What did the cat say when it was confused?
“I’m purr-plexed!”
Pixel Puzzler #45: The Great Reveal
We got tons of great guesses on Part 1 of this Pixel Puzzler and now it’s time for the answer. Are you ready for the great reveal? Find out if you got it right!
The answer to this Pixel Puzzler is (drum roll please) Cicada! How did you do? Tell us in the comments!
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Insect-o-vison
Welcome to the multi-faceted world of insect vision.
Today’s bug-eyed mystery is this: What does the world look like to a fly? How about a bee, or a butterfly? Buzz on over to tune in and find out!
The way you see the world depends entirely on your eyesight. The way we see something can change even based on the tools we use: you might wear glasses, contact lenses, or none. It’s different too in the animal kingdom, dogs have a “dichromatic vision” which means they are blind to red-green colors and only see in brown, yellow, blue and gray. Birds can see ultraviolet colors that are invisible to us humans. But what about insects?
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What does the world look like to a fly?
Insects’ eyes are built differently from ours. They have thousands of tiny light-sensors called “ommatidia”. These ommatidia are hexagonal-shaped, and are so good that they can see everything that’s going on around them in 360 degrees – like a special crystal!
Insects, like birds, can perceive a different set of colors than we can. They too can perceive ultraviolet lights and are especially sensitive of blue and green colors. Some insects, like humans, have “trichromatic vision”, but instead their red looks closer to black.
Emma’s adventures to answer some mysteries continue!
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next episodes to come.
Time to start your Carbon Footprint Investigation!
Get ready detectives! Grab your magnifying glass and detective hat because your new Mission is here! Our Carbon Footprint Investigation team needs your help to slow down climate change.
Our climate is changing at a much faster rate than it has in the past and that’s a big problem.
When greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are released into the air, they act like a blanket and trap heat near the Earth’s surface, making it warmer. The Earth can re-absorb and release some of these gases, but we are making too much and the planet can’t keep up. More gas trapped in the air means more warming, and that’s bad news for all living things on our planet.
Cut back on carbon (dioxide)
You’ve probably already heard that you can help fight climate change by driving less and saving electricity. Did you know that you can also help by making better choices when you shop? It’s all part of shrinking your carbon footprint.
Carbon Footprint:
A good way to help slow down climate change is to shrink your carbon footprint. The amount of carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) you create through the products you use and the actions you take. The larger your carbon footprint, the bigger your impact on the planet.
How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
Leave the car at home – If you can, make trips by foot, bicycle, or public transit. Every small effort can help make a difference.
Cut down on waste – Pollution can really add to your carbon footprint. When we recycle, we use less new stuff, this is good for the planet!
Eat local – Feeling hungry? Not to worry! We know that A LOT of emissions are released when products have to travel long distances. So, let’s look for farmer’s markets and shops that sell things that are grown or made close to home.
Accept the Carbon Footprint Investigation Mission
In this Mission, we give you the tools to investigate the products you have at home to see how they are adding to your carbon footprint. We’ll also share tips that will help you keep your footprint small. So put on your detective hat and let’s get started.
- Investigate products in your home and complete the quiz to find out how carbon footprint-friendly you are
- Use the Smart Shopping List and Tips during your next trip to the store
- See if you’ve become a smarter shopper by retaking the quiz
- Let us know how it went when you’re finished!
Are you ready to join our Carbon Footprint Investigation team?
Jaguar Paw Cookies
Jaguar Paw Cookies
Time:30 min
Difficulty:Medium
I see you spotted this recipe! These jaguar paw cookies are a purr-fect treat.
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Chocolate
- Chocolate chips
- An adult to help with baking
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Add all your dry ingredients in a big bowl and add the eggs and butter. Mix until you form a dough.
Step 2: Divide your cookie dough into two bowls. Chill the dough in the fridge for about 10-15 mins.
Step 3: While your dough chills, cut your chocolate into small shapes. Try to have some tiny and bigger ones!
Step 4: Spoon some dough out, and use your fingers to spread it into a round shape. Form four more smaller round circles and add them to your first to create a “paw”.
Step 5: Once done, add four chocolate chips at the of each of your small circles to give your jaguar “claws”. Add five squares of chocolate to the centre of these shapes for “pawpads”.
Step 6: Ask an adult for help to preheat the oven to 350°F.
When they are ready, put the cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges of your cookies are browned.
Voila! You’ve got yourself some paw’some cookie. Time to dig in!
Help Jaguars with a Wildlife Adoption!
Head to the Adoptions Section in the App!
Concerned about climate change but not sure what to do about it? You’re not alone!
