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Answers to the World's Most Pressing Questions: Exploring the Science behind Everday Occurrences & Events An Article By Genevieve Ward
know more pointless facts to blurt out when at large gatherings of people (that's how "socializing" I had an epiphany the other day. works, right? Can I get someone See, as homeschooled high school with experience in this area to veristudents with free-range access to fy this, please?) the internet (now we sound like eggs), I'm quite certain most of us Alright, enough from me. To kick are experienced in the field of AST- off the series, let's answer the earliPIS (Avoiding Schoolwork Through er not-scientific-but-still-sort-of-inPointless Internet Searches). Some teresting question: why the name of you know exactly what I'm talk- "butterfly"? ing about - that moment when you sit down at your desk/table/on The answer? No one's really sure your couch (other people do (maybe this wasn't the best kickschool lying on their couch, right?), off question?) As a matter of fact, it just about to start on a hard day's appears to be a point of some dework, when suddenly it strikes you bate - the Old English term was that it is of the utmost importance "butterfloege", which also transfor you find out why they decided lates to butter fly, and there's a to name "butterflies" ater a deli- thought that perhaps this was cious dairy product and a group of based on the butter-like yellow insects (seriously though, does colouring of the Brimstone butteranyone see any similarities be- fly, a common type of butterfly tween butter and butterflies?) found throughout Britain. Another Well, here's where the epiphany theory is that the term is related to fits in: see, my line of thinking is a German word for butterfly, that most homeschoolers are "milchdiebe", which means milkspending time doing those point- thief - this is said to be because less internet searches individually - butterflies were attracted to butso why not create a column where termilk when it was made on you can learn the same informa- farms. So, there you are - more intion you would from the internet teresting information (or lack searching, but all in one place thereof) to keep around. Petition rather than separately? You'll all to change the name "butterfly" to save time spent browsing Google, I something less food-related? will have an excuse to spend more time on it, and hopefully we'll all Disclaimer: seeing as I am a modbe a little wiser for it. Or at least erately busy highschool student, I
sadly do not have the time nor the money to be spending hours/days/ weeks/months/etc of research to find out all the answers from primary sources myself, so I will be basing the majority of my information on secondary sources (ie the internet, and occasionally books). We all know how reliable the internet is, so please take all answers with a grain of salt. (Or a pinch. A grain won't affect the taste very much. Possibly a teaspoon? I digress.)
Sources: http://www.destaffanydesign.com/ imax_butterflies/html/article.html h t t p : / / www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/ Butterfly%20Facts.htm
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S.P.A.S.Q.
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pect. Be sure to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of blood on your person, as you don't want to get caught.
Smart People Answering Stupid Questions 4. What's in the combo?
An Article By Jazzannah Green 1. Why is math real? I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but I suppose it will be all right. You are all being secretly trained to be the next body guards for the nations of the world. They are real human personifications of the countries. School is our way of testing each of you to see who will be the best for the job. Do well in your studies, and you may receive a phone call one day asking you to join a country's security force. 2. When will my reflection show who I am inside? Step one is to get X-ray vision. Step two -- a much easier step -- is to acquire a mirror. Stand in front of the mirror and turn on your X-ray vision, seeing inside your reflection. Note: Make sure you're using X-RAY vision, not HEAT vision. 3. What's the easiest way to hide a body? First, you want to get rid of anything that might tip police off as to who the person was. Cut off the hands and feet, so they can't get finger or foot prints. Bury those elsewhere, separately. Remove the teeth as well, and mutilate the face as well as any birthmarks. With that, you can dig a hole somewhere in the forest! The park or your garden is a bad idea; police will look there first if you are a sus-
demise, so it's fair to literally say that watersaves lives! So we know the obvious now, water keeps us alive. What else can it do for us? Is that all? Certainly not!
