1 . Somewhere in the sky, lightning is forming. Although the possibility of getting struck in your lifetime is roughly 1 in 12,000, a human does provide an attractive target for lightning bolts (闪电). Here’s what you should expect if you ever find yourself in the path of lightning.

A lot can happen in the three milliseconds it takes for a lightning bolt to course through your body. Lightning strikes may leave you with deep wounds, often accompanied with third degree burns. Your clothes might even be torn by the explosive force of the surrounding air being superheated to up to 27,700 ℃. Blood vessels (血管) exploding from the electric shock and heat often create something called a Lichtenberg figure on your skin. This is a pattern of scars (伤疤) that branches out across your body like a tree.

But it doesn’t end there. You might also be faced with a lifetime of neurological (神经系统的) conditions for reasons that scientists still don’t fully understand. It’s also possible that you will suffer from pain.

In some cases, however, a lightning strike can lead to strange super talents. In a blog post, University of Miami neuroscientist Berit Brogaard writes about an incident where a surgeon who was struck by lightning developed an urge to learn to play the piano. He began to compose music he had started hearing in his head since the strike. This type of phenomenon confuses scientists.

One theory that Brogaard says is that cell death caused by being struck by lightning could cause a one-time flooding of the brain with neurotransmitters (神经递质) that are released from the dying neurons (神经元). This causes a rewiring of neurons, providing access to areas of the brain that were previously inaccessible.

Cool as it would be, you shouldn’t count on lightning turning you into a genius in one flash. Most of its results are painful, and could stay with you for the rest of your life.

3 . Always the outsider?

One of the things I used to fear was being the new girl in the office — in the kitchen making coffee while the in-crowd chatted about the weekend. I worried that I wasn’t good enough or smart enough.     1     I’d struggle for words while trying to look cool. Back at school, I was best friends with Kate and Cathy until we had to walk across the road in twos, and guess who was left out? I’ve always been the outsider from school days to office life. Or is that the story I have told myself?

As in so many areas of life, the only thing you can control is your response. I remind myself of what Eleanor Roosevelt said:     2     The only person making me feel like an outsider is me. These are the lessons I have learned along the way:

●Starting anywhere new, you just have to find your people, the ones that get you.     3     It’s OK to take your time and figure out if you’re the right fit for each other. Have faith that you will find the right people for you.

●Very often it’s our belief systems that tell us we don’t fit in. We are replaying the stories from childhood and need to rewrite the script (剧本).     4     When are you assuming that you’ll be on your own? What fears are you projecting onto yourself?

●Practice self-acceptance. Remind yourself that it’s OK to have a different way of operating in the world.

●    5     Sometimes, interactions with random strangers can help us feel more confident in all our relationships. For example, volunteering can make us feel connected and give us a sense of belonging.

4 . In the heart of the Kanien’keha Nation (卡尼恩克哈部族) in Canada, McComber, a native language teacher reflected on a question raised by Maori (毛利) language advocate Sir Karetu: what was his dream for the future of his language?

Kanien’keha, the Mohawk language, is endangered, and for decades, McComber has worked hard to operate a native language school. At the turn of the century, as it encountered more barriers, McComber looked around the world for help and inspiration, and Karetu was the answer. “Don’t wait for money or approval; just do the work,” Karetu told him. It’s the same message Karetu carried with him decades ago, when te reo Maori, the Maori language, was also on the line.

In the early 1970s, young Maori advocates in New Zealand marched to the government, demanding Maori be taught in all public schools. In 1982, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi established Kohanga Reo, an engaging language program where Maori was the only language taught, spoken and used both in the classroom and at home, and the courses focused on their history and culture. “Grandparents became teachers,” she says. “The difference-maker was that the Kohanga Reo was entirely community-led. Families raised the money to rent classroom spaces, and volunteers planned and taught classes.”

Translated in English as “language nest”, the Kohanga Reo model quickly became an important cultural export and inspired other minority communities worldwide. “Our parents ruled,” a student of McComber’s nest school says, “They wanted to teach us the beauty of our language, our culture, and who we are. And it has given me the confidence to speak and read with ease in both English and Kanien’keha.”