When we think about climate change, species at risk, or experience extreme weather like wildfires and floods, it can cause feelings of worry, sadness and fear. There is a term for it: “eco-anxiety”. But in today’s world, it can be hard to know what we can do about it.
Fortunately, eco-anxiety has a counterpart called eco-action. Eco-action are things we can do that contribute to a healthy natural environment. Research by Earth Rangers shows that eco-action can help manage and cope with feelings of eco-anxiety.
A great first step is to take the time to better understand your own feelings through the Eco-Anxiety to Eco-Action quiz, created collaboratively by Earth Rangers and Kids Help Phone. After answering some questions, you will discover if you are more of a Curious Coyote, a Panda with Potential, or a Confident Caribou. This can help you understand how eco-anxiety might be impacting you and will give you suggestions of ways to take eco-action in your community.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by eco-anxiety, you can connect with Kids Help Phone by text, online message, or a phone.
Check out the quiz to learn more about what can be done to help make a difference!
Would you Rather #66
Would you rather have…
The agility of an ostrich or the endurance of a wildebeest
Tell us which one you pick in the comments!
Animal Intelligence
Everyone is always talking about AI these days. I can only assume that it stands for Animal Intelligence… Which is what led me to today’s big question: “What’s the smartest animal in the world?” Sharpen your ears and your pencils, listeners – we’re about to take an Animal Intelligence test.
Can a chimpanzee do math? How good is an octopus at scouting? Can pigeons really count?
Today Emma is hosting an investigative test to see what animals could enter Earth Rangers University. All they need to do is pass an Animal Aptitude Test. It’s not like SATs for us humans, or is it? How exactly can Emma measure an animal’s intelligence?
Most animals on earth are very different from humans. We’ve learnt to read, write, speak in many different languages, do math, and build structures across the lands and in space. What about the other creatures? Aside from us, is there any who can outsmart a person or rival human intelligence?
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What’s the smartest animal in the world?
Measuring intelligence isn’t as easy as it may seem. Some might consider math and reading to be a mark of “intelligence” – but people who are musically or artistically talented can be just as intelligent as someone great at science! Intelligence comes in different forms: Emotional intelligence, logic, memory, pattern recognition, and problem-solving. Not being good at something doesn’t make you stupid!
So, how would we measure an animal’s intelligence? They can’t possibly fill a test sheet for biology, math, or English?!
This is why Emma is trying an Animal Aptitude Test using different techniques like “escape a tank”, “travel a maze”, and “counting” to measure how good an animal’s problem-solving, memory, and navigation skills are. Many can complete these quite quickly in fact! Faster than a human could.
Of the potential students, we see a chimpanzee, octopus, pigeon, rat, pig and even a bee take these tests! How well do they do? Can all of them succeed and does this mean they’re all intelligent? Why not vote on your favorite one in the poll below?
Now, there’s a last criterion of intelligence not counted in the above aptitude test: Behavioural adaptations! This is what allows animals to communicate, forage, and survive in harsh environments. Sure, we might not count survival as a form of intelligence for people – but street smart counts!
So Earth Rangers, next time you are faced with the SATs, remember that there’s more than just the math and reading that’s tested to measure one’s intelligence. You’re all brilliant in different ways, and that’s what makes the world a better place!
Do you have a fun animal mystery you want us to explore? Let us know in the comments!
Pixel Puzzler #45: Part 1
Let’s put your identification skills to the test! Can you figure out what is hidden in this picture? Make your guess in the comments.
Check back next week for the answer!
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Plant Paintbrush
Plant Paintbrush
Time:30 min
Difficulty:Easy
Have you brushed up with your painting lately? Why not try this new kind of paintbrush?
Here’s what you need:
- Sticks, twigs or branches
- Natural materials (Leaves, flowers, branches, rocks, flowers, grass, or pinecones)
- Tape
- Acrylic paint
- Paper sheets: old magazines, newspapers, mailers, or seasonal cards (whatever you can find!)
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Head out to your favourite outdoor space to gather materials for your paintbrushes! Sticks are a must but the rest is up to you! You can use flowers, sticks, leaves, pinecones, or anything else you find.
TIP: Make sure you don’t disturb any animal habitats while you’re gathering your materials!
Step 2: When you’re back home, find your biggest sticks and tape some of your natural material to it. Try doing brushes with different materials to get many textures!
Step 3: Dip your paintbrushes into your paint and start playing around! What kind of textures do you get? Can you do long strokes or big splotches?
Step 4: Let your paintings dry. That’s it! You’ve done art with your plant paintbrushes.
