animals into thinking it is daytime for longer than it is. Scientists analysed more than four million bird calls from BirdWeather, a citizen-science project (one where the public gathers the information). People send in recordings of birdsong and BirdWeather uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the sounds captured. BirdWeather then uses that information to study birds’ behaviour and population changes. The information that users sent in was compared…

An organisation called the International Union for Conservation of Nature has confirmed that the giraffe is not one species but four distinct ones: Masai, northern, reticulated and southern giraffes. This information is useful for conservationists who are working to protect them. Scientists confirmed that there are four species by looking at more than 2,000 giraffes. The team studied their physical features, such as head shape, and analysed their DNA. DNA is a chemical that contains clues to a living thing’s origins. All the species live in Africa but they face different problems. Masai giraffes are in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and have leaf-shaped patches on their skin. Their habitat is being turned into farmland. Northern giraffes, in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, are threatened by war and hunting.…

On 20 August, scientists announced that they had created a “superfood” for honeybees, which could help UK bee populations. A superfood is a term used to describe a food that is particularly rich in certain nutrients (substances that living creatures need to live and grow). Honeybees are very important to life on Earth. They help fruit and vegetables to grow by carrying pollen from one plant to another, allowing flowers to turn into fruit or grains and then reproduce. However, over the last 30 years, UK bee populations have fallen by about a third, mainly because of climate change and habitat loss. This affects their food supply (see panel). Honeybees usually eat pollen and nectar in flowers. These contain a type of fat called sterol – an important nutrient that…

SEND YOUR PHOTOS Email them to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Once a month we feature photos by our readers. Ask a parent or carer to send in photos for you and make sure they read this: upon submitting images for publication, you the adult grant Future Publishing Ltd permission to publish the submission in the Week Junior publications and on their associated web and social pages. You warrant that you own or have the right to grant this permission and that Future’s use will not infringe the rights of any third party.…

If you’re starting a new school or club this autumn, it’s natural to want to fit in straight away. However, sometimes things take time to click – and that’s ok. What does settling in mean? Starting something new, like moving to a different school, starting a new class or joining a club can feel both exciting and scary. It’s easy to put pressure on yourself by thinking you should understand everything and make friends straight away, but it can take longer than you expect. The more time you spend in a place or with new people, the more familiar and comfortable it becomes. If you stay positive and give yourself time, you’ll settle in, find your feet and start to enjoy new experiences. How can you stay positive? Try to…

Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia edited by Christopher Lloyd (What On Earth Books) The latest edition of this comprehensive encyclopedia has facts about everything from the Earth to outer space. Crammed with statistics, expert insights and more than 1,000 illustrations, photographs and maps, it’s perfect for fact fans. Maptastic! (DK) This book of “mind-blowing maps” isn’t like any atlas you’ve seen before. It’s a curious compendium that offers different ways of looking at geography, nature and history. Explore everything from the Roman Empire to shipwrecks, geology and astronomy – and find out how some of the world’s worst maps led to some of the greatest discoveries of all time. The Week Junior Guide to Politics by Catherine Brereton (Bloomsbury Education) What do governments do? What are political parties? How can…

Name: Chloe Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein “Adventurous, mysterious, scientific. Combines adventure with real science facts to educate and thrill.” YOUR TURN Please email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it is printed in the magazine you will receive a Roving Reporter badge. Describe your chosen book in three words, tell us what you liked about it and why you would recommend it to others. Don’t forget to include your name and address.*…

Have you ever been on a bus, at the cinema, at a sports match or music concert where finding your seat felt like a puzzle? This exact idea is the inspiration behind Is This Seat Taken?, which is a clever, fun game. Available for Switch and PC as well as Apple and Android phones, Is This Seat Taken? puts you in charge of showing people to their correct seats in lots of different locations. The people are characters based on shapes such as circles, squares and triangles. However, they are not just shapes. They all have their own personalities and feelings about where they want to sit, just like humans do in the real world. Some might want a window seat on the bus whereas others may want to sit…

Wordsearch Can you find all the words listed here? They are hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and may read forwards or backwards. AREA ATLAS BORDER CITY DIRECTION DISTANCE EAST INDEX LAKE LEGEND LOCATION MOUNTAIN NORTH RIVER ROUTE SCALE SOUTH SYMBOL TOWN TUNNEL Split words Piece together the letters to find four Pokémon characters. Number fit All of these numbers fit in the grid. Can you work out where they go? We’ve placed one to start you off. 3 numbers 345 425 553 565 685 782 850 4 numbers 8043 8390 8736 9577 5 numbers 13256 36388 42280 6 numbers 124260 555583 563760 956481 7 numbers 1573171 3684872 6547848 8 numbers 56323416 80386861 92745358 9 numbers 250540383 341871200 538717505 ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 33 Sudoku Place the numbers from 1 to…