Water has been actually known to A caramel sundae, hotdog, bacon reduce calories and aid in weight burger, and some onion rings. Oh, loss. It also helps to energize our would you like some fries with muscles! A lack of water has been that? proven to cause an imbalance in our cells, causing fatigue in the muscles. Water also keeps your skin looking healthy and radiant, and can be a great way to prevent the spread of acne. Water helps your kidneys and maintains your bowel movements at a healthy rate, and has been known to flush out toxins from our vital organs. Some scientists have even gone as far to say that water can noticeably improve one's mood! (With this being the case, it can also be said that dehydration has proven to have a negative impact on the An Article moods and overall attitudes of inBy Jesse Ongkili dividuals.)
Water
It is no secret that our body is constantly getting rid of water. Through processes such as breathing, sweating, and excretion (going to the bathroom), our body is continuously using and recycling the liquids we feed it. You could think of yourself as an ever-growing plant that needs a steady flow of water to survive. But why exactly do we need water? Is it simply to replace our lost fluids, or are there other benefits to drinking this easily accessible hydrous? First off, drinking less than your "liquid output" can result in dehydration, a sickness that disrupts the metabolic process, or more simply put, gives you bad stomachaches and terrible diarrhea. Extended periods of dehydration can also result in one's untimely
By now you know a bit more of the medicative and scientific advantages of consuming water throughout the day. Although exact amounts of required consumption vary depending on the individual, the generally accepted amount is roughly 8 glasses of water a day. Grabbing a glass of water during mealtimes can be a great way to insert this miracle liquid into your daily diet. When looking over studies on how to wake up energized, refreshed, and happy in the mornings, one of the constants in the research collected is to drink a glass of water first thing! So don't forget, water is healthy, it's important to drink regularly, and it can save lives! Remember to stay hydrated, so take a break to enjoy a refreshing glass now if you haven't done so in the past few hours.
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Sources:
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Meet Eva Umana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DehyAn Interview dration
singing. 7. What is your favourite book right now, and why?
By Jennica Wlodarczyk http://greatist.com/health/healthbenefits-water 1. Hello Eva! To start this o, why don't you tell the readers a http://www.webmd.com/diet/6-rea- little bit about yourself, your life, sons-to-drink-water and your goals? http://www.mayoclinic.org/ healthy-living/nutrition-andhealthy-eating/in-depth/water/ art-20044256
Word Search
Hello everyone! My goals are to become a missionary doctor with a pilot's license. I am eleven years old and I live with my four siblings and our parents. I love playing soccer with my friends and my favourite animal is a panda because it looks like a giant soccer ball.
BIRDS FLOWERS GREEN MELTING ROBINS SHOWERS SPRING SUNSHINE
8. Which subjects in school interest you the most? The subjects that interest me most are Science and Social. 9. What is your honest opinion of sunflowers?
2. What are some of your I think they are magnificent, but, I hobbies? will admit I do find that the name is odd since the flower is mostly Some of my hobbies are soccer, black seeds. ballet and youth group. 10. Thanks for your time, Eva. As 3. If you had to choose, what a final question, what would you would you say is the easiest part like to tell the readers in order to about being you? make their day just a little brighter? The easiest part of being me is enjoying school. Don't forget to smile; it makes you and the people around you happi4. What is something that has in- er. spired you to be who you are? Something that inspires me most to be me is my family.
"Spring" - A Word Search by Melody Brocke
My favourite book right now is "God Knows My Size" by Silvia Tarniceriu. It is my favourite book because Silvia Tarniceriu smuggled Bibles into Romania and actually went to jail for it.
5. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? The one thing I would change if I could is make everyone equal. 6. What are a few of your favourite things? Oh, hard question! My favourite things are soccer, pandas and
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Student Photo Gallery
Photo taken by Deanna Burmato, Grade 11
Photo taken by Ethan Johnson, Grade 9
Photo taken by Deanna Burmato, Grade 11
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Photo taken by Deanna Burmato, Grade 11
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Photo taken by Ethan Johnson, Grade 9
Super Comics Age of Ultron style
Strings But Not Really - Joshua Wlodarczyk
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ten comes to mind for many people. (For some reason, I always imagine a scarf as being grey or red… but that might just be me). Then there is a thinner scarf, made An Article of silk, fabric, cloth, or any other By Deanna Burmatoff material I suppose. Those are the basic types, though they are used in many different ways and for difHey all! It has been a while since I ferent reasons. last wrote up an article… school demands most of my time, and I am sure many of you can relate. But anyways, I had some free time so I thought, why not?
