Innholdsfortegnelse for 279 i The Week Junior

The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, died on 9 April at the age of 99. Since then, tributes have poured in from all over the world. Who was Prince Philip? Prince Philip was born on 10 June 1921 in Corfu, Greece. He was a member of both the Danish and Greek royal families. He became a British citizen in February 1947 and married Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, on 20 November of the same year. What did he do? Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War (1939–1945) until Princess Elizabeth became Queen in 1952. He was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. A consort is the husband or wife of a queen or king. The Queen and Prince Philip had…

Pixar’s film Soul was one of the big winners at this year’s British Academy Film Awards. The awards, known as the BAFTAs, are given out every year for achievements in filmmaking. They’re voted for by members of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), which includes professionals in the film industry. This year’s ceremony was different because of coronavirus restrictions. It took place over two nights, on 10 and 11 April, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Some of the award presenters were there in person, but most of the winners accepted their awards via video link. Soul won two awards, for best animated film and best original score. Best original score recognises music that was written especially for a film. While accepting the award for original…

“I was born with a little cape on my back,” says Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network and an eco superhero. Earth Day is an annual event to celebrate and protect the planet, and it has been held every year since 1970. Rogers started her career as a lawyer. She says she became more and more interested in the environment, and felt let down by the ways that big companies were breaking environmental laws. This led her to join the Earth Day Network, where she has worked to get lots of people involved in environmental campaigns. At the moment, Rogers believes young people have more power than ever. “Governments are listening to youth,” she says, “and schools are listening to youth.” Given this, Rogers thinks it’s never too…

Octopuses go through stages of sleep similar to humans and might even be able to dream, according to a new study by Brazilian scientists. The team also found that an octopus’s skin changes colour and texture at times when it might be dreaming. Octopuses are cephalopods – soft-bodied molluscs with eight tentacles – and are known to be clever. Sidarta Ribeiro and a team from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte recorded four adult animals snoozing in a laboratory for more than 180 hours, and identified two types of sleep. During each “quiet sleep” phase, the octopus lies still, its skin is pale and its eyes remain closed. This usually lasts for around 30 to 40 minutes, before the octopus enters an “active sleep” phase of one to…

All around England and Wales, scientists and local conservation volunteers are celebrating early successes in a major new effort to restore neglected wildlife havens. In Cumbria, a golf course is being transformed into a home for bees and butterflies; filled-in “ghost ponds” that were lost in the Norfolk landscape are being revived as homes for rare wildlife such as the northern pool frog; and hedgehog highways have been introduced in Lincolnshire. The work is all part of a national campaign to help nature recover across 30% of England and Wales by 2030. The campaign is managed by the Wildlife Trusts, a group of 46 charities that look after the countryside in the whole of the UK. Craig Bennett, the head of the Trusts, said, “Protecting the nature we have left…

On 22 April, millions of people around the world will celebrate Earth Day. First held in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event to raise awareness of the environment. The success of Earth Day has inspired new laws to protect the planet. On Earth Day 2016, the United Nations (UN) invited world leaders to sign the Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement is the world’s biggest plan to fight climate change. To mark Earth Day 2021, learn more about what’s in the Paris Agreement and why it is so important to the future of our planet. What is the Paris Agreement? The Paris Agreement is a deal between 195 countries on how to fight climate change (the long-term changes in world weather patterns, including rising temperatures, largely caused by human activities).…

While Tyrannosaurus and its relatives were the top predators in North America and Asia, a group of dinosaurs called abelisaurids, which includes Llukalkan, ruled the southern hemisphere. Their skulls were generally shorter but taller than those of tyrannosaurs, with a blunt snout. The skull bones often had grooves and protrusions that show where soft tissue such as muscles were attached during life, giving them a bumpy appearance. One of the largest abelisaurids, called Carnotaurus, had a thick, muscular neck and two 15-centimetre horns on its head, which it may have used for fighting rivals. However, most abelisaurids had tiny arms and clawed hands that would have been almost useless.…

Computer programmers have built an artificial intelligence (AI) system to create paintings that most people can’t distinguish from the work of human artists.AI is a form of programming that allows computers to perform tasks that usually require human skills. Harsha Gangadharbatla, from the University of Colorado Boulder in the US, asked 211 volunteers to look at five human paintings shown alongside AI versions and identify which was which. Most could only identify one human artwork correctly. Enjoy these stories? Find more in this month’s The Week Junior Science+Naturemagazinesciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk…