2025 Solstice Nature Prize The Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers is looking for short stories, poems and blog entries on the theme of nature from people across the UK. There are four age categories: 7–11, 12–14, 15–17 and 18–25; and prizes include £100, goody bags and publication in an online anthology (a collection of stories and poems). The deadline for entries is 31 October. To find out more, ask an adult to visit tinyurl.com/TWJ-writer WIN A BADGE! Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we can send you a Roving Reporter badge if your contribution makes it onto the page. We will only use the details you provide to arrange delivery of badges, and we will not share them…

1 In which century was the Bayeux Tapestry created? ☐ a) 14th ☐ b) 12th ☐ c) 11th 2 True or false? Young people aged between 16 and 21 years old can now get £1.50 bus fares in Wales. ☐ True ☐ False 3 What are baby puffins known as? 4 How long does the Gaokao college entrance exam last? ☐ a) 15 hours ☐ b) 9 hours ☐ c) 15 minutes 5 True or false? Sylvia Young grew up in London’s East End. ☐ True ☐ False 6 The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently announced there are four species of which animal? 7 Autumn is also known as what, especially in the US? ☐ a) Fall ☐ b) Drop ☐ c) Plummet 8 True or false? An…

I know that 1 January marks the official start of the calendar year, but for me, September feels like a reset. Summer is over and a new sort of energy builds. For farmers this is a starting point – they will soon be planting crops for next year, and on page 14 we celebrate the season. It’s a time of change for many people and on page 21 there’s a report on giving yourself time to get used to new things. Having a good morning routine is a great way to start the day feeling energised and focused – you can read our top tips on page 27. My two favourite stories this week are in the science section (pages 16–17) and both are about scientists finding ways to help…

There are lots of organisations working to help people affected by the earthquake. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is sending essential aid, such as blankets, shelters and cooking equipment. Others include Save the Children, which is sending teams to treat young people and their families. It also has child-protection teams to take care of vulnerable children. Doctors Without Borders has sent medical teams and supplies to help in Afghanistan’s hospitals.…

A TRIO OF PACIFIC ROWERS Three brothers from Edinburgh have set a world record for rowing across the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unassisted. The Maclean brothers rowed 9,000 miles from Peru to Australia in 139 days, five hours and 52 minutes. They raised £700,000 for charity. WATER VOLES On 1 September, nearly 200 water voles were released along the River Wey in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, in southern England. Water voles have not lived there for 20 years and had been declared extinct in the area. UNVEILING THE PAST On 27 August, a time capsule sealed 34 years ago by Diana, Princess of Wales, was opened at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Diana, who was then president of GOSH, helped two young competition winners pick objects to go inside the…

New research has found that children are spending less time playing outdoors. The University of Exeter study involved 2,568 children aged between seven and 12 years old, in Bradford, England. It found that 34% of them don’t play outside on school days, and 20% don’t at weekends. Lead researcher Dr Mark Ferguson said, “Outdoor play is essential for children’s growth and development.” He said that creating more safe, play-friendly areas for families would help.…

Dr Matt Kerton works for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, a charity providing advanced care to sick and injured patients in those areas. He works with a specialist paramedic and an experienced helicopter pilot, who often has to land in some tricky places – “sometimes on the motorway, which is cool,” he says. Even if someone falls ill in a remote area of the countryside, Dr Kerton and his team can fly to them quickly and provide hospital-level care. He describes his job as “fast and sometimes a little tricky” because he often has to act quickly and be prepared for challenges, such as bad weather. Dr Kerton and his team work from a base and wait for emergency calls, passing the time by “often training, sometimes…

Autumn is the season that marks the change from summer to winter. In the UK it takes place around September but for countries in the southern hemisphere it’s around March. As well as getting used to different weather and shorter days, autumn brings tasty local fresh fruit and veg, piles of brightly coloured leaves and shiny conkers. When does autumn start? The meteorological calendar, which measures Earth’s temperature changes, says autumn starts on 1 September. The astronomical calendar, which is based on the position of the Earth around the Sun throughout the year, says autumn begins on the autumn equinox, which is 22 September this year. On that day, the Sun shines directly above the equator, an invisible line around Earth’s centre, which means the hours of daylight are equal…

