Innholdsfortegnelse for 169 i The Week Junior

On 3 March, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) after a flight from Earth that took just over a day. The capsule, which had no one on board, guided and attached itself to the ISS using computers and sensors. Anne McClain, a US astronaut on the ISS, entered the capsule. In a video sent back to Earth, she said, “Welcome to the new era in space flight.” What happened? The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US, early on the morning of 2 March. The capsule was attached to the top of a Falcon 9 rocket. At around 11 minutes into the flight, it successfully separated from the rocket as planned, which led to an eruption…

In 2015, Wales became the first country in the UK to introduce a law that automatically assumes that people want their body organs to be donated when they die. On 26 February, the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of having a similar law, which is expected to be introduced in the next few years. In Northern Ireland, the issue was last debated in 2016. Politicians there voted to keep the current law, whereby people must say they want to donate their organs before it can happen.…

Nottingham Trent University has hired Jimmy Chipolata, a tie-wearing dachshund, as its first ever therapy dog. Jimmy helps students relax by letting them cuddle him, which his owner says helps people cope with the stress of exams. Debra Easter explained, “Since Jimmy has been here, I’ve seen people come forward who normally wouldn’t come and talk, such as less engaged and shyer students.” Jimmy is rewarded for his hard work with pieces of cheese.…

Toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes are the four main movements in breakdancing – a type of energetic street dance involving athletic tricks such as spinning on the knees, hands or head. Soon, it could be making an appearance at the Olympics. Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics want the sport included to make the Games more modern and artistic. Breakdancing has already made an appearance at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, in Argentina, where it was very popular with the crowds. Yet some fans point out that breakdancing has a unique culture and history, which means it doesn’t belong at the Olympics. It can also be dangerous. So what do you think? Should breakdancing be an Olympic sport? Yes – the Olympics needs updating Breakdancing is popular around the…

And the Oscar goes to... Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse!” On 24 February, those words confirmed that years of hard work had paid off for US filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The creative brains behind both Lego films, Smallfoot, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, had finally won the top award for an animated film, thanks to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The popular superhero film features lots of Spider-people, and one Spider-animal, from different dimensions who are pulled together to fight a villain who threatens them all. The only way they can triumph over evil is by working as a team and making the most of their individual talents. The film’s design, which mixes many art styles together, was praised by critics and audiences for looking different to other…

The populations of badgers, otters, pine martens, polecats, stoats and weasels are increasing in England, Scotland and Wales. Their numbers are said to have “markedly improved” since the 1960s, according to a new study published in Mammal Review. These animals make up six of Britain’s eight native carnivorous mammals (those that eat other animals). The other two animals in the group are the red fox – which is widespread but whose numbers are declining – and the wildcat, which is now in danger of becoming extinct. According to scientists from Exeter University, Vincent Wildlife Trust, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Scottish Natural Heritage, the six species have all bounced back because harmful human activities – such as hunting, use of toxic (poisonous) chemicals and destruction of habitats –…

In 1989, a group of female sailors made history when they became the first all-women crew to take part in the Whitbread Round the World Race. Thirty years later a documentary about their adventure, Maiden, was released this year on 8 March, to mark International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is a global event that celebrates gender equality and the achievements of women. Maiden includes footage and interviews with the crew, led by captain Tracy Edwards. To mark IWD, The Week Junior spoke to Edwards about her life and the voyage. Meet the captain... Tracy Edwards didn’t grow up with a dream of embarking on a dangerous, round-the-world sailing trip. In fact, the one time she went sailing as a child, she hated it. She was expelled from school at the…

Manchester City They are top of the Premier League after beating Bournemouth 1-0. Previous leaders Liverpool drew 0-0 with local rivals Everton. Roger Federer The famous Swiss tennis player won his 100th professional title with victory at the Dubai Championships. Park Sung-hyun The South Korean golfer won the Women’s World Championship in Singapore. England’s Jodi Ewart finished eighth. Elinor Barker She won Britain’s only gold at the Track Cycling World Championship with victory in the women’s scratch race.…

Have you ever made a rap? When I was a teenager I bought a bit of software that let you make hip-hop tracks on your PC. It was pretty basic but really good fun. I used to make up lots of raps with my brothers. Most of the time we were just trying to be funny (or rude). What was your favourite game to play when you were young? When the first Nintendo console came out, I wasn’t allowed to have one. Since I’ve been old enough to afford them myself, I’ve bought every one they’ve released. And my favourite game when I was young was the very first Mario Kart. What scares you? I wasted lots of my life being afraid of things that it turned out I didn’t…

