Sally Ride Remembered

Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died yesterday at the age of 61. Ride went to space twice, in 1983 and 1984. And besides doing experiments and tests high above the earth, she became a hero to all Americans — men and women, kids and adults.

Ride was also a role model for young people — especially girls — who wanted to become an astronaut some day. She showed what it takes to go to space, and after she retired from NASA she committed herself to preparing future generations of space explorers and scientists. She wrote nine books aimed at kids about space and science, and in 2001 she founded Sally Ride Science to educate and support kids' interest in science, math, and technology.

In 2010, Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan interviewed Sally Ride at Education Nation in New York about the importance of science and math education. Ride also shared her advice for kids who might want to be an astronaut someday.

Watch Mariam's interview below, and let us know in the comments what Sally Ride and her accomplishments mean to you.

 

—Editor Dante A. Ciampaglia

U.S. Senate Race in California

Boxer seeks third term, Fiorna hopes to win in upset

In California, one of the hottest races is between two women fighting for the U.S. Senate currently held by Democrat Barbara Boxer. Boxer won the seat in 1992.

Seeking to keep Boxer from serving a third six-year term is Republican candidate Carly Fiorina. Fiorna is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the computer company Hewlett Packard (HP). She is supported by members of the Tea Party political movement, a group backing many Republican candidates around the nation.

The candidates have opposite views on how to manage California’s continued economic troubles. They have fairly similar views on education and jobs.

“One of the most important things that we could do is to make sure that kids have an opportunity to fulfill their potential,” Fiorina told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps in a recent interview. “That’s why I’m focused on creating more jobs in the state.”

Democrats have criticized Fiorina for firing thousands of employees when she was the CEO of HP. However, Forbes magazine recently declared her one of the most powerful women in the world.

In an interview with Boxer, the Senator also spoke of her plans for improving the education of Californians.

“Education is so crucial because we have to make sure that our young people are getting a good education,” she said. “There’s a [federal] program called ‘Race to the Top’ and we want to make sure California can qualify for that so we get some funding and so we can get some really good programs in there for the kids.”

Currently Senator Boxer is leading in the popularity polls taken by polling companies. Whether or not she wins will greatly affect the balance of power in Washington.

Currently Democrats hold 57 seats in the 100 member Senate. Two Independents usually vote with the Democratic Party, giving Democrats a 59 vote majority. That's one short of the 60 votes needed to block Republican moves to block Democratic legislation.

Sound complicated? Sometimes it is, but mostly it’s all in the numbers. Do you have enough votes to push through controversial legislation? After this election, neither party may have that power.

I'm going to be following this race through Election Day results. Check back here to find out which of these two women will be representing California in the U.S. Senate in January 2011.

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTOS: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan interviews Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorna (TOP PHOTO) and later, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat (BOTTOM PHOTO). Photos Courtesy Mariam El Hasan

The Today Show Spotlight!

Kid Reporters sit down with Al Roker and Ann Curry on live TV!

Being on the NBC Today Show was like being in Candy Land: it was a dream come true!

Kid Reporter Andrew Liang and I were interviewed on the Today Show about our experiences at Education Nation, a conference held in New York this week. The conference was put on by NBC and Scholastic, among others.

Not only did we get to see behind the scenes, but we were interviewed by Ann Curry and Al Roker! It was absolutely remarkable!

When Andrew and I got to the studio, they took us to fix our hair and makeup. Once they had made sure that we were gorgeous and camera ready, we were brought to the green room.

The green room isn’t really green—it’s where everyone who is about to appear on the show can go an wait comfortably for their appointment time. Kind of like a doctor's waiting room, only with snacks! But we were too excited to eat.

We met some really friendly people, including California Representative George Miller!

When It was time for Andrew and I to go on, we were taken to the actual Today Show set. The tech crew hooked us up with lapel microphones and we were ready to go.

Before the interview, Ann Curry introduced herself to us. She was very kind and told us an inspiring story about a school where 61 percent of the students come from low income families. The school began to hire teachers who loved the students and had the passion to teach them. In the course of seven years, student test scores improved over 30 percent!

At a commercial break, we were lead to the couches on the set to sit down for the interview.

Being interviewed by Al Roker and Ann Curry was really cool. Andrew and I had a lot of fun. Everyone was joking around at the end, saying we would probably take their jobs one day. Don't worry Anne and Al! I still have to finish school.

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: NBC Today Show reporters Ann Curry and Al Roker with Scholastic Kid Reporters Andrew Liang and Mariam El Hasan on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. (Photo Courtesy Scholastic Inc.)