Scarves
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according to Wikipedia, that is. Cloth scarves have also been evident in Chinese history, where they were used to identify officers or the rank of Chinese warriors. In later times, scarves were also worn by soldiers in Croatia, where officers had silk scarves whilst the other ranks were stuck with cotton scarves. Is it said that from men's scarves the necktie was invented. Makes sense once you think about it.
This article will be about scarves. Some of you might remember reading a previous article of mine about belts; this one will be similar. So here we go! The scarf is a very interesting piece of clothing. At times, it has a very logical use: it is a neck warmer. At other times, it just seems silly. However, some fashionistas might disagree, saying it adds certain flair to an outfit. I myself have tried wearing scarves as a fashion statement… but I just haven't found the right scarf to go with my outfit. There are so many different kinds of scarves out there! It's mind-bog- The history of the scarf begins in gling! First of all, there is the tradi- Ancient Rome, where the garment tional thick, woolen scarf that of- was used to keep clean rather than warm. In Latin it was called the sudarium, which translates to English as a "sweat cloth". It was used to wipe sweat from the neck and face in hot weather. (Bleh, that's a little bit… gross. Imagine how it must smell ater-actually, no, don't imagine that). These "sweat cloths" were usually worn by men, and tied around the neck or to their belt. Women soon got their hands on these and started wearing them, thought theirs were made of cloth rather than wool or silk. Ever since then, the scarf has been fashionable among women;
Continuing on to the modern times, scarves have made a real come-back. Thanks to many celebrities starting fashion trends, the sales of scarves has gone up. Hooray for the stores! And the scarf-makers! And the scarfbuyers! We can now buy celebrityfirst accessories for an arm and a leg! Yay! Anyways, moving on. The scarf is used for many different things. In colder climates, it is frequently worn around the neck and used to keep warm. In drier, dusti-
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er climates, a thin headscarf, bandanna, or kerchief is oten worn over the eyes, nose, and mouth to keep hair clean and airways clear of debris. (This reminds me of the Wild West cowboys, or camel riders in the desert.) Scarves are also a part of the Jewish and Islamic dress code. Married Jewish women wear a tichel to cover their hair, and Jewish men commonly wear the Tallit for prayers, which they wrap around their head to recite the blessing of the Tallit. Many Muslim women wear a headscarf oten known as a hijab or khimar, and Muslim men usually wear the Keffiyeh. Several Christian denominations include a scarf known as a Stole as part of their 'public worship' garments.
Silk scarves were used by early pilots who flew open-cockpit planes to keep the oily smoke from the exhaust out of their mouths while flying. Pilots of closed cockpit aircrat also wore silk scarves, but as a preventative to neck chafing. Fighter pilots especially used these, since they were constantly turning their heads from side to side watching enemy aircrat. Today, wearing scarves has become a tradition, with military flight crews oten wearing scarves with unit insignia and emblems to carry on the heritage.
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Aside from these aforementioned scarves and various customs, scarves have had many other uses as well. Some are tied around the waist as a belt, some can be used as a leash, and others can be used to "do away with" an unwanted person in a violent manner. I shall let you use your imagination. Because really, the use for scarves is unlimited once you put your mind to it! Now for some fun facts about scarves. - Students in the United Kingdom traditionally wear academic scarves with unique combinations of striped colours that identify their particular university or college.
'scarf wall' in which all supporters in a section of the stadium will stretch out their scarves above their heads with both hands, creating an impressive 'wall' of colour. A 'scarf twirl' or 'twirly' is created when a group of fans twirl the scarves above their heads, making a 'blizzard' of colour. - Knitting and crocheting scarves is an important trade in some countries, and also a pastime in others. These knitted scarves are oten given as gits. I have tried my hand at crocheting; however, my creations never seem to look like the ones in the stores. They make it look so easy…
- Scouts wear different coloured scarves as part of their uniform, with logos to represent their scout groups. 'Fun scarves' are used as souvenirs from Scout events and are oten traded at international - Now I am coming to my favourite gatherings. part. There is a certain ridiculously long, oddly striped monstrosity - Football fans and supporters that a certain people have claimed across the world traditionally wear as an icon to their favourite TV coloured scarves, even in warmer Show, Doctor Who. That monstrosiclimates. These scarves may con- ty is the Fourth Doctor's scarf. This tain pictures of renowned players distinctive scarf was created acciand various slogans or words. dentally; the costume designer had Sometimes fans will perform a given the knitter too much wool
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than was necessary. The knitter then unknowingly used up all the wool she had been given, thus creating this extensive piece of neckwear.