Pokémon TV Android / iOS (Free) With Pokémon Go still very popular on smartphones, and two new Pokémon games (Sword and Shield) coming to Nintendo’s Switch later this year, it might be a good time to catch up on Pikachu and friends’ cartoon adventures. There’s an app for that. Pokémon TV is made by the developers of the Pokémon games, and it has just been given a big redesign. Its main attraction is full streaming episodes from the many Pokémon cartoon series, as well as some of the films. The app makes it easy to browse the episodes and decide what to watch. You can also download shows to watch without an internet connection – good if you’re going on a car, train or plane journey, for example. If you…

Is badminton for me? It helps if you’re reasonably fit and flexible, but the most important thing is enthusiasm. Badminton is a sport that welcomes players of all ages and all abilities. What kit do I need? A junior starter racket costs around £10, and plastic shuttlecocks are less than £10 for a pack. Other than that, you just need sports clothes and trainers – and a court. Where can I play badminton? On sunny days it’s tempting to play outdoors, but be warned: wind is your enemy! The slightest breeze could whisk your shuttlecock off course. Find your local club at these websites: badmintonscotland.org.uk, badmintonengland.co.uk, www.badminton.wales and ulsterbadminton.com…

Follow The Week Junior on Popjam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the free Popjam app from the App Store or Google Play. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent three days touring projects and charities in Morocco. You said... “They are such a thoughtful and generous couple” “Well done to them. They always visit others and are so kind” “That must have been an amazing experience” The award-winning illustrator, Rob Biddulph, designed last week’s cover to celebrate World Book Day. You said... “SO COOL! You must have been so excited to have him in the studio” “For World Book Day, I am being a UNICORN” “Lovely” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here. The Week Junior is delivered in a recyclable LDPE…

In 24 hours, the International Space Station goes around the Earth 16 times and travels through 16 sunrises and sunsets. The Internationall Space Station (ISS) flies approximately 250 miles above Earth. It was put together in space and the first piece started orbiting our planet in 1998. Lots of countries are involved, such as Canada, Japan, Russia and the US, and European countries including the UK. Onboard, astronauts conduct research and tests, helping us understand conditions in space.…

PASTY LOVERS A pasty filled with bacon, egg and sausage was among the winners at this year’s World Pasty Championships, held in Cornwall on 2 March. Summer Lovejoy, aged 10, was crowned the junior champion for her classic Cornish pasty. TORTOISES AT CHESTER ZOO Two rare radiated tortoises have been born at Chester Zoo. Currently golf ball-sized, the tiny pair will grow to be about 40 centimetres long and could live for 100 years. Their mum, Smoothsides, aged 50, and dad, 75-year-old Burt, are the first radiated tortoise couple to have babies at the zoo for seven years. AN INCREDIBLE RESCUE Caroline and Leia Carrico, aged five and eight, have survived for 44 hours in the wilderness in California, in the US. The sisters were found in woods 1.4 miles…

8 March 1702 Anne becomes queen On 8 March 1702, Anne became queen at the age of 37. Her sister’s husband, William III of Orange, had been king up until his death. On 1 May 1707, Anne became the first ruler of Great Britain when England and Scotland joined together to form one kingdom. She died on 1 August 1714. She was the last of the Stuart monarchs – the Stuarts were a royal house of Scotland. After Anne died, a German prince, George I, became king, beginning the reign of the Georgian monarchs.…

● Breakdancing is a street dance that started in New York City, in the US, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is closely associated with hip-hop music. ● Organisers of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 have suggested making breakdancing an official sport because it is so popular around the world. ● Breakdancing is a high-risk activity and can be dangerous if it is not done properly. One study shows that only 4% of non-professional breakdancers have never had an injury. ● Sports such as karate, squash and chess have not been included in the 2024 Olympic Games.…

A study of English farmland has found that the number of surface-living earthworms is falling. There are three types of earthworm. Some live on the soil’s surface, others in the top layer, and some deeper in the ground. All three help make the soil better for growing things by breaking down plants, including old crops. Worm burrows also let oxygen and water into the soil. Without earthworms, crops may not grow as well and birds that feed on worms could die. Threats to worms have been put down to overuse of chemicals and not giving soil time off from growing crops to give it a chance to recover.…

