3 . Citizen science gives curious people the opportunity to become extra sets of hands, eyes and ears in real scientific research. Bringing many people together to document endangered species, monitor water quality or watch the stars makes it possible to do science on large scales and tackle bigger research questions. Here are just five of the hundreds of citizen science projects that you can participate in.

Volunteers in this project “take the pulse of the planet” by documenting changes in plants, animals and insects to help scientists understand how ecosystems are being affected by climate change. You can join a regional campaign like Mayfly Watch or Pesky Plant Trackers, or choose from over 1, 400 species to watch in North America. Then, log your observations on the Nature’s Notebook mobile app.

Volunteers test the water and pipes in their homes so researchers can map the pipe infrastructure in the United States and identify polluted water supplies. All you need is a penny and a magnet (to determine whether pipes are made of steel, copper, plastic or lead, which is not always obvious visually) . You can also share observations about your tap water like color, smell and taste. If you live near a participating library or school, you can check out a kit to test your water chemistry.

The NASA-sponsored GLOBE project seeks to understand our changing environment and climate through crowd-sourced observations. The project is app-based, and users can upload observations about clouds, mosquito habitat, trees or land cover to give researchers a global picture of how our planet is changing over time.

Help psychology researchers understand the relationship between happiness and decision-making by playing games. All you need to participate is the project’s smartphone app to access games that subtly investigate how players approach risky decisions, while periodically asking them to rate their happiness level. Game and happiness scores become data that researchers use to figure out how expectations contribute to happiness.

Experiment time on big telescopes like Hubble is precious, so NASA needs backyard astronomers to help researchers narrow down when and where to turn their sights to find planets outside of our solar system. Every day, the project posts new exoplanet targets for volunteers to keep an eye on. If you don’t have a telescope, you can still aid the search by analyzing data from others’ observations.

4 . 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

To celebrate the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Mall and Memorial Parks is hosting a youth art competition. We need your artistic help to inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors! The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. Thousands of people come every year to see the cherry trees and enjoy the festival.

The contest is open to all Washington, D.C. students, K-6. One submission per student please.

Artworks should focus on the theme “Cherry Blossom Protector.” Draw or paint a picture that shows what you appreciate about the cherry blossoms, how we can take care of them, and why we should. Submissions must include the words “Cherry Blossom Protector”.

Artworks will be accepted starting December 13, 2023. All submissions must be postmarked by February 25, 2024.

A valid submission will contain the following information:

1. An original copy of the artwork. Each piece must be original, authentic (真实的), unpublished, the sole property of the entrant (参赛者), and not previously submitted in any other contest.

2. Your personal information, printed on either the back of your artwork or on a separate sheet attached to your physical artwork or provided with the e-mail for your digital entry: First and last name, grade/age.

3. A completed and signed entry form. Print out the entry form and send it to us when you send your artwork. Entries cannot be accepted without a signed entry form by a parent or guardian.

Mailed submissions must be sent to:

National Mall and Memorial Parks

c/o 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

1100 Ohio Drive, SWWashington, DC 20242

7 . Magazines make great reading materials for kids. Libraries often have a large selection of periodicals (期刊) for every age group and reading level, and for many areas of interest. And some magazines may even have issues going back years and even decades! Below is a list of some of them!

It is about finding the bright side of life as a military kid! Inside each quarterly issue, your child will encounter inspiring stories, articles, and photographs! (8 to 16 years)

With articles, folk tales, and hands-on projects, Faces magazine takes young readers around the world for an honest and objective view of how children in other regions live. (9 to 14 years)

Make magazine publishes tested projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. (9 to 18 years)

Brio magazine for teen girls has a fresh new look that includes more pages filled with inspiring profiles, cultural insights, health & beauty tips, faith-filled features and added fun! (13 to 18 years)

Please note: Though all the magazines on this list are written for children, some issues may contain content that you may feel inappropriate for your child. As always, please review all reading materials before giving them to your child to read.

8 . Alaska has much to offer travelers in the winter months. Even better, hotel rates can run half what they do in summer, making Alaska an affordable vacation destination.

Northern Lights Viewing

Witness one of the most spectacular lights shows around when you make time for Alaska in the winter months. Book a photography workshop or snowmobile tour in Fairbanks for excellent aurora (极光) viewing. Alternatively, head to Denali National Park for a stay at the five-room boutique hotel. Sheldon Chalet. Enjoy heli-skiing and snowshoeing by day followed by entrancing aurora viewing by night.

Alaska Railroad

In winter, book a trip on the Aurora Winter Train for a bucket list-worthy adventure into Alaska’s snow-covered backcountry, Ride the train all the way from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Or, get off the train along the way in Talkeetna for cross-country skiing and a berry delicious pie-making class at Talkeetna Roadhouse.

Wintry Zoo Animals

The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage is a true delight in winter. That’s when you can see the state’s native animals, like bears, moose and wolves, in their natural winter habitat. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Alaska Zoo boasts up-close views and interactions with more than 100 animals, Say hello to the zoo’s newest resident, Cranbeary, a 17-year-old polar bear that relocated from Denver last year.

Snowshoe Tours

Trekking through knee-deep fluffy snow in snowshoes can be loads of fun. Try your skills on a guided snowshoe tour in Fairbanks with Leaf Out Nature Guides. Led by expert biologists, the outfitter runs two-hour snowshoe tours. Guests venture into the boreal forest of Alaska’s interior. keeping a keen eye open to spot wildlife, like snowshoe hares, caribou and flying squirrels. Snowshoers are treated to expert knowledge on animal tracks. how animals survive in the harsh winter and how local plants are used.

9 . Ayung River Rafting

About the trip

Explore Ayung River Rafting, the longest river rafting in Ayung River, a white-water rafting! The river is classified to level II to III and your rafting trip will be approximately 2 hours. Our friendly and experienced raft guides will take you on a safe and fun trip. You’ll find a level of professionalism that offers unique insights into Bali’s natural wonders and memorable experiences through the rainforest. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure that showcases the beauty of Ayung River and the excitement and thrills of tackling the rapids of the Ayung River.

Tips

●We suggest you bring short pants or a swimsuit, a pair of changing clothes, sunscreen and extra money for drinks and souvenirs (纪念品).

●Steep road lies at the beginning and at the end of the tour, please be ready to walk with reliable shoes!

●Plastic bags for wet clothes are available, but you are advised to bring your own to reduce plastic use.

●Single-use raincoats are available if it rains. However, please bring your own to reduce plastic use.