The model helped communities view the world through their ancestors’ eyes, ensuring the survival of their way of life. “It’s not just about language,” McComber can now answer that question. “It’s everything.”

5 . Can you think of someone who is an excellent communicator? He must have good skills of speaking confidently in various situations, including presentations, group discussions and activities. Also, he should be good at listening to others, understanding group dynamics, and promoting shared decision-making.

Research on classroom-based group work reveals a paradox (悖论): while cooperative learning can be highly effective, merely placing children in groups often proves unproductive. The solution lies in teaching children how to cooperate effectively. Teachers play a crucial role in this process through their interaction with students.

To ensure effective group work, teachers must first raise students’ awareness of the purpose and value of group activities. More importantly, they need to teach students how to engage in reasoned discussions, known as Exploratory Talk. This involves considering everyone’s viewpoints, justifying opinions with reasons, and making collective decisions. In Exploratory Talk, participants engage critically but constructively with each other’s ideas, invite contributions, and seek further explanations.

Successful cooperation requires a reasoned discussion, which can be facilitated by establishing a set of “Ground Rules” for Exploratory Talk. These rules guide behaviors such as asking for information, seeking and providing reasons, and evaluating proposals. Ground Rules help children work towards joint conclusions, respect opinions, and develop their ideas. For instance, children learn to ask, “What do you think? Why?” and listen attentively to each other’s responses, reaching reasoned conclusions.

Exploratory Talk enhances group activities as a powerful learning tool. Certain activities, like Talking Points, are particularly effective in stimulating such discussions. Talking Points are inspiring statements designed to encourage children to share their knowledge and uncertainties on a specific topic. Research indicates that Talking Points bring about more imaginative and extensive responses than traditional questions. They help children focus on the topic and compare their viewpoints with others. As they discuss, children realize that their ideas can develop with new evidence and that classmates are valuable resources for new thinking. With proper guidance, the students will soon begin to see their ideas flowing. And gradually they will learn to participate fully not only in education but also in life as well.

6 . The estimated number of monarch butterflies migrating (迁徙) to Mexico for winter has reached its second - lowest level ever for the 2023 to 2024 overwintering season. The estimate, based on the size of the butterflies’ hibernating forest area, has dropped by about 59% from the previous year, according to officials.

Experts are pointing to extensive heat and drought as well as climate change for the major decline. Now monarch butterflies face three primary threats, including habitat loss for their breeding and overwintering; the use of pesticides, which can be toxic (有毒的) to the butterflies or can kill their food source, milkweed; and climate change, which can shift their migratory patterns. By the 2022 to 2023 overwintering season, World Wildlife Fund reported a 22% drop in the amount of overwintering monarch butterflies in Mexico.

According to WWF, monarch butterflies once covered about 45 acres of forested land in Mexico during their 1996 to 1997 overwintering season. Last year, they covered 5.5 acres. With the 59% decline, the 2023 overwintering season saw the butterflies covering just 2.2 acres, The Associated Press reported. The lowest coverage ever recorded was 1.65 acres from 2013 to 2014. The largest amount of butterflies observed for the current overwintering season were around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

“This is not the first time we’ve observed changes in the locations of the largest monarch colonies,” Jorge Rickards, general director of WWF Mexico, said in a statement. “It’s telling us that we need to strengthen conservation and restoration measures not only in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, but also outside of it.” According to the Center for Biological Diversity, monarch butterflies have declined by 85% in the past 20 years. The eastern monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the U. S. to Mexico for overwintering. Western monarchs, which overwinter in California, have declined 99% in the past two decades.

In 2020, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that these butterflies do warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act, but there were higher-priority species to consider for listing. Biologist Ryan Drum, who works with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told The Associated Press that the latest count would be considered this year when officials consider whether to list migratory monarch butterflies as threatened or even endangered.

7 . Eiffel Tower Tour by the Lift

Standing tall at 1,063 feet, the Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris. Being a popular tourist destination, thousands of people come to explore the beauty of the Eiffel Tower every day.