On 31 August, Northern Superchargers women and Oval Invincibles men became champions in the finals of The Hundred cricket competition. Superchargers, based in Leeds, won the women’s event by beating the Southern Brave women’s team from Southampton. The Invincibles men’s side from London then defeated Nottingham’s Trent Rockets in the other final. Both games were played at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in front of large crowds. In The Hundred, each team bowls 100 balls in a match. The batting team aims to score as many runs as possible from the 100 balls. The team with the biggest total wins. Southern Brave batted first and scored 115. Superchargers then hit a score of 119 from 88 balls to win the trophy for the first time. Nicola Carey was…

The Magna Carta (Latin for “great charter”) is one of the most important documents in English history (see panel) and was created in 1215. It was the first written statement to say that laws applied to the king and his Government as well as his subjects. There were several versions and Durham Cathedral has three of them: the only surviving issue from 1216, one from 1225 and one from 1300. You can see them at Durham Cathedral’s Magna Carta and the North exhibition. Marie-Thérèse Mayne, Durham Cathedral’s exhibitions officer, told The Week Junior that visitors can learn about the history of the Magna Carta and how it has shaped democracy today. The displays include art inspired by the document and a light installation called The Words That Bind Us, where…

by Dr Sai Pathmanathan (Bloomsbury Education) If you’re worried about climate change, this guide, written by environment expert Dr Sai Pathmanathan, is an ideal place to find some answers. In simple language, it sets out some of the key problems affecting our environment, such as climate change and pollution, and outlines ways we can help. Clearly presented, with facts, statistics, diagrams and colourful images, it explains tricky jargon and difficult concepts. It also delves into specific subjects such as food and farming, or fast fashion (cheap, low-quality clothes). You can read about success stories and inspiring climate heroes. You’ll also find a glossary of terms. It’s a perfect starting point for anyone who wants to understand the problems facing our planet – and help. WIN! We’re giving away five copies…

Horology is the science of measuring time and Rebecca Struthers studied this and got a PhD (a top qualification). Now, she’s a writer, a time historian and runs a business with her husband making watches. With science teacher Alom Shaha, Struthers has written a book called About Time: A Children’s Guide to the History and Science of Time. As a child, Struthers pulled apart household items like video players to see how they worked, “much to the annoyance of my parents”, she tells The Week Junior. She studied jewellery making and then trained in restoring broken watches, working on pieces that were hundreds of years old. Struthers says that because we wear watches, they are “participants in our lives”. She is intrigued by “what conversations they heard when they were…

Going back to school can be an exciting time, but also tiring. You’re learning lots of things – in your lessons and perhaps making new friends. Your brain can feel overloaded and it’s easy to forget things, especially in the morning when you’re still a bit sleepy. In 2023, a study of 1,300 parents of children aged six to 16, found that more than a quarter were usually late because of problems with their morning routine. Some parents said they struggled to get children out of bed or to finish breakfast on time. Creating a set routine that you stick to each morning is a good way to reduce stress levels and make sure you leave home feeling unhurried and prepared. It’s a good idea to go to bed at…

Teacher’s name: Miss McNiven School: Tollcross Primary School, Edinburgh “Miss McNiven is an amazing teacher who always listens to our opinions and makes lessons extremely fun. She is very smart, funny and creative and always smiles. Miss McNiven makes interesting topics and even gives our class Zumba lessons. She is so funny and always tells us about her cat, Charo, with hilarious stories. She is very good at helping us with our story writing in class and we all love her.” Marianna If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of The Week Junior. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk JOKE OF THE WEEK “What did the cheese say when…

“This is a turtle I made on the beach in France. I decorated it with shells I found. It was big enough to sit on.” Niamh “Me and my neighbours Max and Freddie made the lime and coconut ice cream from issue 505. It was really yummy.”Ollie “I really enjoyed making the seaside scene and the summer butterflies from issues 506 and 501. My cat Mochi kept me company throughout and ended up playing with the butterfly.” Chiara “This is me with my American cousin Beatrice in Long Beach, California, enjoying comparing our US and UK versions of The Week Junior.”Leo We’re proud to be plastic-free The Week Junior is delivered without a wrapper. This decision was made in response to requests from our readers who wanted us to reduce…

China and India’s leaders have agreed to improve their relationship and work together during a summit (meeting) in Tianjin, China. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi hasn’t visited China since 2018. There have been tensions between the two countries since 2020, when their militaries clashed over their shared border. China’s president Xi Jinping told Modi on 31 August that their countries should be partners instead of rivals. Modi said China and India now have an “atmosphere of peace and stability” between them. He added that flights between the two countries, which have been suspended since 2020, will start again at some point. Xi said, “It is the right choice for both sides to be friends.” The summit was run by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a group of 10 countries including…