Has a friend made you laugh so much you feel unable to stop? Maybe you’ve had a bad day but you feel better for talking to a special person. Friends are a big part of life’s highs, as well as helping us to cope with the lows. Why do friends matter? Friendships are important for our happiness and wellbeing. They’re also important for our physical health – studies have reported that people with good social connections have fewer health problems. There is no right number of friends to have, and people have different kinds of friends – from casual ones to very close pals. However, the quality of our friendships matters. This is especially true as you grow up and develop your own identity and independence. Research shows that 68%…

Zoos, safari parks and theme parks were allowed to reopen in England on 12 April. Bristol, Chester, Paignton and ZSL London and Whipsnade zoos were among those that opened their doors and welcomed back visitors. Zoos in England closed on 5 November because of the pandemic. There are rules – such as social distancing and wearing masks in indoor areas – to keep visitors safe. Dan Simmonds, head of primates at ZSL London Zoo, told The Week Junior that some of the animals had missed seeing the public during lockdown. “Especially Jimmy the gibbon,” Simmonds said. “He spends his days showing off his climbing skills to people over the boundary fence in Regent’s Park. Jimmy will be particularly pleased when the public can return to visit. We just can’t wait…

This famous British drama from 1969 is based on a book. Many people think it’s one of the best films ever made in the UK. Kes Apple TV, DVD, Prime Video Based on Barry Hines’s book A Kestrel for a Knave, the film Kes tells the story of a boy who is struggling at school. To escape the bullies, he begins training a kestrel (a bird of prey). The film features a very impressive performance in the lead role from David Bradley. He had never acted before – but you’d never be able to tell. Bradley is from the English town of Barnsley, where the film was made. However, the film is probably most famous for actor Brian Glover’s portrayal of a particularly scary PE teacher. Even though it was…

The Girl with Her Head in the Clouds by Karen McCombie. Illustrated by Anneli Bray (Barrington Stoke) London, 1904. When a couple of showmen need help with a daring stunt, 16-year-old Dolly volunteers. Soon, she’s embarking on a new career as a parachutist. This thrilling tale is inspired by the breathtaking real life of parachute performer Dolly Shepherd. Becoming: Adapted for Younger Readers by Michelle Obama (Penguin Books) In this new edition of her bestselling book, written especially for young people, Michelle Obama tells her remarkable story. Inspiring and thought-provoking, it follows her from her ordinary childhood in Chicago, US, to becoming a top lawyer and living in the White House, home of US presidents. Marie Curie and Her Daughters by Imogen Greenberg. Illustrated by Isabel Greenberg (Bloomsbury Children’s) You’ve…

There are lots of benefits from riding your bike to school. These include exercise, fresh air and seeing things around your area that you wouldn’t notice from a car. It’s good for the environment too. Cycling to school is also thought to make you more alert and ready to learn. For some people it’s not possible to cycle to school every day but even doing it some days or cycling part of the way can make a big difference. Before you set off cycling it’s important to check the condition of your bike. With the help of an adult, follow the “A, B, C” rule: A is for air (is there enough in both tyres?); B is for brakes (are they working properly?) and C is for chain (is it…

Join the Rafiki Relay for Education By joining in this relay you’ll be raising money to educate young people living in three African countries. The virtual route runs from Cairo, in Egypt, all the way to Cape Town, in South Africa – a total of 8,215 miles. You can do your bit by walking, running, swimming or cycling a small part of the distance. You can do it on your own or rope in your friends, family or entire school to take part with you. Everyone who raises £10 or more will receive a medal, and there are other prizes for every £20 you raise. The challenge starts on 26 April. Learn more at tinyurl.com/TWJ-Relay…

Teacher’s name: Mr Brundish School: Brambletye School, East Grinstead, West Sussex “Mr Brundish is fun and interesting, and he’s encouraging of our interests outside of school. During homeschooling, he set Friday challenges, including fancy dress, funny hat day and bring a pet to school day! Now we have returned to school, Mr Brundish has made sure that we are all happy. I look forward to being in his class.” Emily If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send yourschoolthreefreeissuesof The Week Junior.Sendyour nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

How much of this week’s news can you remember? 1 Who was the first person in space? □ a) Neil Armstrong □ b) Valentina Tereshkova □ c) Yuri Gagarin 2 True or false? Soul won three BAFTAs. □ True □ False 3 What is the name of the ancient city discovered in Egypt? 4 What does Nowruz mean? □ a) New Year □ b) New Day □ c) New Spring 5 True or false? Rachael Blackmore is the first woman to ride the winning horse at the Grand National. □ True □ False 6 The word “octopus” combines which two Greek words? 7 When was the first Earth Day? □ a) 1950 □ b) 1960 □ c) 1970 8 True or false? NASA’s Mars helicopter is called Perseverance. □ True…