Even Astronauts Are Scared

Astronaut Sally Ride:  Sometimes it's smart to be to be afraid, it's never smart to be dumb.

The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, says science and math are important subjects in a well rounded education even if you don't want to blast off into outer space.

Kid Reporter spoke to Ms. Ride after a panel on how to increase the emphasis and interest in the two subjects in schools. Click on the play button to find out about what it was like to ride on the space shuttle and what that has to do with education.

—Mariam El Hasan

 

VIDEO: Scholastic Inc.

Learn Math and Science and Reach for the Stars

Imagine that you are in space; a beautiful view of earth behind you.  Zero gravity makes you float weightlessly as the planets calmly orbit the sun. That was  Sally Ride's experience when she was up in space. Ride was the first female astronaut to blast off as a NASA astronaut. 

“It was very, very cool,” she said. “It was an exhilarating experience.” 

Ever since she had that experience, Ride has wanted other kids to strive for it.  She created a great program for kids titled Sally Ride Science.  Her goal is to teach kids more about science and engineering so they can have a better future.

At the panel discussing how to prepare America’s students to complete in a Global Economy, Ride spoke about her opinion on the subjects of math and science in school. The panel was part of NBC's Education Nation conference held in New York City this week.

“It’s important for kids to realize how important science and math are to their futures and careers,” said Ride.

Her program was built to help educate kids on science and help them pursue their dreams for the future. That requires a good education. 

“Our programs are all about showing kids that it (science and math) is important, and that there are a lot of students just like them who are fascinated with it (science and math) and that there are lots of scientists and engineers that have very, very cool careers, who do very interesting things that are very, very relevant to every day life,” she said.

Another great program for kids interested in science is a program called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Studies.  STEM Studies and Sally Ride Science are both important programs that help to teach and influence kids.

                                                                                                           —Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan interviews astronaut Sally Ride. (Photo: Amanda Hebert)

Brian Williams at NBC's Education Nation

Williams admits to teachers: he couldn't have done it without them!

He didn’t complete college, yet he is at the top of his career. Today, he stood up in front of a bunch of teacher’s and admited how much he needed them along the way.

“I dropped out of college,” said NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams. “There were teachers that picked me up along the way. I guess in a strange way, I am an education don’t.”

Teachers from all over the country came to Rockefeller Center Sunday to speak at a Teacher Town Hall meeting with Williams as moderator. The town hall kicked off a three-day conference on education called Education Nation. I sat down with Williams after the two-hour televised live event. Click play on the video below to see what he had to say about the teachers and the state of education in American today.

—Mariam El Hasan

Video: Scholastic Inc.

 

How to Interview a Celebrity

Kid Reporter learns tricks of the trade on the job.

Being a Kid Reporter is like ordering off the grown-up menu at a restaurant: you get a great taste of what it will be like when you’re older.

Having the opportunity to be a Kid Reporter has been an amazing experience that has prepared me to be a journalist. After all, I’m learning the ropes right next to experienced adult reporters.

I began covering the news for Scholastic in 2007 and have reported on a variety of subjects including politics, entertainment, literature, art, sports, and more. The memories I cherish of my reporting experiences are like bubblegum—they will stick with me forever.

One tip that I’d like to share is something I learned from Julie Chang who is an entertainment reporter from FOX’s Good Day New York. I was in my first year of reporting and I met her in Vancouver on the set of a movie that I was covering.

I asked Julia how she gets people to open up to her without making them feel uncomfortable or like she’s putting them on the spot.

“I talk to them like I would talk to my friends,” she said. “If it’s a sad occasion, like for instance when I used to cover hard news and someone had lost a family member, it’s extremely difficult to approach that situation because they’re going through a devastating time. Meanwhile, you’re putting a camera in their face.”

Julia thinks about what the person she is talking to is going through and how she would feel if it were her.

“You put yourself in their shoes,” she said. “I lost my father, so I can relate to losing a loved one. I try to approach it the most tactful, sensitive way.”

For an exciting event like a movie premiere, it’s much easier.

“You talk to the stars as if they’re your friends," she told me. "It’s easier for them to open up more.”

I found her tip to be helpful and I always remember it when conducting an interview. When you talk to people like they are your friends, the conversation flows much better and you get better information.

Being a Kid Reporter is on-the-job training that can’t really be taught in a classroom. If you want to try it out, apply now! The deadline is October 12.

 

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan with Entertainment Reporter Julie Chen at a movie set in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo Courtesy Mariam El Hasan)

Fever Crumb: Dessert for Your Brain

Fever Crumb

Author: Philip Reeve

Publisher/Release Date: Scholastic Press/April 1, 2010

No. of Pages: 336

Reading Level: Grades 5-7

Reading the book Fever Crumb is like opening presents at a birthday party: there is one surprise to look forward to after another.