On 29 August, the Government announced that a free chickenpox vaccine programme will start in England, Wales and Northern Ireland next year. A vaccine is a type of medicine that trains the body to fight a disease using its own defences. What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a common infection that spreads easily, mostly among children. It causes an itchy and spotty rash on the body, as well as a high temperature, aches and pains and a loss of appetite. According to the UK Health Security Agency – which is responsible for preventing infectious diseases – about 90% of children have had chickenpox by the age of 10. People who get infected usually recover after one to two weeks but for some it can be more serious and they might need…

Sylvia Young, whose theatre school helped generations of young people in the UK to develop their talent for singing, dancing and acting, died recently aged 85. Growing up in London’s East End, Young loved to read plays as a child but didn’t like being on stage – and often lost her voice before a performance because of nerves. Young started teaching drama classes at her daughters’ school, then moved to a church hall, where she charged 10 pence for a lesson, which included a cup of orange squash and a biscuit. In 1981, she moved to a youth club in London’s Drury Lane, which is the middle of the city’s theatre district. The Sylvia Young Theatre School, as it had become, eventually moved to Nutford Place in London, and it’s…

This wildflower can be seen from May to September all over the UK. It has lots of names, including “butter and eggs”, inspired by the colour of the flowers, and “granny’s toenails”, which describes the plant’s long seed pods. It is actually a member of the same plant family as peas. Common bird’s-foot-trefoil can grow to 35 centimetres and pops up in grassy areas, such as roadsides, lawns and heathland. It also likes rocky or sandy areas including seaside cliffs and sand dunes. Its yellow flowers look like little slippers and appear in small clusters and the fuzzy leaves are divided into five leaflets. The plant supports lots of species. The caterpillars of common blue, silver-studded blue and wood white butterflies munch on it and bumblebees, honey bees and solitary…

A new kind of power plant has been built in Fukuoka, Japan, that makes electricity using salt water and fresh water. It’s only the second one like it in the whole world – the first one was built in Denmark in 2023. It’s called an osmotic power plant because it uses osmosis. This is a process that works a bit like a tea strainer, which allows water through while blocking tea leaves. A special semi-permeable layer lets water pass through but not salt. Fresh (unsalty) water is naturally attracted to the salt in the seawater side. As the water flows into the saltier side, it creates pressure that spins a turbine that makes electricity. One of the most useful things about this power plant is that it works all the…

Fin Graham At the Para-cycling Road World Championships, Great Britain’s Graham won the men’s C3 road race event. Noah Lyles The US sprinter won the men’s 200 metres title at the Diamond League final in Switzerland. It is the sixth time he has been a Diamond League champion. South Africa women’s rugby union team They reached the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter finals for the first time after beating Italy 29-24 in an exciting match. James Milner The 39-year-old scored for Brighton as they beat Manchester City. He is now the Premier League’s second oldest scorer.…

What got you into environmental science? I studied biology at school and at university, so I loved being outdoors on field trips and learning about different species: from measuring freshwater trout to tracking down puffball fungi. What one thing should we do to help the planet? Stop using single-use plastics, especially things like cling film and plastic zip bags, and balloons at parties. They’re probably the most unnecessary plastics we use and cause harm to wildlife. Do you have an environmental hero? Dr Jen Jones, chief executive at the Galapagos Conservation Trust, because she inspired me to get back into environmental science and taught me about marine iguanas. What‘s your favourite place on Earth? Other than my garden, it would have to be the active volcano, Halemaumau crater on the…

“I am a princess. All girls are… Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young…” Based on a short story by the author that became a play, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett was published in September 1905. It’s about Sara Crewe, a rich girl at boarding school who is suddenly orphaned and left with no money. The headmistress forces her to be a servant and treats her cruelly but Sara stays kind and holds onto hope, her friends and her imagination.…

Robotic lion puts on a show A robotic lion that can do handstands, jump through hoops and even pose for selfies has joined a UK circus. The robot, called Ion, is with Paulo’s Circus as it tours England this year. It took 11 months for the circus to build the “lion”. Animals doing tricks used to be a big part of circuses, but lots of countries, including England, Scotland and Wales, have banned the use of wild animals. Circus director Kenny Darnell Junior told BBC News that it was difficult to create acts that people haven’t seen before, which is why they brought in Ion. Pumpkin festival pulls in visitors Now that the summer is nearly over, an annual pumpkin festival has just opened in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The aim is…