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By Matthew McNish, Educational Programs and Services Intern
February is a special month for several reasons, what with its hosting of various holidays such as Groundhog's Day and Valentine's Day and its standing as the last full month of the winter season. February in the 2012, however, is more unique than most years, because 2012 is a leap year. Nearly every four years, the month of February is expanded by one day, and this day--February 29--is known as "Leap Day". Leap Year was created as a means to maintain the accuracy of the calendar according to the earth's rotation around the sun. The astronomical roots of this event can serve as inspiration to reacquaint ourselves with the scientific processes that guide our everyday lives.
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Sometimes, we might find it hard to motivate ourselves to find new ways of discovering information, particularly as we attempt to move past the middle slump of the traditional school year. Arthur Read and his family of aardvarks, along with their friends of all kinds, are powerful reminders of the value in continued learning on the children's television series Arthur. Arthur learns lessons about life and relationships through the course of every episode, each of which are based upon the books written and illustrated by Marc Brown. In addition, he is constantly reminded of the valuable resources available at his local libraries, and friends like the Brain are interested in and provide the viewer with fascinating scientific information.
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The Free Library of Philadelphia
Fortunately, anyone with access to the city of Philadelphia also has access to an incredible amount of resources. According to the website, there are over 6 million items made available through the Free Library of Philadelphia. This cultural center for countless forms of media can sometimes encourage a curiosity to discover significant and empowering information. At some point this month, take advantage of the opportunity to grow! A simple visit to the library can lead to a day full of revelations. Log onto www.freelibrary.org for more information.
Go Sky Watching
There is science to learn all around us, and one need look no further than the night sky to remind us of how much infinite knowledge and information exists above our heads and all around us. While observing the stars can certainly seem overwhelming when seen as a whole, you can learn, discover, and witness yourself the patterns and various constellations in the night sky. With the guidance of a parent or a guardian, find a location that is both safe and has the least amount of light pollution. Bring a printed copy of the February 2012 star chart, which is available at http://www.stardome.org.nz/star-chart-february2012/. Remember, if it were not for the existence of Leap Day, the calculations that created these star charts would be far less accurate.
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The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System | by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
In this addition to the popular and acclaimed The Magic School Bus series, the unique and ever-curious Miss Frizzle brings her class with her on a ride through the solar system. The students are given the opportunity to learn valuable information regarding the nearest surrounding planets, and--as she gets lost in space--the class is even allowed access to some of the less understood outer planets. Join Miss Frizzle on a journey through the solar system that we call "home"!
Lightning | by Seymour Simon
When observing the night sky, another important bit of advice to remember is to work around the weather, as the view of the stars can be completely obstructed by clouds. Regardless, there is still plenty to be learned about the happenings in those clouds that stand between the night sky and us. In Seymour Simon's Lightning, the reader is provided with an easily understood summary of the phenomenon of lightning. Beautiful photographs accompany the text to demonstrate the structure and intensity of these fleeting flashes. This book can provide just about any audience with a basic understanding of that powerful force that strikes everyday on our vibrant planet.
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