Hopscotch articles from August 2003

Hopscotch archives from August 2003

Cosmic eyes.(astrophysicist Dr. Colleen Wilson-Hodges)
August 1, 2003... As a child, Dr. Colleen Wilson-Hodge played soccer and watched the twinkling stars, observing craters on the moon with a tiny telescope. In the third grade, she decided that she wanted to be an astronomer as she wanted to explore and discover....

Look at the stars from bed.(constellations)(Illustration)
August 1, 2003... Did you know you can see Draco the Dragon on every clear night? No, Draco isn't a fire-breathing dragon that will give you an instant haircut. Rather, it is merely the name of a constellation. What are constellations? They are groups of stars...

Mystery picture puzzle.
August 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bird Spoon Candy Kiss Moon Gown Crown Lollipop Needle Sno-cone Owl Bell Canoe Bee Snail Worm Star Candy Corn Scarf Car Jar Butter Cream Ice Cream Cone [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Finding four moons.(studying Jupiter)
August 1, 2003... It is easy to look into the night sky to find our moon. How would you like to impress your family and friends by pointing to four moons? There's no trick, and it is not even difficult to do. All you need is a pair of binoculars and the right...

Remembering the planets.(quizz)
August 1, 2003... Can you name the planets in the correct order? Making up a sentence with words that use first letter of each planet's name can help. Read the following examples from top to bottom. Use the examples and the word list to get ideas for your...

Moon madness.(popular myths)
August 1, 2003... You don't have to be an astronaut to catch on to these "phrases" about the moon. Once in a blue moon describes an event that happens every once in a while, such as two full moons in one month. The second moon is known as a blue moon. Also...

Lisa.(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Once there was a little girl, No taller than my knee. She often dressed her dollies up And served them ginger tea. She kept her ribbons in her drawer, Neatly in a row. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair...

Searching the sky.(Illustration)
August 1, 2003... Eighteen words related to astronomy are hidden in the puzzle. Search forward, backward, up, down, and diagonally. Unused Letters will then spell out two famous astronomers. World List: ASTEROID AURORA BIG DIPPER COMET COSMOS ECLIPSE...

The dog star.(Sirius)
August 1, 2003... Thousands of years ago on a scorching summer day, Greek and Egyptian astronomers noticed that Sirius, the dog star, rose with the sun. Sirius is in the constellation Canis Major, which means big dog. Because Sirius was so big and bright, the...

My Trip into Space.(Poem)
August 1, 2003... My Trip into Space I wish that I could meet Some little green girls from Mars. I'd ask them all about Their home among the stars. I'd ask if I could take a ride In their ship with flashing lights. I'd...

What would you weigh on Mars or Jupiter?(BASIC program)
August 1, 2003... When you step on a scale to weigh yourself, the scale reads your weight in pounds or kilograms. However, this is your weight on Earth! What would the scale say you weighed if the scale were on the moon or even, perhaps, Uranus? This short BASIC...

Make a portable planetarium.(science experiment)
August 1, 2003... For longer than there has been writing, people have looked to the night sky to help them find their way, keep track of the time of year, and as inspiration for stories and legends. Because nearly 2000 stars are visible on a clear night from a...

Episode 7: exploring the night sky.(Girl Power Science Squad)(Short Story)
August 1, 2003... Agents of Traveling Adventurers in Laboratory Science, they endeavor to restore their destroyed headquarters in... Our story begins at the newly refurbished headquarters of the Traveling Adventures in Laboratory Science... Unseen by...

Which way did you say?(stars and constellations)
August 1, 2003... Would you like to visit a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Here are the directions: First, pack lots of snacks; then board your ship and set sail. Go straight for a while. When you get to some really huge waves with lots of...

Today's hottest stars.
August 1, 2003... Young people have always loved to watch their favorite stars perform. But long before the arrival of hot luminaries like Leo DiCaprio, Britney Spears, and Pokemon, kids fanatically followed even hotter luminaries like Leo Minor, Beta Centauri,...

Star Gazing.(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Star Gazing We lay on our backs on a blanket, My father, my brother, and me, Counting the stars in the darkness 'Til Dad pointed, "Look there, do you see?" "It's a shooting star," he whispered As it soared...

The aurora borealis.
August 1, 2003... It's winter in Alaska--midnight--nine degrees above zero. And yet, there are people--grown-ups bundled against the cold; children are clothed in scarves, gloves, and fur-lined boots, outside, looking at the sky. Why? It is because the sky is...

Twinkle, twinkle.(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Twinkle, Twinkle Twinkle, twinkle little star, Light-years from the earth you are, Out beyond Andromeda, Mid the Quarks and Nebula. Giant, Dwarf, or Yellow sun, Tell me, tell me, just for fun, From up...