A treasure trove of meteorites has been discovered in Earth’s coldest continent, Antarctica, by a British-led expedition. Manchester University’s Dr Katherine Joy and British Antarctic Survey guide Julie Baum spent a month looking for the precious rocks, and have returned with a haul of 36. Meteorites are pieces of space rock, perhaps from an asteroid, comet, moon or planet, which have survived the passage through Earth’s atmosphere (a thin layer of gases that protect a planet). These stones are very important because they hold clues as to how the solar system formed, about 4.6 billion years ago. Joy and Baum spent hours every day searching the ice and snow for the black rocks. “They look black because they’re burnt up as they come down through Earth’s atmosphere,” said Joy. Braving…

The Human Body: A Pop-Up Guide to Anatomy by Richard Walker. Illustrated by Rachel Caldwell (Templar Publishing) Imagine it’s the 1800s and you’re a medical student performing your first dissection of a human body. Under the instruction of Dr Walker, lift flaps to reveal blood vessels, bones, muscles and organs. There are medical notes and sketches too, to teach you all about the body. Pop-Up Shakespeare by Jennie Maizels and the Reduced Shakespeare Company (Walker Books) Explore all of Shakespeare’s plays with this interactive book, created with comedy group the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Covering everything from Hamlet to plays you might not have heard of, this is a funny introduction to the famous writer’s work. My Secret War Diary by Marcia Williams (Walker Books) Travel back in time to the…

Less than a year ago, the shocking end to The Avengers: Infinity War hinted that Captain Marvel may have a part to play in future films. This almighty superhero is now finally making her first appearance in cinemas. Captain Marvel is the 21st film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a series that includes the Avengers, Thor and Black Panther films. In the comics, the Captain is part human and part Kree (an alien race previously seen in the Guardians of the Galaxy films). In the film, however, she is a member of the Kree’s Starforce, fighting the enemy Skrulls as part of a fearsome squad. She ends up on Earth in the 1990s, and joins a younger version of Nick Fury (the eyepatched superhero chief previously seen in MCU…

Rugrats in Paris (2000) DVD, iTunes, Prime Video Rugrats was a hugely popular Nickelodeon cartoon about a group of toddlers that ran from 1991 until 2004, and a reboot was announced in 2018. In 1998, The Rugrats Movie became a surprise hit, and the follow-up, Rugrats in Paris, takes the characters on a European adventure. It retains the instantly recognisable style of the TV cartoon, showing viewers scenes from unusual perspectives. If you’re watching with a grown-up, there are some clever references to films you may not be old enough to understand yet! It’s a bundle of fun, although the next film, Rugrats Go Wild, didn’t quite hit the same heights. THE GANG RETURNS A new Rugrats film is being worked on, but it won’t be…

Every month we’ll feature a video created by primary school pupils for Pupil Parliament as part of LitFilmFest. Pupil Parliament helps you and your school friends become news reporters and politicians. This month’s video looks at the use of technology in the classroom and was created by pupils from Maes Yr Haul Primary School. The class explored issues around using tech for learning. Teacher Helena St Amand praised the pupils for their enthusiasm. “They enjoyed learning about the Houses of Parliament, and then the filming brought their writing to life. The class were delighted to film with LitFilmFest. There was a buzz of excitement and those that did not want to be in front of the camera also got to learn about how to film,” she said. One pupil commented,…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Hughes-Phillips School: Westgate Lower School, Winchester “I nominate Mrs Hughes-Phillips because she is kind but not too strict, just like Mary Poppins! She always makes sure we all understand exactly what we are doing and always has a masterclass if anyone needs one. She is really positive even when things go completely wrong. Thank you for being our teacher!” Eloise 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 GET INVOLVED Email your news, viewsandpictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Every reader who has a report, review, Teacher of the Week nomination, joke or a picture printed…

Bowser named as new Nintendo boss For years, the evil Bowser has tried to defeat Mario and control the Mushroom Kingdom. Now he has become the new boss of Nintendo, the company behind the Mario games. Well, sort of. Thankfully, the new president of Nintendo of America is just someone who happens to share Bowser’s name. Doug Bowser will take over from Reggie Fils-Aime, the outgoing boss. Fils-Aime said, “With a name like Bowser, who better to hold the keys to the Nintendo castle?“ A tasty yeaster egg? Customers around the UK have reacted with a mixture of delight and disgust at the news that Marmite is bringing back its flavoured Easter egg. People have always held strong opinions on Marmite’s yeasty taste, so the company that makes the spread…

1 True or false? Two rare ostriches have been born at Chester Zoo. 2 Why is Jimmy Chipolata in the news? a) He has been hired as a spy b) He’s been elected mayor of York c) He’s been hired as a therapy dog 3 Which country has introduced a tax on social media? 4 True or false? Breakdancing started in Chicago, in the US. 5 For which film did Phil Lord and Chris Miller win an Oscar? a) The Lego Movie b) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse c) Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 6 What is the name for a group of pine martens? 7 True or false? Tracy Edwards’s boat is named Maiden. 8 What is the name of the moon that has been discovered orbiting Neptune? a)…