In the book by Philip Reeve, Fever is a 14-year-old girl who is told that she is an orphan and has been adopted by a man known as Dr. Crumb.

The story takes place in the future in London at a time when cities are mobile and able to move into different territories. Archaeologists dig to discover ancient technology, because they live in a low tech, post-apocalyptic world.

Fever is the only female member of the Order of Engineers and is very mature for her age. She is extremely intelligent and tries to avoid all things that serve no practical function. For example, she shaves her head every other day because she believes that growing hair is “irrational. ” Hair attracts lice, fleas, and other parasites, she says!

Despite her peculiar behavior, Fever seems like she really has her act together. She never really shows much emotion and strives to be a strong person.

However, Fever’s life is about to change. She is sent to assist Kit Solent, another member of the order, when strange things begin to happen. For some reason, people are out to get her and she doesn’t know why. And she keeps having memories of events that never occurred during her lifetime.

Why is she having these memories? And why do people think she belongs to an alternative species of humans known as the Scriven? Is she a human or does she actually belong to the mutated Scriven? Is her life nothing but a lie?

You will have to read the book to find out what happens. I would recommend Fever Crumb to kids who enjoy a good mystery and/or science fiction/action/adventure novels. Read this and you’ll experience many shocking surprises and unexpected twists that will keep you turning the pages for more. This interesting novel is dessert for your brain.

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: (TOP) Cover Courtesy Scholastic Press (BOTTOM) Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan takes her summer reading on a boat trip. Ahhhh, Summer! (Photo Courtesy Mariam El Hasan)

NOTE: What did you read this summer? Use the blue comment link below to send in your recommendations!

MLB All Star-Game 2010

National League wins after 13-year drought

When the All-Star Game took place yesterday, the two teams were filled with great baseball players who had dreamed of making it to that point their entire lives. With practice and hard work, they had finally achieved their major league dreams — some several times!

The game took place Tuesday night at the Angels stadium in Anaheim, California. Every year the fans vote for the best of the best and decide which players will get the chance to play in the legendary game between the National and the American Leagues.

MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew, who participated in 18 All Star games during his career, threw the first pitch of the game.

“It’s such a great feeling when millions of fans vote for you and enable you to be an All-Star,” Carew told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps in an interview last week.

For the last 13 years the American League has been very successful in winning the All-Star Game. When they scored the first point in the fifth inning, it looked as if they might be winning another one. After all, the National League has not won the All-Star Game since 1996.

It turns out that this year was going to be different. During the seventh inning, Brian McCann hit a three-run double. The game ended with the National League winning 3 to 1, thanks to McCann.

“You dream about moments like this as a kid,” McCann said after receiving his Most Valuable Player of the Game trophy. “Tonight was just amazing. I hope that young boys and young girls who are interested in playing the game know that it’s all about the passion. If you want to learn how to play the game, you should go out and do it and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.” 

—Mariam El Hasan

Photo: National League catcher Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves poses with the MVP trophy after the Nation League team beat the American League 3-1 in the All-Star baseball game Tuesday, July 13, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif. (Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP Images)

Check out Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan's report from the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest in Anaheim on the Scholastic Kids Press Corps site!

What Magical Powers Do You Want?

Sorcerer’s Apprentice actors, director have the answer!

Having magical powers is a popular movie and book theme because it is a fantasy that many people wish to have. In The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which opens on July 14, the main character is taught to develop powers he didn’t know he had. He uses them to fight evil.

I recently met the director and actors during a press event for the movie. I asked them what they would do if they had the power to use magic just for one day? Some of their answers were thoughtful and serious, and some were

just for laughs. 

“I would just keep doing what I’ve been doing,” said Nicolas Cage, who plays the wizard Balthazar Blake. “I would just keep on making movies and, hopefully, make some kids smile.”

Teresa Palmer, who plays Becky Barnes, the love interest in the movie, wanted the ability to go home Wizard of Oz style. She lives in Australia. “I would teleport to Australia,” she said. (Maybe she should try clicking her shoes together and repeating over and over, “There’s no place like home.” Opps. Wrong movie.)

“I would keep everything just the way it is,” said Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who also produced National Treasure and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. No wonder he wants everything to stay the same: He already posses the magic of the movies!

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan experiences a plasma bolt through the use of a little Hollywood magic. (Photo courtesy Paul Nash)

Be sure to check out Mariam's report from the set of The Sorcerer's Apprentice on the Scholastic Kids Press Corps site!