In 1956, Prince Philip set up the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is a scheme to help young people learn important life skills. He was inspired to set it up by his time at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. The programme is open to any young person aged between 14 and 24, with Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards available for completing certain tasks. More than three million people in the UK have received a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since 1956.…

GREY SEALS More than 500 grey seals have been counted at a nature reserve in Cumbria, England, for the first time. Surveys between September and March showed a 44% increase in grey seals since 2018. Conservationist Dr Emily Baxter said the rise was “very exciting”. MAKING A DIFFERENCE On 11 April, Darren Hardy completed running five marathons in 50 hours. He took up the challenge after meeting a girl called Aggie Candy-Waters who is living with a rare brain condition. So far Hardy has raised more than £18,000 to help fund research that could help treat Aggie and other young people like her. LONG-LOST PEN PALS A pair of pen pals have reconnected after a gap of 70 years. In 1950, 11-year-old Jim Johnston, from Northern Ireland, and Fred Heard,…

Shortly after the UK went into lockdown last year, Henry, from Piddington in England, put a collection box outside his house for neighbours to donate food to families in need. Everything was delivered to the One Can Trust, which runs a food bank to distribute the donations. Now, Henry has collected food every week for a year, becoming a “One Can Street Hero” along with 300 other people. Henry, who is seven years old, said, “My village is amazing. Everyone keeps donating and my box is always full.”…

From 1 to 12 November, the UN will hold a climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, called COP26. It was meant to take place last year. Countries will update each other on their progress and set more ambitious targets for the future. When the meeting was supposed to happen last year, more than 330 young people from 140 countries held a virtual conference called Mock COP26. They came up with a list of demands for leaders, including inviting young people to COP26. Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network, told The Week Junior that there would be a “seat at the table” for young people during the conference.…

On 11 April, hundreds of young people enjoyed taking part in a Junior Parkrun once again. The popular weekly running events have not happened since March 2020, when the UK first entered lockdown. Now with restrictions easing, 52 Junior Parkruns took place around England for young people aged between four and 10 years old. A Junior Parkrun is a free run, jog or walk over 1.2 miles (two kilometres). They are held in open spaces, such as parks and sports fields, and each runner is timed on how long it takes them to finish the course. Some people try to go fast and beat their best time but lots of young runners simply enjoy the challenge of completing the route with friends. Junior Parkrun entrants can run with an adult…

If a friend has hurt your feelings, child psychotherapist Claire Hopkins, says: • Think about why this friend is hurting your feelings. Is your friend going through a difficult time? You could gently say that you have noticed that they have been upset and ask if they want to talk. Working through tricky moments can make friendships stronger. • Friendships should make us feel thought about, respected and happy. If you have friends who don’t make you feel like this, then it may be better to spend your time with friends who do make you feel great and are fun to be around.…

Legoland Windsor Legoland reopened to the public on 12 April, although activities such as indoor rides and live shows are not due to start again until 17 May. You can find out more at legoland.co.uk Highland Wildlife Park This Scottish park has many creatures, including local wildlife and endangered animals from around the world. You can see capercaillies, polar bears, tigers and wildcats. Visit tinyurl.com/TWJ-highland Oakwood Oakwood, in Pembrokeshire, is the biggest theme park in Wales and has a lots of rides and family activities. It is due to reopen on 30 April. For more information go to oakwoodthemepark.co.uk…

Big Shot Available to watch now on Disney+ When a basketball coach is fired by his team, he takes a job at an exclusive private girls’ school. The girls there don’t take the game seriously, but if the coach wants to get back into “real” coaching, he will have to teach the pupils to work together on and off the court. Dawn to Dusk 8pm on 18 April, Sky Nature This first episode in a new series follows a day in the life of several animals. This episode focuses on the South American tropics, including the Galápagos Islands and the Colombian rainforest, where a blisteringly hot day is about to unfold. Thunder Force Available to watch now on Netflix In this comedy film, a scientist has developed a way to…

The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. by Jen Carney (Puffin Books) Welcome to the diary of Billie Upton Green, who absolutely does not ever want to be called by her initials, B.U. G. After “accidentally” transforming a dreadfully depressing spellings book into a hilarious doodle diary, Billie sets about recording her life. There are all kinds of important things to document, such as the five Biscuit Laws, the new girl who’s just arrived at school and the forthcoming wedding of Billie’s two mums. Then there’s the mysterious mystery of Mrs Robinson’s stolen purse – who could be responsible for the heist? The pages of this super-fun story are crammed with doodles, quizzes, jokes, lists and even a recipe for baking “chocolate bums”. Ideal for fans of Tom Gates, or Pamela Butchart’s…

