News Bites - National Geographic Kids

Read news stories on the National Geographic Kids News Bites blog!

Thursday, July 9, 2009
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Happy Birthday, Tai Shan

Photo: Tai Shan with his birthday "cake"One of the big attractions at Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo is Tai Shan, a giant panda. He was born at the zoo in 2005, and has been delighting visitors ever since. Tai Shan turns four today, and his fans have been leaving birthday messages on the National Zoo's website.

To celebrate his birthday, the zoo's staff made Tai Shan a birthday "cake," but it's really more like a Popsicle. The ingredients are water, bamboo, and beets. Yummy!

Send Tai Shan a birthday wish on the National Zoo's website.

Learn more about Tai Shan and the zoo's other giant pandas on the National Zoo's website.

Get facts about giant pandas on National Geographic Kids.



Photograph courtesy Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian's National Zoo


 
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
kidssuperadmin

Three New Dinos Discovered

Image: Australovenator wintonensis























Image courtesy Travis R. Tischler, Australian Age of Dinosaurs



"Banjo" is the nickname for the newly-named dinosaur Australovenator wintonensis, a meat-eating, raptor-like dino recently found in Australia. The fossilized remains are one of three new dinosaur species discovered in Winton, a town in the Australian outback.

Learn more about the dig and meet new discoveries "Matilda" and "Clancy" on National Geographic News.

Test your knowledge of dinosaurs in this National Geographic Kids Brainteaser.

 
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
kidssuperadmin

Ready, Set, Glow!

Photo: To celebrate the launch of the National Children's Museum's Ready, Set, Glow! project, families join Museum of Science Boston educator Don Salvatore, holding a firefly fishing pole, for a firefly night walkScientists are concerned that fireflies may be disappearing. With the help of volunteers around the country, they hope to collect information about where and when fireflies are appearing this year. Ask your parents if you can help count fireflies. Visit Ready, Set, Glow! to learn how to observe fireflies in your backyard. You can also learn some firefly jokes and do some activities.

Visit Ready, Set, Glow! from the National Children's Museum.

Ask your parents, then register for the Museum of Science, Boston's Firefly Watch and share your observations.

Check out bug photos on National Geographic Kids.


To celebrate the launch of the National Children's Museum's Ready, Set, Glow! project, families join Museum of Science Boston educator Don Salvatore, holding a firefly fishing pole, for a firefly night walk.


Photograph courtesy the National Children's Museum


 
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
kidssuperadmin

Lynx Kittens Return to Colorado

Photo: A lynx kitten























Photograph courtesy Colorado Division of Wildlife/AP


Biologists have found lynx kittens in Colorado! Read about the discovery on National Geographic News.

See photos of domestic cats on National Geographic Kids.
 
Friday, June 26, 2009
kidssuperadmin

Roller Coasters: 125 Years of Thrills

Photo: Upside down rollercoaster




























Photograph courtesy Garry Whipple



Roller coasters have gone through a lot of twists and turns over the past 125 years. In 1884, Coney Island's roller coaster, the Switchback Railway, cost only a nickel to ride, but it was a huge attraction that made its designer, LaMarcus A. Thompson a very wealthy man. Thompson received the patent for his design in 1885 and inspired a coaster race that continues today.

The Corkscrew (pictured) was the first roller coaster with two loops and opened at California's Knott's Berry Farm in 1975, but has since been moved to Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho.

See pictures of roller coasters on National Geographic News.

Piece together Fair Rides puzzles.
 

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