Can you name the planet?(quizz)
August 1, 2003... Each letter of the alphabet stands for a different number: A=1 B=2 C=3 D=4 E=5 F=6 G=7 H=8 I=9 J=10 K=11 L=12 M=13 N=14 O=15 P=16 Q=17 R=18 S=19 T=20 U=21 V=22 W=23 X=24 Y=25 Z=26 Do the following problems, and place the letter in the...

Fireworks from heaven.(meteor showers)
August 1, 2003... The shrill sound of the alarm clock shattered our sleep in the wee hours of the morning, November 18, 1999. For a moment, we couldn't remember why. "Of course," we cried, "the meteors!" We jumped out of bed, roused the children, grabbed...

Spot a shooting star.(meteor showers)
August 1, 2003... Late Night Sky Shows Meteor showers are named according to the constellations from which they seem to radiate. Persid meteors appear from the direction of the direction of the Perseus constellation. Meteors, called shooting stars, are...

Astronomy.
August 1, 2003... Rearrange the letters to create words than an astronomer might use and discover the answer to the following question. Two letters have been provided. What is the name of the wide, bright, irregular band of light that wraps around the...

Toasted rainbows.(Cooking)
August 1, 2003... Start the day with a rainbow of color! What you need: * milk (1/2 c. for each color) * food coloring (choose your favorites) * clean, small, paint brushes * butter * sugar * toaster WHAT TO DO: * Mix...

Word search.(puzzle)(Illustration)
August 1, 2003... In the word search below, the words may be read across, up, down, backward, and diagonally. The leftover letters answer this question: What are groups of stars that may form a shape or pattern called? apogee asteroid aurora black hole comet...

Phoebe & Buttercup: postcards from the bed and the shed.
August 1, 2003... Dear Buttercup, I've checked around and still no sign of that cat. Since I haven't caught wind of him, can I assume he isn't at your place either? Where could he have gone? Do you think he'll return? If so, do you think he travels at...

Polly the Clown.(Contest Winners)(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Polly the Clown Miss Polly, it seems, is a clown So clumsy that she will fall down. She wears big shoes. Made a hit in the news. She's the favorite of kids in the town. by Sarah McEllhenney Age 12 yrs....

A Kitty Ditty.(Contest Winners)(Poem)
August 1, 2003... A Kitty Ditty There once was a very black kitty, Who decided to recite a ditty. But her mouth wasn't right, For it felt kind of tight, And the yowl that came out wasn't pretty. by Emily Sauble Age 12 yrs....

Old Bob.(Contest Winners)(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Old Bob There once was a clown named Old Bob, Who hated his clowny old job. He waited with ease To fly on a trapeze, And his wish really made his heart throb! by Stephanie Lund Age 11 yrs. Parker, CO...

The Circus.(Contest Winners)(Poem)
August 1, 2003... The Circus There is a circus in town. You won't have a frown! The popcorn tastes so nice. The root beer has a little spice. The performers never lie around. by Elizabeth J. Flatray Age 9 yrs. Abilene, KS

Marcus, the Clown.(Contest Winners)(Poem)
August 1, 2003... Marcus, the Clown When I went to the circus, I met a clown named Marcus. He blew big balloons And danced with baboons, Which made the ladies nervous. by Mary Eschen Age 9 yrs. San Andreas, CA

Honorable Mention.(Contest Winners)
August 1, 2003... Honorable Mention That Darn Cat by Anne Hayner Age 8 yrs. West Haven, CT The Big Tent Is Full by Carlee Henderson Age 7 yrs. Ada, OK A Girl from Peru by Rachel Karding Age 11 yrs. Barrie, ON Canada There Once Was a Silly Clown...

Outdoor Art Contest: winners.
August 1, 2003... Meghan Reynolds * Age 8 Concord, PA Nikole Anthofer * Age 9 Coon Rapids, IA Micah Long * Age 11 Spartanburg, SC McKenzie Roberts * Age 7 Hollidaysburg, PA Joy Kiefer * Age 12 Fayetteville, PA Megan Elizabeth Hidlebaugh *...

Cartoon.
August 1, 2003... "That's not an asteroid coming towards earth. That is mustard that you dropped on the lens when you ate lunch."

Potsy's Pen Pal Club.
August 1, 2003... These are new additions of Hopscotch girls who want to be pen pals. These do not include girls on the previous list. To receive the addresses, simply mail us a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope. We'll send you the addresses within six weeks....

Potsy's post office.(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... Dear Potsy, My name is Aynsley Elizabeth Blain. I am 14, homeschooled, and I have three sisters. Kendyl is 12, Sydney 5, and Taylor 3. I love your magazines, especially the various poems and the pen pal page. I am very happy to have pen...