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Smart Meters An Article By Adley Soames
- Aside from Doctor Who, another famous scarf is the one Benedict Cumberbatch wears in Sherlock. And I am sure there are many other famous scarves out there aside from my knowledge; however Google refuses to give me the information that I need… Oh well… - There are so many ways to tie a scarf. Like, seriously. There's the pussy-cat bow, the square knot, the cowboy bib, the ascot knot, the loop, the necktie, the gypsy kerchief, etc. etc. Whew! I'm done. For now.
The smart meter is something being introduced all over the province; it is a new way for the electric company to read how much electricity a home is using. These smart meters are much higher tech than the old power meters and are quickly replacing all the old ones. This seems like a rather everyday upgrade; new electronics arrive constantly in our day and age. However, a large group of people are very opposed to the installment of smart meters, explaining that they threaten our health and privacy. These arguments have shown a lot of proof, so I believe they are worth taking a look at. Although cancer is not fully understood, it is scientifically unacceptable to deny the connection between cell phones and cancer. Glioma cancer forms behind the ear, where cell phones are held; since cell phones have become popular, this previously rare cancer has become an epidemic. So we already know that RF emissions are dangerous. The instructions on a cell phone even explain that the device should be held at least an inch away from the head. But how dangerous are smart meters? Studies show that the smart meter emits around 200 µW/cm2, whereas the cell-phone stays bellow 3 µW/cm2. This makes the smart meter a big concern in my opinion. If cell phones can make cancer an epidemic, then smart meters will do a lot more damage. People who
have been exposed to these smart meters can testify to symptoms such as: neurological impairment, ear pain, hearing problems, breathing dysfunctions, chest pains, heart ailments, burning skin, sleep disturbances, headaches, depression, vision troubles, blood pressure changes, autism, and neurodegenerative diseases. These health concerns have caused a number of countries to outlaw smart meters entirely. This to me proves that smart meters should not be accepted in Canada.
Not only do the smart meters seem rather unhealthy, they also threaten our privacy. The smart meter can communicate with any new appliance through wireless signals. This information is sent to the power company, which they observe whenever they like. They will be able to tell when specific appliances are being used, when you're home or not and exactly what types of electronics you use most. Such surveillance and health issues should not be shrugged off or ignored. Even if we do choose to accept the installment of smart meters, I believe it is important to understand the cost. Thank you for reading.
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The Matter of A Life; not an Issue An Article By Taria Soames
terpret the law the way they see it." But if that's the case, can the judge order everyone to come to court Last week, a Muslim woman from not wearing any clothes? Or come Quebec went to court to try to get covered in paint? How is one to put her car back ater it was taken. One a limit on such a lenient rule? of her sons was driving the car with a suspended license; in most cases the board will keep the car for a month. If someone wants to get the car back sooner, then they have to appear in court. This is what Rania El-Alloul was trying to do: she was appearing before the judge Elian Marengo in a Quebec court. El-Alloul appeared in front of the judge. Marengo proceeded to ask why she was wearing a scarf on her head. She replied that it was because she was Muslim. Marengo took a thirty minute recess. When she returned, she told El-Alloul that she had a choice: remove her headscarf immediately or apply for a postponement so that she could consult a lawyer. El-Alloul said that she could not afford a lawyer and that she didn't want to postpone the case. Marengo then adjourned the case. In an interview, El-Alloul claimed, "I felt that I'm not Canadian anymore. When she insisted I should remove my hijab (headscarf), really I felt like she was talking with me as ... not a human being. I don't want this thing to happen to any other lady. This is not the work of a judge. She doesn't deserve to be a judge." Annie-Claude Bergeron is a spokesperson for the chief judge of the Quebec court. She states that "it's up to the judge to apply or in-
Note: this is not an image of the woman mentioned in the article.