How can I improve my cycling skills? Bikeability provides training and advice to help families cycle more. Its instructors visit schools in England and Scotland to teach pupils how to ride safely on the roads and about the importance of bike maintenance. Visit bikeability. org.uk or cycling.scot for more information and helpful videos. How do I cycle to school? First plan your cycle route to school, perhaps trying out the journey the weekend before you start. This can help you and an adult riding with you to be aware of any dangers there might be, such as traffic or crossing a road. Time how long it takes so that you won’t be late.…

“He tried to say to young people, it is all within your power to make a difference. Never look at yourself as someone to whom things have been done. You can make a difference.” So said the former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, as he paid tribute to Prince Philip, who died aged 99 on 9 April. As well as being a keen conservationist and passionate supporter of the environment, the Queen’s husband also set up the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. He founded it in 1956 to support young people after the war, giving them skills in areas such as volunteering, adventuring and sport. It went on to operate in more than 140 countries, handing out bronze, silver and gold awards to recipients including Dame Kelly Holmes, the famous…

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 with anyone else. By submitting your reports and pictures, you give consent to The Week Junior to print them in the magazine and digital editions. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, accuracy and suitability. Ensure you have your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.…

Ramadan began this year on 13 April, with Muslims all over the world fasting, praying and observing religious traditions. In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a very important holy month. It marks the month when Muslims believe that their holy book, called the Quran, was revealed by Allah, or God, through the angel Jibril to the Prophet Muhammad in AD610. It is a time for believers to strengthen their faith through prayer, reflection, doing good deeds and spending time with their family and friends. The Week Junior readers Hannah, Zak and Samina said that Ramadan is a very special month for them because “it allows us to practise our patience and makes us feel very grateful for our food and water”. During Ramadan, many Muslims fast. This means they do…

There has been more than a week of rioting (violent public unrest) in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland. It has been described as some of the worst violence the country has seen in years. What is the background? Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, a country that shares a 310-mile border with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a different country and part of the European Union (EU), a group of 27 countries that work together. From 1968 to 1998, there was a violent conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. This was because some people, called unionists, wanted Northern Ireland to stay as part of the UK. However, other people called nationalists wanted Northern Ireland…

In 45BC, when Julius Caesar ruled the Roman Empire, he asked an astronomer called Sosigenes to work out a new calendar. Before then, the Roman calendar was based on the movements of the Moon. Sosigenes advised Caesar to base his calendar on the Sun. The result was the Julian calendar, named after Caesar, and it was based on a standard year lasting 365 and a quarter days, beginning on 1 January. In AD1582, the Julian calendar was altered by Pope Gregory XIII to become the Gregorian calendar, which is still used in the UK and many other countries. However, many eastern cultures mark New Year on the first day of spring. Imagine what it would be like to begin the year when the trees are in bloom. What do you…

Clean Ocean Sailing (COS) is an organisation in Cornwall, England, that aims to clean the coastline of plastic and litter using a sailing boat. Sailing allows the team to access the most remote areas, gathering the plastic from the water and recycling it. The boat, called the Annette, is 113 years old and has just been restored. However, it now needs a new sail and the team want to see colourful designs for its decoration from anyone in the UK who is interested in helping their mission. COS has partnered with Stroodles, a company that makes environmentally friendly drinking straws using pasta, in a campaign under the hashtag #MakeASplash. Anyone can get involved by sending in their design for the sail before 30 April, and COS says that entries should…

Pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the world. In the wild, Eastern pygmy marmoset groups, each called a troop, have a territory that they mark with their scent and patrol daily. They use scent, sight and calls to communicate with others in their troop, and alert each other to danger. They are known to have more than 15 different calls, some of which are so high-pitched that humans cannot hear them. Do you have a question about an animal you would like answered? We’d love to include it in the magazine. Send your question in an email to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

Anew species of carnivorous (meat-eating) dinosaur found in Argentina has been named “one who causes fear”. The predator flourished in the southern hemisphere 80 million years ago, around the same time early relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex were stomping across the northern half of the planet. The dinosaur, whose official name is Llukalkan aliocranianus, measured up to five metres long and had a hugely powerful bite, sharp teeth and giant claws. As an adult, it would have weighed around the same as an elephant and experts say it would have been at the very top of the food chain, meaning it had no natural predators and a range f prey to choose from. Researchers found the bones at a site in the Patagonia region of Argentina, where many other fossilised dinosaur…