The former lawyer to US president, Donald Trump, has called his old boss a “liar” and a “cheat” in a dramatic speech in Congress. Congress is where US politicians debate and make decisions, similar to Parliament in the UK. Michael Cohen also said Trump was a “con man” (someone who tricks people for their own benefit) and a “racist” (someone who thinks other people are inferior because of the colour of their skin, nationality or race). Cohen was Trump’s lawyer before and during the 2016 presidential election campaign, which Trump won. Cohen talked and answered questions in Congress for seven hours, claiming at one point that during the election campaign Trump told him to give money to a woman who said she’d had a secret relationship with Trump in the…

New insects have been discovered in the UK for the first time in roughly a century. The webspinners were found spinning webs in a glasshouse at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) garden at Wisley, in Surrey. They are usually found in Thailand, and can grow to one centimetre long. It is thought the insects came to the UK in a cargo of plants. Dr Andy Salisbury, from the RHS, said the creepy crawlies were unlikely to survive outdoors. They prefer warmer weather.…

Now that you’ve read a bit more about it, tell us what you think by voting in our poll at theweekjunior.co.uk/polls . Vote YES if you think breakdancing should be an Olympic sport, or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week. The aim of the Big debate page is to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively, in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on the page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties. The page is created in association with the English-Speaking Union, an educational charity helping young people discover their voice and realise their full potential. For more information, please see…

Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Niamh Emerson picked up gold and silver medals at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow on 1 March. The British athletes competed in the pentathlon, which is one of the most exciting athletics events. Competitors take part in five events: high jump, hurdles, long jump, a running race and shot put, all on the same day. Points are awarded depending on where they finish in each event. Johnson-Thompson scored 4,983 points in total to win gold. She finished the 60-metre hurdles in 8.27 seconds, cleared 1.96 metres in the high jump and threw the shot 13.15 metres. The 26-year-old from Liverpool then jumped 6.53 metres in the long jump and clocked 2 minutes 9.13 seconds in the 800 metres. Emerson is the world junior champion in the…

by Humza Arshad and Henry White. Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff (Penguin Books) Humza is an 11-year-old rapper with big dreams. As Little Badman, he’s determined he’ll be rich, famous and respected; everyone will know his name. However, his ambitions are derailed when strange things start happening at school. Teachers are disappearing and aunties are taking their place! What’s going on? At first it doesn’t seem too bad – after all, at least the aunties are generous with the snacks – but when they start interfering with his music, Humza decides it’s time to get to the bottom of what’s happening. This funny adventure was written by a pair of comedians. If you like the laugh-out-loud writing of David Walliams or David Solomons, this story will be right up your street.…

Small Fortune 7pm on 9 March, ITV Welcome to a tiny show where contestants could win a huge amount of money. Dermot O’Leary oversees the action as teams of friends or family members face miniature challenges, where even the smallest of mistakes could end their chances of bagging the £150,000 prize. Pokémon Detective Pikachu trailer tinyurl.com/TWJ-pikachu Take a peek (or a pika pika) at this brand new trailer for the much-awaited Pokémon film, due out in May. The teaser shows a very cute Pikachu trying to solve a mystery, and also features lots of other creatures, including Mewtwo. Dancing on Ice 6pm on 10 March, ITV In the final, each couple will perform a special dance created by judges – and former Olympic ice-dancing champions – Jayne Torvill and Christopher…

Although tennis may be the game you think of when you first hear about racket sports, you shouldn’t overlook badminton. It is great for fitness and really sociable, so why not give it a go? Played on a court with a mid-height net (1.5 metres), badminton is a game of accuracy and skill. The aim is to win points by hitting a shuttlecock over the net, forcing your opponent to make a mistake so they’re unable to return it – like in tennis. When a player reaches 21 points, they have won the game. Sounds easy, right? Badminton is also fast-paced and unpredictable. You need stamina and speed and you have to be quick on your feet. The most powerful shot in badminton is the smash – when you make…

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March was “Balance for better”. It was a day to celebrate the achievements of women and make sure there are equal opportunities for everyone. We’re never short of incredible women to feature in the magazine. In this issue, look out for Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Laura Muir on page 18, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel on page 20, and the heroic sailors who made history on page 12. Editor PS I highly recommend the cheese, tomato and basil fried egg on page 25, which I made for breakfast last weekend. Delicious!…