【推荐1】The National Football Museum has the world’s largest public collection of football objects and archives (档案), which is known as the Football Heritage Collection. In 2013 it was recognised as an official Designated Collection by Arts Council England and described as “of outstanding importance and value”. There are currently over 40,000 items within the collection, which continues to grow as we acquire new objects to preserve and help us share stories about football. Below provides a brief summary of the individual collections that contribute to the Football Heritage Collection.

The finest single collection of football in the world was collected by Harry Langton, a London journalist with a passion for the game. The vast collection includes artwork, toys and games and playing equipment, and also houses a number of objects relating to women’s football.

This collection reflects all aspects of the history and development of the world’s oldestprofessional league, founded in 1888. Handbooks, attendance records, programmes and a large range of books provide an invaluable research tool for the museum.

This rich and developing collection features objects donated to us by members of thepublic, footballers (and their families) and other people related to the game. The 6,000-strong collection features all kinds of items.

The official collection from Preston North End contains over 1,000 objects and celebratesone of the most famous clubs in the history of the game, and the team that play at the oldest football league ground in the world.

【推荐2】Half buried in sand for centuries along the ancient Silk Road in Gansu, China, the paintings and sculptures in Mogao Caves are now recognized as one of the greatest artistic wonders in the world, which offer a look into the multicultural society that survived for more than a thousand years along the crossroad between East and West.

Mogao Caves began as a vision of light. One evening in AD 366, a wandering monk named Yuezun saw a thousand golden Buddhas shining on a rock. Inspired, he carved a small cave into the rock. Soon, religious communities began carving out larger caves for public acts of devotion. They decorated their caves with Buddhist decorations.

One of Mogao’s creative peaks came during the seventh and eighth centuries, when the Tang cave painters displayed a fully confident Chinese style, covering whole walls with vivid Buddhist decorations whose color movement, and naturalism made the landscape come alive.

“Unlike Indian Buddhists, the Chinese believers wanted to know in detail all the forms of the afterlife” says Zhao Shengliang, an art historian at the Dunhuang Academy. “The purpose of all this color and movement was to show Buddhist believers the beauty of the Pure Land—and to convince them that it was real.”

“But the caves have almost every illness now,” Zhao once said in the 1980s, pointing out the damage caused by sand, water, sunlight and tourists. This is the dilemma the Dunhuang Academy still faces: how to conserve the caves while introducing them to a wider audience. The number of tourists visiting Mogao reached more than one million in a month in 2019. The water from all the breathing could damage the paintings more than any other factor.

Digital technology may provide the solution. At present, the Academy is re-creating the full 3D experience of the caves—not at the site itself, but in a new visitors’ centor 15 miles away. Zhao believes that reuniting all of Mogao’s treasures in one place, even virtually, will guarantee that they will never again be buried in the sand. “This will be a way,” he says, “to preserve them forever.”

【推荐3】To dye (染色) clothes by machines is very common now. But in ancient times, the whole process was completed by hands. This skill is called tie-dye (扎染). It is said that tie-dyed clothes appeared in the Qin Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, tie-dyed clothes became very popular and the most beautiful ones were sent to the emperors as gifts.

Yang Cheng, a 52-year-old man, was well-known for his tie-dye skills. He started learning tie-dye in the 1980s. Later, he went to other countries to learn different ways of tie-dye, such as Japan, India and France. He has been studying tie-dye for 35 years and he wants more people to know it. At present, he teaches tie-dye in schools, communities and companies. More than 100, 000 people have learned from him.

Tie-dye is one of Chinese intangible cultural heritages (非物质文化遗产). It has become very popular among people, even children can do it for fun. Liu Mei is a teacher at a kindergarten. She teaches kids to dye scarves. They tie a white scarf together at first, then they put the scarf into the dye. After they finish, there are some amazing pictures on it.

Tie-dye is interesting and fun. Do you want to have a try?

【推荐1】Science on Wheels travels across Washington bringing engaging STEM programming to grades K-8 with a focus on interactive and hands-on programs that bring the joy of scientific exploration to life and enable learners to see themselves in STEM.

Registration now! Open for 2024-2025 school year!   

PROGRAM OFFERINGS LOGISTICS

*Funding is available for qualifying schools, libraries, and community groups.

**Some partial-day programming is available regionally with additional travel fees. Inquire for more info.

Programs are designed to support current science standards and arouse curiosity and a love of exploration and experimentation in students. We have a series of classes for each age group for each theme. Pacific Science Center educators bring all of the activity materials for these programs, but schools will need to provide tables.

【推荐2】Hi Singapore First Aid Training Center!

I am Nivashini Kaliaperumal, a research officer working at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMCB). Under the coaching of both you and Mr Jason Sim, I was certified (证明) to be a first aider yesterday.