The day of your visit

Each e - ticket bears the name of its owner. Remember to bring ID for all of your group, including children. We may ask to see your ID, as well as any supporting documents for reduced rates （disability registration）.

Make sure you check the time on your e - ticket. This is the time when you need to be on the esplanade, in a queue for “visitors with tickets”. We recommend arriving 15 minutes in advance so that you have time to make it through the security checks at the entrance.

Eiffel tower ticket prices

Carry minimal belongings

The Eiffel Tower does not have a locker room, so you will have to carry your belongings with you during the entirety of your visit. When you are caught in awe, it’s easy for eagle-eyed opportunists to do their tricks. Be mindful and carry minimal belongings such as your wallet, tickets, ID proof, and a water bottle. There is no left-luggage facility for non-permitted items, like wheeled suitcases, large luggage, non-folding buggies (童车) at the Eiffel Tower.

8 . A modern problem of the outdoor lifestyle is how to keep your devices powered. Battery packs are one option, but they have limited use and can be rather heavy. The team at Aurea Technologies has come to the rescue with the Shine Turbine, a lightweight wind-powered turbine (涡轮机) that offers renewable energy to outdoor enthusiasts who need to re charge electronic devices.

Last year, the Shine Turbine launched a campaign that was fully funded in a matter of hours, highlighting the level of interest in this innovative product. Designed in Nova Scotia, Canada, the turbine weighs in at just three pounds and is about the size of a water bottle for easy pack-and-go accessibility. While out backpacking or working remotely, the Shine Turbine takes just a few minutes to set up. There are no loose pieces to worry about losing while you f old out the high-efficiency blades and place the turbine on the retractable stand (可伸缩支架). Everything you need is stored inside the container.

This clean energy option also has battery storage, so you can charge your devices as the wind blows. Then you can take it with you for more charging later. It can also be pre - charged before you head out using a standard wall outlet.

“Wind is the second-largest producer of clean energy in the world, yet most people don’t have direct access to it. As a team of outdoor enthusiasts with backgrounds in science and engineering, we set out to create a wind power product that gives users the freedom to produce their own clean energy day or night, rain, cloud, or shine,” said Cat Adalay, CEO and founder of Aurea Technologies.

The portable design makes it convenient to use for day trip s to the beach or mountains, camping trips or as an emergency backup. “To live sustainably (可持续地), we need to rethink the ways in which we create and use energy,” added Adalay. “The simplicity of our design, two-minute setup, and ability to rapidly generate and store power, does just that. It’s a game-changer in allowing people to access wind energy in the wind.”

9 . As the first African American woman to receive a medical degree in America, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler challenged the prejudice that prevented African Americans and women from following medical careers.

Born in 1831 in Christiana, Delaware, Crumpler spent her childhood in Pennsylvania with an aunt, who frequently cared for sick neighbors, and Crumpler went with her on these trips. In her book published in 1883, Crumpler wrote, “Having been raised by a kind aunt, whose usefulness to the sick was continually sought, I early developed a liking for medicine, and sought every opportunity to be in a position to relieve the sufferings of others.”

In 1852, Crumpler moved to Charlestown, Massachusetts, to begin her medical career as a nurse. In the early 1850s, there was no formal school where one could become licensed to practice nursing. Even so, Crumpler assisted several doctors in Boston for eight years. They in turn supported her application to the New England Female Medical College, where she was awarded a state- funded scholarship.

Crumpler worked hard at her studies but had to take a leave of absence after two years to attend to her sick husband, who unfortunately passed away in 1863. Months later, Crumpler returned to complete her final term but was nearly refused after some faculty members (教员) expressed worry regarding the amount of time it was taking her to complete her coursework and were hesitant to let her come back. Luckily, with several of the school’s sponsors supporting her, Crumpler finally received a “Doctress of Medicine” from college, and began seeing patients in and around her house, treating them regardless of their ability to pay.

In 1883, Dr. Crumpler published a book based on journal notes she kept during her years of practice. A Book of Medical Discourses, specifically aimed at women and the care of their children, is believed to be the first medical text written by an African American author. Scientific American describes it as the forerunner of the famous What to Expect When You’ re Expecting (1984).