which this can be seen: § All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. § Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Judge Marengo cited article 13 of the court of Quebec, which says, "Any person appearing before the court must be suitably dressed." The article makes no reference to headscarves or any other gar- § All are equal before the law and ments. are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the Sameer Zuberi is a board member law. All are entitled to equal prowith the Canadian Muslim forum. tection against any discrimination He says "this is really just a no- in violation of this Declaration and brainer. The judge should have against any incitement to such disknown better. It's not the first time crimination. somebody walks into a courtroom with a religious dress. Jews, men - The Declaration of Human Rights. who wear the kippa, have been here for decades and they've certainly been involved in a court- Sources: room setting." http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ This is not just an issue of religion montreal/quebec-judge-wouldn-tand law; this is a person, and this hear-case-of-woman-wearingwoman's human rights were vio- hijab-1.2974282 lated. No judge should have the http://www.un.org/en/documents/ authority to say or make rules of udhr/ that sort. The Declaration of Human Rights has many points at
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Literature Corner I Kept Your Note A Short Story By Jennica Wlodarczyk Sometimes I forget that the voices I manipulated were all named, all individualized. It gets hard to distinguish between sorcery and forgery ater too many years of intermixing the two. My power is one that is known throughout all the land. Those with mottled intelligence call it magic -- the fact of the matter is that I have been gited with the ability to harness chemica l s a n d u n l o c k t h e i r t r u e potential. I am able to give and take life, to dull or sharpen the mind. What makes this power all the more alluring is that I am its sole master. I am unmatched in my prowess. How can you fault a man for twisting the strongest of magics without proper training? As I gaze out onto my land, Duenna, a city I built from the empiric abilities within my mind, I'm struck with a sudden most brilliant, wondrous thought. Rain strikes the windowpane only inches away from my eyes. Out of everything I can control and all that I believe, only the weather is beyond my reach. Sunny days and blankets of snow are not mine to break or bend. As the rain creates a glazelike sheen over blue-barked durst trees, I wonder why my powers have never extended to this atmospheric height. Perhaps, with the right practice and formulas, I'd easily be able to bend the wind to
do my bidding. The thought makes me frown. Perchance some things are better let alone. I think to myself before stepping away from the window and draping a musty-smelling curtain across its glaring surface. I can't help but think about the countless lazarettos lining the streets of Duenna. A booming number of quarantine hospitals have recently sprouted across the city, all thanks to an introduced virus brought in by an unhealthy genetically altered fruit; one of my inventions. I'm the reason my people are dying. Me. My eyes wander to the solid durst wood chest in the corner of my office that holds too many broken hearts to count. Letters. The chest is filled with letters. Sandra McKandry. Alex Findlater. Eric Kim. I've memorized their names. There are three hundred and forty-eight in total. Civilians, all of them. Thanking me for the changes made to their society. Thanking me for the brutal disease I ripped from their children. Thanking me for being a good person. In the midst of this power, this corrupt, cold-hearted blasphemy against the very laws of nature, I have kept each and every thankyou letter. It's like a sort of penance. Maybe, if I don't forget the terrible monster that I am, no one else will get hurt in my wake. But it's a lie. Too many lies. They all crowd my head like crows around a decaying carcass. Unforgiving, unashamed in their torment. I deserve each moment of my tor-
ment. Years ago, back when I was just a boy, Duenna was a thriving village. Babies were born while the elderly died in peace, and at each event, a village-wide celebration took place. Both life and death were seen as the start of a fruitful journey, and the people in between spent their days weaving and singing and exporting figs to the capital city. No one was rich, no one was poor, and the whole place ran on a rhythmic beat resembling a heart in love. But then I turned eighteen, and with that age came a frightening set of knowledge and powers. I realized that I -- only I -- could make Duenna a better place. A safer place. O with the laughing women in long-sleeved saris. O with the men with minds for family. I would create a stable economy, a world without plague. Not only did I destroy my dreamlike society, but I inflicted a new kind of pain upon those I'd wanted to help. Milky-blue eyes melt in a downpour of tears. My voice cracks. Not even my oice walls can support me. I cry for the ones forgotten, the ones in pain. I cry for every poor, lost soul who still thinks I am a good person. Soon my tears match the rhythm of the rain on my window.