Coincidentally (恰巧), my first aid skills were put to test today. While returning to work with my workmates after lunch, we noticed a small crowd gathered around a 4D shop. Surprisingly, they weren’t buying lottery (彩票) tickets. Instead a pale looking aunty seated on the step of the shop had attracted a crowd around her. We immediately rushed to the scene.

I introduced myself as a certified first aider, which put her mind at rest. Though feeling weak, she refused to lie down. I realized that she was in a poorly ventilated (空气流通不好的) area as many were frequently walking past her. My workmates and I moved her to a well ventilated area. Some kind onlookers bought her mineral water. She felt better after resting and drinking some water.

A bleeding wound was noticed on her neck. She had been injured during her fall and was feeling weak. Thankfully a medical shop was nearby and necessary first aid items were bought. While dressing the wound, I collected necessary information (name, health problems, medicine, etc) about her. She is a patient with high blood pressure who takes her medicine regularly. A complete head to toe examination was performed. No further sign of bleeding was observed. We encouraged her to see a doctor before she left for home.

Being trained with proper first aid knowledge and skills allowed me to help Aunty Sally today. Thank you for taking the time to teach us these lifesaving skills. It has given me confidence to reach out to those in need and provide proper care. Special thanks to the First Aid Team for making a difference in our lives.

Best wishes,

Nivashini

【推荐3】Four Books on Relationship

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Little Prince is one of the most translated books in the world and, in France, it has been voted the best book of the twentieth century. This is a simple, yet meaningful classic, one that can be enjoyed from the ages of 9 to 99. The story highlights how most grown-ups miss out on the simple things in life, such as friendship, love and the beauty of the world because they are too busy gaining wealth and power. It allows readers to reflect on what is truly important in life — what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Swing Time by Zadie Smith Swing

Time traces the lives of two women — the unnamed narrator and her best friend Tracey. The two brown girls dream of being dancers, but only Tracey has talent. Thenarrator succeeds as the assistant to a famous pop star, while Tracey, after a few performances as a dancer, lived in poverty. Swing Time tells of their close but complex childhood friendship that ends suddenly in their early twenties, exploring themes of motherhood, friendship and loyalty.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Kile Runner is The New York Times bestseller and international classic loved by millions of readers. Set in the country Afghanistan that is in the process of being destroyed, ittells a heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This is a Printz Honor Book. The author tells a coming-of-age story of two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Quintana, their friendship, and their struggles against racial and ethnic identity and family relationships.

【推荐1】Understanding cultural body language in other countries is key to managing efficient communication, especially when we have not yet mastered a foreign language.     1     I hope these will help you socialize when you try to communicate with foreigners in spite of the language barrier (障碍).

Head movements

In some parts of India, people tilt (倾斜) their heads from side to side to confirm something and show that they are actively listening. In western countries, people nod to show agreement.     2    

Eye contact

In western culture, visual contact when you speak to someone is considered a positive aspect of body language. Strong visual contact is common in Spain and the Arabic culture among people of the same sex. Not looking back when someone is looking at you is considered impolite, showing insecurity or disinterest.

    3     In Caribbean communities, children and teenagers are taught not to look at adults in the eyes when they are being corrected.

Greetings and goodbyes

Shaking hands is a normal and formal way to greet or say goodbye in western countries.     4     In Romania, for example, only men usually do it. And they shake hands every time they meet, not just the first! In England, however, it’s unusual to shake hands with someone you are introduced to in an informal setting. Kissing cheeks is something done in many countries, especially in Europe, though the number of kisses, the occasion for doing so, and which cheek they start off on vary.

    5     When you communicate with foreigners, one secure way is to understand. respect and follow the culture.

【推荐3】Traveling to China is the dream of many people but it is important to be aware that the Chinese culture is different from Western cultures. So before arriving in China, make sure that you understand the Chinese traditions.

The eldest comes first

In China, it is a big deal to respect the eldest one in the family. The Chinese have a great respect for their parents and grandparents. So if you are introduced to someone in a place full of people, always address the oldest person first, and do the same when you are leaving.

The host pays the bill

If you are invited to a restaurant by your Chinese friends, be prepared to eat and drink for free. And if you invite them, also be ready to pay all the bill on your own. And it is not polite if you don’t offer to pay it in full if you are the host.

Be aware of the chopsticks rules

Believe it or not, there are several traditions and rules involving chopsticks in China. So never stick them straight up to your rice, never drum (敲打) them, or have them in your hands while making a gesture.

Check if your gift isn’t on the bad-luck list

If you are offering a gift to a Chinese friend, be aware that there are many items considered to bring bad luck to them, such as clocks, umbrellas, scissors and knives. Presents should be given with both hands and never be wrapped in white.