Boy's Quest articles from October 2003

Boy's Quest archives from October 2003

A better mouse trap.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... "How do they invent stuff?" Marty asked me one afternoon. "I don't know," I answered. We were in my backyard trying to decide if we were going to be two guys on a spaceship to another planet or two knights on a quest for King Arthur....

Blended word puzzle.
October 1, 2003... What do the words "smog" and "brunch" have in common? They're blended words, words invented by combining the sounds meanings of two different words. Smog = smoke + fog, and brunch = breakfast + lunch. Campers in Geneva Glen, Colorado coined a...

Chopsticks anyone?(history of chopsticks, stir fry and recipe for sesame seed dressing with broccoli)
October 1, 2003... Have you ever wondered why the Chinese invented chopsticks? A long time ago during the Chou Dynasty, China suffered from a shortage of firewood. Forests had to be cut down to plant crops for expanding Chinese population. They needed a new way...

Famous inventions.
October 1, 2003... Can you name some of the most famous inventions in history? By breaking the secret code, you can see for yourself how many you know. The key below will show you how to decode. When you see the word "space," that means the invention is made up...

Protecting the fire of genius.(patents)
October 1, 2003... Imagine that you have a brilliant idea for a new board game. It's more fun than monopoly and easier than checkers. You're thinking about manufacturing and marketing your invention. Now you have something in common with Eli Whitney, Thomas...

Make a water-drop racer.(Science)
October 1, 2003... Here is a science experiment you can make into a toy once you learn how to control the drop of water. When you first try this, be sure to do it outdoors or someplace where it won't matter if you spill a little water on the floor. You'll...

A frosty bit of history.(invention of popsicles)
October 1, 2003... What comes to mind when you hear the word "popsicle"? Let's see, there's cold, cool, crisp, frosty, flavorful, refreshing, savory, sweet, sticky, slurpy, tangy, tasty. In fact, I'm sure you could come up with as many words as there are popsicle...

Word find.
October 1, 2003... Circle the letters of the words you find (in capital letters). Cross the word off the list. Look forwards, backwards, up, down, and diagonally. After all the the words are found, the letters remaining will spell something about...

A great design.(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Why do gears grind and sometimes squeal? Why are chrome rims such a big deal? Why do a clock's hands spin to tell time? Why are whirlybirds able to climb? Why do doors open without falling down? Why does the pulley...

The riding machine.(history of bicycles)
October 1, 2003... People have always wanted to get from one place to another easier and faster. The invention of the wheel in prehistoric times was just the beginning of what would develop from the horse and carriage all the way to the invention of the car and...

Measurements rule!(history of yardsticks and rulers and collecting them)
October 1, 2003... If you're an inventor, you probably collect screws, bolts, wires, switches, and lots of ideas. But here's another idea. You can also start a collection of yardsticks and rulers. After all, an inventor needs to take measurements of the different...

When did they think of that?(mathematical problems help determine year of invention)
October 1, 2003... Many things in our life today we take for granted. But when did these ideas first happen? Who thought of them? Can you determine the year of some inventions by doing some mathematics problems? 1. The idea for the refrigerator occurred about...

Think like an inventor.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... It was impossible for Steve to think of an idea for invention day with such mouthwatering smells floating from the kitchen. A full stomach would help him think better, he decided. "What are you making, Mom?" he asked as he plopped onto a...

Make your own stethoscope (listen to heart and beats and whispers).(Workshop)
October 1, 2003... Make Your Own Stethoscope (Listen to Heart Beats and Whispers) When you go to the doctor, he or she often uses an instrument to listen to your heart and lungs. This gadget the doctor uses is a binaural stethoscope. (Binaural simply means it...

Pondering puzzles.(word games)
October 1, 2003... 1. This very old puzzle is still entertaining. "Railroad crossing, look out for the cars. Can you spell that without any r's?" 2. Do you know what is unusual about the following phrases? Nurse, I spy gypsies! Run! Niagara, 0 roar again!...

Episode # 16 "mouse or machine?".
October 1, 2003... T.A.I.L.S *. COMICS[TM] * TRAVELING ADVENTURES IN LABORATORY SCIENCE! JUST WHO OR WHAT IS QUARK? IS HE MOUSE OR MACHINE??? OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN? Our story begins deep within the confines of the T.A.I.L.S. headquarters--in...

Alexander Calder: art in the air.(Biography)
October 1, 2003... The man stood in his crowded workshop. A thin, metal rod teetered and dipped on his fingertip. Carefully, he attached metal wires--one long and one short--to the rod's ends. From the wires, he dangled bright metal petals. Trained in engineering...

Fred's world.(behavior of basset hound and Mickey Mouse joke)
October 1, 2003... "Mabel! Young lady, I've just had about enough of your shenanigans!" Uh-oh. Sam and I looked at each other. Our friend Mabel, a basset hound, was again in trouble. She had been tracking the scent of a rabbit with her nose and had pulled...

Small things--big changes.(history of chimenys and code for other trivia)
October 1, 2003... What do you think of when you hear the word, "invention?" Maybe you think of computers or electricity or television, but there are many inventions which never come to mind that have changed the way we live. Take the chimney. The only way to...

Pal's pen pal club.(list of correspondents)
October 1, 2003... Dear Readers, This is our shortened list of boys who want to be pen pals. To receive our complete list with the addresses, simply mail us a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We'll send you the addresses within six weeks. (Remember, we can...

They dreamed them up.(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Say! Did you ever wonder how Inventions came to be? Somebody had to dream them up, People like you and me. George Eastman and Tom Edison With Alexander Bell Made contributions to our lives Whose import we...

Riddle--code.(Ticklers & Teasers)
October 1, 2003... A = @ B = # C = & D = % E = + F = \ G = X H = [double dagger] I = - J = ! K = { L = } M = $ N = ( O = ) P = ? Q = [ R = ] S = T = > U = " V = =...

Zig zag riddle.(Ticklers & Teasers)
October 1, 2003... Question: Why did the orange stop in the middle of the road? Fill in the blank squares with the vowels in this list to find the answer. Answer: It ran out juice.

Tricky twisters.(Ticklers & Teasers)
October 1, 2003... Twister teller, Lester Blister, Tried to trick his sister Esther. But twisters Lester chose to test her Couldn't trick quick sister Esther. No twister Lester chose could best her--No twister tricked that slick tongued Esther! P.S. Can you...

Jokes.(Ticklers & Teasers)
October 1, 2003... Knock knock. Who's there? Justin Justin who? Just in time for lunch. How do ships hear? With engine ears!

Mystery picture puzzle.
October 1, 2003... Canoe Match Iron Banana Cardinal Worm (2) Canes (6) Flags Watch Cross Envelope Candle Shoe Pencil Buckeye Gum Rabbit (4) Tepees CANOE MATCH IRON...