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Bucketlist of Gold A Short Story By Taria Soames My bucket list consisted of some pretty weird things, but fighting a leprechaun was not on it. But it was not going my way; he kept jabbing at my legs and yelling insults at me in an Irish accent. It also did not help that we were inside a tree. It was a large tree, but I still kept hitting my head and bumping into things. I should have known Sabur would have sent me on a mission like this on a Wednesday. I winced as I hit my head on a wooden shelf that consisted of a variety of books, some which said: "How to Hide Your Gold" or, "Where's Your Gold?" and even, "Let's Find Some Gold!" The books clattered to the floor as I moved out of the way while the midget in green swung his sword where I had just been. His sword hit the wood with a dull thud. I checked my wristwatch and called Sabur. "Um, hey Sabur," I said as the little dude got his sword out of the wooden wall. I stepped aside as he charged at me. "I'm gonna need some help." I head a sigh on the other end. "Fine, I'll send Cass over. She'll be there in five." I disconnected and put my entire mind into fighting the leprechaun. In all honesty I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl. I was pretty sure both boy and girl leprechauns had facial hair, but
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there was no way to tell without made me feel more lightheaded as getting close, and I was in no hurry it was a metal wastebasket, I lay to do that. down on the floor not caring if there was a wastebasket on my Five more minutes, I thought to my- head. I slipped out of consciousself, as I narrowly missed a fatal ness, the last conscious thought I blow. The problem was not killing had was hoping there was nothing the leprechaun; the problem was in the waste basket. to catch it. Everyone time anyone tried to kill a leprechaun it would "Lil, Lil, you all right?" I heard Cass disappear, so I had to dodge its ask. I sat up wincing at the pain in wary little hands for another five my side. minutes. "Yea I just got stabbed in the side, I It seemed like eternity but finally I am fine." I say sarcastically. She igsaw Cass. She was standing out- nores my comment. side the tree looking confused. I assumed that she couldn't see us "Why do you have a waste basket because we were in a tree. I on your head?" pressed a button on my wristwatch. A loud beeping noise "Because the desk wouldn't fit." I sounded from it. I'm sure Cass say still ticked o about what had heard it because she looked up happened. I lited the waste basket and all around her. She looked at o my head and took a deep her wristwatch and started coming breath. Cass gave me a look of uncloser. While I was distracted amusement. No one appreciated watching Cass I forgot my happy my sense of humor around here. little leprechaun. I saw out of the corner of my eye that it was charg- "Maybe you could like help me or ing me (again.) I tried to move out something, just a thought." I sugof the way but there was a dresser gested. there. I moved as far as I could but his sword still penetrated my side. "Right, we'll get you back to Sabur." Cass says. It wasn't a deep cut but it still hurt. I gripped my side and groaned. "I can't exactly walk," I say, looking This was the pain where it got all at myself. I can barely sit up. The tingly and you feel lightheaded. I Leprechaun started to saunter out vaguely heard Cass come in the the door but Cass grabbed it, realdoor. Finally. I fell to the floor as ized she had pine needle bracelets gracefully as I could with blood tied around her wrists, that's why pouring from my side. I used one of the Leprechaun didn't disappear, a my hands to support me as I simple trick really. I should have watched Cass take hold of the lep- thought of that. rechaun. Hmmm that's weird. "Come on, we'll use the teleporter My vision started turning blurry just this once" She says. We both but the last thing I remember was took our wristwatch and pressed the leprechaun momentarily free- the blue button. ing himself and hurling a waste basket at me. It hit the desk behind "Allnos-y!" we both said at the me and landed on my head. It same time.
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Weekly LOL Compiled by Jennica Wlodarczyk
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