Emily Muskett The weightlifter took the European title in the 71 kilogram division in Moscow, Russia. She is the first British athlete to win at the competition in 26 years. Jade Jones The Welsh taekwondo star won the European women’s under-57 kilograms championship for the third time in a row. Hideki Matsuyama Matsuyama won the Masters golf competition in the US, which is the first men’s golf major event of the year. He is Japan’s first winner of the Masters. Helen Glover and Polly Swann The British athletes won gold in the women’s pair at the European Rowing Championships in Italy.…

Alexandra Turner from the Children’s Society explains: It’s important to know that things can and often do go wrong with friendships, and that we all have a lot to learn when it comes to keeping our friendships. It’s ok not to be friends with everyone, and not all friendships will last. They can change and sometimes end, and that is normal. There is no magic formula to make sure that friendships work well. If you are struggling with this, it is ok to ask for help.…

Cel Spellman is a TV host, actor and BBC Radio 1 DJ, and for the past 10 years he’s also been working with wildlife charity the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) as a campaigner for environmental issues. That work now includes hosting a new podcast, Call of the Wild, which launched in February with an interview with Sir David Attenborough. The podcast covers the negative effects that climate change is having on our planet but it also explains how we can help to tackle these effects. Climate change is long-term changes in world weather patterns, including rising temperatures, that are mostly caused by human activity. “Storytelling, conversation and awareness are three key parts of communicating the climate crisis and getting people involved, and a podcast allows you to do…

Does the main character of Billie remind you of anyone you know? Billie is a bit like me. I eat biscuits in very particular ways; I’ve never been a great speller; I always try to stand up for what I believe in; and I love playing silly games. Did you enjoy school? Yes! I was VERY into extracurricular activities like sport and drama. School, for me, was about so much more than lessons. Do you like doodling? Oh gosh, I’m addicted to doodling. Leave a pad and pen within my reach and within five minutes I’ll have filled a page with random objects, intricate patterns and block lettering. Are you planning to write more books about Billie? I’ll let you in on a secret: I’ve already written the next two…

Sumayya Usmani is an author and member of the Guild of Food Writers. This is her recipe for a spicy fruit salad with masala dressing. She says, “Seasonal fruit in spices, citrus juice and salt is a personal childhood treat. Rather like Marmite, you will either love it or hate it. Feel free to use whatever fruit you have.” This recipe is taken from Usmani’s first book, Summers Under the Tamarind Tree. What you need You can use any fruit for this recipe. Below is Usmani’s guide. • ½ tsp cumin seeds • 1 mango, cut into small chunks • 1 banana, sliced • 1 guava, cut into small chunks • 1 small orange, deseeded and cut into small chunks • 1 apple, cut into chunks • 10–15 grapes, cut…

Name: Skye “I’m a climate activist and love campaigning for change. I am running a campaign to ban plastics from comics and magazines. I wrote to publishers, who didn’t give a good enough reply, so I started a petition and sent loads of emails and sociall media posts. The BBC interviewed me and my campaign was mentioned on national radio. A manager from Waitrose heard about the campaign and agreed with me – then Waitrose announced that it would stop selling comics and magazines containing plastic tat – AMAZING! They are giving the publishers eight weeks to change. Since then I have been in newspapers and on live BBC TV and CBBC Newsround! I am now on the junior board of a big company helping the Recycle to Read scheme.…

We’d love to see your snaps. Send them to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Don’t forget to tell us why you took them. “I painted the grey seal in this week’s edition. I liked the colours and thought the coral looked like grapes or little mushrooms, and I loved the seal’s long whiskers.” Theia “Inspired by your feature on the beauty of blossoms in Japan, my brother and I went to Kew Gardens and saw all the magnolia and cherry trees in bloom. This is my brother and I on a magnolia tree.” Nate “We made traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs using beeswax and a special tool called “kistka”. It was tremendously fun.” Katie…

Follow The Week Junior on PopJam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the PopJam app from the App Store or Google Play. Last week, we asked if athletes should boycott the Winter Olympics. You said… “The Winter Olympics is a way for people with unusual talents like snowboarding to compete.” “They shouldn’t go because they are rewarding them by letting them have the Olympics in their country, but they haven’t done anything to be rewarded for.” “I don’t really know if they should. Some people do want to watch it.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…